The Goodbyes Begin

I am sad to say that I am leaving Work Camp 2006 this morning, a day earlier than everyone else, to attend a wedding in Eugene. It sure has ended with a bang. Before breakfast, several pranks were pulled. Emma's teddy bear was found hung by a string in the sanctuary. Apparently the bear couold no longer stand sleeping with Emma anymore (he explained this in the suicide note attached to his arm.) To retaliate, Emma poured hot sauce all over my pancakes. Touche'. Last night, after a long long long day of work (we had to finish all of the many projects that we started), we had our talent show. All the guys did WORK CAMP- THE MUSICAL. It was epic. And a good end to work camp. Peace OUT!
Chris

Whew!

Hi everyone! Elizabeth and Emma want to blog too, but they're making pancakes (Elizabeth is making half a bajillion and Emma is making a full bajillion with blueberries), so they're just making suggestions as I type. Last night, we had our wonderful awesome Talent-No Talent Show (TNT)! Katie and I sang a duet: "On Eagle's Wings", which was very pretty. Lizzie and I did a tap number (yes, we brought tap shoes). We were all required to come up with a girl's skit, but since we had like 10 minutes in which to create it, we did the Invisible Skit. We thought it was very amusing, but the guys complained. For their skit, the guys did "Work Camp: The Musical", which was sooo funny, and obviously took a lot of effort to create! Unfortunately, the talent show was filmed, but we ran out of film (or something like that) by the time the guys did their skit. Katie, Lizzie, and I also did our 2nd Annual Work Camp Awards Ceremony.
We're finally finished with all of our work! The playground looks awesome, and the walls of the church that we painted look really good....and that flower bed that Chris and I weeded and planted yesterday looks AMAZING! (of course) Emma is really proud of the fence around the playground...from digging the holes three days ago to putting in the ties. Today, we're going to Crater Lake, which should be really cool.
Elizabeth and Emma say hi and Emma says we'll see you tomorrow (*sings "Tomorrow" from Annie*).
~Becca
PS. 2000 years of male oppression!

I have NEVER worked SO HARD and been SO EXHAUSTED and also feel so GRATEFUL and JOYFUL......Thanks be to God.--Sarah

When you plan your work day by day, week by week and everyday your work brings you one step further each day it feels so good when Lorenzo asks you to take a step back to look at work YOU have done after 5 days when you weren't sure how much will be done and how many extra hours of work it would take to finish what you planed.
But now it feels soooooo soooooo soooooo GOOD to be done.

Thats all I have to say
...lorenz

The Work is Done!

The church walls have a fresh coat of paint...brilliant!
















There is now a playground with a safe fence...its fun-ctional!
















Andrew even got the mower going...he was driven!

We are so proud of the work everyone has done. Many have said this is the hardest they have EVER worked in their lives. Pastor Rachel and Pastor Bob are really excited and grateful. Today, we head to Crater Lake for a day of relaxing and celebrating. See you all tomorrow!
--Adam

work!!!!!

yestusrday was a very hard, hot day we had so much to do but not to much time i know alot of people had to work over time. i think that so far i am having a good time, there are bumps but i seem to get over them :) plus i havent gotten very sunburned which is another great thing hahahahaha
i think that my experiance has been good i have learned new things and have become more comfortable with all the people here, this is my first summer camp and im haveing alot of FUN!!!!!!
lots of love Antoinette (aka muscles) :)


Hello! I'm writing from my pjs today because I slept in quite a bit. I was on cooking duty yesterday so we made french toast for breakfast, served left overs for lunch, and my other family group members did a bbq for dinner. Yesterday Greg and I (Emma) cut wood to put around the base of the play structure and the fence posts were done to perfection. Then in the afternoon, after the wood cutting task, we all picked up the play structure and moved it to it's place on top of the cement in this picture. After that Lorenz and Andrew and I (still emma) started thinking about putting up the A frame for the swing set we're putting in. It ended up taking us about 2hrs and 45min. after free time started to finish, and once we started, we had to keep going because the cement was in the mixer. We had to cut the A frame because it was too tall but we had to make sure we did it right so we checked about 20 times, dealing with obstacles like the height of the ground at different points affecting the height of the structure we were measuring. It was hard! but now the cement should be setting and we're going to put the A frame up and hopefully get the swings squared away and finish the fence. Also last night, Pastor Rachel came and gave us all brain-stained animal hide and beads to make little medicine bags out of! they're so cool but by the time we finished with the A frame deal I was to tired to do much on it so I saved it and I'll probably work on it some more today. Since I hadn't taken a shower during my free time and I went straight from A-frame to dinner to medicine pouch making -- it was 10:00pm and I hadn't taken a shower yet! We felt it was too late to ask Pastor Rachel if we could use her shower, so Andrew and I took hose showers in our swim suits. It was really cold. (I hadn't taken a shower the day before either, because I jumped in the river and felt remarkably clean after). That's all for now! Love, Emma

Yesterday was the hardest day at work camp. Lots has been finished even though we are not done yet. The preparation work for the A-Frame seemed endlessly because we were all tired from the work we've already done.
Luckyly Emma and Andrew helped me out taking all the measurements and leveling the A-Frame otherwise i wouldn't be here right now. I would lie in my bed and be exauseted... That's what i am anyways.
But, after lots of overtime work and tired Emmas, Andrews and Lorenz' we finaly acomplished all our work.
greetings from oregon
...lorenz

Tribal Headquarters

Pastor Rachel generously offered to take us on a tour of Chiloquin and view some important sites around the area. Our youth, hungry for knowledge emphatically agreed. After our experience in the very "foriegn" service we attended on Sunday, I had some anxiety about what we would hear along the tour. I find it boggling to my mind how a people so abused by our government through out our history can be so gracious. I kept thinking about the cost of living these people have been forced to live in and how they can possibly rebuild the once great culture that existed before. After speaking with Alan Foreman, the leader of the Klamath tribes, (I spoke to a leader of a nation, wow) we began to see the very slow but sound plan to reclaim the lost lands and restore tribal fishing rivers. Throughout the tour, our youth exhibited a quiet awe that manifested itself in empathy for their people and made our work for the their children much closer. I myself feel humbled by their demonstration of Christ's teaching in peaceful action plan to reclaim their land and rights; and the distance between conservative and liberal disappears when we begin to deal with real peoples lives.
-Lorenzo
Our visit to the tribal headquarters yesterday opened my eyes to how much the Klamath tribes are progressing--they continue to carry on ancient traditions and to preserve their history. Upon first stepping inside the new building, we saw beautiful basket collections and a row of portraits of wizened, fierce-looking Klamath women. In their eyes I saw the deep pride they had for their tribe and for their way of life, and a steadfast, unfaltering resolve. To the other side was a display case about diabetes--a disease that is impacting many, many natives especially (earlier we had learned that obesity and diabetes are so common in American Indians partly because of the lack of nutrition in government food handouts. What struck me most was when we walked into the large conference room where the General Council votes. On the right was a large poster detailing the many, many injustices the Klamath people have faced since their creation here millenia ago. I greatly admire the ability for these natives to rise above such a long, painful history of oppression and persecution. All of the youth were stunned. It made all of our concerns seem so trivial in comparison. I am so glad I can help this community. We all are deeply appreciative of this amazing opportunity. Peace out for now.
- Chris

The Leaders

It has been an awsome work camp so far! I am so proud of the youth, their hard work, and their willingness to engage with the people here. I could write about how each one has extended themselves into a new experience or challenge as well as taking good care of themselves and each other. I have been so grateful for the support and amazing gifts of the other adult leaders, Lorenzo, Sarah and Julie. Each one has been working with a team to help organize parts of work camp. Lorenzo has developed an empowered WorkTeam where each has a title (Operations Manager, Human Resources Manager, Moral Booster, etc.) and shares responsibility for making decisions. Sarah has been leading our Spiritual Leadership Team which has inspired us daily scripture, singing and journaling time. Julie has lead the Food Team who has tackled the task of feeding this hoard. They planned the menu and we all are taking turns cooking for the group. Everyone agrees that the food has been great. On a personal note, it inspires my faith to see a church so deeply enmeshed in the needs of their community. They live out the belief that faith in a loving God has the power to heal those wounds that policies and programs can't. I am in awe of how hopeful the tribal people we've met have been despite the legacy of cultural genocide and oppression they have experienced. It is clear that there is rage in this community, perhaps turned inward in the self-destructive forms of alcohol and drug abuse. But there is also a parallel Warrior Spirit (the church's motto is Warriors for Christ) which is doing the slow and steady work of preserving and building a nation. I have been inspired by how both Pastor Rachel and Pastor Bob are fearless in providing space for hearing and healing the spiritual "battles" of this community.
Adam

Hard Working Youth

We couldn't be prouder of the work the youth are doing!

The Great and the Small

What an amazing, uplifting, exhausting, and often hilarious time!! I am amazed at how the youth can haul bags of concrete and scrape old paint for hours in the hot sun, and then when they're done and they get a break (and I COLLAPSE), they start up a game of tag football or soccer. WHEW! What I wouldn't give for that energy . . . .

Baby Way-Way has been adopted by 17 incredible youth, who are treating her like the princess she's pretty sure she is. She is constantly played with, oohed and aaahed over, fed, rocked, held, run around with . . . . what is she going to think when we go home and she only has boring Mommy and Daddy to hang out with?!

I feel so privileged and excited that she gets to be around these amazing examples of hard work, compassion, dedication, friendship, and FUN!
Julie, Lorenzo & Way-Way

The Concrete and the Abstract

Hey everybody! So Daniel, Antoinette, and me (Elizabeth) made the thing to hold the play structure support in place while pouring the cement. It only took 2 hrs to make the first one and then Lorenzo changed the measurements and we had to tear the whole thing apart and make it over again. But we got it done and it is all good.
Rebecca, Lorenz, and Sarah repaired some parts of the play structure, which took way longer than it probably should have because the wood kept splitting and we would have to start over. We poured cement, and I (becca) got to smooth it over with a shovel. When it dried a bit, we wrote "With Love From Winthrop 2006" and put our handprints in it. Afterwards, people fought over the two showers.
After that, we had a burrito bar dinner and played psychiatrist and mafia (and I (emma) kept dying by popular demand!!). Today we're going to take a cultural tour and do some clean up(and laundry)! we'll keep you posted!
Love,
Emma, Elizabeth, and Rebecca

So far, this work camp has been great. Yesterday we finally got the concrete down for the base of the play structure. We've been working super hard but it has been fun. Also, two people from the church came and talked to us these past few days. Its so interesting to hear the stories of these people. I was looking at this map of lands the Indian tribes inhabited from the 14oo's to the 1900's and found myself becoming very upset. Before the arrival of Columbus, all of what is now the U.S was Indian land. The population of Natvie people at that time was close to 5 million. Up untill 1940, there was a dramatic drop in population. In the 1800's there were a just a little over 1 million navtives still living on THEIR land. By the 1900's over 90 million acres were abstracted from Indian lands. Learning this almost brought me to tears. Althought I know it wasn't my fault or anyone living now-a-days, I cant help but feel gulity and angry at myself. However, learning about their culture, even though it is very different from our own, has been awesome. The land up here is beautiful along with the weather. The only thing i wish i got was more sleep. I've been waking up every morning at 6 or 6 30 (wake up is at 7 30) which will come to a surprise for my parents. Hopeful more exciting adventures are still to come, see you all on sunday!!
Katie

Playground Progress

The first day work has been very productive! It is hard to do the work with such a beautful background and with the weather being so perfect. But were doing it. WORKCAMP 06!!!!
-Daniel Lawson

Yesterday was an intense day. We started working on painting the church walls and re-constructing the play structure in the back (seen here in this picture). Our work included digging a 7 by 5 foot hole in the ground that was about 3 feet deep! Good times. Towards the end of the day, Pastor Rachel came to talk to us about the history of the Klamath Tribes and the situation for natives in Chiloquin and the surrounding areas. The Klamath tribes as it is known today is a merged group of Modoc, Snake and Klamath natives. Rachel went into detail about their history of oppression and hardship--a commonality that far too often clouds the legacy of native tribes all over America. She explained how the U.S. government broke a treaty in the 1950's with the Klamath people, and the terrible ramifications that resulted. Rampant alchoholism, poor nutrition, and loss of identity were among the consequences of the government's actions for the natives here. Our work took on a special significance when she informed us exactly how important it was for children in the area to have a safe haven--a place to play in peace. I feel blessed that our hard work will directly result in helping those children. Peace out for now,
Chris McCoy

Monday's Work

Woohoo! Monday was fun! Paint went not only on the walls, but on the faces and shirts of all who drew within arm's reach of the painters....so by 2:30, everybody was white. And spotted, due to the large showing of mosquitos...
-Andrew McAfee

Before we could paint the church, we had to scrape the coating of giant bugs off the sides of the building. Which was really NASTY, since they would fall into people's hair. Then after that, we painted--not only the church but everything else as well. There are now a lot of white-coated insects staggering around. It's really cool to be working outside (other than the bugs), because it's gorgeous here! And fortunately, the weather has been great. Later on in the evening, we met with Pastor Rachel, and discussed some of the issues and concerns of the community, which was interesting. We had stir fry for dinner, which was really good. Then a bunch of free time...secret buddy gifts have started appearing...

Becca and Elizabeth

Our Generous Hosts

Pastor Rachel and Pastor Adam.......Pastor Bob on the BBQ!

















Katie mingling........Daniel and Rebecca talk with the kids

Hoy Dia

Off to do stuff...
I've been assigned to fix up a 2-cycle lawnmower, which should prove entertaining and fun :)
Didn't sleep on a pew last night, sorry Phil.
-Andrew McAfee

Lots of work is waiting for us. Materials have been bought pictures have been taken... Lots of pictures. The hard sleeping ground makes me feel being on vacation.
Fresh air and the silence are in big contrast to my daily city life.
...lorenz

So I think that I will write a daily one of these. So lastnight we played sardines (like hide and go sleep but you hide with the hiders once you find them) and it so much fun. We went to the local lake and only Martin went swimming (the water was kinda chunky). Some of the local kids desided to give us a welcoming that we would not forget on our walk home... high speed dive by. Though I think that it was kinda funny, everyone in the group seemed to get really mad. Anyhoo, I hope that all you fathers had a great Fathers Day. I think that everyone is having a great time...
GREG SPECHT

The bugs are biting,
The grass is green,
This one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen!!!
Thus far Work Camp is AWESOME!!!!!!!!! I am enjoying myself to the highest degree! So far I have washed dishes, been on a river, and played Sardines. IT WAS FUN!!!!!!!!!!!!! And Adam and the rest of the Winthropites are very silly!!! [=
LIZZIE PRINDLE

Day Three

Hey everybody. We are going to start work today. We are going to build a fence and make a playground (see BEFORE photo on right) and paint the church. Yesterday we went to church for three hours. It was very interesting because they worship and express their faith very differently from FCCB. The church had a BBQ in honor of Father's Day, at which several youth tried venison and others stayed far away from it. Then we went for a nice long walk to a lake and explored this country. This white four wheeler truck got stuck in a hole and then came around to try to run us down... three times. But, no one was hurt. Later in the evening we played Sardines and never found anyone. Then some certain people (*cough* Chris *cough*) stayed up talking really late and wouldn't let anyone else go to sleep.
We love you guys and are thinking of you!
Elizabeth and Rebecca


Hi Everyone- Yes- yesterday was full of interesting ( and scary) experiences! Despite my bad start to the trip ( getting a mild concussion at a rest stop), being up here with the youth in the incredible beauty of what our hosts, Rachel and Bob, call, "God's Country", is a blessing and a gift. I was a bit foolhardy taking 14 youth by myself on our exploring walk, I was constantly "parenting" them: "Get off the road!" "Don't hurt your back!" "Be careful of the rocks in the water!" Wow- I admire all you amazing parents out there.......I told the youth, "I'm just trying to take good care of you; I feel like I'm a mother with 14 teenage children!!" :) We had a really fun time on the walk-- and I tell you, when we were walking down the road, I just watched them all in front of me, laughing and singing and joking with eachother, I thought of the happy scenes in the movie "Stand By Me" and I felt truly Blessed.
--Sarah

Spirit

Hi, my name is Spirit! I love youth! They play with me and leave things around for me to chew on! I sleep under the church when it is hot and bark all night at the shadows. Yesterday, I caught a ground squirrel in front of everyone. I proudly carried it through the BBQ the church was having until some of the children rescued it from me. I am going to help dig today!

Father's Day

Hi Dads!!! Happy Father's Day from all of us at work camp! We are thinking of you and love you. So far we had breakfast and went on a walk. Hope you are all having a wonderful and peaceful day without your wild and crazy kids. Love, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Emma, and everyone else.

captain planet

On the way up here it was alot of fun we got to see all the beaytiful landscape and we got to sit with the people we wanted to--it was very cool :) our van was called captain planets hahahah! I'm havein' alot of fun here....
love always
Antoinette Corriea

Hello all! Yesterday we sat in the vans for a super long time, but it was really neat when we saw Mt. Shasta and we were especially excited to see the "Oregon welcomes you" sign. Last night we met some people and a dog, who steals anything left sitting on the ground. There's lots of bugs, but it's okay because we have bug repellent! Last night we slept on and between the pews and today we will participate in two worship services in the room where we were sleeping.
I miss you!!
~Emma Fujii

So this is my last work camp, I have to say that I dont think that we could have found a more beautiful location to do our work. The ride up here was long and I'm sure many butts fell asleep, but you guys should see the hills and farms its really gorgous. On a funner note... My left flip flop has disappeared and it seems that the local dog has had his way with it. I'm guessing that I will never see my shoe again but I'm hoping that my parents are reading this soooo... Dad, Mom, I need a new pair of flip flops (I think you should get them from target, the Caronia ones). Yeah sooo I hope that all the parents hare having fun now that their houses are free of the food and money consuming plague that are their children.
Much Love,
Greg Specht

Martin wake up

Well we had got here after 7.5 houers of driving in a car with 17 youth, 4 adults, and 1 baby in two vans and a car. When we finally got unpacked we made instant friends with the 500 pound white lab named Spirit, who will eat anything in site (we have yet to find Greg's sandle but Spirit is our number one suspect). After a few break the ice games we broke off into our family groups and had secret buddy explained to us. I hope we have a fun and productive day ahaed of us since we just woke up for our second day here.

Martin Bartson

-Sleeping on a pew can only end catastrophically...-Andrew McAfee

It is a truly beautiful morning inChiloquin--the sun is out, breakfast is out, and the tranquil sounds of bird calls and dog barks can be heard. Right now I am sitting outside of the kitchen looking out on the vibrant green grass and the surrounding river and mountain in the distance. Being in a place like this, a place foreign to our urban perspectives, allows for deeper reflection and introspection. Spirit just ran off with another shoe. Oh well. Today we are going to participate in two church services in our host church, and I look forward to learning about a different religious tradition and engage in a dialogue with them.
Peace out for now,
Chris McCoy

Getting Commissioned

This year the Winthrop Youth, a group of dedicated high school students, 9th through 12th grade is traveling to Chiloquin, Oregon some 370 miles north, near Lasson National Park. They leave this coming Saturday June 17th at 9:00 AM and will return Sunday, June 25th. They'll travel to serve the Williamson River Indian Mission United Methodist Church which is located on the former Klamath Indian Reservation. They will serve this economically poor community by working on building an outdoor play structure and doing general construction and maintenance for the church, that serves as a center of faith and support for the greater community. As guests of the Williamson River Indian Mission United Methodist Church they'll learn about each other, another community, another culture, another geography and have the privilege to serve and praise God in this close knit community. It's a week-long journey of service, learning, fun and Christian fellowship. The youth leaders attending this year are Sarah Fernald, Lorenzo Llanillo, Julie Llanillo-Greer and one awesome toddler, Way-Way Llanillo. They will be lead and ministered by our pastor, Adam Blons. These young people also received help and leadership from Mitchell Tobias, Janet Eadie and myself. The youth attending this year are:

Andrew McAfee, Susan Bryant, Caitlin Lizzottle, Antoinette Corriea, Chris McCoy, Daniel Lawson, Elizabeth Brenum, Emma Fujii, Greg Specht, Iris Williamson, Katie Winton-Henry, Lizzie Prindle, Lorenz Claus, Marina Cinquegrano, Martin Bartson, Nick Lawson, Nicole Petiet, and Rebecca Crebbin-Coates

Please join me in praying, supporting and commissioning these outstanding youth and their leaders as they travel to Chiloquin, Oregon for this year's Winthrop Work Camp.