AND WITH THAT… THE LAST ICE CREAM CONE OF SUMMER 2025

The last overnight group for the summer was Church on Congress Avenue from Austin. They worked with the kids at the Villages Apartments, where we had an incredible turnout. The team handled everything with grace, using skits and crafts to explore Bible stories about God keeping His promises: first to the Israelites when He provided food (manna and quail) after their exodus from Egypt, then when He fulfilled His promise to bring them back to Jerusalem after exile, and finally in sending the world a Savior.

The kids loved the impromptu karaoke session, singing along to Forrest Frank’s “Your Way’s Better,” and jumping rope in groups of three and four. Even more touching was the volunteers’ experience. One student shared how, after the initial first-day awkwardness faded, they knocked    on a door to pick up kids and were met with huge smiles. “We’ve been waiting for you!” the kids exclaimed, a moment that captured the joy of Street Camp.

Under the scorching sun, the student volunteers stained the fence at Manna House and paused the next day to help decorate the ROCK Children’s Centre for a movie day. They also finished painting the courtyard of the Ark Apartments. Between projects, they cooled off with ice cream and other treats from local businesses like Thirst Coffee and Helados La Azteca; learning firsthand how supporting small shops strengthens the community.

We were also blessed by day volunteers who gave a few hours of their time to serve. The Reach Ministry of John Houston Family of Companies, the service arm of the organization, joined us for a full day from 10 AM to 5 PM. They learned about Mission Waco, did the Creekside tour, then helped organize the copy room at the main office and finished painting the exterior of the Youth Center. We also had youth volunteers from The Church of Christ Belton who served at Urban Reap, assisting with chores and cleaning up the space.

And with that, we close out the summer 2025 overnight groups. It has been a true delight hosting every team that came to serve. We are incredibly blessed by how they touched every part of our community : from bringing joy to kids at Street Camp, to staining fences, tending gardens and beautifying spaces. They cared for neighbors, lifted spirits at Highland Nursing Home, and fellowshipped with residents of My Brother’s Keeper during chapel. For our volunteers, it was a life-changing experience; for us, it was an inspiration to witness their dedication.

To all our Summer 2025 volunteers: We are profoundly grateful for your labor of love. As Ray Boltz sang in his 1988 classic “Thank You”:

“Thank you for giving (your sweat, love, kindness, and even financial resources to our community)…(We) are so glad you gave.”