HE’S GOT CANDYLAND (AND MISSION WACO) IN HIS HANDS

It was with great joy that we welcomed Grace Fellowship from Katy, Texas, to serve with us this week. They started off by leading worship at Church Under the Bridge where an unexpected and delightful moment unfolded. One worshipper became so overwhelmed with joy that he stood on his chair, dancing freely. Without hesitation, some of the boys from Grace Fellowship joined in, mirroring his enthusiasm and turning what could have been awkward into a beautiful display of shared celebration.

The team distributed flyers later that day to promote Street Camp in the three locations they’d serve: Barron’s Branch, The Villages, and Brazos Village. Street Camp kicked off the next day, and the team spent the following three days sharing Bible stories about Abraham and Jacob with the kids in these apartment complexes.

With dance choreographies to songs like Father Abraham, He’s Got the Whole World, and My God Is So Big, the kids had so much fun wiggling their toes and fingers, sticking out their tongues, and spinning until they were dizzy! They even made up their own lyrics for He’s Got the Whole World, adding lines like “He’s got the chocolate factory in His hands,” “He’s got Candyland in His hands,” He’s got (their names) in His hands”, and even “Mission Waco in His hands”! They showed their creativity by coloring and bejeweling stars (to remember God’s promise to Abraham about his descendants), crafting sock babies (for Isaac’s birth), and building ladders with painted angels (to retell Jacob’s dream).

The Grace Fellowship youth loved Street Camp, calling it a trip highlight. They were amazed by the kids’ excitement, how they sang along, begged for more, and even one who said he ‘barely slept’ waiting for the next day.

In addition to Street Camp, the team participated in learning activities - including learning from Mission Waco programs like Urban Reap and Fair Trade, plus a new addition: the Disparity Trap Game, a simulation that helped them understand systemic inequalities firsthand.

The team also served through their assigned service projects. Split into 3 groups, they painted the exterior of Mission Waco’s Youth Center . The second team worked briefly at the Rock’s Children Center as we prepared for long-awaited renovations there, then moved to the Lighthouse where they assisted with the ongoing renovations and painting. The final team spent their afternoons at The Ark Apartments scrubbing tree sap off the courtyard concrete and repainting the courtyard. We were blessed tremendously by their joyful, selfless service.

As we said goodbye to the Grace Fellowship team, we welcomed middle schoolers from Memorial Drive Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. A large group of 44, they split into three communities for Street Camp: Brazos Village, Barron's Branch, and Costa Esmeralda. They taught the kids through skits and a fun craft to help remember the armor of God.

They also participated in a new learning activity called 'Supporting Local Businesses.' The team learned why supporting local businesses matters and put this lesson into practice by visiting some businesses that lease their space from Mission Waco: Helados La Azteca and Thrst Coffee Shop. For the middle schoolers, this was the perfect combination - learning important concepts while enjoying sweet treats. Ice cream on a hot summer day? Absolute heaven!!

For their service projects, the team cleared weeds from The ROCK Children's Center playground, helped out at Urban Reap, stained the Jubilee Park playground, and worked at two community gardens. By revamping these spaces through their hard work, they gifted the community with renewed spaces for play, learning, and cultivating.

What a joy to host these groups this week! As we pause to reset for summer's second half, we carry their energy with us, returning soon refreshed and ready for more.