Week 2 - Farewells, just not our own
We left off our last blog on the side of the highway with a blown hose. We made it to a truck stop to secure a temporary fix and have the correct part on its way. Some comedic relief (for me only) was the 3 ant nests we happened to stop beside each time the hose blew.
We got to spend the weekend in Jacksonville camping and surfing at Hanna Beach with Logan’s brother, who lives in town. Sunday was “GoSkateDay” - a chance for the global skate community to all ride together, aka a skater's favourite day of the year. We hung out at JAX skate park before heading over to Kona skatepark (the world’s first recognized skate park). Sadly, the evening storm got in the way, but we did get to connect with a local skate ministry and retailer, Genesis Skate Co. This company offers one of a kind Christian skate apparel and decks and their team hopes to influence the community to follow God while shredding the skateparks.
JAX skate park on GoSkateDay
Back in Brunswick, it was a week for projects and more camps! To kick off the week, Logan tackled the upper storage space of the Hub. Building tote racks for tubs and general shelving for everything else. We hope to make this space more organized and user-friendly.
As mentioned previously, one way that VSM looks to serve the local community is through yard work. They offer paid labour to the public in order to fund free work for Widows, Seniors, Single mothers, Veterans, etc. Though the team has a schedule and yards booked to maintain, they won’t hesitate to adjust those plans whenever they see a need. They will also invite regulars at the Hub to come along and learn gardening skills. One of these young guys is so stoked to be there that he is bringing his own tools from home to get the job done.
Logan was able to look over their gardening machinery and offer some working maintenance.
We got to join in again on Surf Camps this week. We had a big group with ages ranging from 10 to 50. It is so cool to see everyone get the chance to jump on a board and have a solid go at it. A lot of these families have connected with VSM via the hub or, as was the case this last week, local festivals where VSM is one of the vendors.
The drive to and from Jacksonville, (where surf camps are hosted) provides a sweet opportunity to get to know the kids from The Hub. Logan had a conversation with the girl mentioned in last week’s blog, who was planning to spend her whole summer on surf camp. She began to open up on where she’s at in life and her uncertainty around God. Logan was able to get her connected with a staff member to continue exploring these questions.
We’ve gotten to spend a lot of time with the VSM crew this week, which we have really treasured. From coffee dates on the bus, to joining in on the weekly grocery shop and a surf session with a lot of the staff yesterday. As we get to spend time with each of the staff, we hear incredible stories of God’s provision and faithfulness. And we are watching God provide in real time for their upcoming missions trip and summer camp.
On Thursday night 4 of the kids who have been at the hub nearly every day of the summer found out they were moving the following day. Most of the staff went to their house the next morning - hugs were exchanged, tears were shed, words of encouragement were spoken, and each sibling was intentionally prayed for with laying of hands. We then got to spend time with them at “Praise” (a morning of music and worship VSM hosts at the hub weekly), before finally sending them off. This farewell was hard on everyone, considering the time they have spent together, the conversations they’ve shared, and thus the deep connection they all now have.
Similarly, at girls' night earlier in the week, 2 kids from down the road came by to say their aunt was moving at the end of the week. These guys would stay with their aunt during the summers and often brought over microwaved cookies or just come by to chat. The girls took the opporuntity to prayer with the siblings (initially with just one who went and got his brother because of the shift he felt in his heart). The second time the older brother heard a loud noise during our group prayer - similar to that of a roaring lion or the blowing of trumpets! He was stunned by this encounter, in near disbelief that no one else heard it!! This opened doors to spiritual conversation with these boys; getting to share truth with them regarding eternal life, God’s love for them and who they are as Sons of God.
Over the next few days, they desperately tried learning to skate on an old skateboard they had in storage with no grip tape (not an easy feat) … on their last day in town, VSM gifted them a longboard to take with them.
All of these farewells were a powerful reminder that we know so little about what lies ahead and how much time we have with those around us. It was a challenge to always make the most of it.
On Friday nights during the summer, VSM hosts “grill and chill”; an event for the community to come to the hub for a burger, to skate or hang out crafting, playing foosball, etc. Last week I was on the grill while Logan taught a kid to “drop in” on the skate ramp. This week we got to enjoy a dinner with Doug and Marcia (VSM founders) before they headed out of town. We finished the night back at the hub skating.
My BBQ sous chef
And that wraps up week 2 in Brunswick.
With only 4 more days here in Brunswick, we hope to make the most of the time we have with this awesome team.
For the praying folk:
The two families who are moving away; that they might find stability and good friends wherever they land
Continued depth of connection and conversation with the VSM staff
A restful time for Doug and his family as they prepare for the rest of the summer
Smooth preparation for a long drive to Colorado