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Stories from around the synod Bethany College – Journeying High School Youth Grateful for Opportunity to Serve Others through a Cultural Immersion and Service Learning Trip More than 1,200 hours of service, 45 willing volunteers, and a charter bus changed the lives of the participants and recipients of the Bergie Bus Tour in June of this year. The weeklong tour took students to Oaks Indian Mission in Oaks, Oklahoma, and Metro Lutheran Ministry, in Kansas City, for cultural immersion and service-learning. 32 high school youth and 8 sponsors from congregations in South Dakota, Seattle, Colorado Springs, Tulsa, Russell, Windom, Larned, Courtland, Salina, and Lindsborg joined 5 Bethany leaders on Bethany’s campus in Lindsborg as the adventure began on June 9, 2007. The Bergie Bus Tour, fondly known as BBT, was the realization of a dream of Shawn “Bergie” Bergstrom, ’94 grad of Bethany, and a youth director in Great Bend and Seattle before his untimely death in August of 2005. Bergie’s parents, Lyle and Doris Bergstrom, were along for the ride and led the sharing of Bergie’s passion for Christ and for youth. Following a day of team-building and preparation on campus, the group boarded the bus for their destinations. While at Oaks, BBT members spent hundreds of hours painting, sorting clothes, cleaning, stripping wallpaper, organizing, and interacting with youth from the mission. Conversations with Oaks personnel and an afternoon at the home of the Cherokee Nation in Talequah, Oklahoma, helped participants better understand the culture and history of Oaks and the Native American people. Midweek, the group enjoyed a brief break by attending a Royals game in KC. Then it was back to work at Metro Lutheran Ministry (MLM) in Kansas City. BBT travelers helped serve breakfast to the homeless, weed a community garden, stuff a mailing, paint houses, paint more houses, clean up lawns, and pour cement, while learning about the communities of both Kansas City, Kansas, and Missouri. Throughout the week participants formed deep bonds of friendship and connection with one another and the people they met at Oaks and MLM. “Being able to spend so much time getting to know everyone has been one of the best experiences of my life,” shared Jamie from Russell. And one of the young people from Bergie’s ministry in Seattle reflected, “As I worked today I thought a lot about Bergie. I knew he would have loved to be right there with us painting and probably teaching us a song.” The trip culminated in worship at Hollis Renewal Center outside KC. Zoe, a student speaker, shared her reflections through the lens of the Good Samaritan: “The people and places we have helped are not just grateful for us and our help, but we are grateful for them. Through them and their needs we can grow in Christ.” The BBT was a life-changing experience for many on the trip. Kyle from Colorado Springs stated, “When I go home I am going to continue working on helping others and doing what I can do to help the community.” Jamie shared, “Before I began this trip I tried my best to help people out as much as possible, but I did overlook many things that could use fixing up or my help. I did not think that this trip would help me as much as it did. I want to keep helping people out as much as I can.” Morgan from Windom added, “This entire experience will make me a different person, and it’s made my whole faith in God so much stronger.” Taylor from Russell remarked, “This day has been a huge wake up call for me.” Vanessa from Russell summed it up well for the whole BBT crew: “I’d like to thank God for this wonderful journey!” Rev. Noni Strand “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” Hebrew 13:16
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