Shen-Val-Lore
First Day Monday, August 15th
The Student Voice of Shenandoah Valley Academy
April 18, 2014
Shenandoah Valley Academy
Volume 83, Editon 7
Upcoming Events
10 Days in the Amazon
April
Rachelle Pichot
Spring break is just a lovely time of the year, isn’t it? Some people go home, others sleep the whole time, the movie stars go to parties, and occasionally, some people go on mission trips. Fifty-four people, led by Pastor Denny Grady, went on a mission trip this spring break. In preparation, we had to send out letters to fundraise and get our medical info up to date, as well as obtain visas. The writing, shots, and updated passports paid off when SVA’s spring break started. On Wednesday, March 19, all participants went to Wood Grill Buffet and Wal-mart to get lastminute supplies. We slept in the dorm that night (the rest of the students had left for home already) and left for Brazil the next morning. It was dark when we arrived in Manaus. We made it to the bus and then from there, to a dock. We hopped onto the boat—which was a threedecker—and crawled into our tightly packed hammocks. We got to the village in the morning, and the pastors let us know what we would be doing and what we should expect during our time over there. After lunch, we promptly formed a line and began
everyone’s favorite activity: throwing bricks. I accidently threw a brick at Julia Jedamski and she wanted everyone to know that it bruised her for a while. Karina Ruiz also threw a brick at Julia and said that she “saw Julia’s life flash before her eyes.” Before rumors get started about abuse and all that, let’s just clarify that it was an accident both times. There was a hill with a house at the top that belonged to one of the people there. We got all the bricks up there for him and helped build other buildings. Our hard work did not go unnoticed and was rewarded every meal time. The boat crew made us delicious meals and wonderful drinks. The drinks were mostly freshly squeezed fruit and the food was all fresh. We had lots of mango, papaya, banana, grapes, melon, and other fruits. The chef made us pizza, rice, beans, dessert, pasta, fries, and many other glorious things. Our large group was divided into smaller groups which were given specific jobs to do. One group was a medical group that went out to many different communities and helped where they could provide medical assistance. A few groups worked up on the hill digging, mixing cement, put-
ting up walls and roofs, and welding everything together. Pastor Harley’s group dug some septic tanks for people who needed them and did other jobs. Another group took up the job of putting in a ceiling and painting the church. Yet another group ran VBS for the children. “My favorite part of mission trip was meeting and getting to know the sweet missionary family and they just inspired me to work hard every day,” said Karen Leb-Hernandez. All the projects were finished by the time our group left and the sense of accomplishment lifted everyone’s spirits. The children and families in the community were overjoyed with the work we did for them. At the end of our trip, ten people were baptized. A family had given their lives to God and it was heartwarming to see. The father had, however, abstained from giving his heart to God like his wife and children. But, when they all went under and the evangelist asked if anyone else wanted Bible studies, he raised his hand and almost ran into the water right then and there. We did a lot of hard work on the mission trip. At one point, when everyone was getting ready to head to bed after
a long day, we were called up to the top deck for a meeting. Pastor Deny announced that we had the rare opportunity for night work. Five thoushand bricks had arrived and the carrier boat needed to leave that night. So we marched outside with mixed feelings and formed two lines. In less than two hours, all 5,000 bricks were unloaded. The next day, everyone went back to their jobs, and some of us lucky ones got to carry all 5,000 bricks up the same hill everyone had worked on the first day. Although there was a lot of hard work poured into this mission trip, there was a time for fun. Every day our group went swimming in the river and the daring ones among us jumped off the top deck. David Gomez said that “it was a life changing experience.” The children were one of the most apparent blessings there. “My favorite part of mission trip was the VBS where I met a little boy who couldn’t talk and was deaf,” Mrs. Jedamski told me on our way to a soccer game. By the end of the week, when we all walked into church for the final meeting, all SVA students had a child
hugging them or clinging to their arm. They brought our group into their community and loved us like tomorrow wouldn’t come. Students who found the extra energy got to play soccer with the kids on their field. There were some minor conflicts on the boat, but for the most part, everyone got along. The stars and sunset were so amazing from the top deck. Most mission trip goers had the opportunity to see the Southern Cross. Andrea Herrera loved the scenery and said her favorite part of the mission trip was “seeing the beauty of the river and jungle. You can really see the hand of God.” On the last day, we visited Manaus and went shopping. The city was fun and exciting and the perfect way to end our trip. We also saw the mixing of the Rio Negra and the Amazon River—which was amazing. So next year, if you find yourself in need of something to do, go on a mission trip! You’ll never forget it. And, as Chloe Petit so delicately put it, “Everyone came back either darker or redder.” So try your luck; maybe you can get a tan in while you’re working.
“My favorite part of mission trip was meeting and getting to know the sweet missionary family and they just inspired me to work hard every day,”
4-5
30-Hour Famine
6
Scholarship Sunday
7-11
Week of Prayer
18-20
Alimni Weekend
23-27
Homleave
May 2
SA Picnic
3
Drama Extrazaganza
4
Outdoor-Ed Trip
4
Junior-Senior Banquet
4
SAT
8
AP English Exam
11
NHS Field Trip
11
Mother’s Day
12 Red Cross Blood Drive 15-16
Senior Exams
17
Best of Everything
17-21
Senior Class Trip
19-21
Exams
22
Junior-Senior Outing
23
Consecration
24 Parent Tribute
Table of Contents 1 Amazon Mission Trip
2 Principal’s List Brunch 3 WAU Bandfest 3 A&P Field Trip 4 Sports Update 5 NYC Music Tour 6 Brain Games 7 Outdoor Ed 7 Government Trip 8 SA Talent Show 8 SA Banquet
24
Baccalaureate
24
Class Night
25
Commencement
26
Memorial Day