Last week I was a recipient of a wonderful surprise gift. Pastor Eric Folkers,Youth Pastor for the Vriesland Reformed Church, and Kurt Glupker, of Choice Landscape descended on my yard armed with chain saws, weed-whackers, wheel barrows, hand tools and a group of smiling teenagers. To say I was surprised is an understatement. I had heard the morning before that a group of kids wanted to come and help me out with my yard work. I was actually ‘speechless’, yes, I know you people who know me, speechless isn’t a word used to describe me. I think perhaps I was completely over whelmed.

I soon found out that any time words like: cut down, destroy, dig, remove, brought cheers from the group. They thrived on work. Remember how hot it was, every day 88 degrees or more, did not even phase this bunch. They were armed with a big bucket of ice and enough Gatorade to keep hydrated. They were having FUN. I found out after speaking with members of the group that they had just come back from a work camp, (I believe they called it) out west.

Just hauling tree branches and any kind of green refuse to the road would do a ‘normal’ person in. I never heard one word of negative comments from anyone. There was lots of kidding and calling ‘I need you over here’. Some one would answer ‘I’m coming. This group of young people were tireless. They came back the next day and started where they left off. I am not sure what the next step will be but IT WILL happen. I am confident and  am looking forward to having them come and finish the job they started. They were a blessing and it showed.

It taught me one thing. All teens should belong to a group like this and the world would be a much better place. With the attitude these teens have instilled in them they will ‘make a difference’. Pastor Eric took some pictures of the group and when I get them I will post.

Pastor Eric and the group are members of Vertigo Youth Ministries, sponsored by the Vriesland Reformed Church. I was told that the group has 110 members. WOW! The names of the teenagers who worked on my yard were: Matt Koomen, Megan Smith, Travis Boerman, Jarred Harrington and Kam Evink. They were assisted by Pastor Eric, Kurt Glupker and some of my special wonderful neighbors. All I can say is a big THANK YOU. You all are a great group. Several times I was told, we will do that, just let us know. Take it easy. Pastor Eric asked me at one point, why aren't you smiling? It is hard to explain that you are crying from joy on the inside and don't know how to handle being this overwhelmed.  Polite, willing, laughing and fun are just some of the adjectives I would use to describe this group of great teens. Your parents must be proud of you, I know I am very thankful.

I will keep you posted on their progress.

Carol A. Gras

The Garden Lady