Angels From Wisconsin

During the third week of July this summer, Unity Lutheran Christian Elementary School was visited by a group of angels from Aniwa, Wisconsin.

Under the guidance of parent-leaders Randy and Danile Homolka, eight teenagers made the mission trip to Unity to lead Vacation Bible School and work around the school. Three years ago, the group made the same trip.

The date of the group’s visit to Unity coincides with the LCMS National Youth Gathering. The group is looking for an alternative, hands-on experience for their young people. Unity is the perfect site for putting faith into action, sharing the gospel message personally.

Prior to the trip, the youth conducted fundraisers and did lots of planning. Their home congregation is very supportive. Four days of VBS activities were planned, all supplies for craft activities and snacks are purchased and gathered, and duties are shared by everyone.

After travelling for eight hours on Sunday, the group arrived bright and early Monday morning. There was lots of excitement as they toured our new facility for the first time. Then it was time to get ready for VBS. Activity locations were determined, crafts and snacks were prepared, and the registration tables were set up.

VBS was scheduled to begin at 10:00 a.m. By 10:15 a.m., 22 students arrived, and everything was set in motion. There was an introduction with singing; then the group moved to another room for the Bible story; the daily craft project was done in the art room; then the games were led outside or in the gym; then everyone went back to the cafeteria for snacks and closing. That was the routine for four days.

Lunch was served after the children went home at noon. Then the Aniwa youth got busy doing lots of odd jobs around the school. They got the new 3-year-old Prekindergarten Room ready; cleaned and organized the Science and Art Rooms; organized and inventoried the school supply room; passed out new textbooks to the appointed rooms; cleaned and painted baseboard trim. On Wednesday afternoon, they even painted the entire gym!

Evenings were spent at their hotel or sight-seeing. On Wednesday night, they used money from fundraising to purchase a trunk full of school supplies and donated another $500 to purchase equipment for the 3-year-old PreK class.

When the group arrived on Thursday morning, they were met with a surprise. Due to a huge storm Wednesday night, coupled with a door left open, the entire school was flooded. When they walked in the door, clean up work had already started. Without being asked, everyone picked up mops and buckets and got to work. Without their help, the school would not have been cleaned up that day.

This group of young people, along with their leaders, is amazing. They are