7th Grade Memories

Our 7th grade students want to share some of the experiences that they have had throughout their missions trips. Read and enjoy. 

Mathew James

2nd Graders Bless Residents At Windmill Nursing Home

Once again there was a special connection between the students and the residents today. It was very evident that God was using these little ones to minister to the seniors. They were given cards and photos made by each student. There was alot of interaction as students talked and prayed with individual residents. There was an abundance of smiles and laughter on both parts. Hugs were exchanged and special friendships formed. This was a day that many will remember!

1st Grade Students Minister to Holland House Residents

The first graders used a patriotic theme as they sang songs, read verses, and passed out crafts to the seniors at Holland House. Many were blessed as a result of their visit as evidenced by those who shared positive comments afterward. Great job FIRST GRADERS!

3rd Graders Help Out at Thrift Store

Once again another group of students went to the Thrift Store to help clean, dust, sort, and organize the donated items. Some students dusted the funiture, some sorted clothes and books, and some helped organize items. Their help was greatly appreciated.

Kindergarten Travels to Rest Haven South

Miss Talbert and Mrs. Mathews took their classes on a field trip today to visit and minister to the elderly at Rest Haven South. They sang "Our God Is An Awesome God", "Shout to the Lord", "Trading My Shame", and "I Need You". The motions to the songs were very fun to watch. They also quoted Psalm 100 in unison as the residents listened. In between songs they walked around and talked with the residents and prayed for them. After the last song they passed out the handmade flowers that they made in their classrooms. The program was very well received by the residents and the workers. The children brought much inspiration and lots of sunshine, smiles. and joy to Rest Haven South.

3rd Grade Serves at Thrift Store

Today about 15 students went to the Thrift Store to help out. Some sorted stuffed animals into clean and dirty bins, others cleaned and dusted furniture, and some opened bags of clothing and sorted them into different categories. Their cheerfulness and enthusiasm was a blessing to all! Great job 3rd Graders!!!

8th Graders Travel to YMCA

A group of 8th graders ministered to the residents at the Harvey YMCA today by performing a skit, singing songs, and talking and praying with them and for them. As always, the residents greatly appreciated the love shown by the Calvary students.

3rd Graders Serve at Restoration Ministries Thrift Store

The students helped out today by sorting clothes, vacuuming floors, taping puzzle boxes, and doing whatever they were asked to do. The best part is that they did it with a willing and joyful spirit!

6B to Daycare

Today 6B went to the Daycare to serve the younger children. They were involved in playing with them, singing, praying, and with the Bible story time. They also made paper hearts for each preschooler and passed them out. This made each child feel special and loved!

8th Graders Visit the YMCA

Today Mrs. McKnight and six 8th graders went to the YMCA in Harvey. They sang songs and played Bible trivia with the residents. They introduced them to a new song that was very lively and fun. The residents will surely remember it and may request it next time!

7th Grade to Windmill

Today several 7th graders went to Windmill to minister and serve. They participated in a game of "balloon volleyball" with some of the residents. It was a fun time to laugh and play together.

6A to Daycare

Today Mrs. Kramer took her 6th grade class over to help with the preschoolers. They were able to share the lover of Jesus with these precious little ones. There were times of singing, praying, and Bible stories. It was a great time!

7th Grade to Windmill

Miss Cooper and six of her students went to Windmill today to show the residents the love of Jesus. They sat with them and talked and made a craft together. The craft was a flag made of bits of colored paper glued to a cardboard base. They attached a hangar so that it can be displayed on Memorial Day, Flag Day, and the 4th of July.

8th Graders Entertain Seniors at YMCA

Mrs. Sullivan and six 8th graders performed in a skit entitled, "Jesus Can Dance." It was a clever bit of acting that portrayed the joy and freedom we have in Christ by using the skit in a figurative way. The seniors laughed while the students sang and danced and they applauded the students at the end of it. They definitely got their message across to the residents. Great job!

2nd Grade Goes to Windmill

Mrs. Brown and her second grade class visited the residents today and helped them prepare for the Easter holiday. They visited while eating cake and sharing punch. The students later recited some Bible verses and sang some songs. Their voices were strong and united as the recited their "confession verses." They marched around the tables as they sang, "This Is The Day". The residents really did enjoy seeing them and talking with them. The smiles and energy of the children, along with their friendly hello's, brought great cheer to all.

8th Graders Travel to YMCA

Today several 8th graders and their teacher, Mrs. McKnight, traveled to the Harvey YMCA to minister to the residents during their weekly Bible study. Since it it the Easter season, they talked about the events surrounding the first Easter. It was a good visit.

7th Graders Sing to Windmill Residents

Oh I know that I can make it

I know that I can stand

No matter what may come my way

My life is in Your hands.

This was the message in song that these 7th grade young ladies brought to the residents of Windmill today. It was sung a cappella and done beautifully. It was enjoyed by the residents and was a blessing to all. The students also helped the residents make an Easter craft and their help was greatly appreciated. Their servant heart was evident during the visit.

1st Graders Go To Holland Home

Mrs. Santana, Mrs. Barrett, and their 47 enthusiastic first graders visited residents at Holland Home today. The students started with a program which included singing, reciting Bible verses, and reading poetry related to Easter. The seniors really enjoyed the program! When finished, the first graders passed out handmade cards and bookmarks, along with Easter greetings, smiles, and hugs. What a great opportunity to share the love of Jesus with others!

6th Graders Go to Daycare

Mrs. Kramer took the 6th graders to serve at the Calvary Daycare Center. They did a variety of activities with the preschoolers. They first went into the classrooms to help in whatever way they were needed. Some sat on the floor and played with the children and some sang songs with the children. After this small group time, they went into the large group and helped lead in singing worhip songs. They also helped in a special Easter activity where they helped children better understand the Trinity by using an egg illustration as directed by the teacher. They had a great time and the children were excited to receive such special attention.

2nd Graders Visit Windmill Nursing Facility

Mrs. Balentine and her entire class of 2nd graders visited the residents this afternoon. They sang a song to begin with and from the reaction of the residents it really blessed their hearts. Then the children passed out homemade cards with special greetings and bible verses to the residents. After that they sat among the residents and made an Easter craft together. All these things made the residents feel very special and there were smiles abundant in that room! Afterwards some of the residents shared their thoughts and how much they were blessed by the afternoon. One man cried as he told me, "I enjoyed myself more than I have for years." Thank you 2nd graders for being such a blessing. Your visit was definitely a true act of love and service.

8th Graders Make Music at YMCA

It was a very musical ministry day at the YMCA today! Mrs. Sullivan and several students encouraged the residents by playing their instruments (saxophone and french horn), and by leading them in several songs. They also performed a skit that provided some laughs while bringing home a Bible truth to their hearts. The residents appreciate the joy and enthusiasm that the Calvary students bring on their weekly visits.

7th Graders to Windmill Nursing Facility

Several 7th grade students traveled with Miss Cooper to Windmill today to help stuff plastic eggs with candy for the egg hunt this coming weekend. The students worked hard to get the entire giant box filled with eggs. The director was very thankful for their diligence in helping her get this job done.

6th Grade Serves at Day Care

Mrs. DuBose and her 6th grade class helped out at the Day Care by spending time with the preschoolers on Friday. They visited the classes in small groups and then went to the activity room to help with the singing and Bible study in the large group. It was a special time for the little ones to see the older children involved and ministering the the younger ones.

8th Graders Visit the YMCA

Several Calvary 8th graders traveled with Mrs. Sullivan to the Harvey YMCA today. One student played a song on her french horn and others acted out a skit about how someone can be washed from their sins. After the bible study, the students visited and prayed with the residents. The residents always seem to appreciate it when Calvary students are involved in their Thursday bible study.

7th Graders Serve at Windmill

Some 7th graders and Mr. Ross visited the elderly at Windmill Nursing Facility. They were able to visit with some of the residents before they helped with a bowling activity. A surprise meeting occurred when a lady sitting near an elderly man was asked if she thought her father would enjoy meeting a couple of 7th grade boys. She asked him and he agreed and the exchange was pleasant. We came to find out that she was a Calvary Academy Graduate and was thrilled to see that the students were serving the Lord in this way. She also agreed to a video interview which can be viewed at a later date.

8th Graders to YMCA to serve the elderly

Mrs. McKnight took several 8th graders to the Harvey YMCA to minister to the elderly residents. The students were able to serve them drinks and to pray for them. They also took turns sharing poems of encouragement. The residents were glad to see them.

7th Graders to Windmill Nursing Facility

Miss Cooper took some 7th graders to Windmill Nursing Facility to visit and serve residents. They were able to participate in a bowling activity. The students had a chance to show off their bowling skills to the residents. It seemed to entertain and cheer them up. Then the students cheered for each resident as they took a turn using a foam ball to knock down the plastic pins. It was a mutual exchange of fun and energy.

Fourth Graders Help

Mrs. Hoving took several students to help out at Kids Cafe and the Homework Trailer. Once again the students showed a willingness to serve in whatever way they were asked. They served a hot meal to those who came and younger students with their homework.

5A to Harvey House for Final Time

Miss Miston and her 5th grade class traveled to Harvey House for one last time. Because of the upcoming renovation and construction, the food pantry at Harvey House will be closed. But this last time will be memorable for all. Once again the students were able to pray and minister to a couple of ladies who came a few minutes after the students arrived. Several students prayed for them and were able to show Christian love by giving them food and blankets. These ladies seemed to really appreciate the love of Jesus shown to them by the students and their teacher. After this time of ministry, the students went downstairs and opened boxes of canned and boxed items and placed them on the shelves.

5th Graders Help Bag Food For Last Time

Today the 5th graders went to Harvey House with Mrs. Melvin and helped put canned food into bags for those who come on Monday nights for assistance. The students' enthusiasm was evident from the start as they put their heart and soul into the task while putting food into the bags. They got themselves organized: one group pulled items from the shelf, while another organized it on the table, and yet a third group of students helped put it into bags. Director Jackie Rivera reminded students that her goal is to always provide a balanced meal by giving each recipient some vegetables, fruit, and starch in each bag. The students were careful to follow her guidelines as they packaged up the food items. This is the last scheduled night to pass out food because of the construction that will be starting at Harvey House. The 5th graders will not go back for awhile, but have shared that some valuable lessons in service have been learned.

Fourth Grade Students Serve

Mr. Patten and six 4th grade students traveled to Harvey House and either helped serve a hot meal in the Kids Cafe, or helped tutor primary students in the Homework Trailer. They didn't seem to mind that they were giving up some of their own time to help out. They had joyful faces because they were serving with willing hearts, and they did whatever they were asked to do...true servants. Great job!

Fourth Graders Help With After School Program

Mrs. Hoving and six 4th grade students went to Harvey House to help serve at two ministries. Some went to the Kids Cafe to help serve food to the students and some went to the Homework Trailer to help tutor and read to younger students. Their help and service was greatly appreciated.

5B to Harvey House for Week 2 Ministry

Today the 5th grade students from Mrs. Melvin's class visited the Harvey House. Just like yesterday this visit began with a surprise. A needy woman and her children were there to receive some assistance. The students were able to pray with this Christian woman and her daughters. They later filled boxes and bags with food and carried them to her car. The students once again showed an eagerness to serve and help the needy.

5A to Harvey House for Week 2 Ministry

Today the 5th grade students from Miss Miston's class made their second visit to the Harvey House. The visit began with a pleasant surprise. God led a needy person to visit at the same time the students arrived. They were able to observe the kindness of the director, Jackie Rivera, as she helped this man. He was in need of food and shelter. After asking him if he wanted prayer, the students were asked if they would like to pray for this individual. Many were willing and several stood around him and prayed. It was a blessing to hear the sincere prayers of these students. Their prayers brought this man to tears, and later he said he will try not to let them down. The students were able to give this man some necessary food. Later the students helped to unload the food truck and carry boxes and bags of food to the basement storage area. They were later treated by an unannounced mini-concert by one of the workers who sang, "His Eye Is On The Sparrow".

8th Graders Minister at YMCA

Mrs. McKnight and six 8th graders went to a Bible Study at the YMCA in Harvey. They were able to minister by praying for the residents, singing with them, reading a poem, and sharing in a Bible lesson. The residents were very happy to see these young people and to be able to visit with them.

5th Graders Visit Harvey House

Mrs. Melvin took her 5th graders to Harvey House to hear a presentation from Director Jackie Rivera. The students were given a short history of the ministry to the poor and homeless. She said that the verse from Matthew 25:35 has inspired her. "For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in..." She later took the students downstarirs to the food pantry and told them how the food was ordered, delivered and stored. The students asked her many questions and wanted to know what will happen with the food and with the hungry when the Harvey House is closed during construction.

As you may know, the staff and students of Calvary Academy were led to begin a missions outreach to South Holland and surrounding communities in the winter of 2007. This provides for a different kind of learning outside the classroom walls. Service-learning allows students to learn and develop through active participation in thoughtfully organized service that is conducted in and meets the needs of a community. These activities have been a a blessing and an encouragement to the students, staff, parents, and those served. Our blog will be used to document these activities, as well as provide a means for others to comment about their thoughts and feelings. It will give students and parents the opportunity to read about these activities. So stay tuned as we post many exciting ministry and service projects.