"We've done this so many times now we've got a recipe," said Pastor Jason Cooper of the Eagle Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church, in regards to their annual mission trip. Though he might as well have been talking about the tasty and clever way they're helping to fund their next trip: with their annual "Hot Beef Sundae" dinner, on Sunday Feb. 27th.
Now, if you've never had a "hot beef sundae" or even heard of one, as I hadn't, well let me tell you, it's a treat for both the eyes, and the tastebuds. Though, you'll have to take your tongue out of your cheek from saying the name, to eat it.
Served in a bowl or a red and white to-go dish like a classic ice cream shoppe sundae, the Hot Beef Sundae is a mound of fluffy white mashed potatoes, doused in rich brown beef gravy full of shaved beef, and to topped off in true sundae style, with a red cherry tomato. If you missed your chance at one this year, I highly recommend you go get your next year.
This year the dinner raised funds for the youth group's planned mission trip to help people affected by harsh weather in Louisiana. In years past, they've traveled as far as China, more moderate distances like to New York, and Ohio, and as close as Fort Dodge. It's about where the help is needed.
It all started, however, with Hurricane Irene. A large, destructive tropical cyclone that hit much of the eastern US, including New York, in 2011, Irene was a storm that really got to Pastor Cooper, who is originally from the area. He reached out to some contacts he still had in those parts, and rallied his parishioners locally, to bring help to his old neighbors, from his new neighbors. And so the first mission trip happened in 2012.
The mission has grown year after year since then, and now involves eight area churches which participate from surrounding communities. And what started as a small group, is now up to around 70 people per trip, 85% of which are youth. With each trip having a designated "mission mom" as well as several chaperones, totalling about 1 adult for every 5 minors.
And while they work hard, they also learn useful skills, and have a grand experience. "For some of them, it's their first adventure," Cooper said. "They have fun, but they get a lot done. They work for their fun." As for what they do, "we've done everything from putting in concrete sidewalks, to rebuilding a whole floor in a house. We do whatever needs to be done," the Pastor said.
And they travel light, and live rough to do it on a budget. They don't stay in hotels, but instead bunk down in churches willing to help out, or camp out in tents. All in all, they pull the trip off for about $400 per person, most years.
Said Ella Jensen, 17, a Junior at Eagle Grove High School and a veteran of the trip to China, "I really enjoyed being around a different environment." "Yeah," chimed in her friend Emily Dawson, 17, also a Junior at EGHS, "seeing a different culture, and comparing it to our own."
Dawson's also looking forward to the Louisiana trip for more than just going to Louisiana. "Because we didn't do the mission trip last year due to COVID, I'm looking forward to catching up with some of the people from the other churches again."
Both remarked how great it is to see the effects of their hard work. "It's really cool to see how much you impact people in the community," said Dawson. Jensen agreed. "You don't see the impact when you send a care package, etcetera. But when you go in person you see the impact." "It's so cool to see the work you're doing make their lives a little bit better," Dawson added.
As for advice to young people considering joining the trip, Dawson said "even if you're worried about not knowing people, you'll make friends really fast." Adding that "it takes you out of your comfort zone" where you can't just ignore each other, and have to get to know people. Which leads to new friendships.
For those wishing to take Dawson's advice, Pastor Cooper says all are welcome. And for those wanting to follow along from home, he encourages them to follow the church's page on Facebook at fb.me/EGELC – where they can also watch sermons and keep up to date with church events.
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