The Sunday Night Bible Study Group in the last couple of years has developed a strong working relationship with Calvin Crest, by using our talents to further their mission of providing a space for personal, professional, physical and spiritual growth.  For this year's mission project, we approached Craig to see if he had any projects that would fit our skills.  He did have some projects for different recreation facility improvements around the camp; and we choose to build a Gaga pit. 

You say, what is Gaga?  Gaga is a version of dodgeball that requires players to bat the ball with their hand or fist to hit the opposing players below the waist. Players jump, twist or do whatever it takes to avoid getting hit. Gaga is usually a one-against-all competition. The winner is the last person left in the pit who has not been hit. You can play Gaga anywhere; the official version requires a "pit" for containing game play, as well as allowing wall shots. Our pit was more of an octagon corral built on top of a square deck. 

We spent two days building the Gaga pit, starting Friday, May 14th, and finishing it that Saturday evening. Friday we dug 16 postholes for footings and posts and by the end of the day had a 24-foot square framework of beams finished.  Saturday morning we added the joists and then started fasting the decking to the framework.  With the decking finished, we added a three and a half foot octagon railing on top of the deck. In three sentences I was able to describe all the work we did, which makes it sound like a very simple project. Trust me, it was a lot of hard work. Saturday night we were tired and sore. 

The crew included the Jansen men: Al, Bill and Matt, Pat Thomas, Amy Barnhard, and Margaret and Bill Buerman.

The Sunday Night Group continues to show that a small group can do BIG things!

Learn more about the Sunday Night Goup and their mission projects and other activities.