Posted on July 29, 2009 - by Rory

Scary Stories and Fort Making

Scary Stories and Fort Making

Hi Everyone! This is Rory. A few nights ago, all of the youth decided that instead of our usual games of musical chairs and mafia, we wanted to build a fort and tell some spooky ghost stories. The room that Becca and I shared was designated as the perfect one because there were two beds, which would of course, allow for the perfect fort. Everyone gathered extra blankets and sheets and we proceeded to cover both beds with them. It was so much fun, I can’t tell you how many people were doubled over from laughing so hard, as well as making our room a living inferno. Soon ghost stories came up, and Becca, Scott E., and CJ regaled us with tales of scorned cilantro farmers and pumpkin pies made up of crazy ex-wives. The scariest moment of the night, however, came when Becca made up a story about the nightdancers that we had heard about. As soon as she got to the part where the nightdancer was about to appear, Sheri and Brian decided to talk to us, in their most menacing voices, through the window. We all screamed. It was terrifying.

After the stories, we decided that we needed a break from the spookiness and the heat. So we took a short break outside. As soon as we decided to come back in however, a huge competition ensued. Everyone raced back to get on the big bed, but instead of playing nicely, it was a huge mashup of bodies. Limbs were flying everywhere, and we all became a huge human knot. The one line I remember most clearly came from David Booth who said “I never expected to be this close to all of you.” Now I know that David literally meant that he never expected to be caught up in a big pile of all the teenagers, but I think he also meant that he never expected us all to become such close friends. And at that moment, I agreed with him. Coming on this trip, I was a bit worried about the group of youth who wanted to venture to Africa as well. I felt a bit odd being in college and about not having been in mob for a year. But over the course of a few days at the beginning of the trip, mostly in our 8 hour layover in Heathrow, everyone bonded in an instant. You know, I think thats one of the greatest things about these sort of trips. Everyone becomes fast friends because you are isolated from your home life, which might sound difficult to manage at first, but then you realize you wouldn’t want it any other way. I have become great friends with people who share completely different views, who are in very different moments in their life journey’s, but here in Africa , in a brick line, none of that matters.

The fort eventually fell apart but I am so grateful for all the laughs I’ve shared, silly moments I’ve encountered, and for the friends that I will always cherish.