news-record.com

The imprint these young missionaries from First Baptist Church left on the city of Boston began not long after they arrived, as they drew neighborhood children to three music camps. At one location the church had burned two years ago, so some of the activities took place outside, in full view of a busy street corner. Their witnessing - interspersed with fun - would go a long way.

During the next few weeks, the News & Record will continue to spotlight the work and the fun moments of youths such as these, who in many cases spent the past year raising money to be able to reach out to help someone else by living their faith.

The most meaningful encounter

During the Fourth of July holiday, the First Baptist Church youth choir traveled to Boston for a week to give concerts and teach music camps to children in nearby neighborhoods.

Our group had several brushes with greatness in the city where the birth of our nation took place. Seeing spectacular fireworks, hearing the Boston Pops and Rascal Flatts perform, and running into "The Office" TV show stars "Ryan" and "Kelly" were only some of our physical brushes with greatness. But perhaps the most meaningful encounter with greatness was the relationship that we formed with the children attending our camps. They truly enjoyed having us serve as teachers and friends to them, and the work of God was evident throughout the entire trip.

-Julianna King

'The Lord Is My Shepherd'

We woke up at 6 a.m. and sang four concerts in one day. The first stop: Park Street Church in the middle of downtown Boston. It was hot and stuffy in the sanctuary with no A/C, and after driving 16 hours the day before, I could hardly keep my eyes open ... until a lady from Boston got up to share her story.

Her husband was supposed to be there, too, but his terminal cancer had confined him to the hospital. She told how they strived everyday to fulfill what they believed God has planned for them and that through their struggle with this illness they try harder than ever. They believe that this is all part of God's plan, and no matter what happens the two of them will continue to trust God.

When she finished sharing, the room was silent, and we slowly got up to sing a song that we had sung a hundred times before. However, this time it seemed more meaningful because it fit perfectly with everything she spoke about. The song was a version of Psalm 23, "The Lord Is My Shepherd."

-Caroline Parham

Their gift to us

I worked at a music camp for three days at First Baptist Church in Needham. I met many children that I quickly bonded with. We enjoyed singing and playing games together. At the end of the camp, the kids were really sad to go, and one little boy gave me a bracelet he made that I have still not taken off.

-Susanna Trotter

Fenway Park tour

On July Fourth, I started out my day taking a tour of historic Fenway Park. Steve, a longtime employee with the Red Sox, gave us an insightful tour that covered every aspect that a fan could ever dream of. We went to the right-field deck, the "Green Monstah" and the press box. We even took a gag picture wearing red socks!

-Seth Wilson

A side trip to Maine

On our fifth day in Boston, we drove to Maine to present a concert at a camp for grandparents and their grandchildren. Before our concert, we drove along the coastline to see the Nubble Lighthouse. We took a group picture and then drove on to the camp. On the way, we passed about 10 lobster places, but for some reason we ended up going to a McDonald's!

-Erin Stephens

Boston Pops

On the Fourth, a small group of us got up at 4 a.m. to wait in line for tickets to see the Boston Pops and Rascal Flatts concert that night. While we were standing in line, a Boston television station asked us to sing during their morning show. After we got tickets, we waited there all day until the concert started at 8 p.m. We had lots of fun dancing to Rascal Flatts and the Pops.

At the end of the show, tons of confetti shot skyward, and the evening was topped off with a spectacular fireworks display.

-Lindsey Kalish, Robyn Cothran and Lesley-Ann Hix