Sunday, July 5, 2009
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Mission Kansas, Tuesday-trip end
Tuesday
Tuesday, we spent the morning and afternoon putting more primer on the walls and ceiling at the third house on the top of the hill. Later that afternoon, we went swimming in the pool. That evening, we had a campfire and grilled brats, hotdogs and made s'mores. Afterward, we hung out together as a group, plying games and chatting until bedtime.
Wednesday
The work project done, Wednesday was our first relax day. The morning was spent doing a little cleaning and playing games, and the afternoon was spent on the high elements course there at the Ranch. At 3:30, we went to spend more time at the pool as a group. That afternoon, several of the guys at the Ranch involved in their discipleship program, tagged our trailer with our church name. It was pretty cool to see it come together from a sharpie outline to fully painted. The night, we had a meal with many of the interns and counselors at the camp, then made a campfire and had devotions there. One of the discipleship program students joined us and shared his testimony which was really cool.
Thursday
We left MSR for Kansas City and Worlds of Fun. It was raining when we left, so the day was a little in question, but by the time we got to Kansas City, the clouds were gone and the park was open, with not that many people there. We rode many of the rides, ate some food, and then left the park for our hotel by 5:30 that afternoon. We went swimming at the hotel and then went to Waffle House for dinner. We returned to the hotel for some group time, and went to bed around 10:30pm.
Friday
Friday morning, we awoke at 6:00am, had breakfast at the hotel, and then left for Cedar Rapids. We arrived back in CR at 12:15pm. We had a GREAT trip. The kids were fun to be with and worked hard. Cathy and Rob worked well with our students and it was fun getting to know them better.
You can see ALL of the pictures taken on the trip by clicking here. Enjoy!
Tuesday, we spent the morning and afternoon putting more primer on the walls and ceiling at the third house on the top of the hill. Later that afternoon, we went swimming in the pool. That evening, we had a campfire and grilled brats, hotdogs and made s'mores. Afterward, we hung out together as a group, plying games and chatting until bedtime.
Wednesday
The work project done, Wednesday was our first relax day. The morning was spent doing a little cleaning and playing games, and the afternoon was spent on the high elements course there at the Ranch. At 3:30, we went to spend more time at the pool as a group. That afternoon, several of the guys at the Ranch involved in their discipleship program, tagged our trailer with our church name. It was pretty cool to see it come together from a sharpie outline to fully painted. The night, we had a meal with many of the interns and counselors at the camp, then made a campfire and had devotions there. One of the discipleship program students joined us and shared his testimony which was really cool.
Thursday
We left MSR for Kansas City and Worlds of Fun. It was raining when we left, so the day was a little in question, but by the time we got to Kansas City, the clouds were gone and the park was open, with not that many people there. We rode many of the rides, ate some food, and then left the park for our hotel by 5:30 that afternoon. We went swimming at the hotel and then went to Waffle House for dinner. We returned to the hotel for some group time, and went to bed around 10:30pm.
Friday
Friday morning, we awoke at 6:00am, had breakfast at the hotel, and then left for Cedar Rapids. We arrived back in CR at 12:15pm. We had a GREAT trip. The kids were fun to be with and worked hard. Cathy and Rob worked well with our students and it was fun getting to know them better.
You can see ALL of the pictures taken on the trip by clicking here. Enjoy!
Monday, June 29, 2009
Mission Kansas, Monday
We had a work day today. We used primer on the walls and ceiling of one of the houses here at MSR.
Breakfast was great, scrambled eggs, sausage, bagels, English Muffins and cereal. Lunch was all sort of sandwiches, blt's and vegetables. Dinner was hot dogs and brats cooked over a fire, followed up by s'mores.
While on a hike this afternoon, we ran into some ticks. I had one on my leg, and Ryan had 6, and was even finding them into the evening on his clothes.
We tried some volleyball tonight, it was interesting with the kids that are here. The final score was 3-2; we had two firsts...the girls won a game, and so did the middle schoolers.
We had a great evening devotion from Exodus 20:1-7, the first 3 of the 10 Commandments. The kids worked hard on their devo's this morning and showed it by having tough questions and a great conversation. This evening, Rob's wife Leslie drove down and had dinner with us and is staying the night. She's meeting a friend for breakfast here tomorrow morning.
This has been a great trip. We've had no problems with the kids and they've kept me, Kathy and Rob laughing.
Keep checking out the pictures and comments through the day.
Breakfast was great, scrambled eggs, sausage, bagels, English Muffins and cereal. Lunch was all sort of sandwiches, blt's and vegetables. Dinner was hot dogs and brats cooked over a fire, followed up by s'mores.
While on a hike this afternoon, we ran into some ticks. I had one on my leg, and Ryan had 6, and was even finding them into the evening on his clothes.
We tried some volleyball tonight, it was interesting with the kids that are here. The final score was 3-2; we had two firsts...the girls won a game, and so did the middle schoolers.
We had a great evening devotion from Exodus 20:1-7, the first 3 of the 10 Commandments. The kids worked hard on their devo's this morning and showed it by having tough questions and a great conversation. This evening, Rob's wife Leslie drove down and had dinner with us and is staying the night. She's meeting a friend for breakfast here tomorrow morning.
This has been a great trip. We've had no problems with the kids and they've kept me, Kathy and Rob laughing.
Keep checking out the pictures and comments through the day.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Mission Kansas, Sunday
We left Eastview right at 8am, stopped in northern Missouri in Bethany for lunch at Wendy's. When we got to Emporia Kansas, we stopped at the Wal-Mart for a few last minute food items. We also noticed that one of the tires on the trailer and a cut on the tire stem, leaking air. The tire was almost completely flat. With only 40 miles to go, we filled the tire and tried to duck tape the leak. About 20 minutes later, the tire was losing air again, so we decided to swap it with the spare. That took about 10 minutes, and we made it to Morning Star Ranch by 6pm. We unloaded the trailer, and then attended an evening worship service here. Afterwards, we had some free time and then ate dinner, Papa Murphy's pizza. Had some more free time, and then reviewed the week with the kids. Everyone's just chilling out for the night.
We start our work project tomorrow morning. Be sure to check out the feed (at the right) for pictures and comments throughout the week!
We start our work project tomorrow morning. Be sure to check out the feed (at the right) for pictures and comments throughout the week!
Mission Kansas, trip 2
We'll be leaving for Morning Star Ranch outside of Florence Kansas in about an hour or so. Come back often for updates throughout the week!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Early Summer Update
I thought I’d just give you a brief update of the goings-on for our ministry over the next few months.
Here are a few pictures of “Big Purple” (our van) and our newest purchase, a 6’ x 8’ trailer:
Speaking of events:
LAST WEEK was Middle School Camp for 9 of our students. We talked about the concept of thirst and water as found throughout scripture. Specifically, we talked about the Exodus from Egypt and how the Israelites were constantly thirsting for water, we talked about Noah and the Ark, King David and his “mighty men” bringing him water from a well in Jerusalem and then Paul “being poured out like a drink offering” in Philippians 2.
NEXT WEEK (June 28-July 3) is our second mission trip to Morning Star Ranch in Florence Kansas. We’re taking 6 of our middle school students (Ryan Carmody, Kelsey Zieser, John Mulholland, Tyler Wright, Beth Frederick and Brianna Scott) and 3 adults (Kathy Thomas, Rob Frederick and me). We’ll leave early next Sunday morning and be home by mid-afternoon on Friday, July 3. For our devotional times, we’ll be talking about the 10 Commandments and how God desires our obedience to His Law as a way to honor and love Him.
THE WEEK AFTER (JULY 5-11) is our high school week of camp. As of right now, we have 4 high school students going (Samantha Holley, Jenai Holley, Nathan Mulholland and Heidi Dickerson) and one adult (me). We’ll be focusing on chapter 4 from the Gospel of John and how Jesus truly meets all of our needs. He knows everything about us and simply wants us to allow Him to fill us. It’s going to be a great week!
FINALLY, JULY 26-AUGUST 1 is our high school summer conference trip to CIY MOVE on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale Illinois. We have 12 students (Samantha Holley, Jenai Holley, Katie Mulholland, Nathan Mulholland, Brittany Kiley, Ashley Heald, Heidi Dickerson, Amanda Williams, Courtney Des Forge, Kayla Buffington, Nickie Smith, Breanna Smith) and 4 adults (Betty Dickerson, Monna Kreher, Steve Novak and me). This year, the focus will be on following God where He leads, and He always leads us close to Him.
AUGUST will find our team re-tooling and preparing for the BIG CHANGE to a “Two-Night” youth group model in September. We’ll be moving our high school night to Sundays and middle school night will remain on Wednesdays. Also in August, we’ll have our ministry team retreat to get away, plan, recap and train our youth workers.
As you can see, I’ll be out of the office much of the summer, and when I am in Cedar Rapids, my time will be spent with my family. If you need to get in touch with me, the best way will be through my cell phone (319-389-5384). I’ll also be using our parent website for some “on the spot” event updates (especially during Kansas and CIY-our camp has dial-up!), so be sure to check that out a few times during the summer.
As always, our ministry covets your prayers. We’ll be putting a mile or 2 on big purple, and God will be speaking to many of our students in ways they have not heard. Don’t forget our sponsors; these events leave them tired, mentally, spiritually and physically, and God speaks to them, too.
Look for another update in 3 weeks!
Here are a few pictures of “Big Purple” (our van) and our newest purchase, a 6’ x 8’ trailer:
Speaking of events:
LAST WEEK was Middle School Camp for 9 of our students. We talked about the concept of thirst and water as found throughout scripture. Specifically, we talked about the Exodus from Egypt and how the Israelites were constantly thirsting for water, we talked about Noah and the Ark, King David and his “mighty men” bringing him water from a well in Jerusalem and then Paul “being poured out like a drink offering” in Philippians 2.
NEXT WEEK (June 28-July 3) is our second mission trip to Morning Star Ranch in Florence Kansas. We’re taking 6 of our middle school students (Ryan Carmody, Kelsey Zieser, John Mulholland, Tyler Wright, Beth Frederick and Brianna Scott) and 3 adults (Kathy Thomas, Rob Frederick and me). We’ll leave early next Sunday morning and be home by mid-afternoon on Friday, July 3. For our devotional times, we’ll be talking about the 10 Commandments and how God desires our obedience to His Law as a way to honor and love Him.
THE WEEK AFTER (JULY 5-11) is our high school week of camp. As of right now, we have 4 high school students going (Samantha Holley, Jenai Holley, Nathan Mulholland and Heidi Dickerson) and one adult (me). We’ll be focusing on chapter 4 from the Gospel of John and how Jesus truly meets all of our needs. He knows everything about us and simply wants us to allow Him to fill us. It’s going to be a great week!
FINALLY, JULY 26-AUGUST 1 is our high school summer conference trip to CIY MOVE on the campus of Southern Illinois University in Carbondale Illinois. We have 12 students (Samantha Holley, Jenai Holley, Katie Mulholland, Nathan Mulholland, Brittany Kiley, Ashley Heald, Heidi Dickerson, Amanda Williams, Courtney Des Forge, Kayla Buffington, Nickie Smith, Breanna Smith) and 4 adults (Betty Dickerson, Monna Kreher, Steve Novak and me). This year, the focus will be on following God where He leads, and He always leads us close to Him.
AUGUST will find our team re-tooling and preparing for the BIG CHANGE to a “Two-Night” youth group model in September. We’ll be moving our high school night to Sundays and middle school night will remain on Wednesdays. Also in August, we’ll have our ministry team retreat to get away, plan, recap and train our youth workers.
As you can see, I’ll be out of the office much of the summer, and when I am in Cedar Rapids, my time will be spent with my family. If you need to get in touch with me, the best way will be through my cell phone (319-389-5384). I’ll also be using our parent website for some “on the spot” event updates (especially during Kansas and CIY-our camp has dial-up!), so be sure to check that out a few times during the summer.
As always, our ministry covets your prayers. We’ll be putting a mile or 2 on big purple, and God will be speaking to many of our students in ways they have not heard. Don’t forget our sponsors; these events leave them tired, mentally, spiritually and physically, and God speaks to them, too.
Look for another update in 3 weeks!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
HELP! My Kids Just Got Back From...CAMP/CIY/Mission Trip
Thanks to Twitter, I found a GREAT blog post about how to respond to your kids when they get home from a youth trip...
"When your camper gets home, I suggest you do three things:
"When your camper gets home, I suggest you do three things:
1. Let them sleep. Let them sleep a lot.
Fatigue is an enemy and they'll be at their best when they have had some rest.
2. Don't tap the brake.
Fight any temptation you may have to "temper" their enthusiasm for Christ. Even if they make bold and unusual statements like, "I'm going to win all my friends to Christ," or "I'm going to start carrying my Bible to school with me." Even then, don't yield to your temptation to suggest they calm down, slow down or lower their expectations. Let them dream. Let them step-up to a new level of devotion and commitment. Let them feel your support - even when they're attempting something that can only happen if Almighty God steps in and makes it so. (Because Almighty God just might!)
3. Say, "That's great," or "That's awesome," a lot.
When they tell you a story about camp, say, "Tell me more about that." When they talk about the steps they took toward Christ, say, "That's wonderful. I'm proud of you." Your encouragement means more to them than mine. Your encouragement means more to them than the encouragement of their camp counselors. Encourage them - and watch them grow!"
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