Week of Hope

June 2007 Newsletter

Hi All,
In less than a month we leave for this year's mission trip. It seems like it we just starting planning the trip. Time has really flown by. This year we are going to St. Louis, Missouri and will be participating in Group Workcamps Week of Hope. A Week of Hope is a small format camp with 99 participants (large format camps have 499 participants) that focuses of community service and outreach. The primary goal of each of the camps is the spiritual growth of the youth, not evangelism. Spiritual growth is accomplished by meaningful service to others. In Indianapolis last year we helped in churches, youth centers, food pantries, with Habitat for Humanity, and a community home. This year we will be focusing on outreach activities like Vacation Bible School and other ministries. Last year we stayed at Christ Lutheran Church. This year we are staying North County Christian School in Florissant (http://nccsedu.org/). Hopefully the showers are inside and we have hot water this year.

When we arrive on Sunday we will register and while the youth are getting settled into the sleeping area the adults get to go to a meeting. The evening program will follow dinner where we get to meet our crews for the week and get our assignments. Crews are made up of 6 to 8 youth and 1 to 2 adults. Youth groups are separated so that youth from several different youth groups serve together. This allows everyone to make new friends. After the evening program youth groups will meet for evening devotions followed by lights out.

Last year we were woken up each morning to "Wakey, wakey Group Workcampers" over a very loud sound system. Each youth group helps prepare several meals during the week as well as other hospitality tasks. Some of the other tasks are cleaning bathrooms, vacuuming and sweeping the common areas, and other tasks as needed. Each day after breakfast we will break into our crews, prepare our lunches and head to our individual assignments. The crews will break for lunch and crew devotions each day. Every night (except for Tuesday) the youth will eat dinner, do hospitality tasks, have free time, participate in the evening program and participate in youth group devotions. On Tuesday we will get a free night to do what ever we want. Last year the Quilters treated us to dinner at Ryan's and then we went bowling. This year after dinner (courtesy of the Quilters) we are going to go to the Gateway Arch or possibly to the Zoo. Which ever we do not do on Tuesday we will do on Friday before we head for home.

This year's theme is "Renovate: Jesus Makes New" which is based on Colossians 3:9b-17 (NIV):
Since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This is a great passage about taking our old selves and renovating them to make them new in Christ. When we get back there will be a lot more to write about. Until then focus on making yourself new through Christ.

Because of Him ~ Terry