On a Mission
Well the first of the ELEVATE Summer mission trips is off! SOUL on the Streets is taking “to the streets” and doing mission work around town right here in the Winter Park/Orlando area! Today includes helping with the new feeding program that is taking place at our South Street campus all summer long. Also, small group and bonding time amongst the team.
We will be updating periodically, so be sure to check back!
Andy’s Resignation
Dear Everyone,
I hope this e-mail tonight finds you all doing well. I realize that many of you were not able to make it to ELEVATE this evening. Word has probably spread to some degree but I wanted to let everyone know that in March I will be resigning as Director of Student Ministries. It has been a phenomenal 6 years to be with you all and there are memories and faith stories that will never cease to be part of who I am. You have each impacted me in more ways than you know and it has been a true honor to work and serve with each of you students and parents in different ways. I have seen many of you grow and mature, not just physically but more importantly in your walk with Christ. We serve an amazing, loving and merciful God who is at work in each of our lives and who provides for and directs each one of us. I truly feel as if God has called and directed me to this next chapter in my life in ministry and that He will continue to provide for us all.
Missions 2010 Video
The highlights video from our 2010 mission trips is up on the videos page!
SIFAT Reflection
So to begin with, I’m sorry I wasn’t able to update the blog while we were at SIFAT…it appears the entire city of Lineville has something against my phone, since it didn’t work literally the entire time I was in the city (not just at SIFAT). Aside from the obvious annoyances of my phone not working, it was kind of a relief to be disconnected from the virtual leash that we all carry around all day everyday.
On to more important things. SIFAT was an absolutely amazing experience. This year’s group was our “guinea pig” group. After having experienced SIFAT, my opinion is that all students should participate in this experience at least once, and that the church as a whole adopt more in-depth (more SIFAT-esq) training for all mission trips being sent out from the church. I call the trip an experience because that’s exactly what it is…we experienced different cultures and had a taste of what life is like for people around the world, and most importantly, we had a glimpse of what mission trips can look like from the receiving end. It really makes you think about what you do and how you do it, in terms of serving on a mission trip.
ReCreation…..incredible week!!
Recreation
Well….. we are driving back from NC and will be in late tonight. What an incredible week. I am not even sure if the word Incredible can adequately explain this week. God has been so faithful and worked so powerfully through our group this week. Yesterday was our final day of work. We were not able to finish our roof unfortunately because the recreation folks did not bring enough shingles. We were a little disappointed but came to the conclusion that it was not about us and that another group would come in and finish up the work. The roof was a beast to work on. The angle and landscape made it very difficult but we made it work.
ReCreation Day 3
Right now I’m sitting down on a picnic table in the field behind the ReCreation base. Lightning bugs are flying around us. it’s a picture perfect summer night in NC. The group just got done playing bracin UNO. What a crazy game. I lost. Bad. The other youth groups still stare at us when they pass. We have defiantly made our selves known. Were defiantly labeled as that youth group.
SIFAT Update 1
Hi yall i’m not on the trip but just got off the phone with jamie johnson! Everyone is having a great time up in alabama. They just finished the 24 hours in the 3rd world village. She said it was great experience for all! Our team was split up in groups and they haven’t seen each other in awhile. When they do get a chance to talk we’ll try and have a better update available. There’s no cell service where the group is staying so chris can’t update the blog. If anyone wants a message sent to them comment on this post and i’ll get it to them!
ReCreation Day 2
Hi yall it’s me! Alex Confer bringing you news fresh from ReCreation! Steve lane just read the first sentenced and told me to take out the word “fresh” due to the smell of us right now. These fans just can’t handle our awesome. You maybe wondering why we just upgraded bloggers. It’s because Andy has poison oak and can’t move. Just kidding he’s just lazy, so now I’m doing the dirty work. In fact andy is laying on his personal cot with his own fan blowing on him. Take it from me he’s very comfortable.
ReCreation day 1
Well, we are off to a great start!! It was a great drive up and we made some great time here. Everyone slept!!! We only stopped to get gas, two Rest area stops, McDonalds and that was it!! We got here around 2:45ish…wow!! When we arrived we went and set up our rooms. we are in a large room that we are sharing with 9 middle school students from First UMC Orlando. There is no AC so it is hot! After getting settled in and being the first group here we went out to the fields to play some soccer. Almost everyone played and we had a great time. We play what is referred to as Madision County soccer where there are no boundaries and no rules basically. Full contact is allowed and many people got knocked down. It then started to rain and we all continued to play. At the end of our game we were all nasty and stinky. It was when we went to go shower that we found our that we were not allowed to shower that night or this morning. Many of the girls went and rinsed off using the hose outside. Let the adventures of being stinky begin!
Just arrived at ReCreation! 3 Hours Early
We have all safely arrived at ReCreation! We are the first group here. A whole 3 hours early! That’s right! We were early for something!!! Our rooms are set up (we got first pick) and now madison county soccer is about to go down here in NC! More details latter.