Workcamp Thoughts...

Just got back from our workcamp mission trip in Piqua, Ohio a couple of days ago. I'm still trying to get adjusted to not going out to Ernie's and working with all the kids to paint his house...(watch the newscast here). It was an awesome experience for everyone involved. It is hard to put into words what our experience is like year after year with these trips. For me it is a total "cleansing" of my soul as I am remined why we are here on this earth. I find it is pretty easy to get distracted with the petty issues that surround us in a "world" which tries to avoid God. A mission trip like this is just what the doctor (Jesus?) orders to help us keep in mind is most important. Jesus has educated us in this by saying the we need to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbors as we love ourselves,(Matthew 22:37-40). It's amazing how we can flip that to "love ourselves with all our heart, soul, and mind" and not even realize it.

One of our groups was especially impacted by a gentleman named Mr. Smith. Mr. Smith was 103 years old and spent a good part of his time serving others through the Salvation Army. What an example to follow! You can catch a newscast of our crew with him to see what I mean.

As we slip into the Fair Parking Event, it will be difficult to keep my mind off of all the experiences we shared with each other throughout the week. Each time I see one our workcamp kids, I'll be instantly reminded of something we did together the last week. I supposed that's one of the benefits of being in a community of believers. How cool is that? more to come on this I'm sure...I gotta run to the fair to park cars so we can earn money for next year...

Due to Popular Demand...

Wasn't that a funny video this past Sunday in church? You gotta love Nacho Libre! It got so many comments I thought I'd post it up here for you guys...



Let me take a moment to encourage any parent reading this that if you haven't yet taken the step of baptism by immersion, please consider doing so. It's a lot easier for your kids to develop their faith when they have a positive role model to follow.

Regards, Ron

Soooo, your kid went on a mission trip this summer, eh?

I am happy for you. Something happens to students once they get a taste of serving people who need help. They tend to want to do it again and again and again. Even if they don't belong to your youth group or church, they tend to want to "belong" to it because of the serving aspect the group does. What is the purpose of a mission trip? Here are a few...

-When we serve others we grow in our personal relationship to Jesus.
-Jesus asked us to reach out to those in need...to be his hands and feet to a world that desperately needs him.
-Mission trips cause youth groups to get excited about ministry...this translates into spiritual, relational, and numerical growth.

Sometimes I hear comments like "why can't we serve people here in Medina?" To that I say, "We can and we should, how can I help you do that?" One of the benefits of taking kids away from Medina is that it gets them out of their "comfort zone." Teenagers are creatures of habit whose identity is embedded in the people and things around them. When you take them away from that for the purpose of serving God, amazing things can happen.

Beware though, some strange things may happen to your kids when they return. They may "grow up" a little and become more independent. Don't worry, that's a good thing. We are raising our kids so they can out be productive Christ followers in their communities as adults. I sometimes hear comments that the kids "didn't call home enough" while they were gone. I say GREAT!!!! They are learning to survive and function without their parents...isn't this the ultimate goal any parent has?

A mission trip is an event that never stops teaching lessons throughout life. I hope your kids take advantage of this opportunity as often as they can.


Ron

Tuesday Night at Camp...

Hello Parents!

I'm proud to report that your kids are doing quite well at our Mission trip this week. We are doing many different things. Some kids are working at a community center with kids who have physical and mental challenges. Some of us are helping clean up public parks because they are unable to do everything they need to do. Some of the kids are stocking food shelves and helping out at a vacation bible school (considering that our kids have experience doing exceptional vbs's you won't be surprised to hear they are doing quite well). Caleb is sitting right next to me and wants me to tell everybody that "he never realized he was capable of helping people this much." He is quite proud of himself. Caleb, Brent, Cole and myself found a nice little room to call our own (complete with AC) and we are enjoying haning out and "acting like boys." Sammie has led devotions the last two nights and is encouraging our group to share how we are "showing our love through our actions." Brent is out of money. Emily lost hers before we got here (drat). Jeanne Morse gave us money for ice cream and last night we all walked to Graeter's and had some gourmet ice cream...Thanks Ms. Morse!!!! We are getting lots and lots of mail as the wall is plastered with messages form the folks at Heartland - Keep them coming!

We have two more days left and then a day at King's Island. Please keep us in your prayers.

Ronald