Jodi's Time

What a week...can't believe this is our last night in Halls, Tennessee! I have so many things on my mind - 25 Brenthaven folks, traveled three hours, had 19 meals together, 1,000,000 bug bites, made over 500 pictures, one earache, a few sunburns, a case of poison ivy, more laughs than we can count, many times of prayer, and some bumps and bruises.......all about the one call that brought us to this place. My job this week has been to take care of the Brenthaven folks so that they could do their work - so I had the privilege to watch our youth from afar as they worked with the children at the camp and children at the mission. From the beginning they opened their hearts and did everything they were asked to do - no matter how hot, tired, hungry, frustrated, they were - they did what they were called to this place to do.... love kids! My greatest appreciation goes to Jim and Sheryl Day, Lisa Cook, and Kip Rush for being wonderful chaperons on this trip - they, too, have worked very hard right beside the youth every step of the way! I thank you for the financial support you give the youth through the Silent Auction that helps this trip happen each year - each year I see growth and maturity in our youth that astounds me! Thank you for the cards and prayers you have sent our way this week- they really do help so much! But, most of all, thank you for loving your children. Not just your own children - but the children and youth of Brenthaven Church. We have seen a lot of children this week that have very few people in their lives to love them. It really does make a difference in the life of children. Your commitment to the youth of our church means that they have the foundation they need to go out and help the world - to listen to the call of God on their lives - to make a difference in the lives of others. 25 folks came on this trip - not really - the total membership of Brenthaven came right along side us in all the ways you have encouraged, taught, prepared and loved the members of Youth ROCKS to the point they could come to this place this week to do this work....thanks for joining us!! Love you all....can't wait to see you!!

P K's Quips

Well, next to last. That should be fitting. Once again, and not surprisingly, the youth have jumped into a different situation and came out with outstanding results. This trip has definitely brought a unique challenge as they have been working with children from situations that most of them have never known.

I have been most impressed with their love for these children. To watch one of our boys become a trusted friend to a 5th grade boy or one of girls be called a new best friend warms your heart. I should never be surprised, and really, I'm not. I'm just always amazed how God can take these diverse situations and meld them into an opportunity for ministry.

As a parent, I watch these Dyersburg kids and my heart aches. Their family situations have been most challenging and therefore their responses can be defensive and somewhat confrontational. But the reaction of Youth ROCKS, though difficult at times, was one of love. Thank you God!

I close with this. The opportunity to serve is not just for youth. But if you ever want to be moved by the power of God, go on a youth mission trip. It may very well move YOU to serve!

Grace and peace,

Kip

Sarah's Spotlight! :)

Hey guys back in Nashville! This has been such an amazing week, and I definitely will not be able to recap all of the amazing things that have happened. However, I can explain some of the relationships I have made with such wonderful kids.

When we first pulled up to the house last Saturday, there were 3 kids in the front yard of the building we were staying at. I didn't know that there would be kids staying in the house with us, but it was a very pleasant surprise as we got to know them. Their names were Leigh Ann, Maria, and David. Their parents were the ones in charge of the camp, and they are such an amazing family to watch because of their love for each other as well as God. Maria and Leigh Ann were so gifted in their abilities, especially in piano and horse-back riding. They both told me they had never had lessons, but they had taught themselves some very impressive songs that they shared with me. I didn't have much to share in return, but it was very rewarding to spend time and build relationships with such sweet girls.

I was unfortunately not able to spend much time with the kids who participated in camp because I was a part of the group who went in town to the mission, or "club" everyday. We were able to spend time with kids from 1st and 2nd grade on Tuesday, 7th and 8th on Wednesday, and 3rd and 4th grade on Thursday. These kids were so incredible. Although they may not have been completely open when we picked them up in the morning, by lunch time most of them were open to sharing everything. Getting to know these kids was a blessing in so many ways, and I am so grateful for the oppurtunity to work with that group.

Today, however, there was no club. So we got to go on elective trips with the campers. I was in the canoe group, and we went to explore the Buffalo River. We only had 2 kids that were able to go with us, but that ended up being special because we were able to connect with them so much. Much like the other kids, they weren't very outgoing in the morning, but as they warmed up to us we were joking and playing and having a really wonderful time.

I am so thankful that everything has gone so smoothly this week and I had an amazing time. I feel like my life has definately been changed by these kids, and also by all the people who give up everything just to help them have a chance. The love in this place is so powerful it changes lives every single day, and theres really not that many positive oppurtunities to do that anymore. So just in case anyone from the camp or the mission is reading this, thank you SO much for everything you do, you're not only changing the kids lives but you're making a difference to everyone around you. To everyone else, thank you for your support and prayers throughout this mission trip, we are blessed to have such great friends and family back home. See you soon!

Sarah

Gaines's Awesome Blogging Skills

Today we just came back from the sports elective trip, which was 4 holes of golf and a "fun" filled day at the mission center. We are leaving tommorow but even though its been hot and full of bees the week was fun and I am sad we are leaving.
Today at the mission 1 kid showed up late and he was called Keon. Throughout the week I have not enjoyed Keon for multiple reasons, but today he was well behaved and we had fun. The fact that I can say that I made friends with Keon made my day. You can see Jesus working in these kids.

Weatherman Joe Camp Experience

I have had a very interesting week. I was part of the work crew. The work crew was responsible for cleaning up the camp, and pretty much doing what Mr. Greg told us to do. Mr. Greg is the youth camp director. I got to use my very first riding lawn mower this past week as well. Thursday evening I got to go camping. Unfortunately, right when camp started the N.W.S. (NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE) issued a severe thunderstorm warning for our area. We did not have any storms until that evening we were supposed to go camping. The rain was very light though, we were okay. All of the camp staff are very nice and patient. Some of the campers, however seemed a little bit cranky at times, but for the most part everyone seemed to be in a good mood.

There were many fun things to do at the camp. There is a very large pond to swim in, along with a zipline. The camp also has a large soccer/baseball/kickball/football field for people to play in. We also played card games, board games and some interactive games like Mafia. By the way, the weather alert radio just went off as I was typing with a Severe T-Storm warning. There have been alot of warnings the past several hours.

This has been a great experience and I will remember the this camp for a very long time.

Jim aka "McGyver"

We have had a wonderful time this week here at the New Life Youth Camp. This is their 21st year and from speaking with the staff they have made great strides from very humble beginnings. The facilities here are great and the camp was very well organized. The staff has been very supportive and show great compassion for the youth they serve.

Lisa Cook, Jack, Joe, Ryan, Devin, Shannon, Colleen and I camped last evening with 10 of the kids. We had a great time roasting hot dogs, and cooking S'mores.

It's hard to believe the week is just about over but the kids have really connected with the campers and it will be sad to have to leave.

Camp by Ryan

Well, camp this week has been pretty fun. The first day we hung out in the pond. The next day the kids came and not to many of them talked to me the first day except for maybe 2 or so. Later that night I realized I had poison ivy. It is so not fun. The days passed and we came to elective day. My job was tent camping. It was fun and all but it was so chaotic. The next day we went swimming and I burned my shoulders really bad and they are in pain now. But all in all it was a fun experience. Bye.