Holding Down the Fort - Wednesday Recap

FUMC Youth "holding down the fort" in Jacksonville, FL!

Holy Ground - Tuesday Recap

Garrett lead morning glow, where he provided a lesson where he reminded us that it’s never about us, its always about God. Our work teams were divided to various agencies through out the city.

            At BEAM we sorted through clothes and hangars to prepare for the annual Back to School event.  BEAM’s volunteer director said “ We want to hang a total of 10,000 clothes for this event”, so we went to work.

            Another group arrived at Sanctuary on 8^th where 45 eager children greeted us.  To start the morning off right we asked the children how they felt today to create positive energy.  That translated to a successful day of a basketball camp, healthy snack station, music and dance. We had a wonderful time with the children and then loaded our bus to depart for our second mission if the day. At Second Harvest Food Bank, we sorted two palettes of donated items and then we packed 80 plus family meal boxes.

            We returned to city rescue mission to continue work on the fence project and garden. We made our first trip to the thrift shop where we helped the clothes director sort and hang clothes in the right place. The director said “Every piece of clothing you touch feeds one homeless person, rather it’s sold in the front or out the back.”

            The showers felt so good after a long day of working.  Thank you to the parents and the work team who prepared tacos tonight. Also a big thanks to BEAM who gave us fresh vegetables for dinner!

            The freshman were introduced to their first mission trip game of barnacle. Also in our work teams we talked about the barnacles we experienced through out the day and the fresh waters that renewed us. Luke used a video a to explain the importance of listening to God in the silence. And then we spent time in personal reflection, journaling and prayer. Tonight we are hopeful that God will give us rest.                

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”

 –Matthew 11:28

Blog by: Jacob Hord, Olivia Devine & Chelsea Vale

   

Are You Ready for a Miracle? - Monday Recap

We were awoken early this morning in order to be at breakfast at 7 a.m.! Sarah 
Towner and Meredith Love started our day off right with a morning glow devotion 
that discussed miracles. We listened to the song Are You Ready For A Miracle to 
help us remember miracles can happen whenever and wherever! Then we loaded up 
the buses and headed our separate ways for a day of work.

The group that headed to BEAM, beaches emergency assistance ministry, left MUMC 
at 8:15. The people who work there gave us a tour of the garden, their pantry, 
and the offices. We then rode about 10 minutes to the warehouse we worked for 
most of the day. We had to go to a church that gave clothing racks to load a 
truck. Back at the warehouse we unloaded them had to go back for a second trip. 
As we unloaded the second truck-full it started to pour rain! After everything 
was unloaded we started to assemble the clothing racks for the next 4 hours. We 
finished 30 minutes early so we took a detour to the beach for 20 minutes. It 
was a great way to relax and refresh after a long and hot day. 

The group that went to Sanctuary on 8th left MUMC at 8:15. Once we were there, 
we broke off into six different rotations of crafts, music/dance, healthy 
snacks, soccer, games, and t-shirts. The groups were divided between ages and 
gender. We were set up by 9:00 to start the rotations. After every group went 
through the rotations, we had lunch with the kids. When lunch was over, the boys 
headed out to the pool. Girls were planing for the next day at the same time. 
Everyone came back and groups of girls did Zumba. We finished earlier than 
expected and went back to take showers after a long day after a long day! 

The group that headed to Christian Rescue Mission (CRM) were the lucky ones this 
morning because they got to hang out (a.k.a. sleep) until 9 while Jimbo and 
David went to buy tools! Once we boarded up and headed over, we were all ready 
to begin a day of work! The event coordinator, Amy, gave us a tour of the place 
and her colleague Regi told us his story and how he now works at CRM. We walked 
around the facility and she showed us the rooms that the ladies stay in which 
were very impressively decorated! Then we split up into a group of cooks and 
landscapers. The cooks started flipping grilled ham and cheese and cutting 
vegetables. The mean and women came and we served them their meals. During this, 
the landscapers were digging holes in the soggy, muddy ground (while it off and 
on rained). These holes, that actually took all day, are going to be the site of 
a future fence around the garden to block the not-so-pretty view of the trailer 
stored right there. We loaded up and headed to the YMCA for a refreshing shower! 


At the YMCA, many of us showered up. The girls were all PLEASANTLY surprised at 
the luxurious bathrooms. The waiting room had a television and the showers had 
amazing water pressure and warm water! The boys, on the other hand, had the 
typical group showers. Then we all headed back to MUMC and split up on buses for 
Panera or Chick-fil-A (a very hard decision for many). 

We played some fun games before our devotion about not worrying about everything 
and allowing god to help us. Once we journaled and heard a song about not 
worrying, we got a snack and headed up to our rooms to go to sleep.  

Sunday's Sermons, Slides, and Spirituality - Sunday Recap

Hey guys! Day one in Jacksonville was pretty cool! We got up at 7, which was CRAZY for teenagers in the summer! But we went to Sunday School and made up 97% of the attendance for this morning. Then we went to the church service which was quite similar to our services at home. The pastor told the story of Moses and the Burning Bush and also spoke of his call to ministry (it was his first Sunday at Mandarin UMC). After church we split for lunch between yummy and yummy-er burgers! Some of the group went to McDonalds and pretty much everyone else went to Five Guys and Burgers and Fries. Then we began our quest for Adventure Landing Waterpark, not realizing there were two places with the same name. So we got lost. Hours later (just kidding), we found the Waterpark and had a great time on water slides, the Lazy River, and in the Wave Pool. Then we went back to MUMC for showers and pizza. Mandarin's youth group was meeting at the same time and asked us about North Carolinians' love for Chacos. Afterwards, they invited us to join them in various line dances. After showing us up with their awesome moves, we had some free time. When it came time for devotion, we started with an energy buzz game. To help us to remember to stay positive throughout the week, we were given "Energy Buses". We then learned our groups and agencies for tomorrow and played a new "I Never..." game to demonstrate what a confusing task at a worksite could be like. When we were fully prepared for our mission work tomorrow, we changed to a more personal, one-on-one with God devotion. We related back to the reference of Moses and the Burning Bush from the sermon this morning. We focused on verse 5 of Exodus chapter 3, which says "Then the Lord said, 'Don't come any closer! Take off your sandals, because you a standing on holy ground.'" We remembered that Moses had the choice to keep walking or stop, and sometimes you have to stop and stand on the holy ground to listen to God. A lot of us figured we could probably do a little bit more listening and a lot less talking. We now are coming upon our lights-out time, so good night to everyone in Gastonia and beyond. We love you and thank you for supporting us as we represent ourselves, our church, and our community.

Maggie L., Maggie C., Alexis, and Sarah

We've Arrived in Jacksonville!

Group Picture at the Florida Welcome Sign

Getting acquainted activity at one of our stops.

Learning more about each other along the drive.

Getting settled for our week stay at Mandarin UMC!

A little basketball before devotions!

Hoping to have sunlight this week for our projects but regardless hope that we will be a light for the people of Jacksonville this week by sharing God's love!

Prayer Guide for the 2013 Mission Trip

Saturday, July 13 The team departs this morning for Jacksonville.

Please pray for:

§  Travel mercies for the group

§  Families and friends at home   

§  The Lord to be honored

Scripture to pray: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.  With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” -Ephesians 6:18

Sunday, July 14 After worshipping with the congregation at Mandarin UMC, the team will go to a water park, spend the evening in orientation, build community with each other, and establish a basic plan for the week.

Please pray for:

§  Building of our community

§  All members to be devoted to Christ

Scripture to pray: “Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.  If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ…” -1 Peter 4:9-11

Monday, July 15 The team begins their work schedule at the following 3 agencies:  City Rescue Mission-provides food, shelter, and clothing to those in need, Sanctuary on 8^th-helps children find their way to productive futures, and BEAM-helps keep families in their homes by getting them back on their feet.

Please pray for:

§  Flexibility for group members and the agencies

§  Patience

§  Energy

Scripture to pray: “Let your light so shine before men that they shall see your good works” -Matthew 5:16

Tuesday, July 16 The team follows a “typical” daily schedule.

Please pray for:

§  Jesus to be our standard

§  Unity among our team

§  Openness among the recipient

Scripture to pray: “For this reason since the day we heard about you, we

have not stopped praying for you.  We continually ask God to fill you with knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.” -Colossians 1:9-10

Wednesday, July 17 The team has the day off.  This is a fun day, scheduled to provide rejuvenation.

Please pray for:

§  Rest for the weary

§  Rejuvenation of body, mind, and soul

§  Gratitude for what we have

Scripture to pray: “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

-Psalm 30:5

Thursday, July 18 The team continues their service at the local agencies.

Please pray for:

§  Endurance

§  Boldness to share our faith

§  Seeds that have been planted

Scripture to pray: “To whom much is given, much is required” -Luke 12:48

Friday, July 19 The team concludes their week working at the agencies.

Please pray for:

§  The team to be encouraged and spread encouragement in Jacksonville

§  Spiritual conversations to occur

Scripture to pray: “Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” -Philippians 2:1-2

Saturday, July 20 The team is headed home!

Please pray for:

§  Those at home to be blessed by reports of this trip

§  The team’s re-entry to their normal routine

§  God to speak to each participant in a powerful way

Scripture to pray:  “The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.” -Numbers 6:24-26

I REMEMBER......

I Remember...

A man of faith

A heart full of love

The sparkle in his eyes

The day he had his heart attack

Holding Catherine up as high as I could outside so pawpaw could look from the hospital window and see her newly pierced ears

Playing ball outside

Crying the first day of kindergarten because I couldn't go to "work" with daddy

Singing  in the car on road trips.

Him jumping in the pool with his Sunday suit on to scoop me up because I decided to swim!

Going to American legion baseball games all summer long.

Calling him from Gastonia when I had car trouble.

His lesson to give the best you have, not "hominy"

Him going out on Christmas morning, to open the Toy Store to get batteries and Barbies for parents who forgot.

Cheering for UNC  in the stands with him!

Him talking to me before I got a spanking.

Running through a glass door and he finished putting a bicycle together before he came to check on me

Him helping me with math word problems and he always got the right answer.

Filling out my church envelopes on Sunday morning sitting on his lap.

My first paying job was filling up the drink boxes at Blanton's Variety Store

Him coming to my high school games.

That he was calm and reasonable.

The smell of Polo cologne he wore.

Going to toy shows with him and getting the royal treatment.

He came home from the hospital and died peacefully within the week, just the way he wanted.

He told me it would be okay and gave me money to get mother a Valentine's present because he probably wouldn't be here.

The  supply of black and gold crepe paper for antenna streamers at all the home football games at SHS that he donated.

He gave college students jobs to pay for their education.

The long and winding line at the funeral home and the full sanctuary upon his death.

A man coming by our house after daddy died to pay us what he owed my father.  He said, Bill trusted me.

Being angry that Catherine would never really get to know her Papaw

Going to Lake Junaluska with daddy who was a conference delegate for years


These are a few of the things I remember today, but most days I focus on the blessings of my Father because:


He was a Christian.
He was loyal.
He was kind.
He believed in being yourself.
He was fair.
He showed respect to everyone he met.
He loved his family.
He served his country and his community.
He was a good person.




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