Second Student Ministries

Some Pictures - finally!

2009-07-22T00:03:00.005-04:00

80's Prom Party a Blast!

2009-07-21T23:34:00.002-04:00

Can anyone say "Thriller", Journey, Katrina and the Waves? Our students danced the night away at the 80's Prom Party. There were great 80's costumes and lots of jumping up and down. Hey, we even did the electric slide! You should see Dwight jump and down - ask me about it when you get home.
Today was also a great theme day - It was REdo. The focus was that God provides redos to us continuously. He wants us to come with our messy selves and lives. It's just listening and responding and accepting his redo for our lives - day in and day out!
Dr. Sherouse was with us today as well and will be heading home in the morning.
Continue to pray for us. Tomorrow, we will focus on the topic of REthink. . .

Blessings - Michael

It's Tuesday morning

2009-07-21T06:52:00.002-04:00

. . . and I am getting a few minutes of quiet before a very busy day will begin. Yesterday, was a good day here at camp. The theme for the day was REcreate (part of the larger REmix theme). We were all challenged to look at the stories in scripture with fresh new eyes and see that God wants to recreate us His image. The verse for the day was 2 Corinthians 5:17 (look it up!).
Monday morning began with an opening celebration full of games, singing and lots of movement - a brilliant idea to wake everyone up. Then it was off to Bible study groups (even the adults - although coffee was provied for us). After Bible study there was lunch and everyone headed off to their choices for the day. Once choices were over, there was a bit of free time before dinner. Worship challenged us to look at the story of Nicodemus from a new and fresh way - really seiing how Jesus was asking him to let go of the "boxes" that we all place God in! (it's easier to control Him that way, isn't it?)
The final time of the day was the REcParty. Guess what? There were pretty severe thunderstorms so we took it indoors! Everyone had a blast.
Dr. Sherouse came down yesterday and spent the night with us and will be with us again today. It's wonderful to see our pastor investing in the lives of our students.
So, tonight is the 80's Prom Party - can't wait to tell you about that!
Blessings - Michael

We are at PASSPORTchoices!

2009-07-20T00:25:00.002-04:00

Yes, we did arrive. It was yesterday at around 2:30 p.m. The ride here was uneventful with lots of convesations on the buses, videos playing, iPods in ears, and a couple good games of cards - oh, yes, there was some sleeping as well!

After a bit of confusion on rooming assignments (we were shorted a room), everyone was settled, and we had dinner on campus, and then went to opening celebration. Lots of fun along with being split into Bible study groups and making choices for their tracks this week.

It was fun to see Ginny Richardson, who is a Bible study leader and also leading the "Soul Food" choice here at camp.

There was one incident of a slammed hand in a door that has resulted in 7 stitches. It was Alec McKee, who was recovering from a dislocated toe the other week - man! He is bandaged up and getting a good nights sleep.

Well, morning will come early and a fun week is in store!

I will post pictures tomorrow :-)

Blessings - Michael

Countdown to Passport!

2009-07-13T08:16:00.001-04:00

Passport is just 6 days away! Are you ready? Don't forget that 2 original notarized medical release forms are needed (yes, chaperones, this means you too!).

5th Day at Bluefield

2009-07-03T23:26:00.002-04:00

Today was our last day at our work sites. There was much activity as all the groups strived to finish their projects for the work. The good news? All of them were completed. It is amazing how technical some of these projects were and yet, how with God's miraculous power, teenagers guided by adults were able to complete ramps, roofs, and so much more! Of course, the real power of what was done this week was the relationship built with homeowners . We definitely left feeling a connection with them. As Paige said tonight, it's not often we get to see those we work for receive their gift - we did today!

Our Worship experience was great tonight. It concluded with each work group standing up and reading a litany of blessing for the home and the homeowner they had worked to provide so much to this week. The wonderful thing about it all was that the majority of the families joined us tonight for Worship and for dinner. What an amazing thing to be standing alongside the families lifting praises through song, laughter, and the spoken word!

There is still so much to tell - can't wait to share it all.

Peace - Michael

3rd & 4th Day at Bluefield

2009-07-02T23:21:00.003-04:00

Sorry, I did not update the blog on Wednesday, but so much going on - all good! On Wednesday, we went to our worksites and worked up until about 12 noon and then came back to campus for lunch at 12:30 p.m. Lunch was Quizno Subs and the students were sure excited!!! Wednesday afternoon is typically a day off for all the campers from their work sites and a chance to get some much needed rest to finish out the week. The group opted to go to the Pocohontas Coal Mine tour. This is an exhibition mine and one that you can actually walk through, touch and be cold in! It was 48 degrees!!! The tour was interesting and actually led by the wife of the family of one of the homes being worked on. It's the site that Marty Cash is the Crew Chief on. They are building a ramp for her husband as what he had was inadequate. They are also building a shed to store coal in.

After the tour, we headed off to Ryan's for the buffet dinner. We had called ahead, so they put us in the back room - probably to keep the noise down. Everyone plowed into the salad bar, hot foods, and desserts (not in that order!!!), then it was off to Wal-Mart. There was shopping to be done as jeans had holes in them and they all wanted to do a bit of shopping for their secret pals. Who knew you could have so much fun at Wal-Mart on a Wednesday night. Oh, by the way, ask me about the trip "across the parking lot and down the hill" to get to Wal-Mart from Ryan's. It was quite funny.

So, today - Thursday, back to a full work day at the sites. That meant for my group that we had to finish tar papering, shingling, and flashing a new roof that was put on the back of the house Wednesdady. In addition to that there was lots of wood cutting for siding to go up and as well as supports in the roof. The team also finished touching up painting from throughout the week. There were multiple times today that it threatened to downpour at any minute, but God really kept the rain off of us, so that we could finish the task at hand. Tonight we had a very special worship service that ended with students having an opportunity to respond to God through "creative stations". They included a communion table, where they could break off bread and dip it into the cup by Pastor Heather. There was also a cross on which they could take an index card and write down something that they wanted to eliminate from their life or give to God (no writing your name on the card, howeve), then the card was tacked to the cross. There were two feet washing stations as well as paper on a long stretch of floor on which students could creatively offer up art to Christ. It was an amazing night.

During the service, the students learned about an organizationt that provides clothing, food and education to children around the world. Our group decided that for $40 a piece they could adopt 2 children for a year - you should have seen them all come back after our church group devotions so they could pick the children out themselves. This is an amazing group. You will be hearing more abou that!

Well, it's almost Day 5 and this body and brain need some sleep.

Blessings!

Michael

Second Day at Bluefield

2009-06-30T17:09:00.005-04:00

We have returned from our respective worksites after more roofing, nailing, painting, and so much more . . . At my site today, we actually finished the main roof and painting. Tomorrow will be some touch up as well the beginning of the de-construction of a back roof, so a new one can be built and completed by end of day Friday.

God is definitely at work here as the students are working hard, really understanding what injustices exist in this world and how they can be the hands and feet of Christ in very tangible ways to these homeowners.

Tomorrow (Wednesday), we will only work in the morning - lunch back on campus at 12:30 p.m. and then we will have the afternoon off to rest and relax. The group has decided to go to a "Exhibition Coal Mine" not too far from here in Pocahontas. It should be great to understand and see something first hand that has impacted the residents we are helping. Then, it will be off to the Wal-Mart (I know, they can't live without it! ) to do some shopping for their buddies and some children they have met at the worksites, then to dinner.

Keep the prayers coming, and we will see you soon! Hope you are enjoying the pictures.

First Work Day

2009-06-29T16:57:00.003-04:00

Wow, what a busy day it has been. My crew's name is "Rowdy Roofers", so guess what our work assignment was today. There are 29 adults and students working in my group including our own, Dee Dove, Emily Smith, and Lindsey Jones. Our assignment for the week is to replace the roof of the house, build a new roof on the back, replace the front porch, and paint! There is so much to do, but the group was eager and much was accomplished. One side of the main part of the house completely had the old roof removed and a new roof installed today - our day ran from 8:30 - 4 p.m. today! We also scraped and painted 2 sides of the house, lugged all the shingles off the roof to a dumpster. (Who knew one house could have so many wasps nests).

I was so proud of all the students at this site, they really worked hard and got a lot accomplished. Tomorrow, we will work on the other side of the roof, shingle the front porch, finish painting, and begin replacing the front porch.

Our other youth are divided among 6 other projects. The team names are On The Level, One Plank Sky, Jacks of All Trades, Hard Heads, Roof Roof, and High Pitch. As you can tell from many of the names, there is a lot of roofing going on here this week. The One Plank Sky group has Marty Cash as their Crew Chief. they are putting in a new ramp which includes a landing as well as laying a paver patio. I haven't heard yet how it went there, but will update you later.

I do not have cell phone reception at my work site. So, there's a bit of withdrawal, but also God's gift of really focused energy on the work and the students.

Blessings, Michael

We are here!

2009-06-28T16:13:00.004-04:00

Yes, we arrived safe and sound to Bluefield around 2:15 p.m. In case you wondering, it is hot - the mountains are supposed to be cooler, right? Anyway, the girls and guys are in separate dorm buildings on the campus - guess what floor? That's right the 3rd and the ony floor above is the roof - ha~! There is no elevator in the dorms, but that's okay, as it will fit nicely into my exercise program. As I write, the crew chiefs for the work sites are in a meeting (Marty Cash would be there!) The group leader (me) and college leader (Jackie) have a meeting at 5 p.m., then dinner at 6 p.m.

Everyone is excited to find out about their work assignments tonight and get ready for tomorrow. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we make an impact here in the Bluefield area.

Till later!

Michael

On the road to Bluefield . . .

2009-06-28T08:48:00.004-04:00

Well, we are on the road to Bluefield. The bus was loaded quickly, pictures taken, hugs given, and prayers lifted. The ride will be about 5 hours - currently, HSM 3 is in the DVD player - girls loving it - guys not so much, but they will get their turn. More to come tonight once we arrive and learn our work assignments for the week. Keep those prayers a coming.

Laundry, Laundry!

2009-06-27T08:15:00.003-04:00

So, I'm getting laundry done this morning in preparation for departure tomorrow! Tomorrow at this time, we will be finished loading (see how hopeful I am!) and then on the road to Bluefield.

Let me know what you are looking forward to the most . . .

Are you ready????

2009-06-26T09:21:00.002-04:00

So, we leave for Bluefield on our Sr. High Mission Trip this coming Sunday, June 28. I can't believe that it is already here!!!! I've been thinking I should probably begin to gather my tools and supplies for the trip, including ensuring that my clothes are washed and ready to go. There is so much in store for us as we head to Bluefield to minister to the community through multiple projects. I've already decided that it's going to be hot, so I'm prepared. Hope you are too!

I will be using this blog to log entries each day as well as pictures.

See you bright and early Sunday morning - 8 a.m.!!!!!

Blessings,

Michael