Ready to go

Its poring

Bittersweet

Well, we got back. Somewhat of a bittersweet time in my opinion. It's awesome coming home, don't get me wrong. But for the past three years, the mission trips have been by far my favorite week of each year. It's an awesome way to recharge away from home and refocus my faith while building relationships with others in Christ. Of course, it's not the only time I look towards for strengthening my trust in Jesus because I can do that here at home. But to some extent, sometimes I feel like I "live" for workcamp. It's the place where I am most energized for living and serving Christ. I never want to leave. But that's exactly the reason for coming back, so we can continue in "repairing" and "transforming" (theme of the week) the world here in Sunbury. I'm incredibly grateful to all our sponsors for believing in this mission. Can't wait to share about it!

- Caleb

Testimonies

For the last hour at 2am after a long week, Jackie and I read out loud the testimonies the kids wrote about their week.  I cannot express how much I needed to hear the experiences that they had.  Some grew in their faith, some grew in confidence and some grew their social circles.  These testimonies make me feel like the luckiest person in the world.  Not only do I get to watch these kids grow and mature into the next generation, but I get to see Jesus Christ leading their way.  Thank you God for sending me this direction 10 years ago at Workcamp.  Truly the greatest weeks of my life.  

Signed 

An Average Youth Worker

Last Blogertunity!! We're home!!

After 10 long hours, were back!  

Van rule number 1

Don't fall asleep first.....

Starbucks Stop

We are about 3 hours away parents!!!

He ruined me.

I am reading the Jesus centered youth ministry book given to us at camp.  Love this line.  

"I don't understand a lot of what you teach and what your saying, but I know I have nowhere else to go.  You've ruined me for you". 

How cool would it be to get to the point where nothing else matters, except Jesus.   

You look like Madusa

Charlie said that my hair looks like Madusa or a pineapple.  

Anna Banana

From Anna Banana!   We miss you!  Come back to the USA!

Hi friends from last summer and also new work campers!

Oh it's so nice to read this blog, it reminds me of amazing last summer&the work camp on Rhode Island. That was an awesome week!! I'll never forget it.

Now I'm working on a farm here in Finland. Today I was wearing my work camp tuned hoodie which has white painted smiley on the back and cross on the arm. My work mates asked about the hoodie and I was happy to tell them about the camp.

I hope you had a great time there at the camp (I'm sure you had, at least it seems like it..:-D) 

Love,
#finnishgirl , called Anna-Banana (from The Theta Tango) 

The Living Hope Gang is Established.

Bailey is living the thug life.  

Joeys Hair

Jackie Braided joeys. hair and it was adorbs.  

Cracker Barrel

Stopped for a linner at Cracker Barrel in effingham!  

Bale Sandwich

I'm in a bale sandwich!!! 

A massive cross!

Passed this cross on our way to Cracker Barrel in Effigham, IL

Guess where we stopped for lunch..

Josiah

We accidentally left just Kathryn 5 miles ahead of us.  Josiah had fun by himself!!

Care Cards!!

Care cards from the trip!  Messages from our new friends

Care Cards Held at Ransom

We help until care cards ransom from the kids until we got what we wanted from them regarding their testimony from the trip.  Can't wait to send out these letters to ou amazing sponsors!!!

McDonalds Recharge in St Loius

Put Stop

Checking out

Finally left Oak Grove for home! ETA 8-9pm

Las Night 12pm Countdown

Kids have exactly 8 minutes to as Medicare cards as possible.  Everyone seems terrified doing finishing time. procrastination kills

Faith Before Fear

Tonight we invited our residents to worship and shared some fears that our common amongst humans.  Snakes slides heights etc.  do we let our fear get in the way of our faith?   The bible story tonight was in te book of acts.  We read bout Ananias an Saul.  Ananias was afraid that Saul would kill him.  Instead we know that God had a plan for Saul all along.  What does God have planned for you and are you afraid to say yes to the plan? 

It's been contained

Love what people think of.  

Baileys Crew

Charlie Pranks Crew Leader

Love this! 

Jacobs Invention

Baseball Icecream

Volunteers were handing out ice cream and Jacob decided to put on a baseball MIT and demand they throw it to him. 

Breaking our backs so our residents don't have to...

Before and after photos from Crew #11! Our resident actually broke her back walking down the steps from before and was still using them, even after she recuperated. We're so glad that she can now take her dogs out to the back yard safely!

Gladys' Hershey House

Day 5 and we are complete.  I am so tried and crew 23 was incredible.  We served all week without complaints, arguments or disrespect.  5 days for our favorite resident.  She, and her friend Steve were right Along side of us.  We had so many treats delivered which helped us push on.  

Take a look at the before and after.  We painted and trimmed the entire house and resided two sides of the house.  

Last Day!

My residents and I when we finished the project!

Super Cute!

Even on our mission trip, Jackie can't escape Kevin's "great" driving!!!

Last Day At Camp

Prayers for all the crews to finish their projects today!   

Care Card Madness

Everyone in the group has to recognize everyone else now there's a bad craziness of care cards

Delta Squad Late a night initiation

Jacob Wenner and Brandon Thomas are initiating somebody into Delta squad at 11:09 PM when we're supposed to be sleeping    

Encouraging Note on the Bathroom Door

Love Workcamp for this reason

Getting to Jesus at Any Cost

I just had the privelege to talk to so many of our teenagers at camp.  The theme for tonight is the story of Zaccheaus.  A man who is known for being a sinner and a theif.  Tonight we were asked to look in a mirror and ask ourselves what needs to be transformed.   

Zaccheaus gave up his wealth, his status and his sin to walk with Christ.  

The best part of giving up everything Is you get everything in Jesus.  

Got to love the process of sanctification?

Bubbles drinks bubbles..