Friday and Returning Home

We had a great time at King's Island. Spencer faced her fear of heights and roller coasters and ended up riding almost every ride, including the slingshot! We all bonded together at the end to ride together and share funny stories about our mission trip!

Over the whole week, I saw amazing changes take place in the lives of 5 wonderfully blessed youth. Steve, Gary, and I had the privilege of working with the kids and being apart of fantastic growth: spiritually, and otherwise. The kids all have amazing things to say about the trip and their own personal growth and understanding of their relationship with Christ. They made lasting memories and are already finding their new friends on Facebook and MySpace.

The trip was so much more beneficial than the work that we can see on the surface. The kids made an incredible impact on the appearance of Garden of Hope and are all very proud of their work. The other benefits will affect them for the rest of their lives. This is the first of many mission trips to come, and the kids are already planning next years.

They will be in church Sunday to share their experiences with the congregation and to thank everyone for their love, prayers and support.

Thank you for everything,.

In Christ,

Steph

Thursday Night Worship

After 4 days of working for God, He is now working in us! God has been speaking to our youth kids all week and has moved mountains in their hearts!

Worship tonight was so powerful. The kids had quiet time to pray and reflect. We laid our burdens at the foot of the cross and left brand new. We each talked about the positive changes we are experiencing this week and how we are going to take it Home.

The glory doesn't stop here!

We can't wait to come back home and share our experiences with our families, friends, and congregation!

Pray for a safe trip and fun day at kings island, as well as safe travels home.

Wow He is so good!!

Steph

Free Time!

During our free time today, we went to the Newport Aquarium. One word: MAGNIFICENT! The kids, Steve, and I LOVED it! We had a lot of time left so we went to the movies and saw Karate Kid. We are now sitting down to enjoy pizza together and then head back to the church to show off our Souled Out shirts and have our closing worship service! Should be fun!

Steph

Thursday

Sydney and Bailey working w/ preschoolers

VBS Thursday

Bailey and Sydney and Steve worked with the preschoolers. Sydney was awesome at taking the lead and working with the kids!Spencer did a great job taking the lead with the elementary kids as Jeremy led the questions and Donnie squirted the kids with water! I think we have 5 eligible crew members for our VBS August 2-6!

Good Evening!

We have heard Isaiah 6 today twice. I know that I am called to ministry and have been praying for my youth kids to be open to what God is calling them to do. After an amazing worship tonight, some of the kids have spoken up about how God has been speaking to them this week. They are all coming out of their shells in their own way and having so much fun. They don't want to leave! I love it! Prayer really pays off!

The kids usually have free time. The past few days they have Hung out with each other but tonight they really branched out and made new friends! The girls and I had a BLAST singing karaoke! Donnie and Jeremy made new friends playing cards and stacking cups!

Before worship, right at dinner time our final Souled Out member arrived! -Steve!-

He had a great time getting to know everyone, learning that he missed all the dirty work, and enjoying the worship and devotional time with us.

The kids worked very hard and are all very tired! After playing hard during free time, its time for SLEEP!

GOOD NIGHT!

Steph

Wednesday Continued....

Everyone was feeling pretty worn out today...the Garden of Hope was very successful, though. Jeremy, Donnie, and I chopped some serious shrubbery before beginning the other work. I discovered muscles I forgot I had!

Bailey and Spencer helped paint. Sydney worked with TEAMeffort staff member Rebecca finishing up the weeding. Donnie helped wherever needed. Jeremy, Gary and I uprooted and untangled some serious vines with huge roots. All of us pitched in wherever needed to continue to make the Garden of Hope look great! It's wonderful because we can see our progress before we leave!