Travel day Friday

All the teams finished up by noon-ish and got lunch at local restaurants - Yeah for the Flying Wienie! As well as some seriously good homemade pizza at the Sykora Bakery in Czech Village.


You know that the work that you've done is appreciated, the owner of the Sykora recognized the crews (we've stopped in quite a few times) and asked what we'd been doing, Ruschman & Babcock explained, when the owner knew where we'd been and how many houses that we worked on, he gave the crew 8 loaves of fresh bread and 4 boxes of pastries & cupcakes ! Wow

Some of the crews got to see a 40 foot dragon boat in one of the homeowner's yards in the Ellis Park area. You don't see that very much.

We've made it back in to Naperville, IL for one more wake-up at the Yellow Box (Community Christian Church).

Just a wake-up, pack-up and hit the road back to Mentor around 7:00 a.m.'ish. We should be getting back to Mentor UMC between 4:30 & 5:00.

Thank you to everyone that helped make this a successful YSP mission trip - 7 crews working on 9 homes for families, making friens with crews from Canistos, SD; Sioux Falls, MO and Lancaster, PA.

Thank You !!!!!

Hope to see you at either Sunday worship service to hear the youth's recap & stories.

Blessed be His Name!

Thursday misc.

where everybody knows your name

Welcome to Iowa!

Thursday photos

concentrating on the trim work

oh yeah, we be working good

but Bob, you should do it this way

Thursday update

A FANTASTIC family dinner night last evening, family and guests from 5 of the 7 homesites came, along with guests from AmeriCorp - Vista and the 22 member mission group from Canistota Presbyterian Church, Canistota, SD. Great food thanks to Bev, Ellen and Doug as well as fun, games, songs and fellowship lead by Shawn Harris.

Thursday opened with great enthusiasm as the teams put on a push to complete as much of their projects as possible.

Turner, Petro & the gang (Evan-Nathan-Megan-Laura-Megan) started a new homesite with "a little laundry list" of things to do.

Ruschman-Babcock et al (Evan&Nathan&Megan&Laura&Megan) continued on with their new homes (yes - 2 homes side-by-side) - connecting up the trap door to the storm cellar, oak flooring, baseboards, staining of trim and work in the kitchen on cabinetry. Jim found out that the windows weren't secured to the frames by trying to open one as it fell out of the frame - add another item to the list.

There is some serious talent on the crews with Hoon/Hoon/Kyle/Ted/Aidan/Jamie/Holly doing Italian Ceramic Floor tile and Venitian Plaster work that is extraordinary.

Leyden, Barton with Trent-Allan-Katie-Katie-James drive on with sheet rock, mudding, insulation & painting the upstairs bedroom a vibrant purple (at least I think it's purple). At what was the homesite 2- houses down the street, there was a garden shed flipped on it's roof. Non one was sure exactly who's shed it was - since it wasn't there before the flood waters came.

Gallagher-Kanaga with Mike~Zach~Amber~Emily~Dana~Kate had - you guessed it- more mudding, mudding, mudding & mudding plus piecing together leftover sheetrock to try & cover a stairwell. Dan was finally able to come out of the closet today !!!!!!! Who eats lunch at the Flying Weinie? you got it!

Le & Harris with Ian+Scott+Sabrina+Melissa got in wondows number 4, 5 & 6. That leaves only 2 more to go. The youths are really surprising everyone with their ability to re-install the custome millwork and face frame to outside windows. Jean the homeowner love to be the sidewalk supervisor, and the girls really talking with her.

Otte & Otte with the non-otte's (Kari~Sarah~Megan~Jonathan~Josh~Puchi) are having a blast working on Leonard's house with installing outside doors, fascia, porch replacements, interior trim/staining and caulking going on. Questions - how many youths can you fit in a SMALL HALLWAY (closet sized)? Answer - yep, you guessed it! Does anyone know a good way to get caulk out of noses and hair ?????????????

Oh yeah, they"re getting to know me on a first name basis at Menard's hardware & lumberyard.

Doug, Bev & Ellen are spoiling us with pancakes, french toast and egg strada with ham and fresh aspargus for breakfast.

Friday should be a short work day - back to Camp Hitage to load up & clean up our cabins & lodge by 2:00. To-Go dinner packs will let us be on the road to Naperville, IL no later than 5:00 with arrival at the Yellow Box (Community Christian Church) around 9:00'ish.

This week has really flown by.

While there is enough work to be done here that could fill more YSP time that we could ever hope to fill, there's a verse in this morning's song that rings true -
When all the world's "all as it should be" blessed be Your name.
You give and take away
My heart will choose to stay
Lord, blessed be Your name.

Yep - it is a good week.

Misc photos

Wednesday Updates .. . .middle of Iowa and our newest friends from

Sorry about the lack of photos, being literally out in the middle of Iowa at Camp Hitage (that's where we're staying) there is little wireless, and at best, cell service is spotty.

The weather has been exceptionally cool - high in the mid-60's with a little bit of spitting drizzle and plenty of cloud cover. Not the usual YSP weather with 90-90 sweat for everyone.

Two crews have moved on to other houses, completeing the initial assigments.
Ruschman & Babcock have gone to the Grapes (Dick & Jane) to do interior finish work, oak flooring, linoleum, door trim, window trim, and of course - the usual mudding of drywall. The uniques challenge is building the trap door in the kitchen floor so that the Grapes can get to the storm cellar (tornadoes) - didn't do so good during the flood. They also helped to celebrate Cory's birthday (7 year old grandson living with them). They've been on the waiting list for repairs since last July. You can see how great the need is.

Turner, Petro and the gang are going over to Mrs. Cook's house tomorrow morning for "a long laundry list" of things - painting, fence repair, trim work, staining and more drywall (do you sense a theme?).

The girls on Hoon & Hoon are experts at Venetian plaster - IT LOOKS AWSOME!!!!! You can't tell it from italian marble (parents - who knew).

Family night is tonight, with guests from the homes we're working on plus friends we've made - about 25 family members, 24 youth & adults from the Presbyterian Relief Team from Canistota, SD - as well as our newest friends from the Church of the Nazarene from Lincoln, Nebraska (Joey and 22 youth members) will be joining us for music (Ted & AJ - aka The Trio of Two with the singers) and the Dance Team, worship lead by Shawn. ill Otte has come up with ice-breaker games for all the groups - Orange Toss Keepaway and an 8-legged race. Hmmmmmm.

The last two evenings the youth were treated to special programs from the Hitage staff - a low-ropes course for leadership development, and a Challenge- Thinking course to develop decision making. There are videos posted on YouTube that show some seriously hilarious efforts - do a search on YSP 2009 and Ted's posted 4 videos. I think James is still removing the wedgie from his butt today. BE WARNED - YOU WILL LAUGH UNTIL YOU LEAK!

UPDATE: It may take 24 hours for YouTube to post the videos - keep checking in!!

Team Blues Clues

Leyden, Barton & gang arrived to find much of the drywall installed, but with some cleanup to be done yet. Drywalling in the kitchen, bed room and interior insulation began in earnest.

Bob, the home owner has a 3-generation family in his home. He is raising his 15 year old daughter, as well as caring for his elderly parents. The water was over 9 feet deep in the street. Luckily, the home was 2 feet above street level, so Bob took JUST 7 feet of water in the house.

The ceilings were mostly OK, but all the walls had to be gutted. Our job is try gutting the rest of the house, start hanging drywall & begin taping as much as we can.

This team has so much energy, it truly is amazing. 3 new persons, and 3 returning veterans to YSP. We are so blessed.

Team Puchi and the Aquatic Dream Team MONSTARS Go Team, Oh Great!

Otte, Otte and company - When we arrived on site, we came to a cute yellow house. The owner and his friend were outside on the porch smiling and waving. It was hard to believe this happy place was once flooded and destroyed by water. We later were told that there had been 4 feet of water filling in every room of the house. With all the destruction, it was amazing to see how optimistic and hopeful the owners were. They were so friendly and were open to us and told us their stories.

Later we worked on replacing the porch, installing a storm door, and putting in a handrail to the basement. The work is challenging, but it is all worth it when we get to pass God's blessing from us to the family.

Amazing work!

Team DOUBLE TROUBLE

Ruschman, Babcock & gang are working for an older couple named Henry and Cheryl. They had only lived in their home for 2 years when the flood filled their basement and went nearly to the top of the first floor. They have been relying on the generosity of volunteers to slowly gut, then refinish their home and make it livable once again. Even though Henry had flood insurance, the insurance company says it was a sewer back up that caused the damage to his home.

When we entered the home, the gutting was done and the drywalling was nearly complete. We spent our first day sanding and repairing patches and holes. High points in our day include getting together at lunch with a crew from the Presbyterian Relief Team from SD. We hope they'll be able to join us for swimming, dinner and devotions on the Family night.

A nice surprise is when the Salvation Army services stopped and distributed snacks, cold drinks and refreshments to work crews in the area.

Meeting new folks

A good portion of the challenge or fun of YSP is meeting new folks, the family members, as well as crews from other churches.

Team CROWS is having lunch right now with the drummer from The Lovin' Spoonful (rock & roll is not dead).

Team DOUBLE TROUBLE shares lunch and will bring 25 members from the Presbyterian Relief Team from Canistota, SD.

The team previously working at Team CORN left their facebook address on a piece of sheetrock at the house. They are from Naperville, IL - we'll be able to meet them when we get back to the Yellow Box (Community Christian Church) on Friday night.

We all work doing His work.

Team SCORCHERS

Shawn Harris, Bob Lee & company have been working on replacing first floor windows in a 100 year old home. We've been taking out all the old windows and putting in new ones. This is very time consuming, as we are really taking time & care to CAREFULLY remove & salvage the interior casing and beautiful mill work. By doing this, we are giving this family a new view on the world. We feel honored to be rebuilding this family's windows and giving them a fresh start. Even though Jean, the owner, had to deal with 8 inches of water (her first floor is almost 6 feet above the street level), she still keeps a sense of humor which is inspiring.

Our group has all come together to help this family, and in the process we are learning new skills with tools. But we aren't just learning new techniques, also we are learning new things about ourselves, such as we can take out a HUGE window and replace it with a brand new one. We look forward to the rest of our workdays and we are excited to see the finished project.

Team WAVES - Workers Accomplishing Values Every Day S

Turner, Petro & crew - Our job was to help our host family repair the downstairs of his house. They had received at least 11 feet of water during the floods. The entire electrical, water supply, sanitary sewer and heating/furnace systems have been ruined.

Several previous teams from other groups have been here putting in their hardwork trying to restore the house and now it's our turn. We came in to finish the drywalling and get it ready to paint or texture.

Hoon Work Group: Day 1

Greetings from Cedar Rapids! Larry, Rhonda, Aidan, Jamie, Holly, Kyle and Ted are hard at work at the Philips residence. The girls have finished laying down the backer board in the kitchen and have now started tiling. The boys are done playing around with the troublesome shower in the bathroom for now and have moved on to preparing for some tile work. The homeowners are great folks who are very grateful to have such energetic and willing workers help them try to return back to normal life! We are all looking forward to the rest of the week, as it looks like we should be able to finish up these projects!

Thanks for all the support,

Ted

Sunday's Travels & randon thoughts

This morning dawns clear, humid and breezy.

A heartfelt Thank You to the "Yellow Box" Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. You've hosted us on our first leg of the journey, and will be our respite in the return. Thank You for your openness and warmth.

About a 4 hour drive (plus potty stops) from Naperville to Cedar Rapids. Time for us to refocus on the purpose of the mission trip.

As we'll get closer in, the youth will begin to see the signs from the floods from last June. Of the 8,300 homes that were damaged and destroy last year, more than 5,300 have not been touched and repaired. The needs are so great.

Most of the repair effort is coming from faith based groups like us. Tnat's not to say that the government isn't, or hasn't helped - it has. The City of Cedar Rapids has created a position of Assistant City Manager for Disaster Recovery. The need is so great, the challenge so real.

Can we make a difference?
We've already touched at least one family's life. The young man Pucci from the Community Christian Church (here in Naperville) was impressed with MUMC's zeal and drive, and asked if he could join with us.

Back in the day, when YSP was known as ASP (Appalachia Service Project), before Shawn, and Heather, and Kathy, and Judge Swain and . . . . . . the founder of Appalachia Service Project was Glenn "Tex" Evans. A minister who saw the power of high-school age youth, youth like our youth. His basic premise was, and still is, helping one family at a time. As they are, where they are.

That's why ASP, YSP is so powerful. Youth reaching out. Helping families.

As they are, where they are.

Thank yo to all the friends, family and folks back in the Mentor area for all the support and faith in the youth to allow us to begin this year's YSP work.

Saturday in Chi Town

We're just settling down for our evening devotions - had a wonderful service at the Yellow Box, full of energy and thought.

Dinner was Chicago Style Pizza from Shawn's favoirte place. Deep dish has some serious merit. One of Shawn's former students - Pucci - will be joining us all week in Cedar Rapids. A most welcome new member to the extended MUMC group!

The group at the Pier enjoyed the amusement park activities, and the entertainment of several REAL Pirates (Ted says so). Our Dance Team girls were a hit. A Jet Boat tour of Burnham Harbor gave everyone a chance to see and experience the Chicago skyline from the waterside (not quite the Goodtime II but is was GREAT!)

Shed Aquarium - COOL in the Polar Play Zone with Beluga Whales, California Sea lions, HOT in the Amazonian rain forest (the biggest python I EVER saw). Had a chance to see part of the BMX and Vert competition at the AST Dew Tour and Taste of Chicago food & concerts at Centenial Park.

Right now it's starting to rain with a loud & active light show courtesy to serious thunder-boomers.

On the road by 8:00 a.m tomorrow for the final leg to Cedar Rapids - forecast is mid 80's and sunshine all week.

Lord, we may not always know what pleases you, but Lord, we hope that our trying to please You, pleases You.

Keep us in your prayers, your support and strength enable us to extend MUMC's caring and love across the midwest. (photos tomorrow)

Saturday's doings

One of the best sunrises around!!!!! (yep everybody was up by 6:15)

Today includes touring the downtown Chicago area. One group is doing the Navy Pier, a boat tour of Chicago on the Chicago River and the Millenium Amusement PArk.
The other roup is touring the Shedd Aquarium (one of the finest in north america), an IMAX film and Dearborn Avenue.

62 degrees, blue sky and sunshine.

Some days, you are truly blessed to be in His glory and able to stewards of his word.
Today is one of those extraordinary days!!

(photos to follow)

We're In Naperville!

We've made it on the first leg of the Journey.

Some minor challenges (beside the construction and traffic in & around the Chicago Metro area)

Note for next year - have the drivers check their gas in the rental vans BEFORE they get on the turnpike :) Those I-Pass lanes are merely a suggestion - when you realize it's not CASH, it's toooooo late to switch. I'll mail the 80 cents to Illinois Tollroad Commission, honestly I will.

Dinner was at BD's Mongolian Grill - you just had to love it when the manager called "Otte - table for 56, Otte - table for 56 please"

Everyone had a chance to tour the Riverwalk section of downtown Naperville. The Carillon at Centennial Park was ringing it's bells. Ted even cooled off in the fountain at DuPage River Pool (yes Tes, the lifeguards were blowing their whistles 'cuz they liked you!).

The Christian Community Curch (aka Big Yellow Box) is a gorgeous, huge facility. Serving as central hub for 11 campuses around the Naperville/Chicago metro area. We are so blessed to be staying here.

Last minute things

Details, details, details

If nothing, YSP has taught us to be flexible, there are times like we feel that we're juggling the balls and jumping thru hoops at the same time

New coordinating agency means new forms, means last minute signatures and notary seals

Our intent, drive and desire remain the same no matter where, who or when.

Over the course of the years, one of the consistant little things I do, is sign the peak of the roof, or the corner post in a home we've worked on. The names of the youth, the year we've been there and a little scripture "Phil 4:13"

How did you sign your efforts?

Impact and Recovery

Just incase we forgot the impact of the flooding (it was June 13,2008).

For more info on the recovery efforts, check the coordinating link on the right.

Weather Report

Just a few days and we're on the road again.

Accuweather has the daily highs in the mid-90's

Chance of rain on Monday, mostly sunny the rest of the week.

Bring the sunscream and waterbottles!

Don't forget lunch for the drive on Friday!

Tools & Plans

Almost there - - -

Youth tool list:

hammer, tape measure, FLAT carpenter pencil, nail apron

tool box / bucket to keep your gear together

putty knife / scraper, work gloves

safety glasses, dust mask

water bottle

sunscream, bug repellent

long sleeve shirt, bandana/dew rag

Waht to do in Chicago?

Stand under the Giant Bean at the Navy Pier

Sit on Bob Newhart's couch (& get your life together)

See you Thursday evening for the commissioning!

New places, new people

Half the challenge of YSP is going to new places, and that includes new churches.

First leg of the trip is from Mentor United Methodist Church to Community Christian Church in Naperville, IL. (TomTom says 416 miles, 6:59 minutes non-stop)

Better known as "The Big Yellow Box", Shawn Harris hails from there and is coordinating the hosting in his former church, as well as the day trip to Chicago on Saturday.

Can we order New York style Pizza in the Windy City?

Let's extend our circle of family and friends.

Short stretch

Yep

It's getting close - single digit midget

Time to sort out the short term overnight stuff

Time to pack the longterm (all week) duffle

Hint: keep your overnight/short term stuff & sleeping bag with you in your travel van. Longterm stuff (don't need it 'til Sunday at Cedar Rapids) goes in the cargo van with your tools.

What about my hair dryer? don't need it

What about my ____(fill in the blank)___ Do you really need it?

Just for today, I'll choose to understand how much is enough.

Focus & planning

As it gets closer to leaving for YSP, I begin the mental checklist for all sorts of things.

- tools
- hot sauce :)
- crew pairings & assignments
- matching skills with jobs
- directions to nearest ER
- duct tape 1 roll or 2?

Busy, busy, busy - but is that really the important thing

Today I'll make a very conscious effort to slow down, and uncomplicate the workplace of which I'm a part.


YSP helps me focus, year after year - being a part of His plan, with His help.


How 'bout you?

Getting Close . . .

Sometimes when we think about YSP, and going on a service mission, we thank the the spotlight is (or should be) on us.

In reality, doing the ordinary things, and just being of service in His name, we do your best to be in the back ground of life.
Always in His eyes, we are on the limelight. His focus.

We don't do YSP, or service & stewardship to others to be in the focus. We do it to praise His name, and be faithful stewards of His name.

Praising His Name is what we should be doing in the quiet moments of our life, deeds and actions.

Right?

Just for the moment, I will stop complaining about my work load & how "it" should be "me".
If is is "impossible" to deal with, then I need to remove myself and find a place that respects balanced people who can contribute to it.

"I" will become the "i" in service.

Struggle for happiness

Being happy is high on my list of "do's."

I find that happiness is essential to good health and contentment.

I struggle, every day, to find this happiness.

Some days it manifests itself in quiet, subtle ways.

On others, I simply smile, loudly.

I call that having a YSP moment.

Moments & Challenges

7 of 9 - MaGhee, Arkansas

Dr. Dan crabbin' - Kenner, LA

Road Trip! - every YSP

I'm On The Roof! - Grand Rapids, MI

All in perspective

Sometimes (well, really most times) things need to be put in perspective.

Very often there is no one right answer. There are many. Today, and in future days, I will try to be flexible in my approach and my expectations.

YSP has a tendency to allow you to take advantage of perspective. Enjoy the hard work, appreciate the time with the families that welcome us, and allow us to be of service to them.

YSP will challenge each of us, and He will enable us to grow in strength with Him when we have strenght in our belief; as well as belief in our strength.

Big Challenge

Sometimes life seems to give us challenges so big, that we think that we can not handle them.

Floods and rains are like that.

If we step back, and look at almost anything individually, bit by bit. we can handle alomost anything.

He has showed us that. He is with us every step of the way, and with others.

Can we show that we have faith in our beliefs? And that we have belief in our faith?

Of course we can.

What are we gonna do when we get there?

My real life job as a village manager in northwest OH gave me a gentle reminder of what rains & storms can do. 3-1/2 inches of rain in under 45 minutes let the the phones ring off the hooks, radio traffice from the service crews & police services were almost non-stop. The sewer construction project for the day floated to a stop, and an impromptu monster-mud-pit developed, as did a new fishing hole at Main & Locust.

Looking back to what our YSP mission trip to Cedar Rapids held in store for us, this is what one of the local residents had to say:

Flood Recovery Story by Erica Zito and Melisa BW The June flood destroyed Robin’s two-bedroom cottage in Czech town when her first floor took on 38 inches of water. “Even my picnic table jumped the fence and floated away,’ she said. But thanks to countless hours of volunteer labor coordinated by the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), Robin will move back in her home at the beginning of April.

“There’s no way I would have been able to redo my house with the FEMA money without all the volunteer labor,” Robin said. “They’ve done everything. My house is beautiful.”

Immediately after the flood, Robin stayed with her sister in Swisher for three months. She mucked and gutted the house herself. “I didn’t have any problem gutting it,” she said. “I was so mad!” She moved into a FEMA trailer at the beginning of October. “I adore my sister, as she does me, but God doesn’t mean for us to live together,” she said, chuckling. Robin praised Project Manger Curt Liscum for his time and patience with rebuilding her home. “Curt is a wonderful man,” she said. “He handled everything. I’m not a boss person. I don’t like to ask for anything.” She especially liked the fact that Curt gave her the opportunity to choose her cabinets, countertops, and more. “I got a black sink,” she said, “Which is so cool!” Robin also had volunteers install a shower, instead of a bathtub because she is getting older and will be less able to get in and out of a tub.

“The volunteers were so sweet,” she said of the teams from across the country, including Michigan and Upstate New York. “They even pulled weeds up in front of my house. “I will be forever indebted.”

The verse Philipians 4:13 comes to mind. If you feel the ability to help sponsor a sink, a shower or even a weed-puliing youth for a day, please contact Shawn Harris at sharris@mentorumc.org.

Tools, skills & things

Way back in the day, one of my philosphy prefessors led a discussion something like this. . . He who cannot rest, cannot work; he who cannot let go, cannot hold on; he who cannot find footing, cannot go forward.. . . .

We all have a set of tools that have almost limitless potential. One of the challenges of YSP is reaching deep into our tool kit, sometimes even reaching out to the box, to see what we can do & what we can teach.

YSP is a chance to reach w-a-y o-u-t-s-i-d-e and lend a hand, make a difference not only to the host families that allow us to serve them, but to extend our family with the youths ans other adults that volunteer their time to come on YSP.

There are time when that special "YSP moment" happens and someone on your your crew truly amazes you with newfound skills, tools or capabilities.

Just for today, I will look for time to rest, to replenish, to gain proper footing.

Memorial Day

It started 141 years ago, with a General Order to Honor Those That Have Fallen & Served.

Call it Memorial Day (by Act Of Congress in 1971), or Decoration Day, or Rememberance Day.

Honor Those that have Served, and Given There All.

58,326 of my generation of Brothers in the Theater.

5,240 of my daughter's generation in the Sandbox.

May there by no more, from my grandchild's generation.

ThankYou for Serving. We Honor you.

The need is still there

Some disasters and floods are headline makers. Some fade away as time goes on - but the need goes on. This is one of those types of need.

The following is one of the resident's story's. This is the typical resident that YSP will be assisting during this year's mission trip.

JoEllen, a widow, is raising twins with autism. She lost her home in Pennsylvania to a tornado in 1985. And she was displaced from her tri-level Palo home due to the June 2008 flood.
“People say ‘God won’t give you more than you can handle,’” she said. “I didn’t believe that. Then your volunteers showed up. And I knew I could keep going.”
The flood destroyed the bottom floor of her home, which included the living room, laundry room, and a bedroom.
“I had moved everything up on the first floor, thinking it would be fine,” she said. But the water rose, knocking over chairs and destroying the kitchen appliances and lower cabinets.
“I never dreamed the river would get where it did,” she said.
For seven weeks, the kids stayed with friends in Pennsylvania, and she lived with a friend in Marion. She worked day and night to restore a sense of normalcy to the home for her children.
When they moved back in, JoEllen used a microwave and gas grill to prepare meals, and washed dishes on the picnic table until about October. “When volunteers put in the kitchen, I was able to have a sink!”
Today, JoEllen’s home is close to completion, thanks to the work of volunteers.
“We wouldn’t be where we are without them,” she said. She added that the emotional support of the volunteers has also been helpful.
“My living room was built with love,” she said. “ I want volunteers to know how much we appreciate them

We have truly blessed with a supportive congragation and community. If you see an opportunity to help underwrite a portion of the YSP trip, sponsor a new sink or gallon of paint or sheet of drywall, we would be forever greatful. You may contact the youth minister Shawn Harris at sharris@mentorumc.org

Why do we do it

Why do we do YSP year after year?

Why do the youth go a first time?

Why do the youth come back a second time?

Why do the Youth transition to Young Adult and come back?

Is it because it's hard, sweaty work, or it's boundless energy that comes back after a shower?

Is it because my mom said, or my friends are going, or there's this guys, sort of, who, you know?

Is it because the youths keep you young, or you want to pay it back, or pay it forward?

Is it because you can, or the family you help can't?

Is it because you heard or felt a voice? And just maybe is was an Awesome Voice?

It is because . . . . . . . . . . (fill in the blank)

It is because of a wide extended family of support from you, because we know we can extend that family of support.

Maybe it is because we know Him. Or we want to.

39 days & counting

Last minute preparations are SERIOUSLY underway now. God bless our 3 cooks, they really have taken care of the hungry hordes in the past - how much peanut butter & jelly do you buy? - meals on the road, lunches for the work sites, dinner for 57, including the VEGETARIANS, how many bottles of hot sauce do you get?

How do we get there? 7 vans, 1 cargo van, 1 mini van - is there enough room to jam 57 sleeping bags, plus long term duffle bags with work clothes (Really how much STUFF does a teenage girl reallyneed for a week), short-term overnight bags plus pillows and coolers and SNACKS. Bill Turner is doing a great job arranging not only the van needs but drivers licenses and insurance (minor details Bill, minor details). Have you ever seen 57 people do a potty-stop at once while on the turnpike?

Are we there yet? Are we there yet? ARE WE THERE YET?????? Shawn Harris & Bill Otte are doing a yoeman's job with keeping the troops entertained coming, going & while over-nighting on the road. Singing 100 bottles of beer (oops - root beer - this is a church sponsored event) can get old pretty fast (so does listening to Hanna Montanna CD's as well). If you've ever taken a family trip in the summer, you KNOW what traveling in a van with 7 girls is like (ps. ear plugs can really help :) ).

We have truly blessed with a supportive congragation and community. If you see an opportunity to help underwrite a portion of the YSP trip, sponsor a meal for a crew for a day or a work-site brown bag we would be forever greatful. You may contact the youth minister Shawn Harris at sharris@mentorumc.org

40 days & counting down

What do 57 youth and adults, a community on the lake, a community devastate by the river, 1 time zone, 597 miles of seperation and the support of untold members, friends and strangers in sperate congregations have in common?

A willingness to reach out, get hot, sweaty and dirty in be in Service to HIS Word and extend a helping hand to the residents of the Marion and Cedar Rapids, Iowa area devastated by the June 2008 floods.

Watch & follow as the Youth Service Projest, an outreach ministry of the Mentor United Methodist Church prepare to leave for Cedar Rpaids, Iowa to do flood relief and home repair during the 2009 (June 26 thru July 4) YSP mission.