News from our Diocese
Gulf Coast Mission trip reflectionsThis week has been an amazing experience. It has been an emotional rollercoaster. I have a new outlook on my life. I not only learned how to drywall and mud, but I learned a lot about myself.
I learned to appreciate what I have, and that material things are not the most important. It’s the love you share with others around you. Just be yourself, don’t act like someone else to impress others. If all you have is material things and go through the devastation of something like a hurricane, you are left with nothing. I came into this week expecting to make a difference in someone’s life. I not only did that, but I realized what true friends are and how lucky I am to have them. They made a huge difference in my life this week. I’m leaving today with a new outlook on life, a new outlook on myself. I’ve realized that people you judge and second guess can turn out to be amazing, loving, caring, and best people in the world.
I’m taking home a new me; a new Stephanie. I’ve learned that people really do love you, would do anything for you and will always be there for you. They will listen to you at 7:00 in the morning. Hearing stories this week only proved that even more. There is an unconditional love that we all share. With friends, family and God, anything is possible.
Smelly, sweaty, hot, tired, sore. Those were a few words that described how I felt on the mission trip. but that is not what I remember most about the trip. What I will remember most is the friendship, the love, the fun, the determination and overall the hope that we brought to those that suffered so much.
On this trip I saw and felt many things. When we first arrived at All Saints Church, I saw strangers and I felt nervous, but excited. When I left, I saw family. It made me both happy and sad. I was sad because I was leaving my new family, but happy because I HAD a new family. I was also happy because I helped a family get back on their feet and because I was going back home.I wished that I could stay for the whole summer, but one thing I knew that I learned at Happening is that you cannot stay on the mountaintop forever. You have to come down eventually. While on this trip I learned that you cannot take anything for granted, even the small things. For instance, a floor. A nice floor makes all the difference.
God was truly with us on this trip.
This trip will be an experience that I will never forget. It makes me feel good when I can help someone who has lost everything they own. I appreciate my life more after seeing how the victims of Katrina have lived for a year. The most unforgettable thing about this trip was listening to how the life of the victims have been for the past year.
The trip has and will change my life, and change my outlook on life. I also met new people and became friends with everyone and learned to love everyone. This is going to be a story that I will tell over and over when I get older.
This past week I have experiences a new outlook on life and God. I was able to meet new friends. While working at the house I realized how lucky I am to have a house and family that care about me.
Being able to see how much one little thing could affect someone’s life was amazing. The whole community in the area was very welcoming and polite. The neighbor was such a good person he let us use all his tools and electricity. He also gave us sweet pickles because that was all he had to give.
Two days before I was to leave for this mission experience, began to seriously consider staying home. I wasn’t incredibly close to any of the youth going, had already been gone most of the summer and was struggling with my sick grandfather. Somehow, God made sure I ended up here and for that I am so grateful. If I had stayed hoem I would have missed my amazing group, being a mentor and awesome discussion with amazing people.
As groups were announced I was placed in group 2 not really knowing anyone. I quickly noticed that I would be working really awesome people. I ahd adults with so much love. I could literally see God working through them. The Memberes were people I worked, danced, napped, snag, lauged and prayed with. As Sarah put it, “If I wasn’t in Group 2, I would wish I was in Group 2.”
This trip also helped me learn to serve people younger than me in and out of my group. I have o lot of the younger girls makeovers. The confidence and excitement our interest in them brought was overwhelming.
This experience also brought me into community with youth like me. We were able to exchange ideas about our youth retreats and grow in ourselves, and in Christ. As always, I am astounded by the relationships that come from these experiences. The week has come to a close and though I laeave tired and ready to be home , I thank God for the experience to work, love and live with such an awesome group!
This past week has been one of the best weeks of my life. I have met a new people and I have a new outlook on life. I now appreciate what I have a lot more than before the trip. It was cool because a large group of strangers came together and worked on other stranger’s houses and by the end the week everyone knew each other and we meant a lot to the people who owned the houses. This week has been one of the most important weeks of my life and I hope to do it again sometime in the future.
During my time on this mission trip I have found myself confronted with many difficulties that have caused me to grow closer to Christ as a result. One thing that happened, which really affected me was that our homeowner seemed to show no appreciation. He criticized my mistakes, but I just kept reciting Psalm 23. I have known this psalm since third grade, but this is the first time it has really become clear to me.
1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.4 Even though I walk
through the valley of the shadow of death, [a]
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.6 Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the LORD
forever.
All in all I think it was an awesome trip and I had such a great time with my group. Even though we did not get to experience joy from the home owner, we got the satisfaction that we did the job to the best of our ability for Christ. You could truly say we spread Christ’s love by example.
First of all this trip was AWESOME! I had low expectations coming into this mission trip because it was my first one. The bus ride over here was weird because I only knew one person on my bus. When we arrived, I couldn’t believe that there were over 80 teens. I only knew four of them. I was quiet for the first 2 days because I needed to adapt to my surroundings and older people. I ended up making friends with 20+ people!
Seven of them were in my awesome work group. I didn’t make a single enemy. I tried to be nice to everyone. The scariest thing coming into this trip was taking showers. It wasn’t as bad as I thought, but still pretty nasty. I am extremely glad I can go back to my own PRIVATE shower. I also had low expectations about the beach. I thought everyone would be nervous and no one would have fun. It was the total opposite! Everybody had a great time.
I feel that I have gotten closer to Christ on this trip. I also realized how truly fortunate I am.
I HAD LOTS OF FUN!!! (and came closer to Christ)
When I first came to the house I was going to be working in I was worried we would be unwelcomed. I thought that we were just going to go fix a house, no strings attached. Then, we met the woman’s granddaughter and we began to talk to her. We found that we had a lot in common like dancing. I realized that these people were just like us, but had all the material things taken away. I didn’t think the people I was helping would actually end up helping me too. It was amazing.
Refelctions on a week in Mississippi
O creator of the stars and moon
Fashioner of day and night
Worker of Wonders
How could I have not realized sooner
All these things a right
That now make stronger my soul
The power of your cross, greater than any ruin
Which alone, can make souls alright
With a higher power than any creative other
Our covenant declared;
Your cross to bear
The first of Pentecost within us
Our silent witness shown
Raising an outstretched hand
Devastation surrounding us
Work of the wind’s hard blow
Now dry, water covered land
Cheering as the floor and ceiling shuts
Upon dry walls the sanders mow
Nail and hammer in our hand
Joy on and older woman’s face;
As finally we have finished the race
True love, true friendship observed
So all we have served
Thanksgiving for our blessings
For our opportunities for serving
— Zach Braddock, St. Michael and All Angel’s, Columbia
This past week has been life changing. Not only have I learned more about the hurricane devastation and it's victims, but I have also learned a lot about people, including myself.
I have met people who have touched my life and in turn I hope I have touched theirs. I have learned that not everyone will “love” you, but you have to love them anyway. Be positive, and be yourself; it’s a must! Having an open mind and an open heart is the key to being a true Christian. This trip was amazing.
Upcoming Fall Events
ALTYM September 23
9:00 am to 4:00 pm
All Saints, Clinton
Junior High Fall Retreat
September 29 – October 1
Camp GravattDiocesan Youth Event
October 20-22
Church of the Advent, Spartanburg
Happening Updates
The committee is beginning to set plans in motion for the first Happening weekend to take place in Ecuador in the summer of 2007. Members of the Happening community of Upper SC, who have some skills in Spanish, will journey to Ecuador to join with the youth leaders who experienced Happening Uno last summer in South Carolina. This is an exciting opportunity and those who might be interested in participating in this venture should contact Sue at the Diocesan House. All participants will be expected to have some conversational Spanish to serve as leaders at this event.
National Youth Workers Conference in Charlotte, NC
The National Youth Workers Conference will be held in Charlotte, NC November 30-December 4. This is a conference that youth workers across the country attend to share ideas, programs and experiences. Rich Jones, a 12 year verteran says, "I enjoy bringing my team of youth workers from our church and living the convention throug their experiences." If you are interested in attending this event, please visit their Web site: www.youthspecialties.com/NYWC
PYE 2007
Mark your calendars for the Provincial youth Event in Province IV, July 17-22, 2007. The event is for senior high youth, rising 10th grade through rising freshman in college in the summer of 2007.
PYE 2007 will be a week of mission work, worship, laughter, singing, prayer, experiencing the greater Church in action and much more! A portion of each day will be working along the Mississippi Gulf Shore which has been devastated by hurricanes.
The the theme for the week will be, "In it, by it, throught it".Further information and registration forms will be sent out this fall. For now, mark you calendars for July 17-22, 2007. If you have any questions, please contact The Rev'd Sue Von Rautnekranz, 803.771.7800, ext. 13.
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