How is everybody?

Just wanted to see how things in good 'ol N.Y. are going.

I'd do it again

I've been rather busy the past couple of weeks, moving into our new house, so I haven't had too much time to reflect on the workcamp. But I do know that given the opportunity I would definately go again. The work was *gasp* fun and the fellowship great. And that "random" computer program that assigns us to our crews, I don't think that it was completely random. There is no way on earth that crews could get along so well on a flawed, man made system. I thank God for the crew that he put me with. They were awesome and we all got along so well that it made the work fun.
One thing I'm not sure about though is whether or not I would go with a different Youth Group. It could possibly change my whole outlook on the group workcamps. We have a fantastic group at BRC. Here in Indiana I will have to try and find something that will compare, but will never take the place of my Youth Group in NY.

Still in West Virginia

It's 10 pm on the 4th of July. I can hear fireworks going off. I knew it would take me a few days to get my head back home, but it's been harder than I thought. The week was wonderful and uplifting. I loved being with our youth group, eating and playing, and just learning more about each other, but I especially enjoyed the time with my crew. It was very important to me that each person in my crew accomplish their job, enjoy themselves and each other, and grow closer to God. I know the first two happened, I hope the third happened. They certainly made all three happen for me. They were always flexible with our constantly changing circumstances, always positive and supportive in the face of adversity, and they made me laugh all week long. I came into this week praying that I would have a positive effect on the kids in my crew, what I didn't expect is how much they, and the BRC youth group, would effect me. And that's why I'm still in West Virginia.

Home

I'm ready to be back down south. Now that I'm back home, I wish things had gone longer. The trip was an incredible blessing for me. I'm glad that my role as "Chaplain" got easier for me as the week progressed, and am glad that others had a good experience. I love being with these people. I am so fortunate to be part of this group. I started to miss everyone the moment I got in our car to go home from the church. I'm grateful that God did his work this week, and I'm sure it will continue.

Life after Workcamp

Now that we have completed our mission of renovating Oak Hill, WV we need to keep that spirit of serving alive in our daily lives. We talked, learned and prayed about renovating ourselves in our choices, loving, forgiveness, peace, and living. We certainly were able to do all of that while we focused on our mission. That was easy as we worked with people who all had a common goal. The challange will be to carry that over into our everyday lives. This was an amazing experience and I could not think of a better group of people to do this with. Our Youth group is awesome! God bless each and every one of them. Thank you Rob and Kim for all your hard work to make this trip a success.

It's 9:12 on Sunday evening and I'm ready for youth group devotions. Of course, we won't be having youth group devotions this evening, because I'm at home and the workcamp trip is over. Our time together as a youth group had such an impact on my whole week. I love being with these kids and seeing them laugh, and talk, and grow together. This week was a gift to me, and I'm very grateful for it. I miss our group already... and I wish we could gather together again tonight for devotions.

News from WV: Thursday Afternoon

Jimmy Garner wants to let people know...

Having an amazing week, being challenged in my faith as well as physically, which I love. I would just like to thank God for giving me this opportunity to be with these people this week.


John Hoey wants to let people know...

It's Thursday morning. It's been a wonderful week; hot, but wonderful. My crew comes from Virginia, Massachusetts, Indiana, Michigan and New York. One of my biggest fears this week was that my resident wouldn't want us, and the first day she was reluctant and wasn't there at all. We ended up helping another crew down the road who really needed help. By that afternoon we were back at our site, and everything's been great since. The resident has been gracious and generous, and my crew gets along great. Thank you for all of your prayers; they've worked wonders.

Kevin Brown wants to let people know...

So what do I think about Group Workcamp so far? Well, that's hard to say. I'll start out by saying that since the first workcamp that the Youth Group went on I was very unsure of whether or not it is actually worth it. This year Rob told me I was going to go. This was a great thing because chances are that I wouldn't have gone. I never thought it was worth it to give up a week of my summer to "help" people that I don't even know. After two days I realized that this is one of the best experiences ever. I get to spend a week removed from my life and just serve God. I left all my worries and troubles behind and I am all here to do whatever need be. I can completely focus on the job at hand and I know that nothing can interfere. These few days have been some of the most meaningful days of my life and for once I realize what devoting all your time to serving God and the less fortunate truly means! Even through I may not show it, deep down I know that I am truly blessed to be able to go on this trip and take part in this great experience.

Rob wants to let people know...

It's really hard to believe that there is only one day of work left. It's already Thursday afternoon. The week has been so busy, but things are going well. As we were arriving back at school today, some people were reporting that they have finished with their assignments while others are concerned that they won't be able to finish tomorrow. Painting seems to be the job that is hardest to finish. Many of the sites have exterior painting work that is slowed by lack of ladders and the occasional passing cloud burst. Despite short spells of rain, the work days have been good.

My crew is from all over. We have been building a porch and a wheelchair ramp for our residents, Shirley and James. Shirley has been with us every day, but James works as a truck driver and has been away all week. She is very enthusiastic, and has spent a great deal of her time, talking with us. Today she made us lunch: grilled beef sausage, corn on the cob and baked potatoes. Yum!

My crew is very good, and very hard working. They never sit. There are no "slackers," and they have managed to work out the plans for the porch and the ramp without too much input from me. It's actually been quite impressive. We expect to have no problem finishing our work tomorrow. I'm assuming that the weather will be like today. A day of rain would really complicate things for many groups.

Our Youth Group is doing wonderfully. We love being together, and there have been great times of hanging out, playing cards or Frisbee, and just laughing together. The highlight for me, once again, is the youth group devotion times. We seem to grow so close through this time. We sing and pray, and Kevin Capel, our chaplain, leads us through a session that is prepared by Group for us. These times have been so meaningful and it's great to see and hear what God is doing in this situation with these kids.

Thank you for your prayers and love. We are so grateful for BRC, our families and our friends. God has really blessed us, and this experience has only increased my sense of that blessing.

Kevin Would Like People to Know..

It's Thursday afternoon and things are just settling down for the day. I just arrived back from working hard all day on my residents house. The good news is that we finished. The garage, the house and the auxiliary building have all been scraped and painted. The week has been very good, and my role as Chaplain has become consistently easier for me. Green and gray paint all over my clothes may not be the most exciting thing, but it certainly suggests that our crew has had a good time. Walmart and Dairy Queen have never looked so good before. We went there today after completing our duties at the resident's house and picked her up a gift. The flowers (and possibly still coming door mat) will be given to her tomorrow. My crew will then be reassigned to another site to help out the others. West Virginia's vast hills and mountains may make us feel enclosed and surrounded, but that's surely not how I feel here at camp. However, it can still feel like I'm surrounded when Eric is running across the room to play a card in nertz. He can be the most towering mountain of all sometimes.

Mission Trip Update -- Tuesday Morning

So far the weather has been decent. It's been hot, but no rain during our working hours. (There was a great storm during our devotions last night.) The different anxieties people had going into the week seem to have been relieved. Everyone seems comfortable with the situation and a sense of excitement is building. A couple of the members of our group were disappointed that the people whose houses they were working on weren't there. But that may change later in the week. Overall things are going very well. The group is really jelling and some good interactions are happening during group devotion times.

Thank you for your prayers. God is clearly responding to all the questions and concerns we had going into the week.

E-mail a camper.

To your right is a link that says "E-mail a camper". Well to e-mail a camper click on the link. Simple, huh!
Once you're there, select the "Oak Hill WV" on the workcamp list.
It is toward the bottom of the list. Then just fill out the form and click "Submit" and your done!

T-Shirt update

Well, I don't know what everybody else is going to think but the t-shirts turned out really cool. A little different than I expected but still cool. I am counting down the days until I get to wear mine.
Thank you to Laura for helping me!

Commissioning

On Sunday evening, we gathered in the Sanctuary at BRC with about 50 of our supporters for our Commissioning Service. Rich, the pastor or BRC, placed his hands on each of us, and prayed this prayer...

As you embark on this journey,
may you be blessed by the Father's immense love for you;
may you allow yourself to be taught by all that Jesus, your Master and Teacher, has prepared for you to learn;
and may you experience the thrill of being led by the Holy Spirit, as you obey his voice. Amen.

It was great to hear each person on the team spoken to by name as Rich gave them their blessing. I am already grateful for what God is doing for each of us on this team. I'm looking forward expectantly to seeing how all of the elements that Rich spoke of in this blessing will be fulfilled.