2012 South Africa Mission Trip Day: Last (Monday)

We are perched in the courtyard, awaiting for the departure of our bus to the airport, where many of us are beginning the 26+ hour trip back home. It begins with the 2.5 hour flight to Johannesburg, a layover, then a 14+ hours flight to Dulles, with a fuel stop in Dakar, Senegal, another layover, then the flight to O’hare.  Its a long journey home, but it was worth the trip indeed. Nelson Mandela reminded us that it was a long walk to freedom; so this minor trek pales in comparison.  A few of us will stay over in Johannesburg for a few days of recreation and relaxation, a gift to ourselves.

We depart with sadness for the relationships that we leave behind. We are glad to return to family and friends at home. In all things, we give thanks.

Summer Camp 2011 Day 1

The day that parents fear and campers all over the world celebrate…The first 24 hours away from home!!!

Good Safe Clean Fun

You see there is nothing to worry about. What could be safer than children playing on an old childhood favorite? We even have video: click on the link. Day 1 Merry-G0-Round Video

Your Campers have enjoyed three healthy meals along with two snacks!

"MMMM, Just like Mom used to make!"

"Hey Mikey!, He Likes It!

We have done some things that everyone expects at a camp, like boating and aquatic activities.

The love boat crew.

Here is some live waterfront video to check out this link! Row, Row, Row your…canoe gently down the stream….

Team Building

Believe me, Day One at camp is no walk in the woods, we did team building, Music lessons, dance lessons, Scripture memory and the hardest thing of all…we pose for the camera!

Alex getting her guitar hero working

"The earth is the Lord's and everything in it."

Rabbits at the nature center and very tame and cuddly

Click this link to see the campers getting their dance on. Campers \"Getting it In\"

Looking good at breakfast

Can we eat now?

Mr. London says “Peace out until day 2″

See you all for day 2, peace!

Don’t forget to visit this blog daily for new pictures and updates. If you are a camp parent, it is important to send a mesage to your camper. These messages from home can be a lot of fun when we read your comments at the end of the day!
Pastor James

Student Mission Trip #3 The Mississippi Delta

It’s 11:42 p.m. The lights are out and I’m thinking about the last 20 hours.

Both parents and student missionaries were “suited and booted” at 3:30 a.m. this morning. Have you ever wondered what parents look like at 3:30 in the morning?

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Strangely enough they were quite the happy bunch. I even caught a parent taking pictures, I guess she still couldn't believe that two of her teens were leaving at the same time.

Lent 2010 – Day 1 “A Good Sandwich”

“What had had happened was . . .

I was travelling today. And it occurred to me before I left for the airport, that I could not buy anything to eat in the airport, because such purchases were not essential. No chips. No juice. No chewing gum. No magazine. Nothing. I wouldn’t be able to buy anything because to do so would be to violate the FINANCIAL FAST.

Of course, a sneaky little voice said that it would be okay to buy water or a snack because there would be no food on the airplane. So that would be essential. Right? You have to eat? Right?

The reality of the matter was: I would only be in transit for about four hours. I wouldn’t NEED to eat in that amount of time. You can go about a week with no food. Four hours? No problem. I thought about all the hungry people in the world who only manage one meager meal a day. Could I not wait a few hours when others would wait much longer?

Then I decided that if I wanted to eat, I should simply plan ahead. I simply needed to prepare. Which is what Lent is all about anyway. So I did. I made a sandwich, put it into a Ziploc bag. Gathered a few cashews and almonds, reminiscent of the Daniel Fast, and drank apple juice before I left. With my lunch in my carryon, I went to the airport. And when the flight attendant came by to give out the sodas, I had some more FREE apple juice and took out my sack lunch.

And I smiled. I had a flashback to the days when African Americans couldn’t eat at restaurants while travelling from the North to the South. And they had to carry fried chicken sandwiches in aluminum foil. I pause during this Black History Month to remember those who endured so much on buses, that I can now fly whenever I want. And I smiled again. I was not hungry. I had all that I needed. It only demanded that I prepare.

During this Lent, we will need to prepare a lot more meals and a lot more in advance if we are going to be faithful to our commitment. So prepare. Make a plan. It will be worth it. I believe that we will see great and amazing things. Some spiritual and others practical.

On today, alone, I have saved nearly $10 by not buying lunch in the airport. If I saved this amount for all of Lent, I would have $460. But more importantly than the saving, this little test revealed to me how easy it is for money to get away from me. I learned really quickly how often I think that I need things that I really don’t need. I can easily confuse want with need; and that mix-up will always cost you. (Can I get a witness?)

So today, on this Ash Wednesday, I pause to repent for the excess and extra in my life. I ask G-d’s forgiveness for making essential that which is not really essential. I pray that G-d will help me to become even more clear about what I really need.

“But my G-d shall supply all of your need

according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

(Philippians 4:19 KJV)

– Pastor Alise