Youth Group Cancelled this week

Due to a severe winter storm, we are forced to cancel programs this week.  We will see you next week.

All Scripture is inspired by god-

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.

video from Kaleo

When we served this summer in Portland, a few of us were filmed for a video that Kaleo Missions was putting out...here is that video:

Portland 2011...it's over now

Today we finished the ministry portion of our trip.  Today was more of the same, VBS (although both groups got ot go on little field trips as part of their day), thrift store, serving homeless at the Mission.  We finished our evening off by sharing what we learned, our highlights and what we want to do moving forward.  While this list won't be exhaustive, here is  bit of what was said:

1. "I learned to be less judgemental and not assume I know why people are the way they are."
2. "It was great talking with the homeless, I learned most of them are real people just like me."
3. that God can use our gifts.
4. Being around the folks in the Life Change program was really inspiring.
5. That our actions, even small ones can have a positive influence on someone's life.
6. Serving others is rewarding and fun...it is something we should continue to do when we get back

We shared with the students some of the ways we can continue to serve when we get home, from helping with Transform Burien, Hospitality House, UGM Seattle, and others.  I think these guys are ready to continue serving back home.  They have lots of confidence and some experience to show that God can really use them to make a difference.

It has really been quite an amazing week, and we look forward to sharing more with you when we get home tomorrow.

Thanks for all your support and prayers.

Don't forget the photo stream (I posted a few more that didn't make it into any post.)

Portland 2011...day four was better than before

The week is coming quickly to close.  Yesterday was an extremely full day.  As we have in the previous days, we spent our mornings at the shelters doing our VBS program, loving the kids and teaching them about God and his love.  We have really grown to love the children at these shelters, and we will be sad to leave.  I know in my group, the level of bonding has really increased over the days we have been there.

The afternoons were spent at the Mission and at the thrift store.  Despite the number of items purchased by our students at the store, they really did do quite a bit of work.  The group at the Mission spent their time serving guests coming into the day room.  We hung out with them, pass out clothing and basic necessities.  The other half of the group worked the coffee cart, and passed out coffee, cookies, and juice to those in need.  They met a man who sang for them:

They also chased pigeons...as junior high students are want to do:

In the evening, we all went under the Burnside Bridge to help serve at Nightstrike.  Nightstrike is really something you just have to experience, my words really don't convey how cool this ministry is.  They set up a whole community of services under the bridge and hundreds of homeless men and women come and hang out.  They eat homemade meals, get clothing, get their feet washed, get popcorn, can get their nails painted and a haircut.  They can also get prayer, and Christian literature.  Our students served drinks, acted as hosts (who walked around taking care of the guests and talking with them), passed out dog and cat food, did walkabouts (took food and drinks to folks not under the bridge).  They did an amazing job and really were able to have some cool conversations with homeless folks.  In the words of one of our students who was skeptical of the experience, "This is really really fun!!"

Be sure to check the photos from the trip as not all of them have been posted here.  

We are looking forward to our final day here in Portland and will coming home tomorrow.  Thanks for your prayers and support.

Portland 2011...day three was good for me

So we have definitely settled into a routine in the last few days.  That is not a bad thing, and it has helped our students really grow, especially in running the VBS programs.  Our students are really doing quite a good job planning each night for the next day's program and then taking the lead and really making it happen.  At both shelter's the site directors are thrilled with what we are doing and the way we are doing it.  In fact after hearing our group leading in the singing and bible verse time, we were asked if we would be willing to come and do some songs and share our verse for the whole shelter during their chapel time...so of course we did:

In the afternoon, we spent time at the mission and at the thrift store, helping with whatever needed help.  There was serving coffee, sorting clothes, interacting with folks from the mission and with the homeless.  It was a solid afternoon of being the hands and feet of Jesus.

In the evening we had our night off.  We got on the MAX and headed into downtown, where we hung out, walked around, goofed around, ate gelato and enjoyed a night together.  

Today will bring a totally different flavor, especially in the evening when we will go and serve at Night Strike.  It should be a really fun night of serving at one of the coolest ministries for the homeless.

Day 4 is under way, and we look forward to sharing it with you tomorrow.

Portland 2011...day two has come and gone

Day two has indeed come and gone. It was long day filled with lots of ministry, laughter and being together.  Both groups headed back to the family shelters they were at on day one.  We again planned and put on a VBS for the kids there.  It is really pretty cool to see how the children are more responsive to us even after just one day.  Both groups did a great job of leading, playing and loving these children.  

In the afternoon, each of our groups went to different places.  Jeff, Lindsay and myself took our group to the thrift store run by the Union Gospel Mission.  Terri and Evan took their group to the Union Gospel Mission itself.  The thrift store group got to work the floor and in the back.  We worked alongside several Life Change members.  We got to hear their stories of how they came to the mission while moving furniture, dusting shelves, vacuuming floors, washing cars (yup, we did a bit of that) and working on the floor of the thrift store.  It was a cool experience to see how the thrift store helps support the Life Change community and how it provides work therapy for the members.  

Terri and Evans group spent time at the mission doing a few things.  Half the group worked inside the mission itself in the day room and in the kitchen.  Evan and Brandon cracked 720 eggs, helping prep for a meal.  Those in the day room helped serve those coming in looking for food, clothes and a place to be.  The other half of the group worked the coffee cart.  They loaded up a cart with coffee and snacks and headed into the streets around the mission passing out free coffee and snacks to those who wanted it.  They were able to talk with some homeless folks and be the hands and feet of Jesus to "the least of these."  

Last nights dinner was a true Portland experience, we headed over to the food carts where we were able to enjoy a bit of the Portland food scene.  There were probably 15 carts serving a variety of deliciousness.  Mexican, gourmet sandwiches, Greek, Maple Bacon Ice cream, Fried Oreos, Wood Fired Pizza were all just a few of the offerings that were enjoyed by the group.  It was a fun experience.

We ended our day with a time of debrief, VBS prep, playing on the nearby playground, throwing the Frisbee, playing cards and a bunch of silliness.  

We look forward to doing it all again today.

Thanks for your prayers, the students really are doing a great job!

Portland 2011...day one is in the books

Our first full day of ministry is now under our belts, and it was a good day.  We divided ourselves into two groups, each group to work with children who are experiencing homelessness at two separate family shelters.  We are responsible for putting together and running a VBS type program for the children living at the shelter.  Our students did a great job, they jumped right in and lead the VBS.  They interacted with the children, loved them and helped them enter into the VBS.  There was lots of games, stories, crafts, snacks and love.  Our students really gained an understanding and a sense of empathy for the children living at the shelter.  We will be going back each morning this week to lead this VBS.  After one day, our students have already been prepping for the remainder the week making sure that they do the best job they can on the VBS.  At one shelter, the nursery staff commented to us how she was so impressed with the way we were engaged with the children, and that not every group this summer was like that.  High words of praise for our students indeed.

 After our morning at the shelters, we headed of to the Real Life Exhibit which is put together by Medical Teams International.  Through amazing interactive exhibits, we learned about places in the world destroyed my disaster, poverty and conflict.  It was a really powerful time for many of our students as they learned and experienced what is happening in some of the difficult places in the world.  They also learned what is being done in some places, and also how they can make a difference if they choose.  If you are ever in the Portland area, I would highly recommend spending some time going through this exhibit.  It really is a powerful experience. 

We are excited about day two, and look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow.  In addition to spending time at the family shelters, we will be spending our afternoons working with The Union Gospel Mission in downtown and at their thrift store.  

Thanks for your support and prayers. 

Portland 2011...the arrival

We are in Portland!  It's early morning here in Portland, our first day is still ahead of us.  Here is what's going on:

We arrived last night, unpacked, had some dinner and then headed out to the Union Gospel Mission for our opening orinetation.  We met a couple of really cool guys there who are in the Life Change Program.  Sam, a 28 year old guy shared his testimony with us about his descent into drugs and alcohol, and the path that eventually took him to the Mission, where he commited his life to Christ and now two years later is halfway through the program.  We learned a bit about the mission and some of the different things they do there.  After leaving the mission, we headed up to Rocky Butte to see the sunset over the city, take a few pictures, and goof around a bit.  Finally we headed back to Cascade College (where we are staying) to learn about our week and plan for today.  

Today, we are splitting into two groups and will be working at two different family shelters, running a bible club for the children at the shleter.  This afternoon we will be going to the Real Life Exhibit, which should be a pretty powerful experience for us.

We are looking forward to a great week, and we will be coming home on Saturday around noon.  

If you want to leave a comment for your student, feel free to do so, and I will pass those on to them.

I will be updating each morning with more pictures, videos and stories from the day.

You can see all the pictures we are taking: Portland 2011 and videos: Portland Videos

Until tomorrow...

final portland info and forms:

Hey Portland Peeps:

It’s hard to believe that our week in Portland is next week.  It’s going to be a great week of serving, learning and having fun together.  I know you have been waiting for all the details for the week, forgive me for not getting these to you sooner.  The time got away from me.  Here are the important details:

1. Download the packing list.  Be sure to follow it when packing. (pay attention to the types of clothes you need)
2. Download the medical form.  Please bring it with you on Sunday.
3. You will need to be at JK on Sunday at 1:30pm
4. You should bring enough spending money to cover two meals on the road.  We might not need to stop, but we want to be prepared.
5. All cell phones, ipods, handheld games(psp, DS’s etc…) and other electronic devices should be left at home. 
6. Emergency contact.  If for some reason, you need to get ahold of us in Portland, you can call my cell phone: 206.931.6560.
7. Follow along the trip: while you won’t be able to contact people from home, they can all follow along the trip at www.jkstudents.com (this website)...we will be posting updates, pictures, and video every day.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Dave