Final Post!

This will be our final post for the week.  I promised stories from students so here goes!

"These past couple of days have been one amazing experience for me in my life.  Staying with teens my age at Urban Vision that know Christ has been great.  These past couple of days were awesome.  Teaching kids about God and how He works was just an experience all teens should have.  I love being at Leggett with kids who don't know much about God, because there is no one to tell them about Him.  Camp Learn-A-Lot, a program with music, breakfast, lunch, reading time, crafts, science, games, camp store, recess, and most of all God!  These kids at Camp Learn-A-Lot have the most fun times ever.  They get really excited for reading time which I think is really cool.  Why?  Because most of them probably don't have books at home or someone to read to. 

After Leggett on Wednesday, we passed out fliers to people around the neighborhood for the Block Party on Thursday.  After that, we all went to Lake Erie for Fun Day and swam and just let all of our energy out and had a blast.  After that we went to Dave and Busters for dinner which was a lot of fun hanging out with our friends and just talking about different things.  The next day, on Thursday, we went to Leggett again in the morning.  After that we came back to Urban Vision and set up for the Block Party we planned.  We had inflatables outside.  We had popcorn, a dunk tanks, prizes and crafts. A lot of people came.  Every kid had so much fun just enjoying the things we did.

For them I personally did the prizes.  The whole things was so amazing and just a success.  Friday we went back to Leggett, did our thing there, came back to UV and cleaned most of the building for Kids Club.  We had games, dinner, play time.  It was all so much fun being with kids again who don't know much about God.  I feel like my relationship with God is a lot stronger now than it ever was.  I know that I will never be alone, even if I feel like it.  God's there for me through everything and He will never betray me.  God is amazing and has kept me strong.  I don't, nor does anyone deserve to be on this planet, but we are because God loves us so much, he died for us while we were sinning, no one else would ever do that!  

That's how my week on this mission trip went."

Coleen Flight

"This week has be an experience.  We've all been working hard for God, ourselves, each other and the inspiring people we have met; the ones we have helped, the ones who have helped us, and those who are somehow in between.  I believe this trip has changed many things.  I don't see things the same way anymore, and I don't think anyone else has either.  My friendships have become extremely tight; I feel as if I can tell them anything, and know they feel the same way as well.  Things are different now.

When I started out on this trip, I expected the same thing as usual.  Service.  For me, it has always been the best way to connect with God.  More than singing, dancing, praying, reading the Bible.  It was putting what I had learned into practice.  It was taking the countless stories and lessons of the Word and applying them to the "outside world."  It's much more raw than any other form or worship.  I loved it.  but, as I've said, it was different this time.

This time, I've seen something within myself that I hadn't before.  I've seen a desire to not just help, but to truly care deeply.  We have been volunteering at Leggett School this week and Autumn and I have been with a kid names Mason.  Mason has autism and isn't very into participation.  He doesn't eat breakfast, he doesn't play games, he doesn't enjoy science, or crafts or anything else on the schedule.  So my mission this week was to make him like things.  And that's what I started out trying.

I didn't really work all that well.  No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't get him excited about anything. He just wouldn't do it.  I realized his Grandma had reached the same conclusion.  When we told here that we were gonna have him write in his journal, all she had to say was 'good luck!"  Wow!  What a thing to say!  After that realized my mission wasn't going to work, and started anew.

Now I had a new mission.  Get Mason to like me.  I guess I had sort of known all along, I just didn't realize it, but I had been building a relationship with Mason.  But now that I knew that's what needed done, I put it to the forefront of my mind.  I was gonna show Mason I cared.

Today we had reading time, Mason's least favorite activity.  It had been going pretty well, but this was the true test.  With a new book, and a little prompting, we actually go Mason to read.  He read!  I couldn't believe he actually read!  I was absolutely stunned!  After thinking and thinking, I discovered what it truly means to serve.

Service has nothing to do with the amount of things you do for people, or how many ways you help.  It's all about building a relationship with them and caring for them with the whole of your being.  This week, Mason taught me what it means to serve...God in everything you do."

Jaden 'Swagg' Wolf

I'll finish by saying that if you are a parent of one of these kids on this trip, I want to say "Thank you!"  These are great kids, every one of them.  I've loved every minute of this trip and watching these kids in action.  I can't wait for them to share their experiences with you.  Please encourage them to keep moving forward in their faith, giving more and more of themselves to God.  Please encourage them to go back to Leggett next week, and for the next 5 weeks that Camp Learn-A-Lot is going on.  I'll be there when I'm not on another mission trip or vacation.  Please, if you can send them back.  Let them see that missions is not a one week a year thing.  Come with them if you can!  I'd love to serve alongside you as well.

Thanks for your prayers this week.  It was an amazing experience.  Remember that pick is tomorrow at 11:00am at Urban Vision.  I'm sure you can't wait to hug your kids!  I'm feeling the same way missing my little ones.  But it was worth it to share this experience with yours!

-Eric

Brief Thursday Update

Thursday is coming to a close and we've got one more full day of ministry ahead of us.  Check in tomorrow morning as a few students will share what God has been doing on this trip.  I'll also give a rundown of the day and add a bunch of pictures.  For now, check out a few pics to tide you over!

-Eric

Wednesday Update

Happy Thursday to everybody!  Hope you are having a great week.  I'm sure it would be tough to top the week that our team is having.

Yesterday was another great day at Leggett.  Our kids are doing an amazing job of connecting with and showing love to the kids at Camp LearnAlot.  They seem so mature beyond their years.  A common phrase that kids seem to be repeating is that they can't believe how much they have in common with the kids we are serving.  They thought they wouldn't know how to relate to them, but they are finding common ground and bonding so well.

After Leggett, we passed out flyers for tonight's Block Party at Urban Vision.  Please pray that the rain stays away and tons of kids show up!

Then Fun Day began.  We went to Huntington Beach and swam in Lake Erie.  It was a blast!  We followed that up with dinner, games and using tickets from said games to purchase cheap prizes at Dave and Busters.  It was the perfect way to cut loose for a little bit and recharge our batteries for the remainder of the trip.

I'll finish by saying that this is a great team.  It's so cool to see the impact that young people can have when they realize the purpose they've been given by Jesus!

And now a few Fun Day pictures.

-Eric

Tuesday Pictures!

Good Wednesday Morning!

Good morning!  Wednesday is here, which means two things.

1. This trip is flying by.  I can't believe the weeks is halfway finished!

2. Today is fun day!  We are going to have a great time today.  If the weather cooperates, we'll be going swimming and then heading to Dave and Busters for dinner and games.

So far, our students are doing a great job and are being impacted greatly by their experiences.  Here they are in their own words talking about yesterday's adventures.

"Well, these days have been fun.  Throughout these days we have assisted those at Leggett school.  One thing I noticed about these kids is that they have been very open and easy to relate to.  We have also been helping with a group called First Glance whose goal is to reach out to as many people as possible and share Christ.  Soon, we will be having a block party for the neighborhood kids.

All these things have taught me that those who need help are closer than you think.  It also has shown me that no matter who you are, we all have something in common."

Garrett Satow

"We have been working with Leggett school, working with inner city kids who are classified as 'in poverty.'  Seeing the faces of the children is amazing.  In school people are judged by their class, but when you are working with the kids at Leggett, none of it matters.

Today, after we finished with Leggett, we came back to Urban Vision where we have been staying.  Eric then gave each vehicle $20 to spend on dinner.  But we also had to bless someone else with that money.  My car decided to make sandwiches for ourselves and make the extras for homeless people on the streets.  We also had some extra money so my group decided to bless people with 'Polar Pop Missions' which is something I won't forget.  I went up to a lady at the Polar Pop station at Circle K and asked if I could pay for her drink.  At first she told me 'no,' but being the person I am, I insisted.  She agreed and asked why I was doing this kind act for her.  I told her that I wanted to bless someone.  She then asked me for what or whom I'm doing it for.  I then explained how I'm on a missions trip with the Chapel in Akron.  I asked her if she ever went to church.  She told me she doesn't anymore because it was very 'old-school.'  I told her about Resonate.  She started asking for time and directions.  So, just offering someone a Polar Pop, I reminded a lady of church and that not all churches are the same.

I feel God working in my heart with all the kids at Leggett.  Seeing the brokenness in their eyes, yet for 6 hours of the day, all that is gone.  It gives me a lot of hope for this city in which we live.

Oh!  Shout out to my dog Buttercup.  You're a gangster.  And I love you Mommy! :)"

Hannah Maynard

"Today, we started our day off at Leggett school!  I get privilege of working with Mason, a boy with Autism.  This can be very much a test of patience but also a lot of fun.  We get to watch the kids read to us, help them with their math skills, and see how our virtue of 'Respect' is put into use in our real life and how it connects with the Bible.  Although sometimes working with Mason is a challenge, it is equally as much fun and I am always ready for a challenge.  I see God working in me with the kids.  So many people treat kids who are different than us as if they are strange, but all some kids need is just some love and affection.

Later in the day, our group came back to Urban Vision and prepared signs and got ready for the block party we are helping Urban Vision with.  On Thursday, we're going bring kids from the community, have fun with them and invite them to Kid's Club on Friday.

Last night's dinner was way different then our Mexican restaurant on Monday.  We got $20 to feed our whole van dinner and bless someone else.  Our van chose to get spaghetti and then we went to a homeless guy and asked what we could get him for dinner.  We went to Subway and picked up his dinner and brought it back to him.  After we gave it to him, we got the privilege of praying with him and he was very thankful and accepting of prayers.  God showed me that we don't know everyone's background and some people are so grateful for something as simple as dinner.  We just go at our convenience and don't think about people who really need it.  Small things make such a difference in people.

I look forward to 3 more days of challenges, fun, and seeing how God will work in my life. 

Shout out to my mom, dad, and sister.  Love you.  See you Saturday!"

Love

Autumn Simpson

That is all for for now!  Check back later today for pictures!

-Eric

Tuesday night

Hey everyone!  We had another late night tonight so you'll have to wait until the morning for a full post.  We will have stories from students and pictures to go with them.

I will say that today was a great day of ministry and learning from new experiences.  

Please keep praying for our team!  It really matters!

Thanks!

-Eric

Monday Update

Hello!  We've just finished our first full day of serving and it was a great day.  We started our morning at Leggett and got to meet the kids that we will be hanging out with all week.  Our team was surprised at how quickly they bonded with the kids.  They thought it would take more time, but already some of the kids were sharing their stories with our team and opening up.

It was very cool to see a few on our team who were nervous about working with kids.  We spent time praying about that last night and it was great to see God answering those prayers by giving our team courage to take that first step.  Some of our students who were nervous, were the ones who made the quickest bonds with the campers!

After lunch, we headed to First Glance to give their building a good, deep cleaning.  It was humbling service, making ourselves low in order to lift someone else up.

Noelle Beck, director of First Glance, shared her team's passion for loving the community of Kenmore. She shared her frustration that people donate items to first glance that they were going to throw away otherwise, because they are "good enough" for her kids.  Noelle, because of her love for Jesus, sees these kids differently.  She loves them, and wants good things for them, not just "good enough."

So, she and her team were really blessed today by our team.  They want a facility that is welcoming, clean and a place where teens want to be.  They want the kids to feel valued and worthy of a nice place to come and belong.   By cleaning, we freed the team at First Glance to do what they are called to do, love teenagers in Kenmore in the name of Jesus!

We then went to eat some ethnic food for dinner.  One team went to Taste of Bangkok, another to Azteca, and lastly one who went to my house to eat some Lebanese take-out from Sanabel's.  It's great to see kids trying new things and experiencing the rich cultures of others.

Lastly, we went back to UV for a time to meet as a team and process through our day and worship.

Unfortunately, we ran a little late, so we didn't have time to get stories from students, but we will do our best to make that happen tomorrow.  Here are some pictures!