Mission update 6

Our last day was full of fun.

We started the day off at breakfast.  Due to our weird schedule that day, we had some time to kill.  We all threw around the Frisbee and them the boots played some football while the girls got some *ahem* interesting hairdos.

Finally it was time to got white water rafting.  The adult sponsored were with Robert as our guide who had over 17 years of experience in the Ocoee.  The students were with Adam.  The girls ended up flipping off their raft. 

After that we grabbed some lunch, some took naps and then we went horse back riding with Josh, our team effort staff member.  It was a great ride for...well...most of us (Mary Kate's horse did not cooperate).

After that we went into town for dinner art the riverside grill.  We came back, had some fellowship with other groups then went to bed.

We are now on the road and very excited to return to Stilwell!

Mission update 5

Today was our first of two free days. 
In the morning we took in two outdoor sights.  We took a hike at the Green Mountain Trail.  While there we talked about the 23 Psalm and how God can lead its out of the wilderness. The  second place we visited was Anna Ruby Falls, which is a waterfall in Georgia.  The waterfall was 150 ft. While there we looKed at Isaiah and the majesty and power of God. 

After that we went ziplining.  The place we went to was the ocoee river basin.  The zipline went through the trees with 9 lines and 3 bridges.  After we finished we went to the blue hole swimming area.  That was the site of the 1996 Olympic kayaking.  We ate at a grill by the hole and them came back for chapel.
Chapel was all about trusting God with our baggage.  After some group time we had a bonfire with our friends from Virginia and finally got some sleep

Mission update 4

We had our last day at our mission site.

The team effort staff have told us we are too far ahead and that next week wont have enough work to do.  We took it a little easier today and doesn't some time getting to know the homeowners of the house we were working on.  Turns out that Mr.  Cruse use to be a world famous chicken breeder! 

We managed to get a good portion of the shingles on before we had to say goodbye.  We were very blessed to get to serve the Cruse family this week.

We got back to camp, hit the lake, dinner, and then chapel.  At chapel we heard a an amazing territory from one of the staff members about  labels and how they can affect us and others.  We then had some group time and then headed for bed.

Mission trip update 3

It was another great day in Tennessee.

We continued our work on the roof.  We organized a better system and got so much done.  We are finished putting plywood on and starting on the tar paper and shingles.  After a hard day of work, Mr. Cruze (the home owner) shared some delicious home grown grapes with us.  Best. Grapes. Ever.

When we got back to camp we had some fun.  The camp we are staying at is actually a white water resort.  Three owner of the camp actually built the area we are staying in specifically for teameffort.

There is a lake,a chapel, and some high ropes elements ,(which we used today)

All in all its the nicest mission trip facility that I've personally ever stayed in.

We enjoyed some chicken fried streak for  dinner, and then we headed for chapel.

We heard a very impacting lesson on pride and how it can get in the way of us serving God.

Now we were back to bed for some hard work tomorrow.

Mission trip update 2

Today we started work.

This week we have been assigned to help build a roof over a trailer home.  This will allow the home to run more efficiently, thus lowering the utilities for the family.

Everyone from Stilwell is on this project and we are joined by 3 adults and 5 youth from northern Virginia.  Its been great getting to know them and work beside them.  We are also being assisted by a member of the teameffort staff.

Today we started putting plywood on the already built frame.  This is a process known as sheaving (we all just learned that today).   the students were very active and ready to work.

We came back to camp.  Swam in the lake and had chapel service.  Tonight's service was all about leading to let go of the unnecessary thing you don't need that are keeping you from serving God..  Finally we had some good group time on the pond and  now getting some sleep for tomorrow.

Mission trip update 1

We are getting off to a fabulous start here on our trip.  Currently i am updating from Nashville.  The drive has been going great. 

We got off to a slow start,  but we are well on our way to Copperhill.  Last night we stayed at Broadway united methodist church.  It turned out being a great place to stay, having showers, a gym, and even a pool.  (no we didn't use that last one haha).

Last night we talked about serving the Lord and putting what wewill be doing the next couple of says over our selves or what may be going on at home when we left or when we get back.  We discussed this point using Joshua 25.  The students z also took advantage of the old church and had a great time scaring each other.

When we woke up, we got ready to go and enjoyed some coffee and doughnuts with others before heading of to Sunday school.  There we talked about dishonest temptations and how to avoid them.  Finally we went to service where pastor Joe Beal talked about taking a break from our crazy life and enjoying ourselves e every so often. (a great message for our trip.)

Now with our bellies full, and being well rested, we are making our push for Copperhill. We are all very excited to get there!