In Their Words - Nerd Herd (Support Group 1)

As we begin our last day here in Ft Worth, we continue to reflect on our experiences:

Natalie Blocher:

It only feels like yesterday since we arrived here in Texas. This week we have done everything from boxing cantaloupe at a Food Bank to feeding the needy at Beautiful Feet soup kitchen. But I have to say me favorite part was talking one on one with the men and women we were helping. I was surprised how open they were to talk about their experiences and how they said they just survive and hope for a better future. Also, I've been amazed on how much work the group manages to do in such a short time! We have done the work it takes to do in four hours only in two, which makes me very proud of us. I'm so thankful on coming on another one of these great mission trips with the wonderful Youth Rocks and what I learned here in Fort Worth I will never forget.

Madison Rush:

God is so good!! We are on our last day and it is so sad that it is. This mission trip has been oh so rewarding! I feel like this year I have gotten to connect with the people more and more. Yesterday we went to the Samaritan House and we cleaned the floors. I cleaned out lights. We then ate lunch with some of the people. Lisa was one of the people that started talking. She was talking about her experiences with HIV. When she was talking I was so sad. Thinking about the age she was when she started doing ad things was amazingly sad. We then went to a Food Bank, and we filled bags of rice. Lisa, Steph, and I all made up a dance to make the time go faster. It was AWESOME!! We rocked the rice! haha Then Lisa and Sarah made a competition out of feeling the bags. It is funny how God works through us. We all made the jobs fun, and enjoyable. We all endured the heat, and loved every bit of it. The Youth Rocks is the most amazing group I have ever worked with and I love them so much! We missed you Austin, Michael, Morgan, and Ellen! Thanks for reading our stories!

Katie Wattenbarger:

Goodness. I am worn out! We have all been working so hard, but it's been a lot of fun. I'm so glad I got to come on this mission trip. :) Yesterday morning my group went to the Samaritan House, which is a place where people with HIV/AIDS can live and they are not judged by their disease. We did a ton of work there. We swept and mopped apartment floors, wiped down base boards, and cleaned out lights. We stayed there for lunch and got to talk a few of the people who lived there. One woman actually got up and shared her story. It was very emotional and it really touched me. I was glad she had the courage to share with us. Yesterday afternoon we went to the Food Bank. We bagged rice almost the entire time. Although it seems boring, we had a lot of fun. Our group works so well together and we joked and laughed and sang and danced the whole time. We also got to have a tour of the place; including the freezer, which is 20 degrees below zero! It was soooo cold, but it was nice to be out of the heat for awhile. Then yesterday evening we all went to Broadway Baptist Church and we got to serve a meal. It was so nice the way they had everything set up there, instead of the normal fold up chairs and tables with plastic forks and knives, they had real dining tables and chairs with glasses and silverware. I thought it was so nice of them to go the extra mile for those people in need. All of the people really seemed to appreciate it. Overall the trip has been pretty much amazing. I've enjoyed every minute of it. :)

Jim Day:

It's hard to believe the week is almost over, seems like we just got here! Yesterday we arrived at the Samaritan House and toured the facility and were able to see the Gardens where the our other group worked earlier in the week. Our group was tasked with sprucing up the residence apartment halls where people with HIV are offered apartments at reduced rates. Due to the side effects of their treatment can make it difficult to maintain full time employment. In the evening we participated in the AGAPE Meal at Broadway Baptist Church which serves a full meal to over 200 guests, many who are homeless. Members of our group served in various capacities, some waited tables, some were hosts at tables, some served beverages while other passed out cool towels as the guess arrived. All the work we are doing here is just a reflection of support from everyone back home. Thanks, for the word of encouragement from you all. See you Saturday!!!

Joe Ghianni

Yesterday, my group, group B,went to the Broadway Baptist Church. We helped stock shelves in the "Main street Market".That was a small market with groceries in it where people could pick out their own groceries. Everybody went to help with the Agape Meal. We helped serve and table host homeless people. It was good to help people who needed the help. I also wanted to write that I went on my first upside-down roller-coaster the other day. It was very exciting. I have had a good time this week. BIBLE REVIVAL!

In Their Words - Longhorns (Support Group 2)

More reflections from those serving in Fort Worth this week:

Suzanne Ghianni:

Hopes and dreams, or lack of them, are what stick out in my mind so far on this Youth Rocks Mission Trip. Blank looks or looks of profound sorrow; loneliness, worthlessness, on the faces of people we are here to serve. They have no hopes and dreams. This is not an assessment we have made, but rather what they have told us they feel. The homeless, who wander. Those with AIDs who feel shunned. These are the faces of the people our kids and we adults are trying to help, a huge contrast to the faces of our youth with smiles and empathy as they tackle their assigned work with sheer determination. Our kids want to help. They want to make a difference in the lives and spirits of these people who have had spirits crushed by many circumstances.
I think we have made a difference. We have relieved tired volunteers and workers and brought smiles where there were blank looks.Our young people are awesome workers, cheered on by chaperones who love them and are impressed by them. These kids are kind to a fault and wonderful friends to all they meet. They have been told over and over that they have completed tasks in record time, whether it's working at the Food Bank, AIDs shelter, playing with children, reaching out and doing whatever they have been asked with willing spirits and determination.
Frustration, satisfaction, determination, spirit. Brenthaven Church be proud of your children.

Sheryl Day:

We are now into day 6 of our mission trip and although I have been thinking about what I would write to you, I still cannot put my words on paper to describe the experiences I have had this week. I am overcome with emotions, both for the people we have met in the shelters and our wonderful youth. I go back and forth with sadness for the new friends we have met in the shelters and happiness for the compassion and energy our youth has shown. It has been a blessing to be able to participate in this mission with our youth. We have just finished up a wonderful day at Six Flags, and it was a joy to watch all our youth have a great time after having worked so hard for two days. Fun was had by all even though it was hotter than I can ever remember it feeling. Several in our group rode roller coasters for the first time which made for a very exciting day for many. I am very excited as we begin our adventures today and tomorrow and look forward to meeting new friends who are in need of help and someone to just listen to them. Hope all is well back home, and we look forward to getting back and seeing each and every one of you!

In Christ,
Sheryl

Kip Rush:

OK, we have now been here for 4 days and as you have read the blogs from the youth, I am sure you have surmised that this has been an eye opening experience. Homelessness, poverty, AIDS, hunger, addictions,... Is it really that bad? Worse than one could ever imagine. But even more importantly, it is likely just as bad or worse in Nashville, yet we're in Ft. Worth, TX. The experiences we have encountered have opened the eyes of everyone. The work we have been doing is very different than years gone by and that is the reason for an urban plunge. We have been challenged with stuff we have learned in school, lived down the interstate from and now witness with our own eyes, working with our hands to make a difference in a most humbling and heart wrenching situation. I am also proud to serve with such a devoted and giving group of youth and adults. There is never a question of work ethic. Granted, living on a gym floor does not make for 5-star accommadations until you see the thin matresses that 544 people sleep on each night and then leave until the next night. At that moment, the First Presbyterian Gym becomes the finest Hilton. I almost feel guilty for having the blessings I receive from these 31 other folks on this trip. Guilty because many of you who read this will only hear in words what I have been experiencing first hand. Now, as we begin to wind down the work here, I immediately begin the process of trying to find a way to carry this ministry forward in our own backyard. Nashville needs help just as Ft. Worth, so why should we just allow others to come? Shouldn't we do our part as well? There is work to be done. Until we return home, keep praying!

Grace and peace,
Pastor Kip

Maegan Neufeldt:

I've had a great trip so far. On Monday, Stephanie and I sorted bread to take out the moldy loaves. I learned that mold can be a large variety of colors. The most interesting color was orange. While sorting bread I met a man who kept cracking jokes. He made the work a lot more fun. On Tuesday, I packaged cheese. Everyone else hated it, but I thought it was fun. Our assembly line of counting, bagging, and labeling demonstrated the teamwork our youth group possesses. We also went to the lake Tuesday!!!!! Yesterday we went to 6 Flags. It was pretty tiring, but I had tons of fun!!! The Titan rules!!!!!!!!!

Kristin Wattenbarger:

My trip has been really great so far! Tuesday group B went too the Samaritian House. It was a real eye-opener. The people there were so open! Im actually suprised that they went up there too tell all of us about their life, and everything. It was also reallly sad. This one lady started crying. That's how bad the stories were. I wanted too give her hug, but i didn't know what she'd say. And we also worked at a foodbank. That was fun. On wednesday I rode my frist rollar-coaster!!! It was awesome! I was so scared. But I went up there anyways! Even though Zoe and Matthew kinda dragged me anyways. But i'm glad they did! Six flags in Texas was soo much bigger than the one in Kentucky. But I had a really great time!

Ryan Lipe:

The whole experience of this trip has been awesome. We have done many things including working at a homeless shelter, a food bank, and working in a storage center. But of those I had the most fun working at the food shelter. I liked it so much because we were packaging cantaloupes and we had to take them out of this giant box and stick them in littler boxes. I jumped into the box when the cantaloupes were so low to the ground and passed them up to the ofter people. Yesterday we went to 6 FLAGS!! it was so much fun. I became the money man of the day because i won a money hat,tie,cape, and ball. Most of the time I am just hanging out with the middle-schoolers. The game that we do here the most is gotcha. But so far its been really fun.

Otis Allen:

Alas, it's been 4 days here, including the travel day, and the only thing that has come to my attention is that Texas like just about every other state, and almost even every other country has at least one problem in common. The poor. The poor and included in the poor the flat-out homeless. The fact that so many mission trips go to extreme distances instead of helping those at home in their own backyard indicates both ignorance and arrogance. Not to mention in all likelihood a massive waste of Capital in the form of money on extreme travel fees. One must take care of your own problems before presuming to fix another independent and sovereign nation's. It hurts us both in the fact that we still have issues and that a lot of countries that might be targeted by a mission, such as some portions of South America and Africa don't have either friendly governments to the US, or no structured government at all, as such risking American lives when there can be just as much work done here.

In Their Words - Tortillas (Support Group 4)

Youth ROCKS continues to do great things in Ft Worth:

Jodi Rush:

What an amazing trip we are having!! The most amazing aspect of the trip for me is the amount of work we have been able to accomplish. We have a hard working group of youth that attack every job asked to do. Yesterday my group was asked to weed a flower garden at the Samaritan House - a housing facility for homeless folks with HIV/AIDS. I don't like yard work....but working beside the others in my group we worked as hard as we could for several hours...when done we looked back at our work and couldn't believe the difference we had made. In the afternoon we worked at the Tarrant County Food Bank boxing cantaloupes to be distributed to agencies that feed the homeless. We attacked several large bins of cantaloupes and knocked the job out so fast. We also checked the expiration date and boxed individual boxes of cereal for distribution. Once again, I couldn't believe how fast, furious, and efficient our team was!!! It is a joy to work with this group, but a greater joy to see what we were able to accomplish with teamwork. Learning about the homeless is very discouraging and hopeless....we are trying to do the work we can to help as much as possible.....one seed starts a garden...one candle lights a room.....we hope this one group can make a big difference!!!!

Tammy Gerome:

Yesterday we toured a very large homeless shelter that houses and feeds 544 homeless men, women, and children every evening. The shelter's work is an awesome operation. They said they are always at capacity and have to turn many away each night. It is so hard first to imagine the life these people must have lived and second to have hope that they may have a future beyond a life on the street. There are so many different reasons they are there...some beyond their control. It makes me thankful for the people in my life. I love you all and thank especially my family who takes such good care of me.

Zoe Neufeldt:

Yesterday we went to the Samaritan House that takes care of women with HIV and Aids. I found out that they don't just help the women, they also help some men by giving them jobs and helping turn their lives around. There we pulled weeds in the garden, then we went inside and ate lunch with the people there and learned their stories. Then after lunch we went to a food bank, there we boxed cantaloupes and cereal for non-profit organizations to serve. Then later that night we went to the lake with one of the ladies at the church that we are staying at. We all had a blast in the water and jumping off the piers!

Stephanie Capps:

I spent three hours with the rest of the junior girls sorting cheese yesterday...It took a long time, but we finally got finished with it and felt very accomplished. Although it was rewarding, we never want to look at cheese ever again. In the morning we went to the Night Shelter and took a tour, seeing where the homeless slept if they had absolutely no where else to go. We learned that a very large portion of homeless in America are retired war veterans. Those statistics made me extremely sad yesterday. However, after seeing the better living situations they are given, i feel slightly better about their situation. In the afternoon, we helped at an AIDS outreach center. I was amazed at the number of people they had on file, and the number that came in while we were there. Its a much bigger problem then i originally thought it was. After a hard, and sometimes disheartening day working, it was good to get to go hang out at the lake and have some fun.

Ashley Day:

Yesterday we went to the Samaritan house. We were weeding their flower beds for about two hours. It was hot, but it was fun. After that was done, we heard stories from some of the patients. they were really sad, but it was interesting. We also got to eat lunch with them and talk to them then. When we left there, we went to a food bank, and started out putting cantaloupes in boxes. When that was done we got a tour of the bank, and we started packing cereal. We also had to tape some, because they got smashed. We had to sort out the ones that weren't cereal. We also got to wear hair nets, which was fun. Then we went to the lake. When we were all changed, we jumped off the dock. The bottom of the lake was slimy and gross, so we tried not to touch it. One time, the beach ball started floating away, so i jumped in and saved it. Another time it floated away and no one got it, and then some people on their boats got out and took it.

Jack Keiser:

This is the third? day of our mission trip. I don't know if we're including the day we spent traveling or... well, anyway, we've already delved deep into the depths of urban homelessness. The first morning we went our first mission building. We met Nub, who led us around and gave us jobs. Nub had some pretty neat stories, but i never learned how he lost his right pointer finger. I personally spent that morning digging and sorting through clothes while inventing new ways to transport bags of clothes down a flight of stairs. That evening half of us traveled to a group of temporary homes for the homeless. We were to play with the kids. After wandering around and tossing a few frisbees around, one kid, Jaylin, decided to jump on my shoulders and remain there for pretty much the rest of the time we spent there. He was a bit rowdy like most of the kids there (he almost pulled katie's hair out, while the other kids bit my shirt and tried to tie other girls' hair in knots). It didn't strike me that they were as exposed to the world as they were until a 3 year old sitting in Maegen's lap decided to share with us his colorful vocabulary. A few other hints included: Jaylin's double ear rings, my encounters with some of their gaurdians, and Darrel's general jerking it up. Anyway I ended up sharing the rest of my water with a few other kids and walking them home, and that was the end of my mission that day. The next day, admittedly, was less eventful. I did happen to see one of the guys I served the other day at the first mission. That was more of a blow to my morale than a happy sighting, although I was a bit excited to see the favorite latino that I served the other day. Then we moved some furniture around. Then I was transfered to the other group to go to the food bank, while the others went to an AIDS outreach center. This was the first time I got to work with Heywood since the first mission.

Pics from Monday Part II

Pictures from Monday

In Their Words - Tumbleweeds (Support Group 3)

Monday was another great day as Youth ROCKS officially began their mission work in Ft Worth:

Sarah Day:

Hey guys! Yesterday was our first day of working and I think we all had a really great time. Fortunately, the heat was not as bad yesterday, especially while it was cloudy. Unfortunately, one of the buildings we were working in was a little toasty. We were able to work for an organization called Beautiful Feet. We spent most of our time organizing the donated food and clothing, and doing clean-up around the building. We also got to worship with them, and afterward we served them a meal. It was really great to see a group of our size working together so perfectly and willingly. After Beautiful Feet, we broke into two different groups. One group went to the homeless shelter, but my group went to Mission Arlington. They are such a big organization that helps in so many ways. What we were asked to do was to spend time with the kids in an apartment complex. Although the kids were a little crazy and rowdy, they were still pretty fun to play with. It was amazing how a little one-on-one time with adults really made them happy. After we played around a little, the guy in charge decided to tell a bible story. I was shocked at how many kids were so willing to learn and remembered past stories. Although spending time with the kids was really cool, it was sad to see they were already being influenced by the negative things around them. My favorite part of a mission trip is always the people I meet, and I met some really cool people yesterday. I hope everyone back home is doing well, and we'll see you when we get back!

Rachel Weiz:

Hey, you there. This mission trip has been very eye-opening. Yesterday, we went to Beautiful Feet Ministries and I helped out with cleaning up the sanctuary, and then I helped to sort out clothes. There were lots of men's clothes, LOTS. Then we had a devotional thing before we went to serve the hungry people who brought their food ticket. After giving out the food, we split up into two groups, and my group went to the Presbytarian Night Shelter. We learned a lot about how many homeless they take in and all they're trying to do and how well it is working. After taking a tour of the PNS, we went to their storage house. Most people began organizing all the furniture they kept in there, but Devin, Colleen, and I had the pleasure of tagging all of the untagged items. We tagged a total of ninety-seven objects. Even though we were intensely sweaty, Mr. Mark insisted on taking our picture. We actually had a lot of fun, despite the harsh heat. We finally got home and did a game night with the church's youth group. We did a huge game of dodgeball, and we failed. I've been giving a lot of high-fives this trip with Devin. Devin and I prepared a poem for this blog and here it is:
Roses are red,
Violets are blue.
Texas is hot,
And we miss you!

Devin Rush:

Hey. We are having an awesome time here in the great state of Texas. Yesterday, we went to Beautiful Feet. I served breakfast to the homeless. They were mostly nice. We met a new friend, I dont know his name but he talked to us a lot about Star Trek and Transformers. He gave us a good laugh. We then headed over to the Presbyterian Night Shelter. On the way there we saw a bunch of homeless people. Every two feet you would see another homeless person. Even if they all hated each other it looked like to me they were like a big family just trying to stick in there. We saw the shelter and how big and what a difference it makes. We went to their warehouse and I got to tag stuff and roll around in chairs with Colleen. It was fun! Then we came back and played dodgeball with this church's youth group. I was the last one on our side left and it was quite scary but kinda cool at the same time. But, then I lost. The End.

Mark Humphrey:

In case you haven't heard, it's hot here. It's hot. HOT. HOT. HOT. HOT. HOT.

The outside temperature gauge on our van has only been under 100 a few times since we crossed the Mississippi River. But onto other things....

You would all be very proud of the attitudes shown by the youth. No matter what job they've been given, I've heard no moans or groans. Organizing food pantries, serving lunches, moving furniture, cleaning rooms...they've done it all well and without hesitation. Remember that the next time they're asked to clean their rooms.

Yesterday we toured a large homeless shelter. Looking down from a balcony at a gym floor filled with rubber mats waiting for people to spend the night reminded me of where we are staying at First Presbyterian Church. We also are sleeping in a gym filled with air mattresses on the floor. The difference is that we can pack up and return to our homes at the end of the week.

Anna Gonzales:

"Are you a kid?" This was the question asked of me by my new best friend at the Beautiful Feet service that is required of those wanting to eat lunch afterwards. She had never met any of us, and instead of seeing our group as priveledged people taking time out to serve, she saw us as kids.Kids who were sitting in the same pew, listening to the same sermon. There was no difference between us until we left the sanctuary and we became the servers and she was just one of many that we served.
After we left beautiful feet we went to Mission Arlington. We went off to meet Ben, who is doing apartment ministry at complex nearby. There we ran around, and was the major mode of transportation for pretty much every child there. About halfway through our time there a man brought his two-year old son named Caleb to play, and told me he likes to wander off. Caleb became mine for the afternoon. It wasn't till later that it hit me, what if Caleb was Luke? Where would he be spending his afternoons if there wasn't poppop and Gigi? What would all of these kids being doing if it wasn't for people like Ben and Mission Arlington? It was a very sobering thought that when school ends, so does a lot of these kids interactions with adults.

Matthew Morris:

This place is fun! ya
but as real as it gets
Yesterday, the number 1 day of our actual work: we went to a few good places. We helped out a Christian food shelter for the homeless. We then went on in Group B to a night shelter so we could help sort the items to be donated to the homeless people finally getting a home. It felt good to help.

Pictures from Sunday

In Their Words - Super Spurs (Support Group 5)

We had a great day yesterday!! We attended two worship services, went on a scavenger hunt, played games, had a Bible study, and much more.

Each day, one support group will write their thoughts on the previous day. Today the Super Spurs will be posting:

Matt Day:

Yesterday we had a good time going to church, playing games, and going on a scavenger hunt. We first went to St. Luke Cumberland Presbyterian Church and had a tour of the building. After that we went out to lunch at Rosa's Mexican restaurant. Then we came back to the church where we're staying and played games and learned what we would be doing this week. We then left and went to the 6:08 church service at 1st Prespertyrian church.

Emily Ghianni:

Our arrival to Texas was amazing. We got here and unpacked everything then got settled in and went over the schedule for Sunday. OMG! Sunday was better than Saturday. The suprising part was the heat. I know Texas is hot but I did'nt know it would be above 100 degrees! So we first went to church service at St Luke Cumberland Presbyterian - then we went to eat at Rosa's Cantina then went back to the church gym we are staying at and had some free time and met our sponsor, Kate. We had a lot of fun getting to know her. Then we headed out to a cattle stockyard and played a scavenger hunt. We should know the results by tomorrow. After that we had a delicious dinner made by a Sunday school class at the church we were staying t. Then we went to another service which I really enjoyed. Finally, we came back and had some more fun, then went to bed reading a very nice letter from Ms Rhonda. I hope the rest of the week goes so good. Keep reading and remember the Super Spurs are the best group!

Gwen Keiser:

You could easily spot the bright yellow mission trip t-shirts bobbing in and out of the tourists milling about The Stockyards as the youth hustled to find items for the scavenger hunt. It was a joy to see, knowing the kids were filled with purpose and having a great time as they gathered facts and photos to complete the task. Every one of the youth have been polite and courteous in each setting they've entered. I am very proud of them.

Gina Wattenbarger:

Well we made the trip safe and sound. We have met some wonderful people at the church services that we attended. I have to say we have a great group of youth kids. It is really hot here so we're making sure everyone has plenty of water. Now we're off to our first day of work. I know it's going to be a wonderful experience. I feel blessed to be a part of this mission we are on.

Colleen Winslow:

We started off our first full day in Texas by going to a church service. They had a more contemporary way of doing things, so it was interesting to see how they worshipped. I really enjoyed it. Then we went on a scavenger hunt in the cattle stockyards [where they hold live cow auctions]. The hunt included finding different stuff in on the street and getting your picture taken while square dancing with a stranger. It was SO hot!! But it was really fun. We came home and had dinner that was made by the sunday school class from the church we are staying at. It was so good! We played games and then went to bed. We had a great day yesterday and I'm looking forward to the rest of this week!

Ashley Leisure:

Sunday: We got 3hr of sleep the night before. All of us had to wake up before church service, and then walmart. And then we had to go to a stockyard it was really, really hot. I did not like it at all! But it was fun and then another service.

WE HAVE ARRIVED!!!!

YouthROCKS arrived in Fort Worth, Texas at approximately 10:30 p.m. (in case your child did not call you!)

As you can see, the trip started out with an adventure as our first challenge, as a group, was to break into our rental van and retrieve the keys that were locked inside.
Everyone is up and moving (and singing) this morning, and we are excited to begin our adventures!

Check back later today for more news.

So, where are we going???

Fort Worth Facts:

• Population: 534,694


• Median resident age: 30.9 years


• Median household income: $37,074


• Median house value: $71,100
  
• Dallas was first settled in 1841


• Average daily temperature — January: 45.5 F, July: 86.2 F


• Average annual rainfall — 37.5"
  
• Average annual snowfall — 2.6"

Our Hosts:

First Presbyterian Church hosts youth groups from around the country each summer in an urban work camp experience.

The Urban Gifts and Passions (GAPs) program is designed to challenge participants to find their strengths and support each other while providing worthwhile assistance to those who have fallen into the "gaps" of our society.

Brenthaven's Youth ROCKS cannot wait for the opportunity to experience this urban plunge!!! While we are serving in Fort Worth, a different group of youth and adults will blog about their experiences each day. Be sure to check back often for new blog updates!!

Watch and you will know why we go...

Monk And Neagle - Twenty First Time

Lyrics:

Nowhere to live, nowhere to fall

he used to have money, but he’s wasted it all.

His face is a photograph burned in my mind,

but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He sleeps under stars, that’s all he can afford

His blanket's an old coat he’s had since the war

He stands on the corner of Carter and Vine

But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

He may be a drifter, he’s grown old and gray

But what if he’s Jesus and I walk away?

I say I’m the body and drink of the wine

but I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time

She’s twenty-nine but she feels forty-eight

She can’t raise three kids on minimum wage

She’s cryin’ in back of the welfare line

but I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

She may be a stranger tryin’ to get through the day

but what if it’s Jesus and i walk away?

I say I’m the body and drink of the wine

but I pretend not to see her for the twenty-first time

This is a call for a change in my heart

I realize that I’ve not been doin’ my part

when I needed a Savior, I found it in Him

He gave to me, now I’ll give back to them

Drifter or stranger, father or son

I’ll look for Jesus in every one

’cause I am the body and drink of the wine

and I’m thankful there’s more than the twenty-first time

Welcome Heywood!!!

Youth ROCKS is especially excited about our mission trip this year because we will have a very special guest with us from Hong Kong!! Heywood is 15 years old, loves to read, and will be traveling all the way to Tennessee on June 25th - he will then join Youth ROCKS on their mission trip to Ft Worth, Texas.

Heywood's father is the pastor at Shatin Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Hong Kong and he has a younger brother and sister. He will be staying with the Rush family until July 22nd and then will return to Hong Kong (with about 30+ new friends!!!). We cannot wait to meet Heywood and show him around Youth ROCKS style!!

And so we begin...(Part 2)

In addition to the wonderful reasons our mission trip team compiled in our previous post as reasons for going on our trip to Ft Worth, here are some additional (and silly) reasons we go:

• To get a sun tan
• To buy stuff at a new grocery store
• To take pictures
• To smell new air
• To get our clothes dirty
• To jam to music
• To explore new musical tastes (anonymous adult chaperone)
• To see birth state of our dear pastor (ahhhhhhhhhhh....)
• To get out of Tennessee
• To experience new wild life (????????)
• To catch Kip being Kip
• To be mistreated by older kids in youth group
• To RIDE ON THE BUS!!!!!
  

And so we begin...

On May 17th, 2009 a group of youth and adults gathered at Brenthaven to begin mission trip preparations. As was pointed out that night, this group of individuals preparing to embark on this mission trip together is unique to this year's trip - - as is the work they have been called to do in Ft Worth, TX.

More than 30 youth and adult chaperones from Brenthaven are preparing to take an urban plunge mission trip in 2009. An urban plunge involves being the body of Christ to those who "fall through the cracks," are "stuck in the gaps," find themselves "down on their luck," - - well, you get the picture. In short, Brenthaven youth are invading the city of Ft Worth, TX and committed to be the hands and feet of Christ for those in need.

In our own words, here are some of the reasons we go:

• To help others


• To spread God's love


• To build relationships


• To share our talents


• To have fun


• To bond with each other and strangers


• To make memories
  
• To experience new places


• To love one another


• To answer the call..
  

We hope you follow us the next few weeks as we prepare, embark on, and reflect on our journey. This blog will be updated daily to include information about our planned work in Ft Worth, some of the reasons for going to Ft Worth, and many of our personal musings along the way.