Youth Group Mission Trip - 2019
The youth were eager to volunteer with the Sierra Service Project again this year. They traveled to an American Native reservation in Oregon where they repaired and built things the residents couldn't afford or did not have the skills to do.
One of the youth said "the last time they did this (2018) it was a life changing experience". Another youth liked that she got out of her comfort zone and tried new things such as taking apart a fence and rebuilding it. And one of the most important experiences was the awareness that ALL the kids were connected to each other - no cliques, no one left out, they didn't feel trapped in one group - they all "had a place at the table".
When not working, they played lots of cards, games, danced, and sang. A Spirit Walk activity led them to learn more about theirselves. A paper plate was taped to each of their backs and as they walked around, the kids would write on the plates what they liked about them.
A lasting comment from one of the youth impacted all the church audience as they shared their experience. "God is most present in our relationships with people. When we lay down our guard, we see who we really are. Love is the idea that Christ lived and died for us. This week God brought love to all the us."