Week Two - Heading Home

We are saddened to leave Hosanna, but excited to be home. Left at 9:45. Pray for safe travels. 

Week Two - Historic Happenings

Just found out that we were a part of an historic week for Hosanna Industries. We were part of a team that provided...

5,400 volunteer hours

$140,000 in market value

$25,000 in material cost saved

31 families helped

All to the glory of God!

Week Two - Zoo Day

Zoo day!!

Today, we had so much fun traipsing through the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. It was a perfect day. The temperatures were relatively low, and the animals were incredibly active. The lions were roaring, the tigers were play fighting, and the monkeys and gorillas were chasing one another and putting on a show.

This was the perfect way to cap off a wonderful week in Pennsylvania. 

Tonight, we will have small groups, worship, and a special presentation. 

Thanks again for your prayers and your support. We have felt it every step of the way. 

We have had a great week, but we are ready to be home. 

Enjoy the pictures from our zoo day...the first is of the incredible adults (Stacey Smith is not pictured) who made this experience happen!

Live animals to be shipped home

Zoo shenanigans 

Week Two - Final Work Day

Final day of work with everyone on the campus working hard. The students were amazing. Today they were able to finish a terraced, garden, and build twenty walls for a blitz build that will begin in two weeks (Hosanna will build an entire house in a week, and the family will move in on Friday of that week. We also had the opportunity to meet the family who will move into the house). 

This has been an incredible week of work, and we are looking forward to a fun day at the zoo tomorrow. It truly is wonderful to see the amount and quality of work the students were able to accomplish in less than a week. You should be proud of them and the way in which they have represented themselves, your families, the church, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

We will have small groups and worship tonight after a wonderful home cooked meal. 

We look forward to seeing you on Saturday with all of our stories. 

Enjoy today's pictures. 

Week Two - Patience and Understanding

Wow! More hard work; more accomplishments. 

Today our students really saw the fruit of their labor. They laid carpet, built a walking path, moved equipment, did landscaping work, cleaned the dorm and more. 

It truly has been awesome to watch these students as they have learned to be a good listener instead of just a good talker, that even the most menial work can and will be rewarding even if no one knows who put in the effort, that cooperation is more important than personal gain, Amd a change of plans can become a blessing. 

Thanks for your continued prayers and support. We cannot do it without them. We have had surprises along the way, and we are thankful through them all. Pray for safety and health. 

Quotes of the week: one of the Hosanna leaders to two of the volunteers, "Peter and John, you've got this." And on the wall in the learning center, "Bidden or unbidden, God is there" - Carl Jung

Enjoy these pictures.

 

Week Two - Crazy Fun Day

Another crazy, amazing day in Pennsylvania. Hard work, sun, rain, dirt, paint, shingles, siding, carpet, bricks, appliances, pavers, stone, worship, fun... All of this and more filled our day. 

We were split into three groups today. One group finished the work from yesterday on Bill's house, where they sided the home. A second group worked at Karen's house, where they painted, installed appliances, removed carpet, and more. A third group worked at Hosanna Industries, where they built terraces using landscaping bricks, rock, and huge pavers. All groups worked incredibly hard and cooperatively. You would be so proud of their effort and work. They are serving in the best sense of the word. When we get home, ask your young person about "lagniappe" (pronounced "LAN-YAP). 

Please pray for health and fun and good work for tomorrow. 

Enjoy these pictures from today. 

Week Two

Wow! What a day. I do not think our students could have ever imagined a work day like this. So much was accomplished. The group worked so hard. Today was only the first of four work days. 

So...what did we do? Hung shaker shingles, caulked, designed and manufactured cabinet doors, worked on the Hosanna trade center, tore all of the siding off of a house, and resided the same home. Yes, all in a day. 

We are tired, yet richly blessed. We are looking forward to an incredible night of rest and another wonderful work day tomorrow. 

Please pray for Hosanna Industries, the full time mission workers here at Hosanna, the people with whom we have worked, tomorrow's work, the group spirit. 

The students on this work project have done so much in a short time. We feel your prayer support every step of the way. 

Blessings. 

Enjoy the pictures. 

Week Two - Arrival

We have arrived and are full of energy for an amazing week of work. 

Please pray for group unity, wonder-filled spirits, and great surprises along the way. 

We are thankful for you and your support. This is going to be an unforgettable experience for us all. 

Almost Home

Week One is nearing home after an amazing mission adventure. 

They should arrive at the church around 4:30 pm this afternoon in the north parking lot. Please be there to pick your student up by then. Also, remember that they have a lot of stories to share, but they also will need some time to process all they have experienced, seen, and done.  Therefore, if they aren't extremely talkative, just give them a little time. 

We are so thankful for your prayers and support. These trips cannot happen without you!!

Movie night last night

Zoo Day!

After an amazing week of work, the team went to the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. 

They had a ton of fun with the animals. 

This has been one unforgettable week. There are a lot of stories to tell and experiences to share. Looking forward to another great worship experience tonight, a good night of rest, and a long journey home tomorrow. 

Thank you for your prayers!

Neither human nor animal was injured during this shoot!

Week One - Roof Complete!

Today the group was able to completely FINISH the roof that was interrupted by a rainstorm yesterday!

The Hosanna leaders were full of complements about how hard the students worked and how much work they were able to accomplish. We were richly blessed through this experience and hard work. We are thrilled that another group of students and their adult leaders have the opportunity to continue this wonderful work. 

Here are some pictures of the day of work on the roof. 

Tomorrow, the team will have the chance to visit the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium. 

Please continue to keep them in your prayers. 

Sometimes you adlib in the rain

Week One - Rain?!

What an amazing day of work. 

Something incredible happened to the group that we thought wasn't possible. We had to stop early because of RAIN! Yes, rain. You know, liquid that falls from the sky. In case you thought that didn't happen anymore, it truly does! Just outside of Pittsburgh, PA. There was even thunder and lightning. And to our friends suffering in the heat of the Hoosier state, it is only supposed to be 75 here on Friday!

Today, our group was together at a single worksite. They began the demolition of a roof. The morning was spent scraping two layers of shingles off of the roof and repairing sections of the decking. 

Your students are amazing! Of course, you know that. But you need to know that others are noticing how truly special they are. Thank you for your prayers and support of this important mission trip. We have a lot of stories and have met some incredible people. Our lives will never be the same. 

We look forward to a great dinner and wonderful worship tonight. 

Enjoy the pictures. 

  

Week One - Day Two - HEAT!

Another successful day full of hard work, high heat, amazing discussions, wonderful worship, and unbelievable students! We are so richly blessed by what is happening through the work of their hands, within their hearts and minds, and with the people of Pennsylvania. 

The group was again divided into two groups today. One group replaced a roof while the other group worked on flooring inside a home. 

The students are working incredibly hard and are supporting one another along the way. They are a true blessing in every way. 

Tonight, give thanks for the students, the adult leaders, and the coordinators from Hosanna. 

Day Two - First Day of Work

Work has begun!

In case you were thinking that these students couldn't possibly be working hard...check this out. 

Today, there were two groups. One group worked painting a foundation on a home restoration. The second group worked on building a deck - a two story deck. 

Even the adults got in on the action. 

All in all, this was an amazing day. The group worked hard and had a ton of fun! Tonight, they had great small group time and wonderful worship. Tomorrow, two more students will join the group on the work sites. One has traveled all the way from China!

Thank you for your prayers as they get some much needed rest for another work day tomorrow. 

Week One - Arrival

Week One - Prints of Peace - Hossana Industries has arrived!

After a long journey everyone is well and happy and ready for a wonderful week of work. 

Our group is the only group staying on the Hossana campus this week. Look at the Hossana website to see what this amazing organization is up to in western Pennsylvania. 

Tomorrow, our group will be split into two work teams and will begin two significant projects. They are excited about their work and their time together. 

Please pray for them as they work together leaving prints of peace everywhere they walk and with every work of their hands. 

Check back tomorrow for an update of their first day of work.

 

High School Mission Trip 1

High School Mission Trip - Week 1 Departs

Week 1 has departed for Hosanna Industries. Please pray for safe travels for the group as they journey today.

Monday

Monday - Heading home

After breakfast, we will be heading home to Indianapolis. We are grateful for the prayers during our trip. The students look forward to sharing their stories of their work and friendships. 

Sunday

Sunday - Hanover 

Sunday we worshiped at Hanover Presbyterian Church. We may have more than double the size of the congretation! Students enjoyed worship and partaking in communion. 

Sunday afternoon students worked at Hanover College picking up trash and cleaning the building in which we were housed. 

The rain we all have been praying for arrived just as we pulled up to the swimming pool in Madison! Despite not being able to swim, and the massive storm, we had a wonderful last night together. 

Saturday

Saturday - March2Recovery - Henryville

Today students worked extremely hard doing various things with March2Recovery. All of the students contributed to working on the beginning stages of a new paver patio for the church where M2R is housed. The church provides a food pantry to the community and needs more space for patrons waiting for it to open. The patio area will provide that space. each student worked hard, despite the heat and sun, with plenty of water and inside breaks. Students also served lunch to volunteers who were working on homes, worked in the kitchen, and did other projects to help the organization.

We are grateful for the opportunity to have worked in Henryville and see some of the progress in the rebuilding of the town.

Before

After

Friday Afternoon

Friday Afternoon - Salvation Army - Madison

This afternoon students worked at the Salvation Army in the doing various cleaning projets and sorting clothing in the thrift store. 

Every student worked hard, never complained, and had a wonderful time! 

Friday Morning at Salvation Army

Friday Morning - Salvation Army of Madison

After a fun day yesterday of community building and fun, we have started out morning at the Salvation Army. 

First we worked on cleaning the parking lot so that the emergeny relief vehicles can be parked to make more room for clients. Next we will move inside to do cleaning before it gets too hot!

Arrived Safe and Sound

After a two hour drive and a stop for lunch, the group has arrived.

They took a tour of Hanover's beautiful campus this afternoon and are getting acclimated to their surroundings.  Preparing for a great day of work tomorrow.

Thanks for your prayers.

For more on Hanover, a Presbyterian college, click here.

Hanover Campus

Parker Auditorium

Clifty Falls State Park