Homeward Bound

We are heading home! Thanks for an amazing trip and all of your prayers 

From Us to You - 3

I felt I saw God when I was picking up trash. - Simon

My favorite part was when Theo came to devotions with us. - Alex R. 

I saw God when we went back to the garden. We all did not want to nor did we need to. We still did it and helped out. Lucy B. 

My favorite moment on the trip was making new friends. A moment I will always remember is when everyone was playing games at the park. - Rosemary 

When I was washing the windows outside of the habitat restore and there was a family walking out carrying a new fan and the kids were so happy for a new fan it was crazy. - Ryan 

My favorite part of the trip was the last night because that's the most I've laughed for a while. - Ava

The New BOS!

The coveted Burger of Service was passed on to it's newest holder for the 2014-2015 year. 

Alex passed on the BOS to Mary Ann as he felt she truly displayed all that the BOS has represented for the past 5 years. We welcome her to the awesome list of previous BOS holders, and can't wait for her to be on the trip next year! Keep that thing safe! And remember, don't eat it. 

WYSIWYG - Day 3

What a busy day we had! We began our morning worshiping with our host congregation, First Presbyterian Church of Champaign. We were lovingly welcomed and enjoyed this experience in a congregation different than our own. However we were able to recognize the similarities that come with our shared Presbyterian traditions. 

We had a lunch in a local park before working there to do trash cleanup. The students filled 10 huge garbage bags as they made their way throughout the large park. 

We capped off our day with a delicious pizza dinner at Papa Del's and  a side splitting good time bowling at the Illini Union bowling alley. 

Your students have been a blessing to this community, to the adult volunteers, and most importantly to each other. The community they have built together is unique and strong. We look forward to sharing more stories with you here in the morning before we depart, and especially once we return home! 

From Us to You - 2

I saw God when I heard Miss Dawn say that the garden was the best it looked in a while. - Jessica 

I saw God in one of the kids who were happy when we put books out for them at the habitat restore. - Alex D. 

I saw God when we were working in the garden. - Jacob 

I saw God in Theo. When he walked up to us and said he heard God just shows that someone's always listening. Theo just walked up to us and joined our circle. He is one of the best people I've met so far. -Jayna 

WYSIWYG - Day 2

Today we worked with the local Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Students swept, cleaned, sorted, organized, and more! We enjoyed lunch outside on a beautiful walking path and creek. This evening we took a walk through campus and had a delicious dinner at the campus Potbelly. After time to play games in the quad we came back to the church for another awesome devotional time led by your students. We all are being stretched and learning about ourselves, each other, and our faith in all that we do. The group looks forward to sharing more with you tomorrow! 

Love, The Llama Herd. 

From Us to You - 1

We wanted to create an opportunity for students to share with everyone at home. Each evening after devotional, the students who led our group are asked if they feel comfortable to share a piece of their story. This could be a favorite experience gained or a moment where they saw God on this service trip. 

Such amazing work our students are accomplishing! 

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One of the most memorable moments of the trip has been seeing people "shop" at the garden we helped out at because I knew we were helping people in need. - Mary Ann 

I really saw God on this trip when we were doing devotions on Thursday night. We were talking about we never know who's gonna hear us and then a guy names Theo came up and introduced himself. He said he'd heard Jesus and we finished devotions with him. - Ross

My most favorite moment has been when some random guy (Theo) off of the streets came to listen to our devotion time. - Hannah 

So far during this trip I've made new friends and helped the Illinois community. - Lucy G. 

During this trip I saw God on the very first night during devotion. We were sitting in the park talking about what we gained that day, when a man started walking towards us. He said "Hi guys, I heard Jesus. Mind if I join you?" This touched my heart and opened my eyes to see how God works in mysterious ways. - Abbie 

Journey to Jarlings!

We had an outing tonight to a local factorie, Jarlings's Custard Cup! Yum

Everyone is having a terrific time and working hard. And hopefully will all still sleep well despite the sugary treat! 

WYSIWYG - Day 1

We've had an amazing day working together and learning more about the community in which we are serving. 

Last night the group played games and spent time in a nearby park getting to know one another better. We capped off our night with devotions. 

Today we worked at the Randolph Street Community Garden. The students weeded a considerable amount, planted strawberries and vegetables, and learned amount the outreach of the community the garden serves. 

Our day wrapped up,with a quick dip in a local pool to cool off! 

Stay tuned for more pictures and posts coming soon from students! 

And Away We Go - Middle School Service Trip

Our Summer of Service has begun with the middle school students departing for Champaign/Urbana.

Please keep this amazing group and their wonderful leaders in your prayers as they travel and work serving their neighbors and one another.

ALLIN!

Forms and Info

In preparation for the Middle School Service Trip to Champaign, IL here are the links to the necessary forms and information.

Packing List
Medical Form
Release Form

Please have all forms before departure.

Follow their adventures here on this blog.

Summer of Service begins...

This Thursday, our amazing middle school students depart for Champaign, IL. You can follow their adventures here.

Summer of Urban Mission 2013

Get READY, get SET...
Summer of Urban Mission is coming.
Sign ups for the awesome adventures begin on Sunday, March 31.

Click the image below for more details.  Remember, they will fill up quickly.

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! 

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

And They're Off!

The students and adult leaders are off for their adventure in Southern Indiana.


Please pray for them as they travel and as they meet the divine along the way.



"How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation" Isaiah 52:7

Getting Ready

We are all getting excited to leave on this amazing journey together tomorrow. We look forward to sharing our trip with you through this blog! Please keep all of the students and adults in your prayers over the next several days as we prepare for the trip, and work together on the trip.