Church of the Holy Apostles
Friday, May 18, 2012
Church of the Holy Apostles is Disciples Making Disciples.

2011 Senior High Mission Trip Blog

 
 
  
 Click here to see pictures from the mission trip.  Updated frequently.
 
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEND AN ENCOURAGING NOTE TO A MISSIONER, EMAIL TRISH@HOLYAPOSTLES.CC AND YOUR NOT WILL BE READ AT EVENING DEBRIEF.
 
2011 Senior High Mission Team: Abigail Porier, Amber Villalpando, Austin Robinson, Becca Pettit, Erin Thompson, Gracyn Covert, Henry Covert, Mallory Bing, Mario Zuniga,Nick Palm, Rey Amendola-Mayorga, Thomas Fraher,Tim Brown, Craig Vickerman, Diane Covert, Kim Fraher and Trish Thompson
Thursday, July 14
Our final day of ministry began with a devotion on discipleship and a challenge from Craig to determine our Paul, Barnabas, and Timothy. We went to Cobblestone and spent our game time in the indoor pool.  Several children did not know how to swim so it was great that we had noodles! Craig and Kim spent time teaching children how to overcome their fear of the water.  Henry, Scott and his band-mate Brian catapulted kids like cannonballs. Nick, Austin and Thomas played catch the water ball across the pool with kids. The final skit was the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  Tim was King Nebuchadnezzar and he even had a royal robe...ur towel.  He sounded a lot like the character from the Veggie Tales version. 
 
The afternoon was spent at Osborne High School.  We dug weeds from the girls softball field and cut weeds back from the perimeter fencing.  It was probably the most physical work of the week but we finished strong! 
 
We came back for our nightly debrief.  Thanks to all who sent encouraging notes.  It was great to hear how many people were praying for our trip.  These youth have touched the lives of so many in Atlanta through their service.  In his testimony this evening, Don Barbee, encouraged us not to let this experience be the end.  We are the church and we have an obligation to show the love of God through our service.  He wrapped up his talk by focusing on Romans 12:2 and how our lives should be transformed as a result of our work here this week.  We have been given the opportunity to tell everyone about our experience and how we worshiped Him through our service.  Continue your prayers for safe travel.  We will be home Saturday.
 
The youth want to raise funds to assist with the installation of a new a/c unit for the youth room at our host church.  Their youth have been great in welcoming us on our first day and one has even worked alongside us all week.  If you are able to contribute, click here to donate. 
Wednesday, July 12
Today we started our day praying about the second greatest commandment.  We were challenged to seek our neighbor and serve them today.  Our youth did that with amazing skill. Amber really enjoyed VBS this morning and playing with the parachute was lots of fun. See the recent pictures posted.  Amber also was asked to pray several times today which was out of her comfort zone. In the end, she said, "It helps bring me closer to God." Craig also encouraged Bishop, the apartment minister, to participate in our VBS worship by singing one of his rap songs. The kids and our youth danced and praised Jesus. Gracyn said, "I loved hearing Bishop rap and really enjoyed seeing the kids respond to him."
 
The afternoon was spent completing the second coat of paint and adding one last room.  The church  elders were blown away by what was accomplished.  Nick and Austin went off-site to cut a lawn for an elderly couple.  It was only third time Nick had pushed a lawn mower and he did a fabulous job.  Hopefully the newly honed skill will not be lost before returning home.  When asked to sum up the day, Tim said it was was eye opening; the ministry was exciting and God is doing great things in my life.
 

At our evening debrief, several notes of encouragement from parents were read.  Mallory really appreciates her moms not of encouragement she <3 Mom (for non-text people it means she loves Mom.) Nick sends a shout out "I love you mommy."  You still have time to send a note.  Email trish@holyapostles.cc for our final debrief Thursday. 
Tuesday, July 12
Everybody showered last night after our first ministry day, so today we got to sleep late!  Breakfast was at 7:30 a.m. We had a great devotion this morning on Mark 12:30. We spent time praying and journaling on how we could actually love God with all our heart, mind, strength, and soul.
 
After morning worship, we went back to the apartments for VBS. Cheri, a youth from Life's Hope Church, joined us today for our ministry. As we drive the white vans on the property, kids came running to the playground area.  Another fun morning of kickball. Only tragedy was Trish talking on her cell phone while playing catcher then face planting over the curb. Lesson learned no walking with cell phones. Mallory's best part of day was the returning VBS kids, especially Jacky, she was so excited to see us again. Mallory was the official chalk rainbow judge. Becca concurred that this was the best part of the day.  She can see that the kids are beginning to form relationships.  The skit today was based on Matthew 28:1-20. Tim was scolded for allowing the stone to be rolled away from the tomb. Kids really enjoyed the craft of making a cross with tongue depressors and wooden clothes pins. Thomas' highlight was also VBS.
 
We spent the afternoon painting and cleaning out the gym. Five classrooms got fresh paint. The gym was completely reorganized, and all the shrubbery around the playground was trimmed. Rey spent the day working hard and serenading everyone within earshot. Good times! Erin enjoyed the painting! Austin and Henry hung from the trees to trim limbs.
Our day came to a close with some great praise and heartfelt sharing focused on experiencing God's amazing love today.
Good night, God bless and pursue God's holiness.
Monday, July 11
Today was our first day of ministry. But before we could really get started we spent time with Our Lord. This morning's devotional was based on 1 Corinthians 13. Austin read the entire chapter and said "Verse 13 is my favorite; I love LOVE.". His actions this morning proved his statement. He enthusiastically played kickball with the Cobblestone kids. Diane amazed them with her fantastic magic tricks. Everyone should ask for a demonstration when we come home. Mallory displayed her acting abilities as the fatted (excuse me, pleasantly plump) calf in our skit of the Prodigal Son. Gracyn taught Tatiana how to be a plank. The exercise builds core muscles.  Pictures of the balancing position were posted yesterday. Amber enjoyed the morning and spent time with Jasmine, who is 18 and brought her two younger sisters to VBS. 
 
After lunch the team visited Good News Counseling Center to clear overgrown bushes and trim tree limbs. We also cleaned out the basement. Nick said, "it was very hard work and we are very tired." Diane agreed but added, "it was hard but we could immediately see results so the instant progress helped keep us motivated." We left this location and still had an hour before dinner so we trimmed bushes in the prayer garden.  Mario was a true servant and hung in there till the bitter end. 
Sunday, July 10
We started our day attending service at Life's Hope Baptist church. We discussed afterward what we noticed was different. Obviously, we did not have communion. The congregation affirmed the minister's sermon with lots of Amens. They were surprised by the similarities. The music was very similar to COTHA. Words appeared on the screen but we didn't need them. The bass player was awesome. The message was perfect for our week. He preached about being reading and willing to do God's work. He also expressed the importance of making disciples. Sounded very similar to home!
 
After services we went to the cook's home for a cook-out.  Everyone busted a move on Dance, Dance Revolution.  We then traveled to the apartment community were we knocked on doors to invite residents to VBS beginning Monday morning.  Kim is organizing the event.  Youth have been divided among skits, games, musicians, and snacks.  After knocking on doors we traveled to downtown Atlanta for Passion City Church.
 
Passion City is a new church led by Louis Giglio.  Matt Redmann was the worship leader.  He was debuting songs from his new CD to be released on Tuesday to the general public.  We were able to purchase early releases of the music.  The sermon was based on John chapter 4.  Really fabulous teaching.  After the service we went to Varsity, famous hot dog and hamburger place adjacent to Georgia Tech.  Tomorrow we start ministering and watching how God will use us to reach others in Atlanta. 
 
Saturday, July 9
The team gathered and prayed before departing at the very early hour of 6:15 a.m.  Teams climbed into the vans guys in one and girls in the other.
 
We had a few stops along the way. Of course one stop allowed Trish to get a Krystle cheeseburger!
 
While driving, leaders asked youth team for some of their expectations. Henry hopes that he will have a better time than Chicago! Thomas expects to have fun and looks forward to helping kids as does Mallory. Austin wants great fellowship with his friends at COTHA.

Mario wants to rekindle his relationship with God. Which was similar to Becca who said, "I want to enliven my relationship with Jesus.".
 
We arrived at Life's Hope Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia a little after 8 p.m. We were greeted with a wonderful meal. We had an evening worship experience that was totally silent. Nick said , "It was awesome.". We missed any picture opportunities since cameras were packed deep in luggage! Stay tuned for tomorrow's post and pictures!