YCTC Mission Trip

From God Squad #1
This year's
mission trip to Camp John Knox in
Tennessee was even more fulfilling than we imagined it would be. We cleaned filthy cabins, cleared overgrown trails, and planted loads of monkey grass. Yes, monkey grass (look it up!). Day by day, we watched our work progress until finally we had fantastic results. Even better than our results at the worksites was the appreciation of our dedication and willingness to serve from camp
employees.

Although we did a lot of work, we did get time to have fun.  Tuesday night we experienced southern hospitality at the Bluegrass Festival.  During the week, we played slip-and -slide, swam and dived for Frisbees.  These fun activities would mean nothing without the awesome fellowship.  Each night we gathered into four groups known as God Squads.  Every God Squad had to come up with a "question of the day", and was responsible for leading devotions and prayers one day during the week. Our God Squad question was "What do you plan to take home from this trip?" Our answers were closer relationships, a sense of accomplishment, and stronger faith.  We ended taking home so much more.

From God Squad #4  (I know it is out of order)
When we arrived at the ohn Knox Center, we found the camp in tough times.  Personnel chenges, staff shortgages, and financial problems were just a few of the issues facing the camp.  We immediately cempleted the tasks set by the camp staff and returned for more.  In less than a week, we cleared trails, cleaned cabins, built steps, cleaned out a tool shed, planted monkey grass, painted our dorm, spread gravel, pulverized weeds and spread mulch.  This was done in spite of the heat, rain, and tool shortage.

The week wasn't totally spent working. Our group bonded over games and swim time in the river.  On occasion we left the camp to attend a bluegrass festival and enjoy dinner out at an Italian restaurant.  Mission Trip 08 was a truly memorable experience for all!
 

Thanks
To
Dan
Alexander
for
all the
pictures
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photo to
enlarge
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"back" button
at the
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 Brave Parent

God Squad #1 (Jack Alexander, Amanda Brown,

Hannah Johnson, Lauren Linder, Braden Pretzsch, Will

Spengler, Alexa Voss, and Dave Jewett):

God Squad #2 (Megan Brown, Paisley Burton, Dan

Eskew, Lauren Simmons, Erin Taylor, Lauren Taylor,

Spencer Varner, and Kathy Pretzsch):

God Squad #3 (Adam Bretz, Eric Font, Kirsten

Linder, Amber Pretzsch, Jackson Scheib, Lindsay Taylor,

Dan Alexander):

God Squad #4 (Cassie Alexander, Erin Bretz,

Mackenzie Clinger, Mya Scheib, Logan Varner, Derek Voss,

and Thea):

From God Squad #2
Our experience at the John Knox Center in Ten Mile, Tennessee was very positive!  On Monday, we completed several tasks that the staf thought would take us 3 days.  We realized that what would have been a long job for one or two people was accomplished by us in a much shorter time.  Some of these jobs seemed easy to us and didn't take our group very long, but we realized what a big task it would have been for one person.  On Monday, we cleared trails (saw, chop wood, stack wood, rake, pull weeds, etc.) for over a mile.  The rain came in that afternoon and we felt joy and thankfulness because of the coolness from the rain.  Throughout the week, even when hot and tired, we pushed through and stayed cheerful and encouraged each other.  In our God Squads (small groups), we had open, heartfelt discussions that drew us closer to God and each other.  We made new friends and old friendships deepened.  The Bluegrass Music Festival on Tuesday evening was a fun night out.  We made a lot of people smile and were greeted with true southern hospitality.  Many of us heard bluegrass music for the first time.  We also got to experience playing some of the instruments.  All in all, it was a memorable trip and one which we all enjoyed.