Day 1

June 23rd -Mission Trip Day One Today we traveled to Kearney NE. We were prepared to camp at ft Kearney state recreation, but it is forecasted to be stormy tonight. We have been in contact with the First UMC in Kearney to try and meet up with their youth group, who are returning from mission today. We had decided to stay in a motel and had hoped they could help with somewhere to store some of our camping gear. They went way above and offered to put us up in the church and have given us a garage to park the truck in so we don't have to unload the gear!  So, tonight we are safe and dry and very thankful for wonderful hospitality. They have a very large senior and middle school group - 40 middle school and 25 youth and have a director for each group.  They have been so kind and supportive to offer up some words of wisdom for what has been effective for them. We have discussed in our group and plan to try out some of their suggestions! We had evening devotions and Maddy and Charlotte led the group.  There were some pretty in depth discussions and the box of tissues had to be brought out.  The scripture is 1 Peter 4:10-11 Each person read the scripture on their own, taking time and opening their heart to what is written. We were asked to consider that often mission trips are more "global tourism" and more concerned about what we did.  We need to concern ourselves more with being and not doing. Who will we be with and who will we be encountering. Trips should be about something.  We were asked what our gifts are?  How can we share those gifts with others?  What do we want from this trip?  Why are we here?  What makes this a successful mission trip? Tomorrow we will go to Crossroads shelter. We will work with staff and residents, share lunch and fellowship with them. We hope to learn from the people we meet and work with and can in some way demonstrate Gods love for them in our time here. We hope to continue to strengthen bonds between us and strengthen our relationship with God Special thanks to our congregation for their support and encouragement on this mission. Healing prayers for Kurt, prayers for safe travels for Keith and prayers for Jerry and all the dedicated and capable staff as they keep the home fires burning. --Kristin