MissionS Completed

Anyone involved even slightly with youth ministry knows that while summer is relaxing and includes downtime for most people it is quite the opposite for youth ministry. We have just successfully completed another summer of craziness but when the summer is packed with goodness this happens:

Recap on some of the amazing events of the 2008 summer for Project 412:

New Orleans: July 1-8, 18 team members
Gutted a house that had remained untouched since Hurricane Katrina AND managed not to die from mold exposure...so far...
Fed thousands of homeless people on the Fourth of July
Jackson got attacked by fire ants...not necessarily a highlight for him but I had never seen something like that
Met, prayed with, ate with and talked with many people on the streets of the French Quarter
And so much more but to sum it up an altogether amazing trip and a new close group of friends

CIY Conference: July 14-19, Over 100 Project 412 attendees
Got the Freshman connected with the high school group
Confirmed that our group is spectacular
Almost took out Wizard Boy....by whipping him in the legs...
Heard some incredible messages
Students had the opportunity to see they are not alone in their struggles
Slightly damaged a 12 passenger van...no one was injured!
Multiple baptisms in the ocean

Jr. High Increase Summer Camp: July 28-August 1 104 Impact Attendees
Had a record number of 6th graders attend summer camp
May have convinced Mr. Matt Smyles to move to Northern California
Fixed up a kids eyebrow when he cut it open on a counter top...he thought I was a doctor...I faked it well
Heard some awesome messages by the Matts
Managed not to damage the same 12 passenger from CIY
Had 17 Baptisms in Lake Tahoe

Super Mexico: August 6-10 14 Team Member
I didn't attend by they need to be recognized since they
successfully made it across the border into Mexico
Built a house in 3 days
Managed not to die from taco stands...and rotten potato salad
Successfully made it across the border into the U.S.

While summer is crazy it is always the highlight of the year for youth ministry...so many amazing things take place during the trips...just one of the many reasons why being married to a youth pastor is so great..I get to experience all these things first hand....