Flight #1 from Miami is at the gate, ready to board the plane. There have been a few weather challenges in the area, but everything is currently on time and it looks like we should get out without a problem.
Due to the weather problems in Miami, flight #2's plane has not yet arrived in Nicaragua to pick up the second half of the team. We are monitoring the situation very closely with the staff on the ground, and will keep you updated with details as they become available. In spite of this delay, everyone is safe and healthy, and we look forward to returning home as soon as possible.
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Nica Update- Day 8- June 28
Friends,
We are currently in the midst of finishing up our work with orphaned and abandoned children around Managua. All grades are hosting good bye parties for the children with whom they have been working all week. The relationships that were built were meaningful and deep. The impact students from the Chapel have had in the lives of these children is beautiful, but it should be duely noted that our team has been impacted deeply through their engagement here. The stories being told and the laughter that is heard around our dinner tables is something that makes me pause and just thank God for the investment He is making in the Chapel students this week.
We now transition our thinking toward helping the students seal the lessons into their hearts and minds, and to helping them apply the lessons back home. We will be leaving for our Debrief site around 4pm this afternoon (6pm in Williamsburg). At the debrief students will spend intentional time in small groups, alone and all together processing all they heard and saw this week. Paul Borthwick (professor of missions at Gordon College) once said, "the short term mission trip that is not examined is the short term mission trip not worth taking." We are committed to helping all our students process their experince in the hope that they will be able carry it with them and apply it to many aspects of their lives back home.
Due to limited internet access at the debrief site, this will be our final blog post before we begin the travel update blog posts on Thursday as we make our way home. The most up to date travel info will be available via text message alert. The blog will also be updated as much as possible. Please text the word nicaparent to the number 41411 to recieve the most up to date travel info for our return trip.
Finally, please consider joining Deacon of Student Ministries, Wrenn Holland, in the SM Worship Room tonight from 7-8pm to pray for the Nicaragua Mission Team. We love that parents and church members are participating with us on this trip through prayer and we wanted to offer an opportunity for even more participation as we request your prayers for the lessons of this trip to sink deeply into the heart of our kids at the Chapel.
It has truly been a wonderful trip everything has been very smooth. We are excited to get home and share with you all that God has done in Nicaragua this week.
God Bless,
SM Staff Team
We are currently in the midst of finishing up our work with orphaned and abandoned children around Managua. All grades are hosting good bye parties for the children with whom they have been working all week. The relationships that were built were meaningful and deep. The impact students from the Chapel have had in the lives of these children is beautiful, but it should be duely noted that our team has been impacted deeply through their engagement here. The stories being told and the laughter that is heard around our dinner tables is something that makes me pause and just thank God for the investment He is making in the Chapel students this week.
We now transition our thinking toward helping the students seal the lessons into their hearts and minds, and to helping them apply the lessons back home. We will be leaving for our Debrief site around 4pm this afternoon (6pm in Williamsburg). At the debrief students will spend intentional time in small groups, alone and all together processing all they heard and saw this week. Paul Borthwick (professor of missions at Gordon College) once said, "the short term mission trip that is not examined is the short term mission trip not worth taking." We are committed to helping all our students process their experince in the hope that they will be able carry it with them and apply it to many aspects of their lives back home.
Due to limited internet access at the debrief site, this will be our final blog post before we begin the travel update blog posts on Thursday as we make our way home. The most up to date travel info will be available via text message alert. The blog will also be updated as much as possible. Please text the word nicaparent to the number 41411 to recieve the most up to date travel info for our return trip.
Finally, please consider joining Deacon of Student Ministries, Wrenn Holland, in the SM Worship Room tonight from 7-8pm to pray for the Nicaragua Mission Team. We love that parents and church members are participating with us on this trip through prayer and we wanted to offer an opportunity for even more participation as we request your prayers for the lessons of this trip to sink deeply into the heart of our kids at the Chapel.
It has truly been a wonderful trip everything has been very smooth. We are excited to get home and share with you all that God has done in Nicaragua this week.
God Bless,
SM Staff Team
Nica Update- Day 7- June 27
Hey y'all!
What an amazing day that we've spent here with our friends and family in Nica! It has been another day of grace and joy as we've served and been served by these beloved people! Our team is loving life and as we close another day here, we remain so very thankful for our time in Nicaragua.
The Seniors had a big day today as they ventured off for their Senior Experience. After breakfast at Casa today, they loaded up in a bus with lots of our donations and headed for Posoltega just outside of Leon. The team spent the day serving at the community feeding center and then hosting a Midweek for the children at the local church. After Midweek they were blessed to serve the people of Posoltega by setting up a 'thrift store' for them to get clothes and supplies from the donations our team brought down. They remarked that it was like watching Jesus at work right before their eyes as over a hundred children and their families received much needed supplies. They'll be spending the night in Leon and will be returning to Casa tomorrow around lunch time to meet back up with the team.
Team Juniors enjoyed such a wonderful day today! They stuck around Casa after breakfast this morning to finish up a few work projects they had started a couple days ago. All the tables and chairs for Casa's dining area are completed and will be helping to feed children for many years to come. As tables were finished, a group of our juniors served a group of Casa women that are used to being the ones serving. It was a neat experience for their leaders to watch girls and guys alike jump in with the cleaning staff to complete their daily tasks at the team center. Just before lunch they headed out for Nueva Vida to serve at two different feeding centers. They helped feed the kids and then hosted a VBS lesson on joy. Their afternoon was spent taking about forty children from Nueva Vida to see Kung Fu Panda 2 at a local mall in Managua. As a group of leaders sat in the back of the theater Christ's love was almost tangible as our students really engaged with those kids by joining in their laughter over the simple act of being a kid.
Our Sophomores went through probably their biggest day in Nica today. Their morning was spent visiting La Chureca (the Dump) and then volunteering at two of their feeding centers. Many of our students have commented on how much they saw Jesus in the hope and courage of the children in Chureca. As leaders we are thankful to be able to take these steps alongside them as they are really challenged in their faith by their experiences here in Nica. After lunch they returned to El Canyon to throw a goodbye party with the kids. Our sophomores have formed many friendships with the children there as they've worked this week and it meant a lot to those children and our students to share one last afternoon in fellowship together.
Tonight the juniors and sophomores rallied together since the seniors were off on their adventure and enjoyed dinner together and then porch time at Casa. The talk they heard tonight focused on taking these experiences in Nicaragua back into their lives at home and as we head into their final day of service tomorrow we really challenged them to give Nica all they have got! Our students will be doing a few more work projects tomorrow and then throwing some goodbye parties before we all head out for debrief tomorrow night.
We thank you so much for your support and prayers as we've been on this journey in Nicaragua. Our staff and leaders really want you to know that we couldn't do any of this without your help in lifting this trip up to Christ. He's doing amazing things here in Nica and in our students and we can't wait to be back to share it with you in a few days!
Love in Christ,
SM Staff Team
Monday, June 27, 2011
Prayer Meeting Reminder
Thank you for your faithfulness to pray and please continue to pray that we might experience Jesus as we serve and that those whom we serve would experience Jesus through our team for the remainder of our time down here.
The team values your prayers so much we want to invite you to a time of corporate prayer for the Nicaragua mission team lead by Deacon of Student Ministries, Wrenn Holland, on Tuesday June 28th from 7pm-8pm in the Student Ministries Worship Room. Please use door East 3 to enter the building.
All are invited to come and pray for the mission trip, and we want to extend a special invitation to parents with children on the trip. This is a great opportunity to participate with your child in the work they are doing in Nicaragua.
The team values your prayers so much we want to invite you to a time of corporate prayer for the Nicaragua mission team lead by Deacon of Student Ministries, Wrenn Holland, on Tuesday June 28th from 7pm-8pm in the Student Ministries Worship Room. Please use door East 3 to enter the building.
All are invited to come and pray for the mission trip, and we want to extend a special invitation to parents with children on the trip. This is a great opportunity to participate with your child in the work they are doing in Nicaragua.
Nica Update Day 6 - June 26th
Hola from Nicaragua, friends and family!
What a blessed day we’ve shared in Nica with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Sunday in Nica is always such a beautiful experience for our students to share in life alongside the people they are serving, and God proved faithful in that today.
After breakfast at Casa, our seniors and juniors split up to enjoy worship at two different churches. The seniors picked up the children from Casa and accompanied them to their church home of Verbo in Managua. They shared in worship and heard a message through a translator right there with the kids. After the service they returned for lunch at Casa with the juniors before heading out for our afternoon activity.
Team Juniors had the blessing of attending church in the community they have been serving during their time in Nicaragua. The community church in Verbo Sur opened their doors and their hearts to our team as they joined in a worship service and a message from their pastor. After a brief hang out time with the families from Verbo Sur, the juniors returned to Casa for lunch.
The sophomore team attended several different church sites throughout the community of Nueva Vida where our team has been enjoying fellowship through service this week. Some attended main worship services, while others participated in Sunday school classes with the younger kids. They had lunch at their housing site and then headed out to meet the juniors and seniors for our afternoon activity.
Today our team was all back together again with children from Nueva Vida and Casa Bernabe at a local sports complex/park in Managua for the afternoon. They played soccer, enjoyed the playground, and threw a Midweek game session for the kids. It was great to see them so engaged with the children they have been building community with this past week. It was easy to see how God has allowed his grace to form bonds and share joy between the children of Nicaragua and our students.
With only two serving days left before our debrief experience, we ask for your prayers that God would continue to give us strength to finish well and to "leave it all on the field." All the students are excited about the remaining service opportunities, but they're also eager to get back to share their individual stories of transformation with all of you!
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Nica Update Day 5- June 25th
Hola amigos!
First things first, all students are healthy and well. We praise God for this provision of health and safety.
Nicaragua always seems to stretch our capacity to learn and grow through the unique circumstances it presents and the abundance of opportunities to serve it provides. Today God provided us with many opportunities to stretch our hearts and minds to see what He is doing in the world more clearly.
Today ALL the students on our team met up this afternoon at Hertylandia, a water park about an hour outside of Managua, to grow in their relationships with these precious children Christ has blessed us with.
The Seniors departed Casa this morning to do VBS with kids from El Faro just outside of the dump in Managua. They were able to play some games, sing songs with the kids, and teach them a lesson on joy. We've been delighted during our time here to see students step up and be willing to lead these small teaching times for the kids in Nicaragua-- some with the help of translators, and other stepping out in faith and giving their Spanish class knowledge a try. They loaded up about forty kids from El Faro and headed to Hertylandia to meet up with the juniors and sophomores. After enjoying boxed lunches together with the kids, everyone suited up and headed to the pool for an afternoon of swim lessons and good times. They departed the pool along with the juniors to return to Casa for dinner and a movie night with the kids from Casa.
Our Juniors left Casa this morning after breakfast to teach a VBS lesson to the kids at Verbo Sur. After being on the bus for about 45 minutes they realized that the bus driver was already taking them to Hertylandia... without the kids from Verbo Sur. They turned around and headed back to Managua to pick up the kids and their lunches from the church. The children were eagerly awaiting the team's arrival. The team made up for the missed VBS by singing their hearts out en route to Hertylandia, where they ate lunch together before joining the seniors and sophomores in the pool for the afternoon.
Team Sophomore had breakfast at their housing sites and then went to Nueva Vida to spend some time with the kids before heading out for Hertylandia. They filled a few buses and arrived a little before lunch to enjoy some pool time before the other groups arrived. They enjoyed a lunch of pizza with the Nueva Vida kids, which for some of our pickier eaters was a pleasant surprise. :) After their lunch they rejoined the seniors, juniors, El Faro kids, and Verbo Sur kids for a few more hours in the pool...complete with a few Nicaraguan down pours.
Days like today remind our students that life doesn't always look so similar across the world, but with God's perspective, some things begin to come into focus. For 112 students and leaders from Williamsburg that see the flair and glamour of places like Busch Gardens and WaterCountry on a simple drive down Route 60, their eyes were opened today to children who only dream of the pool. They spent their afternoon engrossed in laughter and games with precious kids that couldn't have wanted of anything bigger in the world. God was everywhere as leaders surveyed the pool to see our students covered in Nicaraguan kids as they enjoyed the slides, played games in the water, and taught some of the children how to swim.
Nicaragua sometimes wins in moments of longer than expected bus rides and rain that comes down in buckets, but thankfully through God's grace it also wins in the moments where a hug and a hand to hold can cure all the pain in the world. Our students are learning...our students are growing...and we couldn't be more thankful.
This evening we set aside time for small groups. All students are currently processing the trip alongside their leaders and friends. They are getting into God's Word by answering questions posed in our porch time Bible studies from the previous 3 nights.
Please continue to be in prayer for our team as we enter into the last half of our trip. Pray that God would continue to seal in the lessons of this trip and give them perspective on how to apply those lessons back in Williamsburg. Also, please consider attending the prayer night for the Nicaragua mission team Tuesday at 7 in the Student Ministries Worship Room (see earlier blog post for details).
We are now look forward to Sunday when we will be attending church at three different Verbo churches (Verbo is our primary ministry partner) around Managua then heading out for a big soccer game day and hang out time with kids from Casa and Nueva Vida at a local sports complex. Dios bendigas! (God bless!)
Love in Christ,
SM Staff Team
First things first, all students are healthy and well. We praise God for this provision of health and safety.
Nicaragua always seems to stretch our capacity to learn and grow through the unique circumstances it presents and the abundance of opportunities to serve it provides. Today God provided us with many opportunities to stretch our hearts and minds to see what He is doing in the world more clearly.
Today ALL the students on our team met up this afternoon at Hertylandia, a water park about an hour outside of Managua, to grow in their relationships with these precious children Christ has blessed us with.
The Seniors departed Casa this morning to do VBS with kids from El Faro just outside of the dump in Managua. They were able to play some games, sing songs with the kids, and teach them a lesson on joy. We've been delighted during our time here to see students step up and be willing to lead these small teaching times for the kids in Nicaragua-- some with the help of translators, and other stepping out in faith and giving their Spanish class knowledge a try. They loaded up about forty kids from El Faro and headed to Hertylandia to meet up with the juniors and sophomores. After enjoying boxed lunches together with the kids, everyone suited up and headed to the pool for an afternoon of swim lessons and good times. They departed the pool along with the juniors to return to Casa for dinner and a movie night with the kids from Casa.
Our Juniors left Casa this morning after breakfast to teach a VBS lesson to the kids at Verbo Sur. After being on the bus for about 45 minutes they realized that the bus driver was already taking them to Hertylandia... without the kids from Verbo Sur. They turned around and headed back to Managua to pick up the kids and their lunches from the church. The children were eagerly awaiting the team's arrival. The team made up for the missed VBS by singing their hearts out en route to Hertylandia, where they ate lunch together before joining the seniors and sophomores in the pool for the afternoon.
Team Sophomore had breakfast at their housing sites and then went to Nueva Vida to spend some time with the kids before heading out for Hertylandia. They filled a few buses and arrived a little before lunch to enjoy some pool time before the other groups arrived. They enjoyed a lunch of pizza with the Nueva Vida kids, which for some of our pickier eaters was a pleasant surprise. :) After their lunch they rejoined the seniors, juniors, El Faro kids, and Verbo Sur kids for a few more hours in the pool...complete with a few Nicaraguan down pours.
Days like today remind our students that life doesn't always look so similar across the world, but with God's perspective, some things begin to come into focus. For 112 students and leaders from Williamsburg that see the flair and glamour of places like Busch Gardens and WaterCountry on a simple drive down Route 60, their eyes were opened today to children who only dream of the pool. They spent their afternoon engrossed in laughter and games with precious kids that couldn't have wanted of anything bigger in the world. God was everywhere as leaders surveyed the pool to see our students covered in Nicaraguan kids as they enjoyed the slides, played games in the water, and taught some of the children how to swim.
Nicaragua sometimes wins in moments of longer than expected bus rides and rain that comes down in buckets, but thankfully through God's grace it also wins in the moments where a hug and a hand to hold can cure all the pain in the world. Our students are learning...our students are growing...and we couldn't be more thankful.
This evening we set aside time for small groups. All students are currently processing the trip alongside their leaders and friends. They are getting into God's Word by answering questions posed in our porch time Bible studies from the previous 3 nights.
Please continue to be in prayer for our team as we enter into the last half of our trip. Pray that God would continue to seal in the lessons of this trip and give them perspective on how to apply those lessons back in Williamsburg. Also, please consider attending the prayer night for the Nicaragua mission team Tuesday at 7 in the Student Ministries Worship Room (see earlier blog post for details).
We are now look forward to Sunday when we will be attending church at three different Verbo churches (Verbo is our primary ministry partner) around Managua then heading out for a big soccer game day and hang out time with kids from Casa and Nueva Vida at a local sports complex. Dios bendigas! (God bless!)
Love in Christ,
SM Staff Team
Nica Update Day 4- June 24th
Hola friends and family!
We've spent another day being covered in the love and blessings of Christ as we've lived here in Nicaragua. Hearts continue to be changed and lives continue to be filled with hope as we encounter Christ among the people of Nicaragua. Our team is still enjoying good health and we're thankful for all that we've been able to be a part of the past few days.
This morning the Senior Team stayed at Casa Bernabe Orphanage where we are staying to complete work projects started by the juniors yesterday. They painted ceiling tiles, then repainted and repaired the benches and tables from the dining facility. These facilities serve all 65 children that live at Casa and our students were excited to be a part of something that will remain here with them after we leave Nica. They enjoyed lunch at Casa and then continued work projects during the afternoon, as well as teaching English classes alongside Professor Regan. Their leaders have commented to us that today was a great day to see these kids' servant hearts for Christ and their friends here in Nicaragua.
Our Juniors continue to build relationships and serve the children and families of Verbo Sur, a church plant in Managua that houses a feeding center. During the morning the boys completed a work project to build a wall that will protect the church from Nicaragua's legendary downpours during the wet season. The girls enjoyed time teaching the kids songs in English and playing lots and lots of duck-duck-goose as the rains came down outside. They all served lunch at the feeding center before hosting a VBS service for forty of Verbo Sur's children. After VBS they loaded the kids up in buses and they spent the afternoon teaching swim lessons and playing with the kids at a local pool in Managua. The Juniors returned to Casa for dinner and time with the seniors.
The Sophomore Team had a long day of work projects and service at both El Canyon Orphanage and the Nueva Vida community. During the morning half the team served at El Canyon by finished the work projects started yesterday before spending the afternoon teaching English lessons, hosting a VBS, and playing games with the children. The second half of the team served at the feeding centers in Nueva Vida after completing a work project during the morning. For the afternoon they hosted VBS for the Nueva Vida church and then spent their last bit of the afternoon playing games with the kids.
Our Seniors and Juniors enjoyed a special treat tonight as they joined the Casa Bernabe kids for their weekly Friday worship service under the rancho. Older students from Casa lead a time of song worship before an orphanage caretaker gave a message on living out our dreams by serving Christ. This is always such a remarkable opportunity for our team to slow down and simply worship their Lord and Savior right alongside these precious kids that Christ is allowing us to serve. The barriers of language, wealth, and culture kind of fall away as we sing songs of praise to our God.
The Sophomores took another trip to Casa tonight to share porch time with the juniors and seniors after Casa's worship service. Our students continue to have life altering moments of encountering Christ both amongst themselves and through the people of Nicaragua. It is always so encouraging to hear them share all the places they saw God as they worked throughout the day and spent such precious time in fellowship with one another.
Thank you so much for all the prayers that you are covering our team with. We couldn't make a journey like this with any hope if we did not have people like you offering our time up to Christ everyday. We'd ask that you continue to pray for the people of Nicaragua to feel Christ's love through our team, that our students would have hearts of service as we spend another day here in Nica tomorrow, and for our health that we might continue on our journey of meeting Christ in Nica. Blessing to you all!
Love in Christ,
SM Staff Team
We've spent another day being covered in the love and blessings of Christ as we've lived here in Nicaragua. Hearts continue to be changed and lives continue to be filled with hope as we encounter Christ among the people of Nicaragua. Our team is still enjoying good health and we're thankful for all that we've been able to be a part of the past few days.
This morning the Senior Team stayed at Casa Bernabe Orphanage where we are staying to complete work projects started by the juniors yesterday. They painted ceiling tiles, then repainted and repaired the benches and tables from the dining facility. These facilities serve all 65 children that live at Casa and our students were excited to be a part of something that will remain here with them after we leave Nica. They enjoyed lunch at Casa and then continued work projects during the afternoon, as well as teaching English classes alongside Professor Regan. Their leaders have commented to us that today was a great day to see these kids' servant hearts for Christ and their friends here in Nicaragua.
Our Juniors continue to build relationships and serve the children and families of Verbo Sur, a church plant in Managua that houses a feeding center. During the morning the boys completed a work project to build a wall that will protect the church from Nicaragua's legendary downpours during the wet season. The girls enjoyed time teaching the kids songs in English and playing lots and lots of duck-duck-goose as the rains came down outside. They all served lunch at the feeding center before hosting a VBS service for forty of Verbo Sur's children. After VBS they loaded the kids up in buses and they spent the afternoon teaching swim lessons and playing with the kids at a local pool in Managua. The Juniors returned to Casa for dinner and time with the seniors.
The Sophomore Team had a long day of work projects and service at both El Canyon Orphanage and the Nueva Vida community. During the morning half the team served at El Canyon by finished the work projects started yesterday before spending the afternoon teaching English lessons, hosting a VBS, and playing games with the children. The second half of the team served at the feeding centers in Nueva Vida after completing a work project during the morning. For the afternoon they hosted VBS for the Nueva Vida church and then spent their last bit of the afternoon playing games with the kids.
Our Seniors and Juniors enjoyed a special treat tonight as they joined the Casa Bernabe kids for their weekly Friday worship service under the rancho. Older students from Casa lead a time of song worship before an orphanage caretaker gave a message on living out our dreams by serving Christ. This is always such a remarkable opportunity for our team to slow down and simply worship their Lord and Savior right alongside these precious kids that Christ is allowing us to serve. The barriers of language, wealth, and culture kind of fall away as we sing songs of praise to our God.
The Sophomores took another trip to Casa tonight to share porch time with the juniors and seniors after Casa's worship service. Our students continue to have life altering moments of encountering Christ both amongst themselves and through the people of Nicaragua. It is always so encouraging to hear them share all the places they saw God as they worked throughout the day and spent such precious time in fellowship with one another.
Thank you so much for all the prayers that you are covering our team with. We couldn't make a journey like this with any hope if we did not have people like you offering our time up to Christ everyday. We'd ask that you continue to pray for the people of Nicaragua to feel Christ's love through our team, that our students would have hearts of service as we spend another day here in Nica tomorrow, and for our health that we might continue on our journey of meeting Christ in Nica. Blessing to you all!
Love in Christ,
SM Staff Team
Friday, June 24, 2011
Nicaragua Update - Day 3 (June 23rd)
We've only been down here for three days and already it's incredible to see the many ways in which God has shown up.
Today the sophomore group served in two different locations. Half the 10th grade team (Steven, Andrew, and Mark's guys plus Christine's girls) spent the day at the El Canyon Orphanage. In the morning, the ladies began painting the inside of the boys' dormitory, while the guys moved furniture and assembled several bunk beds in the facility's brand new dorm. After getting the new rooms in order, some of the guys assisted in completing the painting project, while others played basketball with a few kids from the orphanage. After lunch at the site, the group took a tour of the local village, and returned to the orphanage to play with some of the kids after they got out of school. Meanwhile, the second half of the sophomores (Quinn and John Mark's guys and Lindsey's girls) returned to a church in the refugee community of Nueva Vida to assist with a feeding center, complete a few work projects (such as sanding rust off of bed frames), and host a VBS for tons of kids. Today's VBS topic was about kindness and giving, and the team (along with the Nicaraguan children) made bracelets to give to others to illustrate the concept. After serving all day, the sophomores all returned to their housing sites to clean up, before coming together again for a delicious meal at Pastor Ricardo's house.
The junior class had another exciting day (without even stepping foot outside the Casa Bernabe Orphanage walls!). In the morning, the juniors completed several work projects around the orphanage grounds, including deep cleaning the entire kitchen area. After morning projects, the juniors taught English classes for the students at Casa Bernabe. Knowing English is a huge indicator of success for people in Nicaragua, so we are praying that their efforts to help these kids grow in their language skills will help give them a bright future. In the early evening, the juniors also led a devotional for the kids at Casa.
The senior class's day was filled with adventure. They began the day at Nueva Vida, helping at a local church and preparing to serve food at the lunch-time feeding center. After serving all the children and grabbing a quick bite to eat, the seniors got to take a group of kids from that community on an incredible field trip to the zoo! Amazing animals were seen and, more importantly, loving relationships were developed between our team members and the kids from Nueva Vida. The seniors returned to Casa to have dinner with the junior class.
To end the evening, the sophomore class joined the juniors and seniors at Casa Bernabe for a joint porch time. It was an incredible sight to see more than 120 people joined in a circle under the rancho, preparing to worship God and hear a message from his Word. After some funny memories from our "remember that time . . ." portion of the evening (a way for us to share all the comical moments that might have occurred during the day at the various locations), and a great round of "I saw Jesus . . ." (a more serious time for us to share moments from our days where we encountered the risen Savior), we had a meaningful time of worship, singing praises to God for all He's already done and will continue to do. Finally, Craig brought us a message from the book of James, and urged us to already be thinking about how we can apply some of the lessons we're learning down here to our lives back home. After some fun hang out time all together, the sophomores headed back to their housing sites, and everyone prepared to get some rest in preparation for another full day of serving tomorrow. Even with such a large team, logistics continue to run smoothly. We thank you all for your prayer support, and continue to solicit your prayers for sustained health, safety, and relationship building (with each other, with the Nicaraguan kids/people, and with Jesus Christ).
Today the sophomore group served in two different locations. Half the 10th grade team (Steven, Andrew, and Mark's guys plus Christine's girls) spent the day at the El Canyon Orphanage. In the morning, the ladies began painting the inside of the boys' dormitory, while the guys moved furniture and assembled several bunk beds in the facility's brand new dorm. After getting the new rooms in order, some of the guys assisted in completing the painting project, while others played basketball with a few kids from the orphanage. After lunch at the site, the group took a tour of the local village, and returned to the orphanage to play with some of the kids after they got out of school. Meanwhile, the second half of the sophomores (Quinn and John Mark's guys and Lindsey's girls) returned to a church in the refugee community of Nueva Vida to assist with a feeding center, complete a few work projects (such as sanding rust off of bed frames), and host a VBS for tons of kids. Today's VBS topic was about kindness and giving, and the team (along with the Nicaraguan children) made bracelets to give to others to illustrate the concept. After serving all day, the sophomores all returned to their housing sites to clean up, before coming together again for a delicious meal at Pastor Ricardo's house.
The junior class had another exciting day (without even stepping foot outside the Casa Bernabe Orphanage walls!). In the morning, the juniors completed several work projects around the orphanage grounds, including deep cleaning the entire kitchen area. After morning projects, the juniors taught English classes for the students at Casa Bernabe. Knowing English is a huge indicator of success for people in Nicaragua, so we are praying that their efforts to help these kids grow in their language skills will help give them a bright future. In the early evening, the juniors also led a devotional for the kids at Casa.
The senior class's day was filled with adventure. They began the day at Nueva Vida, helping at a local church and preparing to serve food at the lunch-time feeding center. After serving all the children and grabbing a quick bite to eat, the seniors got to take a group of kids from that community on an incredible field trip to the zoo! Amazing animals were seen and, more importantly, loving relationships were developed between our team members and the kids from Nueva Vida. The seniors returned to Casa to have dinner with the junior class.
To end the evening, the sophomore class joined the juniors and seniors at Casa Bernabe for a joint porch time. It was an incredible sight to see more than 120 people joined in a circle under the rancho, preparing to worship God and hear a message from his Word. After some funny memories from our "remember that time . . ." portion of the evening (a way for us to share all the comical moments that might have occurred during the day at the various locations), and a great round of "I saw Jesus . . ." (a more serious time for us to share moments from our days where we encountered the risen Savior), we had a meaningful time of worship, singing praises to God for all He's already done and will continue to do. Finally, Craig brought us a message from the book of James, and urged us to already be thinking about how we can apply some of the lessons we're learning down here to our lives back home. After some fun hang out time all together, the sophomores headed back to their housing sites, and everyone prepared to get some rest in preparation for another full day of serving tomorrow. Even with such a large team, logistics continue to run smoothly. We thank you all for your prayer support, and continue to solicit your prayers for sustained health, safety, and relationship building (with each other, with the Nicaraguan kids/people, and with Jesus Christ).
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Corporate Prayer for Nicaragua Team
The Nicaragua Mission team is in the midst of its second full day of serving. Everything is going very well and God continues to show up and make Himself known to our team. We feel bolstered and supported by your prayers. Thank you for your faithfulness to pray and please continue to pray that we might experience Jesus as we serve and that those whom we serve would experience Jesus through our team.
The team values your prayers so much we want to invite you to a time of corporate prayer for the Nicaragua mission team lead by Deacon of Student Ministries, Wrenn Holland, on Tuesday June 28th from 7pm-8pm in the Student Ministries Worship Room. Please use door East 3 to enter the building.
All are invited to come and pray for the mission trip, and we want to extend a special invitation to parents with children on the trip. This is a great opportunity to participate with your child in the work they are doing in Nicaragua.
God has been so faithful to our team. We have seen his love and his grace in abundance. Thank you for your continued support.
The team values your prayers so much we want to invite you to a time of corporate prayer for the Nicaragua mission team lead by Deacon of Student Ministries, Wrenn Holland, on Tuesday June 28th from 7pm-8pm in the Student Ministries Worship Room. Please use door East 3 to enter the building.
All are invited to come and pray for the mission trip, and we want to extend a special invitation to parents with children on the trip. This is a great opportunity to participate with your child in the work they are doing in Nicaragua.
God has been so faithful to our team. We have seen his love and his grace in abundance. Thank you for your continued support.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Nicaragua Update- Day 1
Hello friends and family in the States!
Praise God for this blessed day in Nicaragua! We've enjoyed good health, the best of company, and many moments of knowing that God is in this place.
The Senior Team spent their first full day in Nica serving children and families from La Chureca (the Managua Dump) and then working with the children at Casa Bernabe. They departed Casa this morning to volunteer at Colegio Esperanza, a christian school that has been planted in La Chureca, by playing with the kids as they took their recess breaks. They enjoyed a meal prepared by a local Managuan woman and a site a little ways outside of La Chureca. After our team lunch, the seniors had the opportunity to serve at two different feeding centers within the dump compound. Their afternoon was spent helping teach English classes at Casa Bernabe alongside their teacher, Regan. They are currently leading four different bible studies with the kids at Casa before they head to porch time at the Rancho with the Juniors.
Our Junior Team had quite a fun day today with children from Verbo Sur. Verbo Sur is a new church plant that ORPHANetwork is working with through a feeding center program. Our juniors had the opportunity to serve at this new feeding center and then teach a VBS lesson for the children after lunch. The greater part of their afternoon/evening was spent taking the children from Verbo Sur to the local zoo in Managua and sharing in fellowship with them. They returned for dinner at Casa Bernabe with the seniors and are preparing for our first porch time before we all head to bed.
Team Sophomore was blessed to work in Nueva Vida, an impoverished community just outside of Managua, for the day today. After their ONet orientation this morning they loaded up in buses and headed to Nueva Vida to serve lunch at several of their feeding center sites. After a team lunch at Nueva Vida they taught VBS lessons at the feeding centers before taking the kids to do swim lessons at a local pool in Managua. For many of these children, swim lessons are a valuable life skill that they would not otherwise be taught without mission teams. They returned to their housing site at Quinta Arien for dinner and a porch time tonight before bed.
We appreciate your continued support as we are away from home. Thank you for the prayers and love that you are sending, because we promise that we can feel them. We ask that you continue to pray for the health of our team, for these students' hearts to be open to this encounter with Christ in Nica, and for all the precious Nicaraguans that we are blessed to be sharing life with this week. Praise God for his blessings as we continue to serve here in Nica!
Tomorrow will be spent completing work projects, serving at feeding centers, and teaching various classes here in Nica. Sweet dreams to you all and we'll talk to y'all tomorrow!
Love in Christ,
SM Staff Team
Praise God for this blessed day in Nicaragua! We've enjoyed good health, the best of company, and many moments of knowing that God is in this place.
The Senior Team spent their first full day in Nica serving children and families from La Chureca (the Managua Dump) and then working with the children at Casa Bernabe. They departed Casa this morning to volunteer at Colegio Esperanza, a christian school that has been planted in La Chureca, by playing with the kids as they took their recess breaks. They enjoyed a meal prepared by a local Managuan woman and a site a little ways outside of La Chureca. After our team lunch, the seniors had the opportunity to serve at two different feeding centers within the dump compound. Their afternoon was spent helping teach English classes at Casa Bernabe alongside their teacher, Regan. They are currently leading four different bible studies with the kids at Casa before they head to porch time at the Rancho with the Juniors.
Our Junior Team had quite a fun day today with children from Verbo Sur. Verbo Sur is a new church plant that ORPHANetwork is working with through a feeding center program. Our juniors had the opportunity to serve at this new feeding center and then teach a VBS lesson for the children after lunch. The greater part of their afternoon/evening was spent taking the children from Verbo Sur to the local zoo in Managua and sharing in fellowship with them. They returned for dinner at Casa Bernabe with the seniors and are preparing for our first porch time before we all head to bed.
Team Sophomore was blessed to work in Nueva Vida, an impoverished community just outside of Managua, for the day today. After their ONet orientation this morning they loaded up in buses and headed to Nueva Vida to serve lunch at several of their feeding center sites. After a team lunch at Nueva Vida they taught VBS lessons at the feeding centers before taking the kids to do swim lessons at a local pool in Managua. For many of these children, swim lessons are a valuable life skill that they would not otherwise be taught without mission teams. They returned to their housing site at Quinta Arien for dinner and a porch time tonight before bed.
We appreciate your continued support as we are away from home. Thank you for the prayers and love that you are sending, because we promise that we can feel them. We ask that you continue to pray for the health of our team, for these students' hearts to be open to this encounter with Christ in Nica, and for all the precious Nicaraguans that we are blessed to be sharing life with this week. Praise God for his blessings as we continue to serve here in Nica!
Tomorrow will be spent completing work projects, serving at feeding centers, and teaching various classes here in Nica. Sweet dreams to you all and we'll talk to y'all tomorrow!
Love in Christ,
SM Staff Team
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Nicaragua Travel Update #3 (final travel update)
The third flight and final flight (all sophomore boys) has arrived safely and on time!
THE ENTIRE WCC STUDENT MINISTRIES NICARAGUA MISSION TEAM IS NOW IN NICARAGUA!!!
The sophomore boys will soon depart the airport for their team center where they will enjoy dinner and head to bed.
Tomorrow we will begin serving at several sites throughout Managua. Please continue to pray for the students from the Chapel. The SM Staff's prayer request is that our team would encounter Jesus as they serve and that those whom they are serving encounter Jesus through the team.
We are very grateful for your prayers throughout the day. The day was extremely smooth with ALL flights coming in on time. Praise be to God for his grace for our team on this busy day!
Good Night and God Bless,
SM Staff Team
THE ENTIRE WCC STUDENT MINISTRIES NICARAGUA MISSION TEAM IS NOW IN NICARAGUA!!!
The sophomore boys will soon depart the airport for their team center where they will enjoy dinner and head to bed.
Tomorrow we will begin serving at several sites throughout Managua. Please continue to pray for the students from the Chapel. The SM Staff's prayer request is that our team would encounter Jesus as they serve and that those whom they are serving encounter Jesus through the team.
We are very grateful for your prayers throughout the day. The day was extremely smooth with ALL flights coming in on time. Praise be to God for his grace for our team on this busy day!
Good Night and God Bless,
SM Staff Team
Nicaragua Travel Update #2
The second flight (all sophomore girls, all juniors and Abbey and Mary Carter's senior girls small group) has landed safely and on time.
The team has moved through customs and is currently boarding the buses which will take them to the team centers where they will eat dinner and get settled in for a week of serving children in Nicaragua.
Everyone is in good spirits after a long day of travel. The team is very excited about the week in front of them. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
God Bless,
SM Staff Team
The team has moved through customs and is currently boarding the buses which will take them to the team centers where they will eat dinner and get settled in for a week of serving children in Nicaragua.
Everyone is in good spirits after a long day of travel. The team is very excited about the week in front of them. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.
God Bless,
SM Staff Team
Nicaragua Travel Update #1
The first part of our Nicaragua mission team (All senior boys, Beka, Paige and Sarah Graham's senior girls small group), arrived safely and on time this morning around 9:45am Nicaraguan time (we are two hours behind EST).
Despite their long night of travel, the team was eager to get going. After enjoying some down time they began their trip by taking a group of kids who live near the local garbage dump to a swimming pool. The seniors will be working with this group throughout our time here so it is a great opportunity for them to start building relationships with the kids so early on in the trip.
These seniors will spend the rest of their afternoon resting to regain energy for the remainder of the trip.
Our other two travel groups are still in route to Nicaragua. We will send a text message to all parents when they land safely and will update the blog shortly thereafter.
To subscribe to the text message alerts, text the word nicaparent to the number 41411. You will receive a text back as confirmation that you are signed up to the group.
God Bless,
SM Team
Despite their long night of travel, the team was eager to get going. After enjoying some down time they began their trip by taking a group of kids who live near the local garbage dump to a swimming pool. The seniors will be working with this group throughout our time here so it is a great opportunity for them to start building relationships with the kids so early on in the trip.
These seniors will spend the rest of their afternoon resting to regain energy for the remainder of the trip.
Our other two travel groups are still in route to Nicaragua. We will send a text message to all parents when they land safely and will update the blog shortly thereafter.
To subscribe to the text message alerts, text the word nicaparent to the number 41411. You will receive a text back as confirmation that you are signed up to the group.
God Bless,
SM Team
Monday, June 20, 2011
Final North Carolina Meeting Details
We have finished our final training meeting and are very excited about our trip. At our meeting we finished our discussion on Abram's encounter with God and what we can learn about his encounter that carries over to our trip. Below you will find the small group questions that we discussed at the meeting, the final checklist, and our packing list. There is one change to the packing list that I want to point out. We actually will be stopping for a meal on the way down to North Carolina, so each students needs to pack a lunch for the bus as well as bring some money for dinner that night. Originally we asked them to only pack a dinner, but now they need to be prepared for two meals on the way down.
Final Checklist
Small Group Questions
Packing List
Luke will be out of the country on the High School Nicaragua trip until July 1st, but if you have any questions please feel free to leave a message on his phone at 941-1572 or send him an email at lkinciad@wcchapel.org
Final Checklist
Small Group Questions
Packing List
Luke will be out of the country on the High School Nicaragua trip until July 1st, but if you have any questions please feel free to leave a message on his phone at 941-1572 or send him an email at lkinciad@wcchapel.org
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Final New York Meeting Recap
Last night was the final meeting for the New York mission trip. I feel blessed that I get to experience this trip with your children, and am very excited about what God is going to teach us in the Big Apple! Below is the checklist, discussion questions, and all important packing list.
Checklist
Packing List
Discussion Questions
The important high lights of the packing list that are different from the trip last year are something to sleep on (air mattress, sleeping pad, or inflatable pool floating raft), and a packed lunch for the drive to New York on Saturday the 10th.
Again if you have any questions please call Craig (941-1225).
Checklist
Packing List
Discussion Questions
The important high lights of the packing list that are different from the trip last year are something to sleep on (air mattress, sleeping pad, or inflatable pool floating raft), and a packed lunch for the drive to New York on Saturday the 10th.
Again if you have any questions please call Craig (941-1225).
Final Nicaragua Meeting Recap
The SM Staff cannot wait to be in Nicaragua with our team! Here are details from the final training meeting. Parents & students, please make sure you are familiar with ALL the information in this post.
If you have any questions, please call Alexis on her cell phone: 919-260-0719.
Nicaragua Packing List
Final Nicaragua Checklist & Flight Information
FLIGHT INFORMATION
DEPARTURES: (all flights depart from Dulles Airport)
Flight 1: Craig’s Senior Boys & Paige/Sarah-Graham’s Senior Girls (TACA, 20 seats)
**Meet at the Chapel at 11:30pm on Monday, June 20th!
(TACA 591) 21June depart Washington Dulles 4:57am & arrive San Salvador 7:37am
(TACA 396) 21June depart San Salvador 8:42am & arrive Managua 9:37am
Flight 2: All Sophomore Girls, All Juniors, Abby’s Senior Girls (American, 64 seats):
**Meet at Chapel at 5:00am on Tuesday, June 21st (**Note: time is 30 minutes EARLIER than previously published!)
(AA1321) 21JUN depart Washington Dulles (IAD) at 11:25am & arrive MIA 2:05pm
(AA985) 21JUN depart MIA at 6:30pm & arrive MGA 7:00pm
Flight 3: All Sophomore Boys (TACA, 26 seats):
**Meet at Chapel at 9:30am on Tuesday, June 21st
(TACA583) 21JUN depart Washington Dulles 3:50pm & arrive San Salvador 6:30pm
(TACA 315) 21JUN depart San Salvador 7:35pm & arrive Managua 8:30pm
RETURNS: (all flights arrive at Dulles Airport)
*Travel updates will be sent out first via text message and then updated as possible on the blog.
Flight 1: Sophomore Boys, Senior Boys, & Paige/SG’s Senior Girls (TACA, 46 seats)
(TACA 397) 30JUN depart Managua 5:30pm and arrive San Salvador 6:20pm
(TACA 590) 30JUN depart San Salvador 7:34pm & arrive Washington Dulles 1:53am on JUL1
**We expect to return to the Chapel around 5/5:30am on Friday, July 1st
Flight 2: All Sophomore Girls, All Juniors, Abby’s Senior Girls (American, 64 seats):
(AA970) 30JUN depart MGA at 1:00pm and arrive MIA 5:40pm
(AA850) 30JUN depart MIA at 8:50pm and arrive IAD (Dulles) at 11:20p
**We expect to return to the Chapel around 2:30/3am on Friday, July 1st
If you have any questions, please call Alexis on her cell phone: 919-260-0719.
Nicaragua Packing List
Final Nicaragua Checklist & Flight Information
FLIGHT INFORMATION
DEPARTURES: (all flights depart from Dulles Airport)
Flight 1: Craig’s Senior Boys & Paige/Sarah-Graham’s Senior Girls (TACA, 20 seats)
**Meet at the Chapel at 11:30pm on Monday, June 20th!
(TACA 591) 21June depart Washington Dulles 4:57am & arrive San Salvador 7:37am
(TACA 396) 21June depart San Salvador 8:42am & arrive Managua 9:37am
Flight 2: All Sophomore Girls, All Juniors, Abby’s Senior Girls (American, 64 seats):
**Meet at Chapel at 5:00am on Tuesday, June 21st (**Note: time is 30 minutes EARLIER than previously published!)
(AA1321) 21JUN depart Washington Dulles (IAD) at 11:25am & arrive MIA 2:05pm
(AA985) 21JUN depart MIA at 6:30pm & arrive MGA 7:00pm
Flight 3: All Sophomore Boys (TACA, 26 seats):
**Meet at Chapel at 9:30am on Tuesday, June 21st
(TACA583) 21JUN depart Washington Dulles 3:50pm & arrive San Salvador 6:30pm
(TACA 315) 21JUN depart San Salvador 7:35pm & arrive Managua 8:30pm
RETURNS: (all flights arrive at Dulles Airport)
*Travel updates will be sent out first via text message and then updated as possible on the blog.
Flight 1: Sophomore Boys, Senior Boys, & Paige/SG’s Senior Girls (TACA, 46 seats)
(TACA 397) 30JUN depart Managua 5:30pm and arrive San Salvador 6:20pm
(TACA 590) 30JUN depart San Salvador 7:34pm & arrive Washington Dulles 1:53am on JUL1
**We expect to return to the Chapel around 5/5:30am on Friday, July 1st
Flight 2: All Sophomore Girls, All Juniors, Abby’s Senior Girls (American, 64 seats):
(AA970) 30JUN depart MGA at 1:00pm and arrive MIA 5:40pm
(AA850) 30JUN depart MIA at 8:50pm and arrive IAD (Dulles) at 11:20p
**We expect to return to the Chapel around 2:30/3am on Friday, July 1st
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
MS Norfolk Final Training Meeting
Our final meeting continued to excite me about this trip to Norfolk. We have a great team of students and leaders and I look forward to the special lessons God is going to teach us on this trip. Below are all of the documents and slides from last nights meeting including the small group questions we went over in small groups with your children if you would like to look at what we discussed.
Powerpoint Presentation of Trip Details
Final Meeting Checklist
Packing List
Small Group Questions
Please feel free to call Luke Kincaid at 941-1572 or email me at lkincaid@wcchapel.org if you have any further questions or concerns.
Powerpoint Presentation of Trip Details
Final Meeting Checklist
Packing List
Small Group Questions
Please feel free to call Luke Kincaid at 941-1572 or email me at lkincaid@wcchapel.org if you have any further questions or concerns.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Final Meeting Dates and Times
HS Nicaragua - Tuesday, June 14th from 6:30-8:30pm in the SM Worship Room
Bring all of your donations to pack for the trip
Bring any final money and forms
Call Alexis Kincaid at 941-1241 or email her at akincaid@wcchapel.org with any questions
HS New York - Wednesday, June 15th from 6:30-8:30pm in Woodward Hall
Bring any final money and forms
Call Craig Blocher at 941-1225 or email him at cblocher@wcchapel.org with any questions
MS Norfolk - Tuesday, June 14th from 6:30-8:30pm in the Main Foyer
First hour for parents and students, second hour just for students
Bring any final money and forms
Call Luke Kincaid at 941-1572 or email him at lkincaid@wcchapel.org with any questions
MS North Carolina - Wednesday, June 15th from 6:30-8:30pm in Rm. 221 (Ross Hall)
Bring and final money and forms
Call Luke Kincaid at 941-1572 or email him at lkincaid@wcchapel.org with any questions
Bring all of your donations to pack for the trip
Bring any final money and forms
Call Alexis Kincaid at 941-1241 or email her at akincaid@wcchapel.org with any questions
HS New York - Wednesday, June 15th from 6:30-8:30pm in Woodward Hall
Bring any final money and forms
Call Craig Blocher at 941-1225 or email him at cblocher@wcchapel.org with any questions
MS Norfolk - Tuesday, June 14th from 6:30-8:30pm in the Main Foyer
First hour for parents and students, second hour just for students
Bring any final money and forms
Call Luke Kincaid at 941-1572 or email him at lkincaid@wcchapel.org with any questions
MS North Carolina - Wednesday, June 15th from 6:30-8:30pm in Rm. 221 (Ross Hall)
Bring and final money and forms
Call Luke Kincaid at 941-1572 or email him at lkincaid@wcchapel.org with any questions
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Nicaragua Packing List
Here is the packing list for the Nicaragua Mission Team. Students will receive a hard copy at the final team training meeting:
Nicaragua Packing List:
[ ] Undergarments—16+ pairs
[ ] Sneakers
[ ] Sandals or flip flops
[ ] 7-9 pairs of socks
[ ] 10-12 T-shirts
[ ] 6-8 Shorts
[ ] 1 Long-sleeved Item
[ ] 1 or 2 Pairs of Pants
[ ] 1 Set Church Clothes
[ ] Bathing Suit (1 Piece suit for girls)
[ ] Hat w/ Brim
[ ] Wash cloth & Hand towel
[ ] Flashlight
[ ] Sunglasses
[ ] Journal, Bible, & Pen
[ ] Camera (optional)
[ ] Chapstick
[ ] Water bottle
[ ] Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, contact stuff, deodorant, face wash, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, soap, feminine products, sunscreen, & bug spray (in 3 oz or less bottles in a 1 liter Ziploc bag—if you have items larger than 3 oz or too many to fit in a 1 liter bag, you can bring it in a gallon Ziploc with you name on it to check under the plane
[ ] optional: No more than $50 cash (for souvenirs and food in airport)
*Bedding and towels are provided at the orphanage, and they do laundry for us once midway through the week.
All your personal belongings must fit into your carry-on luggage. The only bags we check are the ones for donations, extra toiletries, and birthday presents/underwear. See the American Airlines/TACA website for specifics on carry-on size regulations
Please also bring these items the day of departure to put in bags to be checked (see the Checklist for more information):
[ ] 1 package of underwear: to distribute while in Nicaragua (purchase for a child of your sex)
[ ] 1 package of socks: to distribute while in Nicaragua (purchase for a child of your sex)
[ ] Birthday present for orphan (get a present for a child of the same sex as you): $10 gift, unwrapped
Nicaragua Packing List:
[ ] Undergarments—16+ pairs
[ ] Sneakers
[ ] Sandals or flip flops
[ ] 7-9 pairs of socks
[ ] 10-12 T-shirts
[ ] 6-8 Shorts
[ ] 1 Long-sleeved Item
[ ] 1 or 2 Pairs of Pants
[ ] 1 Set Church Clothes
[ ] Bathing Suit (1 Piece suit for girls)
[ ] Hat w/ Brim
[ ] Wash cloth & Hand towel
[ ] Flashlight
[ ] Sunglasses
[ ] Journal, Bible, & Pen
[ ] Camera (optional)
[ ] Chapstick
[ ] Water bottle
[ ] Toiletries: Toothbrush, toothpaste, contact stuff, deodorant, face wash, hand sanitizer, shampoo, conditioner, soap, feminine products, sunscreen, & bug spray (in 3 oz or less bottles in a 1 liter Ziploc bag—if you have items larger than 3 oz or too many to fit in a 1 liter bag, you can bring it in a gallon Ziploc with you name on it to check under the plane
[ ] optional: No more than $50 cash (for souvenirs and food in airport)
*Bedding and towels are provided at the orphanage, and they do laundry for us once midway through the week.
All your personal belongings must fit into your carry-on luggage. The only bags we check are the ones for donations, extra toiletries, and birthday presents/underwear. See the American Airlines/TACA website for specifics on carry-on size regulations
Please also bring these items the day of departure to put in bags to be checked (see the Checklist for more information):
[ ] 1 package of underwear: to distribute while in Nicaragua (purchase for a child of your sex)
[ ] 1 package of socks: to distribute while in Nicaragua (purchase for a child of your sex)
[ ] Birthday present for orphan (get a present for a child of the same sex as you): $10 gift, unwrapped
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
HS Nicaragua Overnight Training Recap
What a great weekend. It's hard to believe that we leave for Nicaragua in two weeks. We still have one more training meeting, so please make sure you are staying informed with all important details and that you are getting your support money and paperwork in asap.
Some items to highlight:
All paperwork (ORPHANetwork Form, Copy of Passport, and WCC Parental Consent Form) was due at the overnight. If you are missing any of these forms, please turn them in by Thursday, June 9th!
Your remaining trip balance is due at the final team meeting on June 14th. If you have questions about your balance, email Alexis at akincaid@wcchapel.org or call her at 941-1241.
Each team member should purchase one package of underwear and one package of socks for a child of your gender and bring it to the last team meeting. The final team meeting will be our packing meeting, so please bring high-quality donations to this meeting as well.
Below you will find the checklist from the overnight, as well as the discussion questions from our teaching time.
If you have any questions, please contact Alexis (akincaid@wcchapel.org; 941-1241 (office); 919-260-0719 (cell).
Our final team meeting is on Tuesday, June 14th from 6:30-8:30pm in the SM Worship Room.
Nicaragua Checklist - June 3, 2011
Pre-Trip Curriculum - Abraham #2 Nicaragua
Some items to highlight:
All paperwork (ORPHANetwork Form, Copy of Passport, and WCC Parental Consent Form) was due at the overnight. If you are missing any of these forms, please turn them in by Thursday, June 9th!
Your remaining trip balance is due at the final team meeting on June 14th. If you have questions about your balance, email Alexis at akincaid@wcchapel.org or call her at 941-1241.
Each team member should purchase one package of underwear and one package of socks for a child of your gender and bring it to the last team meeting. The final team meeting will be our packing meeting, so please bring high-quality donations to this meeting as well.
Below you will find the checklist from the overnight, as well as the discussion questions from our teaching time.
If you have any questions, please contact Alexis (akincaid@wcchapel.org; 941-1241 (office); 919-260-0719 (cell).
Our final team meeting is on Tuesday, June 14th from 6:30-8:30pm in the SM Worship Room.
Nicaragua Checklist - June 3, 2011
Pre-Trip Curriculum - Abraham #2 Nicaragua
HS New York Training Overnight Recap
The overnight was a great success, thanks to all who attended. We had part two of our study of Abraham, we will finish on our last meeting (June 15th). Attached are the questions we discussed in small groups after the teaching as well as the passage. Later Friday night we watched the first hour of the movie Finding Forrester and discussed (questions attached) some of our impressions of the culture of intercity New York and how it relates to our trip and what we will be seeing while serving in the big apple. Saturday morning we had a team building competition all across the College of William and Mary's campus. We broke into teams by mission team and competed in different challenges for points. We capped the overnight with Chik-fil-a for lunch provided by Wren Holland, operator of the Mooretown Road location. All in all it was a great time of fellowship and learning about God showing up in people's lives in life changing ways.
Below are the links to the discussion questions as well as any other relevant forms:
Abraham discussion questions
Finding Forrester movie discussion questions
CSM trip packet (packing list on page 4)
WCC Parental Consent Form
Text nycparent to 41411 for text reminders
Our next (and last) meeting is June 15th in Woodward Hall 6:30-8:30, where final payment is due.
If you have ANY questions please call (941-1225) or email (cblocher@wcchapel.org) Craig Blocher.
Below are the links to the discussion questions as well as any other relevant forms:
Abraham discussion questions
Finding Forrester movie discussion questions
CSM trip packet (packing list on page 4)
WCC Parental Consent Form
Text nycparent to 41411 for text reminders
Our next (and last) meeting is June 15th in Woodward Hall 6:30-8:30, where final payment is due.
If you have ANY questions please call (941-1225) or email (cblocher@wcchapel.org) Craig Blocher.
MS Norfolk Overnight Training Meeting
We had a great night and morning this past weekend at the Missions Overnight. Friday night we got together as a team and learned about Abram. After discussing the teaching in our small groups, we headed back to the SM worship room for worship with the other missions teams. After worship, we separated into our missions teams again and the Norfolk team watched the Lion, the Witch of the Wardrobe. The movie highlighted 4 kids working together to serve others. We used the movie as a jumping off point to discuss how we could best serve the people of Norfolk.
After a good night's sleep, we loaded up two charter buses and headed to William and Mary where the SM summer interns had planned a fun "Amazing Race" style game. We separated into our small groups, got fun costumes and headed out to complete different challenges that helped teach us about teamwork. We finished off our time with a debrief at the Matoaka Amphitheater complete with delicious Chick-fil-a and a prize for the winning team before heading back to the Chapel to be picked up. It was a wonderful weekend and we can't wait for the Norfolk missions trip July 28-30!
Checklist #1
Abram Discussion Questions #1
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Discussion Questions
After a good night's sleep, we loaded up two charter buses and headed to William and Mary where the SM summer interns had planned a fun "Amazing Race" style game. We separated into our small groups, got fun costumes and headed out to complete different challenges that helped teach us about teamwork. We finished off our time with a debrief at the Matoaka Amphitheater complete with delicious Chick-fil-a and a prize for the winning team before heading back to the Chapel to be picked up. It was a wonderful weekend and we can't wait for the Norfolk missions trip July 28-30!
Checklist #1
Abram Discussion Questions #1
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Discussion Questions
MS North Carolina Training Overnight Recap
We had a wonderful evening and morning of training on Friday and Saturday. We continued studying Abram's encounter with God in Genesis on Friday night as well as watched an episode of Extreme Home Makeover in order to look at another organization that helps meet people's needs through home repair. On Saturday we filled two charter buses and headed over to the campus of W&M where we split into teams for an "Amazing Race" style competition in which teams had to complete 10 different challenges at stations around the campus. We used this competition as a team building exercise since every team was made up of the students that will be in their small group on the trip. We wanted them to understand the challenges and benefits that come from working on a team to complete a common goal.
Below are links to any forms that you may need as well as the questions we looked at during small group time if you would like to ask your son or daughter about them. Thanks for partnering with us as we work to make this mission trip as beneficial as possible for your child.
Extreme Home Makeover Discussion Questions
Small Group Questions after talk on Abram
Checklist of Items to turn in
Packing List
ReCreation Experience Forms
WCC Parental Consent Form
Don't forget to text the word NCPARENT to the number 41411 to get text reminders
Final meeting on Wednesday, June 15th from 6:30-8:30pm in Room 221 (Ross Hall)
Please feel free to contact Luke Kincaid by phone at 941-1572 or by email at lkincaid@wcchapel.org
Below are links to any forms that you may need as well as the questions we looked at during small group time if you would like to ask your son or daughter about them. Thanks for partnering with us as we work to make this mission trip as beneficial as possible for your child.
Extreme Home Makeover Discussion Questions
Small Group Questions after talk on Abram
Checklist of Items to turn in
Packing List
ReCreation Experience Forms
WCC Parental Consent Form
Don't forget to text the word NCPARENT to the number 41411 to get text reminders
Final meeting on Wednesday, June 15th from 6:30-8:30pm in Room 221 (Ross Hall)
Please feel free to contact Luke Kincaid by phone at 941-1572 or by email at lkincaid@wcchapel.org
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