Mission Serve 2011 - Memphis

Summer has come and almost gone so I'm going to try and play catch up over the next few days as I had a most excellent one and want to share all of the fun.  For starters, I mentioned in a previous post about my involvement with Mission Serve and wanted to share a few pictures from that special week.

Can you find me??

I had the opportunity to serve as a Crew Chief for a group of teens/college kiddos for the week.  God's goodness placed me among the best group there and I was SO blessed by these amazing students.  I think it's so easy to look at some of the "rougher" kids of today and think the whole generation is messed up but being around these youth I was reminded that most of them aren't much different than I was 10-15 years ago (only they have i-phones in their hands!).

Team Foxtrot



Our project consisted of tearing off an old roof, replacing it and painting the trim, shutters, etc.  Every member of my team had their heart on serving Ms. Julia and she was blessed by their outpouring of effort and love.  My team built me up with words of enouragement since being a CC was something new to me.  I was afraid I would be inadequate for the job but they loved on me and actually enjoyed having a CC who didn't fit the 50 year old, male construction worker mold.

"Hey Jason, why are you hammering the wood while I'm trying to cut it with a power saw??" 

Ok, totally staged photo.  

A few highlights from the week -

• Meeting Andy Morris who is the one who started both World Changers and Mission Serve.  I felt honored to meet somebody with a passion for missions and youth and connecting the two to bring about change.  I've done 3 World Changer projects and now 2 Mission Serve projects and this was my first time meeting him.
• The AMAZING weather we had.  Last year it hit over 100 every day we were on the roof.  This year we had a nice breeze, overcast and low 90s.  I'll take it.
• The members of UABC really served me that week.  They took care of my children like they were their own and made sure that I didn't have to worry about them while I was out on the site.  I am SO blessed by our church.
• Having a Haitian on my team!  Made me feel connected to my upcoming trip.
• 2 really cool chairs that I am going to rehab that were being thrown away at another site.  Score!  You know I love a good dumpster project.  Look for them in my playroom redo that's still going on.
• 150 people from all over - MO, AL, MD, TX, TN, GA serving together in one place.  God was glorified.

Looking forward to next year...

Hope for Haiti

August 15-21

Your prayers are appreciated as I prepare for a trip to Haiti in August. If you'd like to donate any goods (infant & toddler clothing, medical supplies, school supplies or $$$) let me know. Donations can be made up until Friday, August 12. Most importantly though, please pray that the nation of Haiti will turn from their voodoo religion to relationships with a loving Savior.