With our mission trip right around the corner some have inquired as to what it takes to plan for a trip like this.
Well, 40 youth, 9 leaders, 1 drive, a bus and several thousand dollars later we're ready to go. But the planning for this trip actually began back in October.
It starts with confirming a location (Estes) and then making sure there is a place to stay (YMCA Camp, more specifically East Side Lodges). But now that you have a place to go and stay you have to figure out how many rooms you'll need - how in the world you do that is beyond me.
Once you've got that figured out you have to get the approval from the committee - and with two churches that means two committees that have to say "okay!" We got that and then it was time to launch the promotion to the youth and parents. But not before a theme was selected!
Brochures are put together and sent out with the "Burning Bush?" theme.
That's the easy part!
Now, we actually have to put the budget together, what is everything going to cost? Line up leaders, plan for meals, and then on to the biggest two components of the trip: The work sites and then the theme development (daily themes/topics, small groups, quiet times, campfires and more). Once we get all of these things fairly lined up it's on to the paperwork - creating a handbook for the youth, a Leaders edition book and so much more.
There are t-shirts to have designed and ordered, shopping lists, transportation, meetings with youth and leaders and then our all-time favorite of collecting money (& fundraising). And now it's on to packing!
There is a small look into the bigger picture of a mission trip from planning to packing. Here is a thought to chew on we've already selected a theme and dates for the 2010 trip and t-shirts are in the works. Watch for the registration packet June 20th.
~C
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Tuesday's Two-Cents (107)
thoughts about the past week(end) ~ it was a busy few days - grad parties and work around the house...managed to find time in between the rain to get the lawn mowed. Had some friends over Friday night for dinner and then did some mini-golfing with some other friends.
this weeks to dos ~ lots to get done around the house - still a bit of un-packing but mostly just getting things put away. work related there is a few things left to do in getting ready for our mission trip - we depart on Friday! my total 'to do' list for the week is about 2 pages long right now.
book i'm reading ~ I am not, but I know I AM, by Louie Giglio - it's a re-read, but I'm enjoying it at least as much as I did the first time I read.
thoughts on the coming week ~ it makes me a bit tired - but good - I'm excited to get out to CO with this great group of youth - we should have a great week out there.
think about a thought ~ if you could pick anywhere to go for a mission trip - where do you think you would go?
this weeks to dos ~ lots to get done around the house - still a bit of un-packing but mostly just getting things put away. work related there is a few things left to do in getting ready for our mission trip - we depart on Friday! my total 'to do' list for the week is about 2 pages long right now.
book i'm reading ~ I am not, but I know I AM, by Louie Giglio - it's a re-read, but I'm enjoying it at least as much as I did the first time I read.
thoughts on the coming week ~ it makes me a bit tired - but good - I'm excited to get out to CO with this great group of youth - we should have a great week out there.
think about a thought ~ if you could pick anywhere to go for a mission trip - where do you think you would go?
Friday, June 5, 2009
A week... (106)
One week from today we will be headed to Estes Park Colorado for our 2009 Summer Missions Camp ~ "Burning Bush?"
It's kind of odd, as it seems like just yesterday we sat down to start planning this venture. I'm even more excited after Jeff and I sat down for a bit yesterday and tired to put a final wrap on our work projects. If all of our planning and thinking works out and is confirmed we should have a total of 6 works sites that will be covered over 4 work days. We should be putting in over 1000 man hours during our week.
We'll be working with the Y-camp, a food pantry, women/children's shelter, Habitat, a local church and the community at large. That is, assuming we get everything confirmed and ok'd.
Regardless - it will be a great experience. If you're going - get packing, if you're not - please pray for the team.
His,
~C
It's kind of odd, as it seems like just yesterday we sat down to start planning this venture. I'm even more excited after Jeff and I sat down for a bit yesterday and tired to put a final wrap on our work projects. If all of our planning and thinking works out and is confirmed we should have a total of 6 works sites that will be covered over 4 work days. We should be putting in over 1000 man hours during our week.
We'll be working with the Y-camp, a food pantry, women/children's shelter, Habitat, a local church and the community at large. That is, assuming we get everything confirmed and ok'd.
Regardless - it will be a great experience. If you're going - get packing, if you're not - please pray for the team.
His,
~C
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A YM Video (105)
I was checking out some morning news and blogs and came across this video...although it's an ad for the National Youth Workers Convention - it pulls at my heart - as the first 95% of the video is a small look into many of the conversations I've had and continue to have in my day-to-day life as a Youth Director.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Stupid, why are they? (104)
My usual morning routine includes reading the news and checking some other online sites (blogs, email, facebook) - I was both impressed and highly disappointed this morning when I signed on line. I found myself asking - why do some teens make such stupid decisions and others are trying...
This stupid part came into play when I saw one teen had linked to another teens video (on You Tube) The first young man I think just made the 'un-mature' decision to link to - saying, 'hey this is funny' - but I fear what a lot of teens are missing is that once you post things on line - it's there, for good! and if you're planning to go somewhere in life, why would you post such stupid and disgusting things that others can see. Honestly if the young man in the video came to me for a job, letter of recommendation or something similar I'd think twice about it.
I was impressed when I read a local news story about a group of local teens who are working on a community garden this summer. There seems to also be plans for them to sell what they grow at a Farmers Market to learn about entrepreneurship. They're trying and I'm impressed!
So, if you find yourself at a fork in the road; make the choice to work in a garden (or something else productive) over posting a stupid (& self-degrading) rap video to your social web sites.
~C
This stupid part came into play when I saw one teen had linked to another teens video (on You Tube) The first young man I think just made the 'un-mature' decision to link to - saying, 'hey this is funny' - but I fear what a lot of teens are missing is that once you post things on line - it's there, for good! and if you're planning to go somewhere in life, why would you post such stupid and disgusting things that others can see. Honestly if the young man in the video came to me for a job, letter of recommendation or something similar I'd think twice about it.
I was impressed when I read a local news story about a group of local teens who are working on a community garden this summer. There seems to also be plans for them to sell what they grow at a Farmers Market to learn about entrepreneurship. They're trying and I'm impressed!
So, if you find yourself at a fork in the road; make the choice to work in a garden (or something else productive) over posting a stupid (& self-degrading) rap video to your social web sites.
~C
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Tuesday's Two-Cents (103)
thoughts about the past weekend ~ it went by quickly - we were in Omaha Friday night to celebrate my mother-in-laws bday spent some time Saturday at a grad party then a low-key evening at home. Sunday was worship, and then two mission trip meetings.
this weeks to dos ~ a couple meetings - but most of my work week will consist of mission trip prep &/or prep for the Fall programs.
book I'm reading ~ I am not, but I know I AM. L. Giglio (great read - check it out)
thoughts on the coming week ~ it's going quick, can't believe it's already June. I just hope I can get over this little "sickness" (sore throat) business.
Scripture to skim ~ Acts 2 (in honor of Pentecost)
this weeks to dos ~ a couple meetings - but most of my work week will consist of mission trip prep &/or prep for the Fall programs.
book I'm reading ~ I am not, but I know I AM. L. Giglio (great read - check it out)
thoughts on the coming week ~ it's going quick, can't believe it's already June. I just hope I can get over this little "sickness" (sore throat) business.
Scripture to skim ~ Acts 2 (in honor of Pentecost)
Monday, June 1, 2009
You (102)
The young man who usually changes our church sign recently asked me for my opinion of two choices for the next message to go up on display.
The result:
The result:
You're Not too bad to come in
You're Not too good to stay out
Now I have to say, when he first asked me I really liked this choice - but I said - will the 'church' really get it? Will they understand that it applies to all of us? His reply was that if he didn't put it up there was no chance of anyone getting it...I saw his point. So, if you drive by our church this is the message you'll ready. But I wonder - what does it mean to you?
You see, the point of the message is that we the church cannot and should not 'keep people' out of the church because they're 'too bad' - the sin in their lives is too bad to be at church. Honestly - that's like asking sick people to get better before coming into the Emergency Room...doesn't make much sense does it?
On the other hand - those of who think we've got it all together - well we need the church more than ever. When the human side gets to us we start to think more highly of ourselves than we should...we start comparing the sin in our lives to that in others - well that's not how God works. In God's eyes we're equal. So, we need to start by looking in (the plank in our own eye) at the sin in our lives and start seeking the help and guidance we are supposed to find at church.
Okay, that's my two cents on the new church sign...what about you?
~C
You're Not too good to stay out
Now I have to say, when he first asked me I really liked this choice - but I said - will the 'church' really get it? Will they understand that it applies to all of us? His reply was that if he didn't put it up there was no chance of anyone getting it...I saw his point. So, if you drive by our church this is the message you'll ready. But I wonder - what does it mean to you?
You see, the point of the message is that we the church cannot and should not 'keep people' out of the church because they're 'too bad' - the sin in their lives is too bad to be at church. Honestly - that's like asking sick people to get better before coming into the Emergency Room...doesn't make much sense does it?
On the other hand - those of who think we've got it all together - well we need the church more than ever. When the human side gets to us we start to think more highly of ourselves than we should...we start comparing the sin in our lives to that in others - well that's not how God works. In God's eyes we're equal. So, we need to start by looking in (the plank in our own eye) at the sin in our lives and start seeking the help and guidance we are supposed to find at church.
Okay, that's my two cents on the new church sign...what about you?
~C
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