Mission Stay Article in "The Oregonian"

Today we had another yard work assignment at a fantastic woman’s house. Her name is Gloria and she is one of the most liveliest and upbeat christians I have ever met. From telling stories, picking up snakes, and showing us homemade jewelry, she was a great person to be around. We weeded her entire yard until all that was left was a rose bush that she adored. We then got her two pink potted roses and she was super grateful, and we all departed with a hug and a prayer from Gloria. It was a very productive day and I felt really honored to have experienced Christ working in me for the sake of Gloria. ~Haley

Today we had another yard work assignment at a fantastic woman’s house. Her name is Gloria and she is one of the most liveliest and upbeat christians I have ever met. From telling stories, picking up snakes, and showing us homemade jewelry, she was a great person to be around. We weeded her entire yard until all that was left was a rose bush that she adored. We then got her two pink potted roses and she was super grateful, and we all departed with a hug and a prayer from Gloria. It was a very productive day and I felt really honored to have experienced Christ working in me for the sake of Gloria.

~Haley

COUCHES FOR CHRIST
Last night, our Mission Stay Group had a very big discussion about a project we may want to do on Saturday. It is a sacrifice that would not only affect the people in the group, but also across the church such as Youth Group and Sunday School. We got a call from an organization that wanted to know if we would donate some furniture to families in need. The kids on the Mission feel that it would be showing an example of Christ by giving away the Youth Room’s couches. We don’t know how many we will give, and we are not looking to get them replenished. Christ only got a “Thank You” in return for all he did prior to the cross, and we feel it is right to have the same happen to us. We understand that some of the kids not on the trip will disagree with our decision and that we may have regrets after sitting on the floor for awhile. We plan to hold ourselves accountable and remember that this is truly ousness. Our mindset on this trip is to be Victoriously Awkward and sometimes we have to sacrifice being comfortable in order to be awkward with Christ.

Rescuing an unborn bird. More to come tomorrow when we have time to post.

On Tuesday morning, we all cleaned the trash from Farmington Road. Each one of us had a yellow vest that stated “Adopt a Highway.” The leaders divided us into groups. One group had the freshmen and sophomores and the other had juniors and seniors. Over the hot sun, we were singing Christian songs. It made me feel so joyful and happy to hear the sounds of pretty voices and seeing the laughter on each of their faces. While working, I noticed that every little thing we did to the community during Mission Stay, like picking up trash, helping out North West Children’s Outreach, assisting people’s yards and helping out Hazeldale school is making Aloha look better in a community. I also realized that some cars were honking their horns at us. I felt so good because I knew we were all doing it for a reason. But, it got me more energized to keep myself going and to encourage people. It reminded me that even though I was tired from all the work, it made me want to push forward through the thick and thin. When we all completed the work, I was surprised that we got it done in the time we had. While driving back to the church,  I saw 19 bags of trash on the sidewalk. Its amazing what our hands can do to make a huge difference in the Aloha community.  ~ Courtney

On Tuesday morning, we all cleaned the trash from Farmington Road. Each one of us had a yellow vest that stated “Adopt a Highway.” The leaders divided us into groups. One group had the freshmen and sophomores and the other had juniors and seniors. Over the hot sun, we were singing Christian songs. It made me feel so joyful and happy to hear the sounds of pretty voices and seeing the laughter on each of their faces. While working, I noticed that every little thing we did to the community during Mission Stay, like picking up trash, helping out North West Children’s Outreach, assisting people’s yards and helping out Hazeldale school is making Aloha look better in a community. I also realized that some cars were honking their horns at us. I felt so good because I knew we were all doing it for a reason. But, it got me more energized to keep myself going and to encourage people. It reminded me that even though I was tired from all the work, it made me want to push forward through the thick and thin. When we all completed the work, I was surprised that we got it done in the time we had. While driving back to the church,  I saw 19 bags of trash on the sidewalk. Its amazing what our hands can do to make a huge difference in the Aloha community. 

~ Courtney

Be uprooted and planted in the sea…

As the youth group reached the beach on Sunday, we all had the chance to have a time of solitude. As everyone went where their hearts took them, I first looked to my Bible trying to find Philippians because it was one of the main books from the Bible that we were connecting to our trip. But when I opened it up, I had turned right to Luke. I looked down and the quote above was the very first thing I saw. 

Right then I went straight for the beach, and ended up reading the whole passage of Luke 17 which talks about Sin, Faith, and Duty. I was amazed by how much the passage connected to our Mission Stay, and I even shared my experience with the rest of the group after worship and singing. 

It is so touching to know that Jesus Christ is always there to help guide us in the smallest ways. After this experience, I am sure that Christ will be watching over this Mission and assisting us every step of the way. And even though this trip has been awkward at times, Christ has and always will prevail<3

~Sara 

Sunday night we all went down to Cannon Beach. Rick had us all gather on a log facing the ocean. As the sun was setting, Rick read from the Bible the story of Jesus washing his disciple’s feet. He explained how the washing of the feet represented Jesus washing away our worst parts of ourselves when He died on the cross. It’s tough to be this vulnerable with Christ, but we must let him in.  We all have dark parts of ourselves that we are ashamed of and try to hide from God. But Jesus tells us that he will wash those parts clean. 

Then, when we were ready, one by one we came up to Rick and he washed our feet with the water from God’s ocean. From this experience we learned that God is powerful enough, and loving enough to wash our dirtiest, deepest, most terrible parts about us.   

   -  Not my credit to take.