MTN TOP Wrap-Up Post

Dear J4Y Families and Friends,

Thank you for following along with our journeys and service and for praying for our mission team last week! Here is the final round of photos from our week at Mountain TOP.

Friday - Final Day of Service

“The highlight of my day was probably being able to bond the most with my friends and YRG. We knew it was the last chance for us to be together and we wanted to make it count. After the fish hook worship (the last worship of the week, and the most emotional), I sat in the worship center with my newly found friends from Jerome UMC in Columbus for about twenty minutes. All of us were laughing and crying and reminiscing. This was probably the highlight of my week; knowing that I had made friends who have my back under any and all circumstances.

I saw God in how the Holy Spirit was able to unify these teenage strangers and spread love through our hearts, threading us together. I also saw God in how Mountain TOP touches the lives of the people that we serve and in all of the things that the will of God has us made to do.

I have been given this amazing opportunity due to my amazing and selfless faith partners who have given so much to make this possible. They are why I am here today, so a major thank you to them.”  

- Maddy

For Saturday:  O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go:  Preserve those who travel; surround them with your loving care; protect them from every danger; and bring them in safety to their journey’s end; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Thursday - One Day Projects

"Today was the first time we’ve actually finished a project this week. We had a wonderful time doing Mrs. Wilkinson’s yardwork. She was such a nice lady! She even got us ice cream sandwiches.

I saw God in the way that she told us how much she appreciated us. She really needed someone to talk to, and having us there made her really happy. I also saw how desperate her 13 year old son was for friends, and so, we were friends for him. Each of us talked to him and made him feel so important, and we talked about all of the hobbies we have in common.

I’m excited to exchange presents with my YRG tomorrow. I’ve grown so close to them, I feel like they’re a family away from home.

Thank you faith partners, again, for helping me get here!" - Margot

For Friday:  Almighty God, who has promised to hear the petitions of those who ask in your Son’s Name:  We beseech you mercifully to incline your ear to us who have now made our prayers and supplications unto you; and grant that those things which we have faithfully asked according to your will, may effectually be obtained, to the relief of our necessity, and to the setting forth of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Wednesday - Completion of Two Day Projects

 

 "Today we finished our 2-day shed!!! I’m really proud of it and proud of the work that I did, and I know it’s about teamwork but I’m still proud of myself. The people that we worked for were the sweetest people, they made us a nice meal and said we were welcome in their house and everything.

At our daybreak we did a praying activity where we sat in a circle and held hands and every one of us prayed for something. When it was Marie’s turn, the wife of the house, she was crying and saying how much of a blessing we were for her. It made me tear up just knowing how something so simple can make someone so happy.

Tonight was also very emotional. We were able to go up and ask for the Mountain TOP staff to pray for us and I asked the same thing I asked last year.

I really want a chance in the next couple days to go into the community and go shopping for something I can get my friends. I hope the weather is cool tomorrow like it was today, we were blessed!"  - Regan

For Thursday:  Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places:  Grant that your presence and power may be known throughout this land.  Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural areas; and grant that all the people of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to produce them, and honor the land and the water from which these good things come.  All this we ask in your holy Name.  Amen.

Tuesday - FIrst Day of Two Day Projects

“Today, I served a man named Ronnie, but his nickname was Rooster because he has so many roosters and chickens. Our project was to add an addition to his original shed. We ran into a couple obstacles, such as the previous Mountain T.O.P. group not properly building the shed, but we were able to problem-solve and overcome these issues.

I saw God in the clouds and rain that we needed so badly that arrived over our worksite and cooled us off.

I am really looking forward to the creative worship that we have here and also looking forward to making more friends here and helping out the community. But this opportunity would not be possible without the generous help and donations of our faith partners who are the reason why I am able to be here. Thank you faith partners!”  - Maddy

For Wednesday:  O God, you made us in your own image and redeemed us through Jesus your Son:  Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unites us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Monday - First Day of Service

"Today was the most exhausting day I’ve ever had in my life. It was so hot. So hot, in fact, that I almost passed out! There was no shade to hide in and I had forgotten to fill my cooler with water (it just had ice in it… my mistake!) so we were all dehydrated. We ripped out boards from an old wheelchair ramp and replaced them, but the more we tore up the ramp, the more rotted wood we found. We eventually stopped, and we’re pretty sure it was all a waste, considering Mountain TOP is most likely going to tear down the whole thing and rebuild it with good wood this time!

The woman next door cooked us food and introduced us to her dogs and cats! They were all so cute and she really loves them all. I’m looking forward to meeting the other people we’ll be building for throughout the week! It’s going to be exciting.

I saw God in the way that the woman next door made us food, spoke with us, and tried to help in all the ways possible. She provided shade next door that we ended up using a couple of times throughout the day, and she provided some nice food to keep us going! On top of that, she filled up our cooler that I may or may not have forgotten to fill…

Thank you so much, faith partners, for making this trip possible. I am so thankful that I am here on this mountain with all these wonderful people. I’ve made so many friends.

Have fun in Ohio!" -Margot

(Extra Photos from Saturday)

For Tuesday:  O heavenly Father, who has filled the world with beauty:  Open our eyes to behold your gracious hand in all your works; that, rejoicing in your whole creation, we may learn to serve you with gladness; for the sake of him through whom all things were made, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.