Thursday, July 20, 2017

Mountain T.O.P. 2017 Wrap Up Message



When I first arrived at Mountain T.O.P this year, I was a bit nervous, like anyone would be. Despite this, I was more excited than ever to be able to meet new people and make a change in the world, one nail at a time. 






I ended up loving this week more than my previous years. I had an amazing time learning new things, whether it be about myself, my faith, my friends, or other people in the world and their experiences. 







There's something bittersweet about Mountain T.O.P throughout the whole week, not just at the end. You anticipate for something great and wonderful to happen, and when it does, you can feel it. You know when you're having a great time, you know when you're making a difference, and you know you will have to part with these people at the end of the week because we anticipate all of these things. Therefore, we put in that much more effort to savor and remember these moments. 

Colossians 3:23-24 reads, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."  




I personally believe that the realization that a moment will become a fond memory is the presence of God reminding us of the goodness in ourselves and in other people. The memories that I have made throughout these past three years at Mountain T.O.P will stay with me for years and years to come, and I will be forever grateful for it. 




I am also grateful for such a generous and giving congregation that has provided us with this experience. The generosity has been incredible and I am so thankful to have a wonderful community supporting us in our efforts to become the change we wish to see in the world. 





I can't wait for next year's Mountain T.O.P trip; we'll hopefully have more people to join us and to share this experience with. 

-Maddy Hammons

Friday, July 14, 2017

Friday: Final Service Day









Hello Saint Barnabas Family! This is Connor Blunt.

Today is the sixth day of our Mountain T.O.P. experience, and the fifth, and final, day of helping in the community of Cumberland Pines this year.

Today my YRG and I finished a porch for Steven Pickett and his family that we had started yesterday. We had to go ahead and, for the full project, rip apart their porch and then remake it with new safe wood. The project in total took two days to complete, meaning that all week my YRG worked on porches. Since it was Friday, we got to celebrate together after our half-day of work.

We went to Walker’s Burger and Movies for lunch and got massive burgers with delicious milkshakes. After that we gave out YRG gifts to everyone. I got a paper plate award for “best cleaner” from Shannon, a letter and bracelet from Grace, a fishing swivel bracelet from Bubba, a pack of Swedish Fish and a letter from Katie, a nail cross and cross bracelet from Alex, a cross from Syd, and a name tag from Abby.

(Connor was required to go to bed before he could finish writing. That said, he asked that I thank the faith partners on his behalf. Thank you, Faith Partners, for making this opportunity possible for Connor and for the rest of our Mountain TOP team!)


Prayer 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, July 13, 2017

Thursday: One-Day Projects







Hello! It’s Margot here!

Today has been amazing. I started my Thursday project and finished it too! We painted the bottom of a trailer for an old woman named Tootie. She was absolutely full of compassion and really needed someone to talk to. I provided some company for her and she talked with me about how she lost two of her three daughters within the past three years. Her third daughter doesn’t talk to her. Apparently they don’t get along. Her story reached deep down to my heart and made me tear up. No one should outlive their children or be ignored by them. Tootie was full of spirit. Although she could hardly walk, she hobbled over to behind her shed and pulled out four chairs, attempting to carry them to her porch, where we ate lunch, by herself. Our group rushed to help her, but I could see how, even though she could hardly move herself, an 82 year old woman went out of her way to carry chairs so that we would have a place to rest. I saw God in her and the way she served us, because although we are the service, we are also being served.

My YRG and I are getting along great. We have a lot of jokes together, and while the eighth grader can drive me up the wall, he’s funny and a good kid. Marie is like a mother on the worksite when my mom isn’t there. She’s always keeping us hydrated and telling me to keep going; even when I’m sweating and panting and feel like I can’t go on.

I’m so thankful to be here. The worships, music, experiences, and people have been incredible. Thank you faith partners! I hope everything is great back in Ohio!

Prayer 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, July 12, 2017

Wednesday: Second Day of Two-Day Projects








Hey y’all my name is Jaida and this is my third year on the mountain. Every year I learn a lot of new things about myself, other people, and my faith.

So far this week I have served two families, one being my two day project site. We demo’d a porch, and then rebuilt it for a family of five.  The first day was a little rough, my YRG was still figuring out how to handle complications and...each other's attitudes. But by day 2 everything seemed to be figured out, and we were working smoothly.

Now the family we served had three little kids. One in particular was a little girl, London. London was only seven, but she was highly intelligent for her age. After we had finished our project, I headed off to sit by the car by myself.. Just to decompress a little bit.  London came to join me, and started talking about her parents’ recent “fixin to divorce.”  To me, this was a really special moment, because my parents also divorced when I was her age. It seemed like God was telling me to listen, and to talk to her about it, since she was opening up to a complete stranger about something so painful to a child.

So I listened, and told her how I am a living example of how things will turn out alright, and that there is a plan intended.  This has made my week so far, and I cannot thank the faith partners enough for giving me the opportunity to have this experience.
Have a happy HUM (halfway up the mountain) day!!!!!


-Jaidaaaa :)

Prayer 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, July 11, 2017

Tuesday: First Day of Two-Day Projects












Hello Saint Barnabas Family! This is Connor Blunt.

Today is the third day of our Mountain T.O.P. experience, and the second day of helping the community of Cumberland Pines. As this is my first year here, things are quite different from my normal camping adventures.

For starters, the camp is based around helping others and learning through God, rather than in Boy Scouts where it’s mostly about learning new skills and about nature. This means that there is less free time than I am used to at camp.

Secondly, what we all have in common isn’t that easy to find. In Boy Scouts, it’s that you’re a Boy Scout. At Mountain T.O.P., it’s that you’re a God-loving person that just wants to help people. This is an improvement from Boy Scouts because it means that everyone works together to get the project done.

Today in my YRG group, we were tasked with building a deck, a railing, and a roof. We got done with the deck by the end of the day. I saw God today at the end of the project, as we were driving back to the Mountain. We are an eight-person YRG (youth renewal group) , so not all of us were working on the deck all of the time. When we were driving back, I felt like I had made everyone pull my weight when I had not been. Shannon told us on the ride back that it was alright and that not all of of us could work on the deck at the same time, because the deck was too small for us to do it all together at one time. This made me feel better about what had happened during the day, and this is where I felt I saw God today.

I would like to thank the Fatih Partners for helping to fund this amazing trip and experience. I have learned that I love helping other people and that I want to do more of it. MUCH more of it.

Prayer 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, July 10, 2017

Monday: First Day of Service













Hello dear Faith Partners!

First off, I would like to thank all of the supporters of this mission trip for making this amazing experience possible.

This is my third year at Mountain T.O.P. and it’s already amazing. One thing that’s been a little difficult is the transition between camps. For the last two years, St. Barnabas has been going to the Baker Mountain campus, but this year we’re at Cumberland Pines. This camp is more spread out and a lot bigger than Baker, and it’s much prettier.

Today, the project assigned to my YRG (youth renewal group) was to re-deck the porch of a woman named Courtney, who uses a wheelchair. What an amazing woman! I was outside all day focusing on more the physical aspect to fulfill (fixing the porch) instead of the more spiritual and social goals. While working, one of the adults, Hanna, told me that Courtney would like me to come inside for a glass of water because she was worried about me being dehydrated. After our work was done (and we were done early), we visited a very beautiful chapel on the edge of a cliff. We saw beautiful trees and mountains on the horizon and the view was a view of God’s glory. I have a great feeling about this week and can’t wait for all of the adventures this week has in store for me. Thanks again to all of you. Goodnight!

-Maddy Hammons

Prayer 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.