Tuesday: First Day of Two-Day Work Projects

Dear Faith Partners,

Today I woke up to get prepared for the day. The car horn was honking to let us know it was time for breakfast. Today we had pancakes and sausages, we also sang one of the greatest songs in the world, “All Star.” After breakfast we gathered with our YRG’s to pack up the van for our jobs. What we’re doing today and Wednesday is building a 15x6 foot porch for a guy named Justin, and is wife. We talked and talked, he LOVES kool-aid. By 3:30 we finally packed up and left to head to Sonic for a milkshake. When we got back it was time for dinner, we had chicken fajitas and a nice banana pudding to top it off. Later we had worship on the big grassy field. After we had free time, we played a game of werewolf…. I won.

But anyways, this week so far has been eye opening, I’m sure that the rest of the week, whatever’s in store, is going to help me open up to God, and listen. Give more faith and hope in him.

Without all the faith partners that are supporting this trip, I wouldn’t be here learning more about God, Thank You.

-Grace Spellman

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; unite 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 in the County

 Hello Faith Partners!

Thank you so much for continuing to check up on us and pray for us while we’re down here. It means a lot to me to share with you all what it is we do down here.

Today my YRG helped Linda and LD “Poochie” Davis move a wood pile from their shed to the back of their property. We also used a pile of gravel to fill in holes in their driveway. It was more work than you would expect. We might’ve taken too many breaks, but we were able to stay cool in the shade and with a slight breeze. Poochie was very kind and talked to us while we worked. The reason we didn’t see Mrs. Davis as much as Poochie was because she had gone to the store to buy 2 lbs of meat and cheese for our sandwiches, and Dr. Pepper, even though we had plenty of our own food.

I’ve seen God in the friendliness of others and in Mrs. Davis going out of her way to make us feel welcome in their home.

Thank you again for your continued support that makes this trip possible for all of us!

Sincerely,

Maddy Hammons

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.

Sunday: Arrival on the Mountain

Dear Faith partners ,

Today we had a long, but very exciting car ride to Grundy County, where Mountain TOP  is located. We stopped and ate breakfast at McDonalds, and i was delighted to see giggles and smiles light up among all of my friends at 7 in the morning (teenager friends I might add). Laughter continued to bubble in the air until all of us fell asleep in the car. I woke up to be surrounded by beautiful mountains enveloped in green. This is my fourth time to the mountain, and being here is like taking a breath of fresh air. This was my first thought as we rolled up in the van; I love being here and growing in my faith. Ironically, the breath of life that God gives (and gave) to each of us is the theme of this week’s camp. Funny how things work! After we got here, we got separated into our youth renewal groups (YRGs), the group we will do projects with. Tomorrow, I will be demolishing a porch. Excited to go out and break some things with a hammer :)

So far I’ve seen God in the reunification of my church friends, in bringing us together to spend this week with one another, as we all grow, learn, and experience new ideas and other peoples’ idea of worship.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be here, and I hope all is well over there in Cincinnati!

Much love,

-Jaida Fackey

For Monday:  Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

(Sorry for having so few photos! We'll do a better job of taking photos as the week progresses. -Slocomb_

Ready...Set...Mountain TOP! WOOOOOOOOO!

Welcome back Faith Partners! Our 2018 Mountain TOP Team departs early tomorrow morning for a week full of music, fellowship, worship, service, chicken on a bun and HEEEEEEEY COOOOOOW!

With seven youth participating this year, you'll have the opportunity to hear from one of them each day from our arrival on the mountain tomorrow through our ride home on Saturday. Plenty of stories, photos, and God moment.

As always, a prayer from the Book of Common Prayer is included below. We ask that you pray each day for your St Barnabas mission team and the work they're up to these next several days.

For Sunday:  O God, whose fatherly care reaches to the uttermost parts of the earth:  We humbly beseech you graciously to behold and bless those whom we love, now absent from us.  Defend them from all dangers of soul and body; and grant that both they and we, drawing near to you, may be bound together by your love in the communion of your Holy Spirit, and in the fellowship of your saints; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

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: 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: 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.