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.

Sunday - Arrival at MTN TOP!

"I’m really looking forward to building some houses and decks and destroying things and hopefully I’ll get to see some kittens or babies!!!! We played a lot of games today and got to know everyone’s name.

I was kind of sad about my YRG but I will make friends and the point isn’t really about that it’s about helping people,

Lets hope I make friends with someone that lives close enough to visit. Thank you so much to the faith partners that made all this happen! I can’t wait till tomorrow." -Regan

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.

Saturday - En Route to MTN TOP

Messages from our youth:

We left at 11:00am and drove for hours. Regan passed out for four hours in the back and Maddy, John, Slocomb, and I told each other riddles to keep ourselves busy. We arrived at Wingo, went swimming, and left for Hayward’s friend’s barn to eat hot dogs and hamburgers! We caught fireflies in a jar and sang music. It was a lot of fun. I’m really tired now, since its 11:26pm in Ohio and I typically fall asleep around 9:00. I’m really looking forward to meeting new people and introducing myself to my YRG! It’s going to be a great trip, I can feel it. -Margot

This week, I am looking forward to meeting my YRG. Last year, I bonded really well with my YRG and I look forward to making new friends and bonding with them through sweat and sunshine. Just as a disclaimer, YRG stands for youth renewal group. It’s the group that you go out into the county with to work on your assignments. You spend the whole week with them and treat them as your family. -Maddy

This week at Mountain TOP, I’m really looking forward to doing some old fashioned hard work and seeing people’s faces light up with joy to know that people care and are willing to help. It makes me really happy seeing other people and I don’t care what work I do as long as I know I’m helping. -Regan

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. Departs Tomorrow

Dear St. Barnabas Family & Friends,

Our mission team departs from St. B tomorrow morning. Each evening during our journey, internet access permitting, a member of our team will post stories and photos from the day. As well, each post will end with a prayer from the Book of Common prayer that we ask you to pray for our missioners and their work.

Thank you again for following along! Enjoy!

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.

Thank You For Checking Out Our Blog!

Here are some photos from our Youth Sunday Service on May 29th. Enjoy!