The second week of February was filled with preparing to send off missions teams for the 13th - seven students to Mexico and ten students to inner city Vancouver.
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| Everyone gathered together to pray before we departed for our trips. |
February 12th here on the island we were hit with a snow storm, which resulted in our Mexico team leving to the Victoria airport early where they had to patiently wait 14 hours for their flight.
The next day at camp the Vancouver team spent the morning shovelling to get the vehicles out in time to get to the Nanaimo ferry.
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| Putting chains on the van to get it out |
By the evening of the 13th both teams had finally arrived at their destinations anticipating what the next two weeks would bring.
VANCOUVER
The Vancouver trip was divided into three main time chunks all on the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver.
Feb 13-17 at a church "New Beginnings" who's missions is to reach first nations.
Feb 18-22 was spent at "Potters Place" who's mission is to "visibly, tangibly and measurably transform the Downtown Eastside (located on East Hastings street) through the power of God..."
Feb 23-27 was spent again at New Beginnings.
At New Beginnings the group helped alongside the church leaders by doing spring cleaning and supporting their afterschool program "Say Yes" They did services, moving ministry, and youth programs. The church has created strong bonds with the community who surrounds it, and the students had the opportunity to serve and come along side the poeple and the church. They worked hard and had the chance to change gears from studying to doing on the ground service, which allowed space to think about how Jesus has called us to be humble and servant hearted.
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| Filling up the truck for the dump |
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| Leading worship at a service for New Beginnings |
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| The group at New Beginnings |
Potters Place runs two services 11 am -1 pm and 9 pm - 11 pm. The students lead music, shared testimonies, and had opportunities to preach sermons. They spent time on the streets talking to the people who live there, hearing stories, and sharing about who Jesus is and how he has transformed their lives.
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| Levi speaking at Potters |
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| Emerson speaking at Potters |
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| Praying as a team at a park near Potters Place |
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| The team at Potters Place |
The team was able to spent one day at Union Gospel Mission located on East Hastings Street, this experience allowed the students to have a broader picture of the work happening on the downtown east side.
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| Looking out over the city on the deck of UGM |
MEXICO
"We traveled as a team to El Papalote, Mexico on the Baja Peninsula to serve the indigenous people working, living, and studying there. We had the opportunity to serve in many ways from construction and painting, to children's events and ministry to the marginalized living at a local dump. While we were able to pour out while in Mexico and touch the people there, we were also touched by the joy and passion for life and God the people had." - Kurt Jones
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| Checking out the local dollar store |
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| Wrapping up construction |
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| Some of the team we worked with |
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| More construction |
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| Grocery Store |
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| Looking at the view |
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| Coming home from church |
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| Hiking a volcano |
"The trip overeall was amazing and we all returned safely. We are so thankful for all God has done through us and in us. We are eager for more opportunies to serve in our day to day lives with the poeple we encounter."
- Kurt Jones
Continue to Pray:
That the students are able to adjust back into life at camp.
That what was experinced over the past weeks would not be forgotten.
That the students would finish the year strong anticipating that God will continue to work in their lives.
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