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Go to John and Jennie's blog for updates or check out Bruce Worth's page on FaceBook.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Friday, June 25, 2010
ETA
Todd called me and said he is unable to access the Hope Church hotline but the new ETA is now 8:30 p.m. according to his GPS. They had a fun day of canoeing and then to Natural Bridge and then they ate dinner @ Miguel's Pizza.
Hopefully everyone is getting this communication or have heard from their kids via cell phones that they should have back by now.
See you at the church,
Lori Hinners
Day 6 - the finishing touch!
Let me start off my saying that Austin Hinners, Timmy Carpenter, Britt Prescott, and Peter Guth stepped up and did a fantastic job as a key part of the overall leadership team. Bringing college and high school leaders as disciples for our junior high students made this trip run as smooth as possible. It was also a key ingredient in the overall success!
Go ahead parents, take a bow. You did a great job! And thanks to Sharon Mason and the Kid's Ministry team for preparing our students to be so pursuant of God's heart and desire.
Thanks Brian for bestowing me the honor of leading this trip. I grow closer to student ministry and God each time.
Today was a full frontal attack on the Happy Store. I will try and post some before and after pics later. Millie, Mike's mom, walked into the store a few days ago and said it was overwhelming. Well the team made sure it didn't stay that way. Where you once could not see the floor you can now walk. The folding table that was piled 4 feet high with bags is now clear. I believe we processed or dealt with over 200 bags of clothes that had been donated to the Happy store. Problem was most donations were just mixed bags of clothes that could not possibly be gone through by the staff of the Happy Church. What they really need is new or slightly used clothes that can be resold. The proceeds from the store will pay the employees who run it meaning part time jobs for local people. The Family Matters group from Hope made our job easy by sorting and labling the 5 bags that we brought with us. I am sure the store will be up and running soon.
The floors are mopped and the church is clean and ready for the next group. The forward team from a church in Columbus rolled in with a 5th Wheel camper around 5:00 and is setting the stage for about 45 construction volunteers and over $5000.00 in materials to transform the youth barn. This extreme makeover should be completed a week from Friday.
Lastly, a 4-car accident about a mile from the church landed Chris Jacobson and Nicole H.(wearing blue in picture from 2009) in the hospital. The head-on colllision was caused by someone with 4 DUI convictions! Chris is at Jackson Memorial with knee, head and chest issues. Nicole was airlifted to NKU Hospital in serious condition. We will know more in the morning. Please keep them in your prayers.
Canoe trip is still on for tomorrow! Have a blessed day and we'll see you around 7:00ish. Will call when on the road.
Your Brother in Christ,
Todd
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Day 5 - The final VBS!
Again a fantastic turnout for the VBS! This day VBS seemed routine in some ways as everyone fell right in step and knew their stations.
Our day started with a yummy potpourri breakfast of cereal, bacon, scrambled eggs, pop-tarts, pancakes, and apple juice boxes. Janice knows her way around the kitchen! After breakfast we had our morning devotions that include the special segment of "The Morning Stretch With Britt". Operation 5-2 showed up around 11:00am with 2 van loads of food. Everyone jumped into action unloading everything in the main dining room. After another out-of-this-world cheesy-chicken lunch we got right to staging all the food for packing and delivery. The assembly line created food boxes for 28 Happy Church families.
3 loaded vans headed out in different direction and blessed families with food and spiritual nourishment. It was a special time of prayer for the kids and the families being served. More on that tomorrow after our devotion and debriefing of Wednesday's events.
The deliveries took us right up to 4:00pm and it was time to don our Egyptian costumes and head out in vans again to gather our participants. The story of Joseph was complete and the kids went home loaded down with their merchandise they purchased from the marketplace with sheckles earned by participating in the activities.
With everyone safely delivered home, a quick stop at Wally-world provided tasty snacks for movie night. Dan In Real Life was enjoyed by all.
Time for some shut-eye. Tomorrow is a full-service day where we can hopefully leave this place better than we found it.
Thanks for your prayers and support as we complete the mission!
Our day started with a yummy potpourri breakfast of cereal, bacon, scrambled eggs, pop-tarts, pancakes, and apple juice boxes. Janice knows her way around the kitchen! After breakfast we had our morning devotions that include the special segment of "The Morning Stretch With Britt". Operation 5-2 showed up around 11:00am with 2 van loads of food. Everyone jumped into action unloading everything in the main dining room. After another out-of-this-world cheesy-chicken lunch we got right to staging all the food for packing and delivery. The assembly line created food boxes for 28 Happy Church families.
3 loaded vans headed out in different direction and blessed families with food and spiritual nourishment. It was a special time of prayer for the kids and the families being served. More on that tomorrow after our devotion and debriefing of Wednesday's events.
The deliveries took us right up to 4:00pm and it was time to don our Egyptian costumes and head out in vans again to gather our participants. The story of Joseph was complete and the kids went home loaded down with their merchandise they purchased from the marketplace with sheckles earned by participating in the activities.
With everyone safely delivered home, a quick stop at Wally-world provided tasty snacks for movie night. Dan In Real Life was enjoyed by all.
Time for some shut-eye. Tomorrow is a full-service day where we can hopefully leave this place better than we found it.
Thanks for your prayers and support as we complete the mission!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Day 4 from Dave
Today was filled with blessings. The hope junior high kids and senior high leaders (including Peter) have certainly shown their special skills that God has blessed them with. From the kids in the band, to Peter's playing the role of Joseph to Heather's art work to Joseph's ability to bring a smile to anyone to Anna in the kitchen. All the kids have worked so hard and with unity on the special projects, we've been hot and sweaty and everyone has delivered such effort with a joy and dedication that I have not seen from kids before. Klenk and Hayden became electricians because I needed them to help me with installing the lights in the new Happy Church thrift shop.
The hope kids have been so uplifting to me and each other. I received a wonderful banner signed by all the kids for my birthday today. I'm not sure how they found out, but they brought tears to my eyes. I hope they know how much they mean to me. I had a great time learning Frisbee with Heather and Anna. They have also shown so much love for the Jackson kids. They have been so dedicated to being prepared for each of their VBS stations. Stevie and Lindsley did a great job creating hand movements for the scripture memorization. Chelsea and Heather are doing great with the crafts. I don't think there could be a better market then the one Jimmy, Joseph, and Judah set up. Logan and Klenk have been great in all their support roles. Emma and Stevie have been incredible keeping all the check-in organized and eliminating much chaos. Britt's, April's and Grace's happy and upbeat attitudes has been contageous and a joy. Timmy, Austin, Hayden, Peter, and Linsley have been relentless on practicing their songs and it has paid off. the Jackson kids are loving the praise time. The VBS went so well today and even the mix-ups that would normally frustrate the best of us, was all taken in stride by the Hope kids. They are really making this VBS a blast for the Jackson kids. I just can't express how proud and impressed I am by them. You should all be proud. They are giving your family names and Hope name a fantastic reputation. Todd has done a great job including cleaning up after vomit and a nice surprise left in the bathroom by someone (what a guy). Janice is really kept us feed well even with the swollen ankle. Kellie has been a blast however she almost gave me a heart attack when I ran with her yesterday (I only went a mile, she kept going, the extra mile I guess you call it).
Again this was just a very blessed day! There was so much that these kids did, I wish I had more time say. I love them all and thank you for sharing them this week. They actually are doing a great job keeping the place clean too!
The hope kids have been so uplifting to me and each other. I received a wonderful banner signed by all the kids for my birthday today. I'm not sure how they found out, but they brought tears to my eyes. I hope they know how much they mean to me. I had a great time learning Frisbee with Heather and Anna. They have also shown so much love for the Jackson kids. They have been so dedicated to being prepared for each of their VBS stations. Stevie and Lindsley did a great job creating hand movements for the scripture memorization. Chelsea and Heather are doing great with the crafts. I don't think there could be a better market then the one Jimmy, Joseph, and Judah set up. Logan and Klenk have been great in all their support roles. Emma and Stevie have been incredible keeping all the check-in organized and eliminating much chaos. Britt's, April's and Grace's happy and upbeat attitudes has been contageous and a joy. Timmy, Austin, Hayden, Peter, and Linsley have been relentless on practicing their songs and it has paid off. the Jackson kids are loving the praise time. The VBS went so well today and even the mix-ups that would normally frustrate the best of us, was all taken in stride by the Hope kids. They are really making this VBS a blast for the Jackson kids. I just can't express how proud and impressed I am by them. You should all be proud. They are giving your family names and Hope name a fantastic reputation. Todd has done a great job including cleaning up after vomit and a nice surprise left in the bathroom by someone (what a guy). Janice is really kept us feed well even with the swollen ankle. Kellie has been a blast however she almost gave me a heart attack when I ran with her yesterday (I only went a mile, she kept going, the extra mile I guess you call it).
Again this was just a very blessed day! There was so much that these kids did, I wish I had more time say. I love them all and thank you for sharing them this week. They actually are doing a great job keeping the place clean too!
Day 3 Recap
Pop Quiz: You look around and you see a desert, pyramids, camels, hyrogliphics, mummies (christian mummies, of course!),and a Pharoah.....okay, where are you??? Jackson, Kentucky OF COURSE! That's right, our team spent the day on Monday turning the Happy Church into a taste of Egypt; complete with pyramids, a market place, and even an egyptian rock band (Joseph & the Mummies).
Our first day of VBS was a great experience. About one hour before the VBS was supposed to take place - Jackson was hit with a pretty significant thunderstorm. To quote one of our youngest team members, Grace Mease, "the boom booms woke me up from nap." The thunderstorm dropped 2.6 inches of rain in about an hour! But, thankfully, it ended just in time for our VBS. The rain clouds cleared and vans showed up filled with about 50 Kids. The Happy Church leadership was excited to see that our VBS brought out some brand new faces from the community.
Our team did a great job loving on the Happy Church Kids and taking them through the story of Joseph. Each and every team member put their heart into their role in the VBS. Running a VBS in Jackson is 'baptism by fire' :-). Our team had lots of changes and revisions to make after experiencing the boundless energy and short attention span of the kids. We look forward to an even better day today!
We capped the evening off with a good ole' fashioned 'Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest'. Andrew Klenk gave Pastor Brian a good run for his money. But, in the end, clergy won the day! After a late night 'debrief' session, the team hit their beds at about 11pm. We are battling fatigue, but feeling inspired and invigorated for the mission at hand! Please continue praying for our team! And remember...don't worry...be happy!
Our first day of VBS was a great experience. About one hour before the VBS was supposed to take place - Jackson was hit with a pretty significant thunderstorm. To quote one of our youngest team members, Grace Mease, "the boom booms woke me up from nap." The thunderstorm dropped 2.6 inches of rain in about an hour! But, thankfully, it ended just in time for our VBS. The rain clouds cleared and vans showed up filled with about 50 Kids. The Happy Church leadership was excited to see that our VBS brought out some brand new faces from the community.
Our team did a great job loving on the Happy Church Kids and taking them through the story of Joseph. Each and every team member put their heart into their role in the VBS. Running a VBS in Jackson is 'baptism by fire' :-). Our team had lots of changes and revisions to make after experiencing the boundless energy and short attention span of the kids. We look forward to an even better day today!
We capped the evening off with a good ole' fashioned 'Watermelon Seed Spitting Contest'. Andrew Klenk gave Pastor Brian a good run for his money. But, in the end, clergy won the day! After a late night 'debrief' session, the team hit their beds at about 11pm. We are battling fatigue, but feeling inspired and invigorated for the mission at hand! Please continue praying for our team! And remember...don't worry...be happy!
A word from Peter...
Hey everybody, this is my first time I've been to The Happy Church and I am enjoying every minute of it. This last year God has been doing amazing things in my life and my whole world has been turned upside down for him. These past few months, I have felt God calling me to fight in his army instead of living the christian life on the surface. When I heard that Todd Hinners was looking for another adult leader I jumped right on it. After choosing to change my life style in the pursuit of God, I have been looking for every opportunity to show Gods love to everyone I meet. This trip has been, and will continue to be, an awesome opportunity for me to show love and encouragement to everyone I meet including the other students that are here serving with me. I have no doubt that God is working in and through me and through every one of the other students here. There is no other feeling that is as good as knowing that I am fighting on the front lines for God.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
We made it!
We arrived safely around 1:00 pm today and had a warm reception from Mike and Connie. We had a tour of Jackson and an orientation from Pastor Mike. After unpacking and getting our lodging in order we went to the Elk View to learn a little about the beautiful surrounding area. Pastor Mike took us to a herd of horses that were running free and we walked over and fed them some bread.
The gravel roads leading in and out of the area were rough on everyone in the vans!
Back at the Happy Church we had dinner along with many of the teens from the Happy Church and got to band practice and testing some of th VBS props. We also scoped out the new Happy Mart and planned our service projects.
More later.
The gravel roads leading in and out of the area were rough on everyone in the vans!
Back at the Happy Church we had dinner along with many of the teens from the Happy Church and got to band practice and testing some of th VBS props. We also scoped out the new Happy Mart and planned our service projects.
More later.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Preview night jitters!
Ok, now all the jitters are behind us. Time to GO! Last of the preparations and some rest before the departure at 8:30am on Saturday.
Everyone did a fantastic just giving the parents and friends a preview of our mission trip. It is exciting to see how God equips us all in unique ways to carry out His mission.
Have a great Friday!
Everyone did a fantastic just giving the parents and friends a preview of our mission trip. It is exciting to see how God equips us all in unique ways to carry out His mission.
Have a great Friday!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Allow me to introduce you to the team. From left to right: Emma Glemaker, Dave Glemaker, Timmy Carpenter, Kelli Phillips, Brit Prescott, Chelsea Coggins, Austin Hinners, Heather Tan, April Rumelhart, Grace Prescott, Anna Honerlaw, Todd Hinners, Lindsey Hartenstein, Stevie Carpenter, Andrew Klenk, Logan Hinners, Joseph Metzger, Jimmy Slyby, Hayden Worth, and Judah Hartenstein! (Peter Guth not in picture)How it breaks down: Adult leaders - Kelli and Dave, 13 kids from 6th to 8th grade, 4 High School leaders, one college leader, and me, Todd, your tour guide.
It has been my privilege to lead this trip for the second time. Pastor Brian Mease led the first two trips in 2007 & 08 and it has grown every year since. Along with my son Austin, Happy Project has been in our family from the start. Pastor Mike and his family have become great friends of ours over the years and the trip is about more than just the week we spend in Jackson. Many small groups from Hope visit the Happy Church throughout the year taking on repairs, painting, or just helping with whatever needs to be done. The kids from the Happy Church visit us on their trips north competing in bible quiz competitions.
Did you know the Happy Church Quiz Team consistently ranks in the top 3 in individual and team competitions? Our mission team will get a chance to test their quiz-abilities against the pros from the Happy Church during our trip.
This years VBS theme is Egypt - From prison to palace! We look forward to sharing about Joseph and making his story come to life.
Follow this blog as the trip kicks off on June 19th!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Team is set for HP2010
We are 10 days away from departing on Happy Project 2010! This will be the 4th Annual Happy Project in Jackson, KY. 17 Students and 4 Adult Leaders will spend a week serving and sharing the Gospel with the people of Jackson, KY and the congregation and guests of The Happy Church.
Check back here for daily updates and pictures.
Check back here for daily updates and pictures.
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