Time to ride a bike

New York City 

The first mission trip

March 22th, we departed our mission trip. Everyone was all excited. After two days of bus, finally we arrived in NewYork. There were people who guide us. They are amazing people I ever met. They leaded us to do better work at day and to be better Christian in evening. I could learn so many things from them. There was share, care, joy, and hope. 

Honestly I had high expectation about this trip. I thought I could  help more than I actually have done. But I realized this trip was to help them but at the same time it was for us as well. Like I already said, I could learn something more from helping them and worshiping. We all took care ourselves, so we could be closer to each other. 

The most important thing I learnt from this trip is God is Hope. Whomever it is, Christian or not, God is hope to people. Even though they do not believe God, he is always there and wait for us to let him come into our heart, he is always at first and last. He loves us first and never ending. And if we believe in God, there is always hope.

Trent Park

What a trip!

We are in Chicago heading home after one very special week.  No one could have guessed the number of lives that might be touched in such a short period. It started with a group of people who knew each other by name but maybe little more.  The beginning of our relationship had to start with several kids singing "let it go" from the movie Frozen often and loudly on the bus.

During the week, we had Pink Pony battles with Olaf, many card games involving push-ups, morning wake-up calls with singing, the excitement of staying at a beautiful retreat center, incredible late night worships, and so much more.

Lives were touched with our new friends of New York, people like Warren, Stefan, many little people, Fran, Mike, and more.

I believe our own lives were touched as much if not more through all of this.  The laughing, praying, singing, talking, playing, working, and time spent together  has developed some long lasting friendships.

Our Saviour truly blessed our trip and I thank Him for all of the relationships along the way!

A Fantastic Week

This entire week has been eye opening. I've learned new skills, helped people out, spread Jesus' love, and seen the sights of New York. Most importantly I've gotten new friends and a closer relationship with Jesus. This week has been unlike any other and I am glad that I went. I am looking forward to being home and with friends and family after all this time. See you guys soon.

Amazing week and unforgettable memories

Hello everybody my name is Derrick. I am writing this for sharing the feeling of this amazing week. After 17 hour bus rode, we got to the NYC and we met the nextstep's staffs. They were really nice and friendly. 

We went to fix the school, church and house. It was a lot of work for me and it made us really tired but I felt greatful after I done all my work. I saw friendship was growing at work, teamwork, and people were helping each other. We were making new friends and we got know to people maybe we will never talk to.

Anyways that was a really amazing trip with the amazing friends and the leaders

Post Title Here (I'm awful at original titles)

To whom it may concern:

Hey guys, my name is Noah Lange, writing at the conclusion of this amazing week. As we travel on the bus back home, much thoughts, reflections, and memories pass through. 

So this week was full of help and service. As we worked on a school and diaster relief sites, the best part would have to be the faces of those whom we served. It was awesome seeing how much work a ragtag group of high schoolers could accomplish, and just how far the seeds we planted may reach, only God knows.

Our leads his week were jus a group of awesome, amazing, helpful, and just overall amazing people. Seriously, this trip would not have been what it was without Junior, Phil, Blesson, Stanley. Cody, Hillary, I hope I don't forget anybody. 

God has blessed us and worked through us to further our purpose. As this trip draws to an end, His work will continue through us, through the new partnerships, friendships, walls, basements, and compassion that occurred this week. May God bless all who are reading this, and may His power never stop.

-Noah Lange

Snow in Cleveland

We loaded the bus for the last time.  God has blessed us in many ways this week.  God is good!

Sweet place to stay.

The place we stayed at.

Central Park

All the kids at Central Park.

We can't leave

Some of the staff and Nathan 

Lutheran high school

We are at Lutheran high school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Saturday morning

This morning we got to sleep a little bit more than the other days, we ate waffles for breakfast and right after that we started taking our backs and everything to the bus. Sadly we had to say goodbye to the Next Step crew guys who were with us trough this past week and they made our New York experience so much better.

We stopped on the Lutheran School which provided us a very great place to stay the last couple of nights. We met the principal who showed us the huge and nice school. Now we are back on the bus heading to Cleveland, everybody is tired because this week we worked really hard so we are getting ready for nap time!

-Nathalie

NYC Adventure

Yesterday was an exciting day for all of us. We traveled to New York City for our "fun day". We went all over the place, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, Time Square, and the 9/11 memorial. For lunch, most of us ate in China Town, which was an adventure! 

We got around by the subway and by walking. It was a great experience to explore the city and see things I have never gotten to see. 

I have made lots of new friends and have gotten to strengthen my friendships with people I already knew. It felt great to help people recover from the hurricane. This week has been amazing and it unfortunately has to end. 

~Mikala

Being Stretched

That's what's happening on an hour by hour basis for all of us.  Building walls, drywalling and demo projects were certainly part of our expectations.  But what we didn't realize was just how much each one of us would grow in our faith.  Things like the foot washing time, video testimonials, amazing messages and times for devotions, group prayer and sharing we're added dimensions to our journey.  We've also been blessed by the many new friends that we've made along the way.  

How powerful!  Please continue to pray for our group and the amazing young people leading us this week.  Serving others and being with a group of people of all ages and backgrounds has never been so rewarding.  Thanks God!

Chris Nelson

New York City

We have had a really good week so far. Everyone has worked hard and worked well together to finish the work projects. Now we are headed to Battery Park to get on the Staten Island Ferry. Then we are going to explore New York City. I am really excited!

Afton 

Last day of Work :(

I miss you mom and dad, love you lots! This week has been amazing and the smiles we put on everybody's faces was a get feeling and put even a bigger one on mine. God has blessed us with a hard working group, no one every stops working, and everybody gives 110%. I thank god everyday for letting me go on this trip and just bond with everybody. Sad to be done with all the work 

Thursday the 27th

Today I was with the crew that went to Mike's house. He had no heat and was living with no insulation or drywall, only bare studs on top of concrete walls. We finished painting to prevent the spread of mold, which took up most of my time. Insulation was pretty much completely installed. By the end of the day, Mike's house was noticeably warmer. I feel blessed to be a part of Superstorm Sandy cleanup with these guys.

Day 6

It was or last day of work projects today. Today we continued working on our projects. We continued to work at the two sites we were at yesterday. Some of the projects included insulation, painting, and cleaning things up. It is cool how everyone has worked together to finish the projects! It has been a lot of fun and we have gotten a lot accomplished. Through the projects we have accomplished I feel we have done a lot of great things. This trip has brought glory to God through service and having fun together.  

-Katie

Thursday

So today was our last day of working and a group of us spent it at a man named Mike's house. We started off by painting all the wood in the basement and then later insulating the walls. We swept and swept but there always seemed to be more dirt and debris. It was crazy to think that someone could be living in a non-insulated basement with moldy walls and hardly any furniture. It really made me appreciate my house and family, but it also made me appreciate what we were doing for this man even more. I thank God we had the opportunity to serve this man and I pray that his life will continue to go in a positive, God-fearing direction.

-Karissa

The Fourth Day

We're finally all settled in and going strong. Today was the fourth day of our trip and the second working here in New York. We continued working at Our Savior Lutheran School, and almost finished everything up there. Carpets getting installed, new classrooms are being formed, walls are painted, and a teachers lounge is near completion. Couldn't be happier to be serving our God and doin His work. Everyone's hunkering down now and resting up for another busy day tomorrow! 

-Nathan 

Our Day in Queens

So we just wrapped up our day which I think Nikki wrote about earlier. It was a great day in which we got to help some very nice and grateful people. Tonight we worshiped together and learned how important it is to remember that as children of God, we're beautifully and wonderfully made. 

PS Gabby says that there's no toilet paper in the girls bathroom 

-Allee

The First Day By Nikole Armstrong-Schwartz

Today we went to Our Savior Lutheran School. While there we helped repaint the walls, demo out a wall, take down some display cases, and take out a few doors that will one day create a teachers lounge. The staff there was so greatful especially seeing the man who founded the school received it after it was abandoned. We all had fun and ended up with at least a little paint on our clothes. Our devotions for the day began with life being meaningless without God and why it is meaningless without him. During our lunch devotions we discussed how amazing this world is and how it was beautifully crafted... take a moment as we did today to just admire how all things were made and all perfectly crafted by God 

Awesome!

Having a great time here in New York! The city is awesome, and I can't wait to start serving a community in New York soon! 

Brett Patzke

Sunday night

Tonight was an amazing night! We got at the church and then had chapel. Chapel was more than I thought it was going to be, we sang some songs which was AMAZING then went into our groups. After groups we sang again. Then went back to our "den" to get ready to go to bed, but why would we go to bed right away. So instead we are just playing games until we have to go to bed. That's all that was interesting enough to tell everyone for today. 

Gabby King

Another post from Talya and Liberty

Cool guy  and awesome guy

Talya and liberty cool post

Mr.Nelson says hay

Respect our Hosts

We are thankfully in Cleveland at Lutheran High School West for the night. One of our covenant promises was to respect our host.  After some pizza and games we will be leaving the school cleaner than we found it.  Lots of laughter and fun tonight.  Can't wait to see the big city and to meet our friends from Next Step tomorrow night.

Mr. N

Lunch!

Good stop for Mickey D's and Dairy Queen.  4 hours left to Cleveland.

Welcome to Ohio!

Our adventure has moved to state number four!  The team is clearly relaxing to the hum of the road.  It's a great time to enjoy the ride.  I'm excited to see how God continues to work in and through our team!     

"Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:16, NIV).  

Thanks for your prayers!

Joy in Jesus!

Eric Wenger

We're off!

Ever play Tetris?  That's what the loading was like under the bus this morning.  A lot of stuff!  We'll be stopping in Milwaukee to pick p the Smiths in a couple of hours.  

Talya says Hi!

Pizza Ranch Night

What a blessing!  We were given the opportunity to be a part of a Community Impact Night at Pizza Ranch.  10% if sales plus a lot of generous tips are coming our way tonight.  Thanks Lord!