Camps and retreats are not only a lot of fun but are probably one the most impacting and life-changing things we do all year. There is something about getting away for a few days from the hustle and bustle of life that really makes a difference in students’ lives. It’s a great opportunity to build friendships and memories that will last. As you can probably tell by now I am super excited about retreats and camps and believe they are often turning points in student’s lives. I have many fond memories of summer and winter camps from my youth days. It was at a winter camp when I was 14 that my eyes were opened to what this whole “God thing” about. It’s not just about rules, regulations, church, or even the afterlife. I thought being a Christian was trying to be good enough person to qualify for heaven and God was waiting to strike me down if I messed up. What I found radically changed my view of God and what this life is all about. I gave me hope, purpose, and reason to get out of bed in the morning. It was pretty simple really…it’s about relationships. God wants to know me and I can know him. It’s not just some kind of fire insurance its about having meaningful relationships with God and people. That winter camp and other retreats like it kindled in me a passion that if I could help even one student really realize that eternal “LIFE” can start now then I could make an eternal difference.
We wanted to let you know about our upcoming summer retreat July 11th – 15th for all 6-12 graders from the current 2006-2007 school year. The cost is $225 dollars if you register with a $50 deposit by Sunday June 17th. Make checks payable to The Rock Church and give deposit payment as well as the camp registration form (linked below) to one of the youth staff by June 17th. The full amount is due Sunday July 8th. We do not want any student to not go just because of finances so talk to us if that’s an issue and we will work with you on a plan. We would love for as many students as possible to attend as it will be one of our biggest events of the year and be another opportunity to continue to build positive relationships with God and each other. Included with this letter is more detailed information and you can contact matt@therockchurch.net or any of the youth staff if you have further questions.
You should be getting more information in the mail by the end of this week. If you don't it probably means we do not have your mailing information. Send Laura or I a quick note with your student's name, address, phone, and email address and we will get that taken care of.
12 hours in and we are having a great time. We played some games, let our creative juices flow with some great shirt designs and posters for the mercy mile tomorrow. Laura will be giving more details on our fund raisining efforts but I am blown away by what students raised. I way under estimated what impact a group of committed teenagers could do for a cause they are passionate about. Amazing!
I think its hard to really imagine what some of the kids in Uganda and other areas of the world have to deal with on a day to day basis. It makes me so thankful that I can raise my family in a safe enviroment. We are very blessed but I am getting the feeling that with great blessing comes great responsibility. What are we going to do to continue to make a difference after this year's famine is just good memories?
PS: The boys are going to totally win the bread bake off...
So... Gameworks was pretty fun! Pics and a link to the (rather silly) video below...
My favorite part of the night was when the waiter brought our whole group sippy cups and told us happy birthday... excellent. Questions, comments, snide remarks?
Download mortal_combat_g_for_jesus.wmv
I know I said I was going to post about the 30 Hour Famine last night but that was before Comcast (in it's all-knowing ISP customary level of excellence) decided that a light rain should completely prevent my access to the internet. Now that that's out of the way...
We are joining thousands of students all over the world by participating in the 30 Hour Famine on April 27th and 28th. Starting at noon on Friday the 27th, participants will stop eating for 30 hours and spend that time in praying, raising awareness, and fundraising for world hunger and serving our local community.
$30 may be "almost enough for a good video game" to you and me, but to children in many countries, it's enough to eat for 30 days. For that reason, in order to participate in the 30 Hour Famine, students and leaders must all raise at least $30. Fundraising materials will be available to all participants starting Sunday, March 24th.
I HATE fundraising even more than I hate Comcast... so do some of you and so you've asked for some ideas on how to raise money - here are five ideas from several places, including the official 30 Hour Famine website that has several other interesting tidbits!
1. Write letters... Everybody gets too many emails. Sit down and write a handwritten note to a few people who either really like to help with stuff like this, or really like you! Tell them why your doing the famine, that you're trying to raise money, and that you wanted to say hey anyway. At the very least, most people will think it was nice that you thought of them.
2. Hit up your relatives... Depending on your age, you've got a small window of years left where certain relatives will think its "cute" that you care about world hunger. Make them pay for all those years of gratuitous cheek-pinching!!!
3. Sell something... Sell some video games that you don't play anymore... Drag some of your old clothes to Plato's closet... Stand outside a gym and sell Snicker bars... Be creative!
4. Work. Do extra chores at home. Do a little yard work for somebody. Knock on a neighbors door and offer to pick up the 2 years worth of dog poop that's accumulated in the back yard. Seriously... I'll pay somebody to come out and deal with that at my house!
5. Bug your entire neighborhood. Grab your 30 Hour Famine fundraising pack and go to each door and ask if they'll contribute $1 to eradicate world hunger. A lot of people will be happy to contribute that way!
Got any other ideas or know how your going to do it? Post a comment here - maybe someone else can use your idea!
Finally, we discussed at length on Sunday, the merits and detriments of the official 30 Hour Famine "Hungry Child" logo. Guest artist Andrew Brookhart contributed his revised version of the logo on Sunday and to be honest, I like it better. The little abstract stick figure with the metaphorical void in his tummy is a lot easier to look at but the fact is: 29,000 children (CHILDREN)die each day from hunger and other entirely preventable causes.
We can do something, so let's.
