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The Citizen, 2005-07-28, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 28, 2005. PAGE 11. Members of youth group work in D.C/s inner city Youth at work Members of the Wingham Pentecostal Church youth group worked and visited with children in Washington D.C.’s inner city. (Photo submitted)- What could be more life changing than a missions trip? Ten people from the Wingham Pentecostal Church youth group (Generation JY) went on a missions trip to Washington D.C. from July 7- 16. B.J. Nethery said, “It was a life changing experience that I will always remember.’’ The team had been through training with much prayer prior to the trip to make the experience most effective. Having been told a little about the city but not having been there before, everyone had different expectations of what it would be like. David Keating said, “One of the largest difference is that in Anacostia (the sections of the city we stayed in, in Southeast D.C.) there is a 97 per cent African American population.” Alyssa . Oldridge said, “Washington D.C. was nothing like I expected it to be. And all the people down there were so nice. When we walked in to the all-African American church on the Sunday we got nothing but 'hey how are?’ and hugs and and kisses.” All of the youth who went on the trip were happily surprised by the friendliness and welcome they received by the youth and kids of south-east Washington. It was a 14-hour drive down there and back. While there the youths stayed in an apartment located in Anacostia, an area well known for its high crime and poverty rates. They spent most every morning painting the home of Pastor Steve and Teri Mullen who are the founders and directors of Kids' Konnection (a ministry in the city which works with thousands of kids on a weekly basis). In the afternoons they worked under Kids’ Konnection, putting on a vacation Bible school program for a group of about 20 in one of tkie housing projects known as Stoddert Terrace. Hannah Bjorkman said “The children were just adorable and you got to show your love to them, and for the time they were with you they could feel somewhat safe, and didn’t have to think about the bad times at home.” Friday the group was up at 5 a.m. to help serve at a breakfast put on by Third Street Church of God, for the homeless in the city. Keating said. "One of my favourite parts of the trip was when we helped at a homeless breakfast. It is amazing how talented most of the homeless people we met were. 1 let one man try my guitar and he was really good. At another point someone broke out singing and his voice was amazingly good. By helping out there it helped rid me of my biased opinion of homeless people.” Niall Jones agrees that the kids grew a lot through this trip. “Maybe because after painting. Vacation Bible School, teen church and the breakfast ... we had minimal time for ourselves - or even the sightseeing. One evening we did get a tour of the city - saw the White House and a lew of the monuments. It was through all this time together in ministry that we laced numerous things as a team, that caused us to be challenged and grow. Hannah Bjorkman said, “As a team we overcame things on this trip such as fear, being mad at each other, and just other things that wc were able to work through.” Going to D.C. really taught me how to love people more.” Annamieka Kerkhof said. "It was an awesome time to grow in God both alone and as a group.” The teens all enjoyed meeting and hanging out with many of the teens who attend a church on Friday nights at Kids' Konnection. All were deeply saddened by finding out one of the boys - only 13 years old, is living with the HIV virus. There was much to be learned by the experience. John Kerkhof, an adult accompanying the group said, “The willingness to be a servant of all by everyone from leader to youth made the 10 days a time of excitement and adventure. Oh yes, we were tired and hot at times, but knowing we were there with a x mission to serve God, with joy - kept the complaining to a minimum. We all learned how hungry for Christ these children in the projects arc. I am praying that our efforts made a difference in their lives as 1 know that it made a difference tn our lives.” Another adult leader was Scott Devlin who says, “When I prayed that life would be an adventure I wasn t quite sure what I was asking for exactly, but our mission to D.C. has been a great adventure tor sure - from ministering to youth in the “ghetto” to serving homeless adults breakfast wc experienced the thrills of being in a foreign place in an unfamiliar culture, serving those in need." Holly Stein (youth leader of GJY ■of WPG) commends all the youth for their great flexibility and servant­ like attitudes and say a big “thanks” to them, the leaders, and the church family." Thanks as well to the parents who allowed their kids this opportunity, even when it was a bit frightening to let them go on such a venture for God. To sec more pictures and info about Generation JY visit www.generationjy.com THE ANGLICAN CHURCH OF CANADA ‘TVeCccwteA, tf&cc to cawte SUNDAY, JULY 31 faruf 06 fan totn&fafa Sunday, July 31 Morning Worship Service - 10 a.m. Evening Worship Service - 7:30 p.m. Trinity, Blyth 9:30 a.m. St. John's, Brussels ll:!5a.m. The Rev. Tom Wilson, B.A., MDiv. 887-9273 "The Church is not a Building, It is People Touching People" Sunday 9:15 a.m. - Prayer Meeting 11:00 a.m. - Worship Service Phone 523-4875 308 Blyth Rd. E. - Pastor Les Cook 523-4590 iI July 31 Guest Speaker: Phil Main 10:30 am July Location: Blyth Community Centre, Upstairs August 7 Special Outdoor Worship at POINT FARMS Evangelical Missionary Church Pastor: Ernest Dow - 523-4848 http://getlivingwater.org Donation-based \ PASTORAL COUNSELLING • Marriage • Family •Budgeting J BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH Pastor John Kuperus Hwy. 4, Blyth 523-9233 Wheelchair accessible BRUSSELS - ETHEL PASTORAL CHARGE UNITED CHURCH OF CANADA Church Office 887-6259 E-mail - bepc@wightman.ca HURON CHAPEL EVANGELICAL < MISSIONARY CHURCH SING A SONG OF Sunday Auburn - 526-1131 PASTOR DAVE WOOD Sunday, July 31 Brussels & Ethel Congregations are worshipping with their friends at Melville Presbyterian Church, Brussels Worship in Brussels & Ethel United Churches resumes September 4, 2005. 10:30 a.m. - Morning Worship Service For the month of August there will be special guest speakers jjTi Wednesday 1A NO Sunday School for July or August 7:30 p.m. - Evening Worship Service 7:00 p.m. - Adult Bible Study 7:15 p.m. - Adult & Youth Bible Study MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS Sunday., J-uty 31 Blyth United Church Corner of Dinsley & Mill Street Sunday, July 31 Worship Service 11:00 a.m. 11:OO am - Sunday Morning Worship 9:30 am - Sunday Belgrave Service We welcome our friends from Brussels United who will worship with us for the month of August. Wheelchair accessible Nursery care available Rev. Cathrine Campbell - 887-9831 Minister: Rev. Robin McGauley Office: 523-4224 Blyth United Church is a welcoming community of faith. We celebrate Cod's presence through worship and study, and through responding to the needs and gifts of each other.ss Sanctuary