Update by Bryan Botsch
Our trip to Rutland, VT was awesome. We worked with youth and adult leaders from three other churches (a Presbyterian church from Pitman, NJ, a Presbyterian church from Rochester, NY, and a Lutheran church from Baltimore, MD). We served the community by clearing trails in a local park, conducting Kid’s Camp (similar to Vacation Bible School), assisting at a local shelter and soup kitchen, and visiting a local assisted living facility and nursing home. The kids really worked hard and never complained. They truly made a different in the lives of Rutland residents of all ages. In addition to their service, they also spent a few hours each day learning the Bible and worshipping the Lord. They even got a chance to do some rock climbing and visit a marble museum.
Thanks again to all who prayed for us and supported our fundraisers. The kids will put together a presentation to be given to the parish, probably in the fall. Many youth are anxious to go next year, but we will need adult leaders to make it happen. If you have any questions, feel free to ask Mtr. Sheelagh, Jonathan Hill, Lillian Ashie, or myself. Please pray about it and let me know if you are interested. I promise you it will be a rewarding experience. Once we have two adult leaders (one serving as the trip leader for the church), we can choose next year’s site and place our deposits with YouthWorks. If we register by August 12, the deposit will be half off.