Barn Party 2012

The Barn Party was a lot of work and a lot of fun. I was covered in dirt from head to tail by the time the event packed up (took a lot of scrubbing to get clean). I had 22 Elmira students attend the event and they seemed to have a good time. Several of those students participated in the paintball obstacle course, of which Daisy shot me the most. I ran it if the student agreed to let me shoot at them as well. Daisy hit me in the head and 3 other times. I only got the luxury of hitting her twice. I had two students, Stacey and Xavier, run it the most and they will also help me with the middle school all nighter. 

I participated in an event that is different from my personality, mainly my utter distaste for country music and attire. Luckily I love reaching kids with the gospel so this goes out the window to "be all things to all people", thanks Paul. 

Our speaker, Shawn, gave a message about how screwed up and in need of a savior we are. He gave a story from his life about how a student from his youth group whom had a very bad home life. This student had one friend, her dog. While at camp her parents called her to tell her they put the dog down. Shawn ended the camp with a song called dead puppies by a guy named Doctor Demento. Needless to say the song was not uplifting and made the girl burst into tears. The moral of the story is all of us can point out how messed up the human condition is and that in order to make it through and have hope of improvement we need help. 

What a race

We get to run our race with endurance for a reason! Success is a milestone measured over a period of time and with in each point in time. Where we are at now with Elmira Campus life is amazing considering where I started in January 2011. Historically where Campus Life was in Elmira in the 80's not quite but we are getting there. Between various events I would say over 120 current students have been to a campus life event in the last year and a half.

This however is not the point I wish to emphasize. I have a couple students that I have seen tremendous growth in as they start to attend church. I see it in my volunteers as they coordinate events and reach out to the students. I see a couple girls, after the girls retreat, slowly realizing they are looked up to by other girls in their freshman class. One of them picks up a van load of students (several whom are new to campus life club). I get to answer questions from some of the Christian students who want to help their friends but don't necessarily know exactly what to say (their is a reason at our office the sign outside says youth guidance). God is doing something amazing and aren't you glad you get to be a part of it!

We have some students that are in very crummy places. Two students I can think of have a dad that the students might be better off out of the picture. One dad is more emotionally abusive and the other controlling with a fair bit of emotional turmoil for the child. One student who rarely comes to club has parents going through divorce and is caught in a very fragile place. I would name students but they are tech savvy enough to read the blog and that would not be fair to them. However I see a spark in these students and I see potential for them. I see how the Love of Christ reaches them through my staff. Where would they be without the added support?

Upcoming events: BARN PARTY - COMMANDOS - LAST CLUB - SUMMER CAMP - BBQ
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I also performed a wedding at club last week. This was no normal wedding mind you! This was one of my volunteers Mandy and a stick in water miniature man. The miniature man grew in the water,  but was still a bit miniature. The girls dressed in summer dressed and Mandy in all white. Some of the guys lined up as groomsmen. I will post a picture when I get a chance. You may ask why is Skyeler performing fake weddings? I would ask you why wouldn't I perform an event the girls couldn't stop talking about from their retreat that bonded everyone closer together (the purchase of the tiny man). In it I see the heart of the kids for Mandy and her heart for them. In the fun I see God's love poured out!

Happy Easter

As I prepare to take some students to church this Easter, I would hope we would all be reflective on the amazing things the Lord has done for us. The last couple weeks I hosted a dear friend I met five years ago while on a mission trip to Mozambique. Feliz Correia was a former orphan working in the orphanage that raised him. I had the opportunity to fly Feliz over during spring break for a visit and his first trip to the United States. Over and over again, whether speaking at my wife's school, at Campus Life Club, or in the public school class rooms at EHS, he said we are a blessed nation. 

Thanks for your continued support to show these kids love and to bless them, and further more help them realize the blessings they have in Christ Jesus. 

May you take the time to reflect as we approach Easter on all the Lord has done for you, and how he is calling you to be a blessing!

I also had the opportunity to go to my first Portland Timbers game (with Feliz too).

Quick Update

I thought I would post a picture of minute to win it. It is an opportunity to entertain students during lunch and show clips from sporting events by local media, music videos, and minute to win it videos/countdowns. Minute to win it will take a three week break until after spring break, as interest seems to wane after a few consistent Wednesdays of it. Coming up this weekend is the girls retreat, hopefully I will have a report to share from Mandy and Erica next week.

2012 Dodgeball Champions

I am proud of our champions! I am excited that the other team finished 8th out of the 10 competing. Elmira has had a long history of being less than stellar at dodgeball. This group of kids worked well together, showed discipline, listened well, and had a ton of fun. Many good conversations were had on the bus and throughout the season. I pray for each one of these students!

Below is the Championship Elmira squad. Below that all the kids that showed up from across the county for dodgeball. And finally below that the championship sponsor the Farm Store (where the trophy will be displayed for the next couple weeks.) Thanks to the Farm Store for you support of Elmira Campus Life and the dodgeball team, also thanks to all the parents who made that gym rock and stayed engaged the whole season, and Stacy Cornelius for cupcakes!

Dodgeball 2012

What an interesting season! 2 kids suspended by parents due to grades, 2 kids flaked out, one girl has her foot in a cast, another broke his arm two weeks ago, and one student was sick for 3 weeks. Luckily I found a couple replacement girls and for the first time Elmira fielded a full squad of 8 on the dodgeball court. The result 4-0 on the day. The other dodgeball team has their best result going 2-2. While the records aren't important from a ministry perspective they are from a moral perspective.
Last year Elmira had only one team and didn't win a single game. Sure they won a match here and there but never the whole game. This year @ 9-7 and 5-11 the two teams are doing well and moral is good. Every now and again a kid from the team that is 5-11 will say I stacked the better team. I try and explain if that were true they wouldn't have 5 wins.
Besides building relationships, which team sports do very well, I get to talk to students about their motivation. Why are you playing dodgeball? To have fun? You have a friend who plays it Your competitive and want to win? You love the sound of a dodgeball hitting another in the face? The reasons vary but the overarching theme is if you aren't motivated correctly how can you even think about success? Where does the best motivation come from? Then the conversation continues.

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Duck Game vs WSU

I had the privilege to take four of my students to the duck game vs Washington State. It was fun and a good bonding time with two freshman and two sophomores. The two sophomores Stacey and Ashley (sitting next to me picture right) are Beaver fans. I was hoping to convert them to duckonianism and I believe that would make Jerry happy. I had a good conversation with Stacey on the drive home about the heart of God. The three girls attend (or loosely do) some church. My goal is to get these students into relationship, or deeper relationship, with Jesus Christ. I never force anything on them, just discuss and support them regaurdless of their decisions. Unlike as a duck fan, For Jesus I am not in the conversion business. I am in the relationship business and Jesus decides what areas of life are in need of revision. I simple guide and encourage with the leading of the Holy Spirit. On the Jesus end I think these students are experiencing Christ love and moving slowly closer to Him. On the Duck conversion thing....their still beaver fans :)