Videos

Videos of the Haiti Mission Trip 2011

Back in the US

We have landed in Florida. Thanks for all the prayers and support. Videos posted later tonight.

Day 7 | Jeremiah Ramsey

Well this week has been a blast!! I’ve seen the way of life of many of these great people and have learned to appreciate many of the things I take for granted everyday. We did our dedication for the two houses we have built over the past week and I got to pray the blessing over the 1st house which was quite an honor! Talking with the locals and our fellow workers has become my favorite part of the trip. I have found my self fully capable of holding a conversation (or argument) with three words total! We went out and did some bargaining with the street vendors near the mission and I talked myself into a few good deals which is always a blast! I tried some of the haitian Coca Cola.. not my brightest idea. Were are going to be headed out for the states tomorrow and the long drive back to Braxton so keep us in your prayers!

Day 7 | Jon Smith

    Hey everyone. Last day here in Haiti and I have to say that I will be glad to get home. We have had a great time here. Two houses were dedicated to two families today who were living in a cinderblock foundation with tarps for roofs. How awesome to see two families get brand new homes. Today was very interesting shopping along the streets. The unidentified food being sold along the streets was interesting as well. Please pray for us a safe return tomorrow. They are also telling us to brace for a long day. Well so long everyone and see you at home.

Day 7 | Mickey Skeens

Good evening everyone, it is hard to believe that this week is over and we are sitting here cleaning and packing for the trip home tomorrow.  We finished our work today, we went to the 2 houses that we built and had a dedication service with them.  The 1st house we built was for a family of four.  They shared with us their experience from January 12th, 2009 when the earthquake hit here.  The Service was quite awesome, Bill was asked to lead the worship service by being the Choir Director, and yes you are reading it correct Choir Director.  We sang 2 songs in english and then the Haitian work crew sang 2 songs in Creole and then Eric Campbell read scripture and challenged the family to live their lives and be a light for Jesus and then Jeremiah offered up the closing prayer.  We then went to the second house and John Smith read scripture and challenged the family as Eric did and Brian Gerwig closed in prayer.  This was quit a blessing and an honor to see and to be a part of.  

The rest of the day was ours to walk the streets and to buy some gifts and barter with the locals.  Everyone was able to buy some things and it is amazing how much they are willing to sell something for when they start out so high.  I can’t wait to get home but yet it is hard to leave knowing how much more work and ministry needs to be done.  The little girl that came out and played with us each day was there for the dedication and was still in the same shirt that she was in the first day that we met her.  We took some clothes to see if we could give them to her, but we were told we would have to go through the proper channels. They assured us that they would follow up and get this taken care of.  She shared with us that she had 6 other siblings.  God has been so good to me that I know that I don’t deserve it.  I know that I need to be a better Christian role model in the church, our community and at home as a father and a husband.  I pray that he will continue to do a work in my life and make the changes in me that needs to be done.  Love you all and looking forward to seeing you soon.

Day 7 | Bill Morlan

Well for the most part the trip is to the end.  Cleaning and packing is all that is left.  It has been quite a week and we have been the one’s who were blessed.  To see the faces of the people who received a new house was amazing.  both families lost their houses to the earthquake and they lost everything.  The devastation of the quake is unbelievable and to hear the stories was heat breaking.  We did make some great contacts for future youth and adult trips.  I will be making contact with the leaders of the Haiti mission groups as soon as i get back.  I know this one thing for sure, I am not the same guy now who I was when I left.  This trip has changed my life and my walk with Christ.  I would encourage everyone who is able to make a trip like this while you still can.  Love ya Bron and boys.

Day 7 | Brian Gerwig

Well today is more or less the finally day. All we have left is packing and cleaning everything up since we are the last group here until Feb. I got to say the dedication prayer for our second house that was really special to me. This trip has been awesome it has really changed the way I look at stuff in my life. I cant wait until i get the opportunity to come here again if God allows it. I highly challenge anybody that gets the chance to come serve in Haiti. Thanks for all the prayers and support.

Day 7 | Eladio Mazon

We had two dedications today - during the last one , our leader , Roger got a call wanting a person with medical experience to help fly a guy that had been shot .  So I’ll be going home on a smaller different plane . I know God will be with all of us on our trip home.  It has been a fabulous experience been able to actually help the same people which we, as a church prayed for almost two years ago; the earthquake happened on Jan. 12th 2010.   There is still much to do here , but progress is being made mainly by all the different churches in the country.  You really need to make one of these trips - it will change your outlook on life - guaranteed !    Thanks for praying for us and all the support which we have received .   Love you    Eladio

Day 7 | Eric Campbell

Just wrapping up what you have read from everyone else, today I was involved in the dedication service for one of the homes we helped to build. I was nervous, but with help from Pastor Bill and through prayer I was able to deliver the message to the family. That was a moment I’ll never forget. It was special to be involved and this past week has given me a new outlook on life. I’m far more thankful for the life God has blessed me with than what I was before I came. If you can spend just a week in a third world country, you won’t have anything to complain about when you return home to the US. 

Tomorrow we head back to the US. I’ll try to keep this page updated as we make the stops along the way. Start looking for the videos to be posted tomorrow night. Days 1-4 are already done and while it was impossible to capture the experience completely, they will give you a good window into the situation here on the ground. God bless.

Day 6 | Mickey Skeens

God is so amazing.  He gave us another beautiful day to work and to fellowship with the workers and the kids.  By lunch today the stucco was finished on our second house and we just had to finish the floors on both houses and rub down the second one.  After lunch there was some down time because there is only so much room in a 10 X 20 house to fit the 10 of us and the crew of Haitians that were working with us.  We kept switching in and out and by this time there were kids everywhere.  They told us after we were finished that this was the most kids that they had seen all year working on the job sites.  They were all beautiful children with big brown eyes and a smile that you will never forget.  Some of them we have seen each day and they were in the same clothes from the first time that we had met them.  They do not forget your name, because when they come up to you they would call us by name.  They would dance, whistle, laugh and giggle about anything that we would do with them.  There was one little girl in particular that I will never forget.  She was there each day that we were and she always had the same big smile and laugh.  Had the biggest brown eyes of anyone I have ever seen.  It would have been easy for me and some of the other guys to bring her home with us.  It was also a blessing for me to met and work with the Haitian crew, they were very helpful and willing to teach us the way that they do things.  Both houses are finished and Wednesday we will go and meet with the family and do the dedication serve and give them the house.  I am very thankful that God allowed me to come on this mission trip.  I know that I have been blessed and been able to travel a lot, but I believe that this has been the best one that I have ever been on and it has been the most physical and strenuous that I have ever done.  I want to praise God for allowing me to see and to experience this place.  The pictures we have seen on TV from the earthquake is in no comparison to how it really is here.  There is things you smell that you will never forget and things that you could never imagine or believe that someone could live this way.  Looking forward to seeing everyone back home.  Love and miss you all. 

Day 6 | Eladio Mazon

What a great couple of days we have had!            The ride to the work site is an adventure in itself.   We finished the 2 houses today.. Built out of blocks and had to mud all outside and inside walls.  Our arms were about to fall off.   We had a lot of kids today on our site,and we were able to interact with them.  Roger, the man in charge, informed us that one little girl that just had an old t-shirt no shoes and her hair very unkept - she was also  joking with us.  Well , he thinks that she is an orphan with no family.  We are going to get her some clothes, etc.   We just got back from eating a Hatian meal and it was great!  We are going to dedicate both houses tomorrow , and try to talk about God to both families, so please pray for us tomorrow at about 10 AM.   We have worked hard , but have had a tremendous experience - We won’t be able to be the same person again.

Day 6 | Bill Morlan

For the most part the week is over.  Our houses are finished, a day a head of schedule, and all that is left is the dedication.  If you read this before 10:00am be sure to pray for Jeremiah, Brian, Jon Smith and Eric as they will be the one’s leading and sharing at the dedication.  By far the hardest work i have ever done on a mission trip and the hottest weather.  The men that worked with us were amazing and worked harder.

Day 5 | Mickey Skeens

Another Day down.  Today was the hottest day that we have had.  It started out early this morning as we got up at 5:00 to see the group from Hope Sound Bible College off.  They finished their project and headed home today.  They were a great bunch of college kids to work with.  The ride to the job site is something in itself, we travel about 10 miles up the mountain and it takes nearly an hour to get there.  We are on a paved road for about a 1/4 of a mile and then the rest is dirt roads and paths.  We drive until there is no more roads.  By lunch today the group I was working with finished the block on the second house.  We broke for lunch and the Haitian group started to mix the stucco for us.  While some of our group started putting the stucco on the rest of us sifted  sand for the finish on the house.  We ran out of gravel to sift and had some down time.  We had about 15 little kids ranging from 6 to 10 years old come out and we had the opportunity to play and interact with them.  They are some very beautiful children and have the biggest smile that I have ever seen.  They are very happy with what the have and don’t even realize what they don’t have.  Not a one of them had a pair of shoes that fit them or did they have a pair that wasn’t full of holes, but this didn’t stop them from playing and having fun.  They would ask us our name and then they would tell us there’s .  John Bonazzo was the biggest hit with the kids, he was getting them to dance, play box, and was ridding the pony on his knee.  God has blessed us in so many ways I cannot describe.  I am so glad that God aloud me to come.  He has shown me so much, and I appreciate what I have, and I pray that I will never complain about anything that I don’t have.  There is no way that anyone in the US even myself that would live they way they do and in what they have and still be happy and content.  They love the Lord and praise him with all that they have.  The church service yesterday was awesome.  They come out on Sunday in the very best that they have and they all welcomed us with open  arms.  Even though the service was in their native language we could still pick out parts and understand what they were saying and singing.  Can’t wait for you to hear parts of the service.  Looking forward to another great day, and praying that we will be able to get the houses finished for these families.  Hi Riley and Happy 13th wedding anniversary to my lovely wife and my best friend.  I miss you and can’t wait to see you.

Day 5 | Bill Morlan

Well day 5 is in the books and what a day it was.  It was the hotter today than any other.     We have almost finished one of our houses and will start stuccoing the outside of our second house tomorrow.  we had to shift gravel today to find sand.  we went through about a ton of gravel and filled about seven 55 gallon drums with sand.  On house one, we finished the stucco on the inside as well as 98% of the outside.  It will be completed by lunch tomorrow.  On house two, we finished laying the blocks this morning and then started on the stucco.  The inside was completed today and we will finish the outside tomorrow.  It was a long hard day.  We were all worn out and sun burnt.  It is 7:30pm and we are ready for bed.  I can’t begin to tell you how tired we are.  It was an awesome day.  On Saturday, 11 children gave their heat to Jesus at one of the house sites.  It has been an awesome week.  Love ya bron and boys

Tent City

A tent city set up after the earthquake. This was in Port-au-Prince, taken when we first got here on the way to the Baptist Haiti Missions compound in the mountains.

Day 3 | Eric Campbell

Another full day here in Haiti. Just sitting down to post everyone's blog posts and taking a little time to reflect. Today a man walked up and began talking to Eladio, Rich, and myself in English. There are many moments here that I wish I could videotape and share with all of you, but it's a difficult balancing act between capturing the moment and offending someone. This was one of those. He talked about the conditions here before the earthquake and how poor the people are here now even more so afterwards. He talked with Eladio for 20-30 minutes, taught himself English, walks 45 minutes to church, has no job and has no desire to date a girl until he finds a decent job. I continue to be more and more humbled by the hour on this trip.

At times, it's much easier for me to just think of this trip as a project to build a couple houses, because if I allow the things I'm seeing and hearing to sink in, it's too much for me to handle. You know the pictures are real. You see Anderson Cooper grab a bloody child carry them to safety in downtown Port-au-Prince, but that's TV. Being here makes it all real. There are people suffering. There are people living in tents. I get to go home in a few days. These people have no home. But some of them do have God and they have real joy and couldn't be happier. I just hope and pray that I can share the joy I have thanks to Christ to some that don't know Him.

The other group we are here with finished their home and had a dedication service with the family that will be moving in. Eleven people gave their lives to Christ at that service today. Praise God for that.

Still working on getting more to you back home than just some blog posts. I promise at least a few pictures tomorrow if not something more. Logistics here have been a challenge to say the least.

Enjoy driving to church tomorrow, some people will be walking at least 45 minutes to get there and they will be thankful to worship God and turn around and walk the 45 minutes back.

Day 3 | Bill Morlan

After a 90 min delay in leaving for the job site, we finally left for our houses.  Being on a mission trip in a third world country is at times about waiting.  You learn to be flexible and not to get upset with the waiting.  Being American, we at times get really upset with the wait, but it’s a way of life here.  No one is real concerned with the time like we are back home.  Still today was a great day!  We finished the blocks on our first house and began to stucco it.  The second house we finished the block on the back wall and lack 4 rows of being finished.  We experienced a HOT day today.  No breeze to say of and no cloud cover.  Just about everyone was burnt and we went through the water.  We also loaded about a ton of sand, 5 gallons at a time as well as unloaded another 200 blocks.  Our trip home was a new experience in the “Momma will say there will be days like this”.  It started to rain on us and then we met a Mack truck.  Neither could pass so we did the Haiti thing and tried to pass.  The Mack locked up with our truck and then was stuck and we had to each back us and try again.  This time we got a running head start at each other and somehow made it by each other.  This trip has began a new book for “Momma would say there will be days like this”.  Everyone is working very hard and the work is hard to say the least.  We are surrounded each day by multitudes of children always asking for food or money and it does get hard saying no.  It seems like all of the children have the biggest smiles that you will ever see and enjoy being with us.  As you work and travel, your heart aches as you learn of their stories.  Not only from the earthquake, but from everyday life.  I can’t wait to tell of the stories when we get back.  Love ya all.  Love ya Bron and Boys.

                                                Bill

Day 3 | Mickey Skeens

What a blessed day it was.  It was a little hotter today and God saw fit to allow us to experience some of the real climate here.  As Bill said the Haitians are not on any time schedule, they don’t get in a hurry about anything.  We have set and talked about how much could me accomplished if we could start on our time, then he shows us that we are on his time and everything always works out.  I have met and made many new friends here and they all come from different parts of the world.  Kenneth is a paster from PNG and has been in the states for three months, he felt Gods call on his life to come here for an education, he left behind a wife and four kids ranging from 4 months to 15 years.  Just listening to him talk and share his story is amazing and you know that only God could have worked this out for him and his family.  The job foreman is Taejohn and he is a very large man for a Haitian.  It has been an honor and privilege to get the opportunity to meet him and get to learn his trade of block laying.  We have spent the last 2 days sharing and learning about one another.  Can’t wait to share more once back  in the states.  I love and miss everyone.  I miss my girls, Love you Marcy and Riley.

Day 3 | Brian Gerwig

What a blessing it has been being able to come on this mission trip. You know how you see poverty and such on TV well its total different seeing it in real live. Im so blessed and this just opens my eyes to really see how blessed I am, actually  how blessed WE are as Americans. What really amazed me today is when we were carrying block today and a twelve or thirteen year old girl was packing three concrete blocks just as I was, I thought to myself there aren’t very many thirteen year old boys in our country that can pack three concrete blocks thirty blocks.... Thanks for everyones prayers and one last thing that’s kinda funny... Mom i love you but when you bought me socks you got 9 1/2 in boys we got pictures how they fit on my size 12 foot. Once again thanks for all the prayers.

Day 3 | Eladio Mazon

It is 7:30 PM.  and I think we are ready to go to bed.  It was a hard day at work - we didn’t start to work until 10:30 AM because in Haiti things don’t go to fast. - the travel is very hard , we travel in a large work truck ; they put all 26 of us plus the interpreters in the back bed.  The trip takes about 50 minutes and you have to hold on for your life.

We even had some little boys and girls helping us carrying the bricks.  They all are very glad that we are here.  I talked to a young man that is learning English by listening to the radio and repeating the words and also using the dictionary.   He travels 45 mins. by foot to church on the top of the mountain.  And he feels blessed.   What a humbling experience!            Keep praying for us.

Day 2 | Eric Campbell

Tonight, I'll let the other posts that will follow do most of the talking for our experience here. For those looking for a video, I have plenty of footage of the events you will read about. Unfortunately, right now the internet connection is preventing me from sharing that with you. Still working on it, might have something up later, maybe not. Hope everyone is doing well back home. I'm wore out after a full day of manual labor that I'm not used to at all, but it's pretty difficult to complain when you see your surroundings. Take care and God bless.

Day 2 | Mickey Skeens

What a beautiful day God gave us.  Perfect weather and wonderful people to work with.  Different Country, Different Name, Same Problems.  After just a few hours of work we were out of supplies.  We were 250 blocks short to finish our first house.  For the next few hours, we sifted sand for the finish that we will put on the house.  Once the truck arrived, the real work began.  We had 400 blocks to unload and carry into the 2 house sites.  What a work out.  My arms are like jello.  When we were finished and got back to laying block we ran out of mortar and we only lacked three rows on the front and two rows on the back.  Looking forward to finishing our first house tomorrow and getting the next one started.  God blessed us with the right temperature to work because he knew we could not handle to heat of this place.  People here are wearing light weight jackets and toboggans.  We are in shorts and cut off shirts.  At the market today I received the name of Big Poppy.  Here your size is how wealthy they think you are.  Kids and adults all had their laughs.  Laughing is a good thing.  So just have to smile and go with the flow.  We have another group with us from a college in Florida.  They have been a blessing to be around.  They are from all over the world ranging from Alaska, New Guinea, and the Ukraine.  They have a beautiful country to see.  Going back into the mountains, now has a new meaning.  A few miles takes almost an hour to get there.  At home we don’t have pot holes, you should see the size of these.  They will swallow a small car.  Looking forward to God’s blessing tomorrow.

Day 2 | Jeremiah Ramsey

So we started this week off with a bang! Today was our first work day and we knocked out some block! We showed up after our 50-60 minute pothole ridden drive we promptly jumped off at a concrete pad with 3 courses of block and multiple haitian workers. We then proceeded to learn their way of laying block. its different then our American way. They prefer to start at both ends and piece together the middle. We ended up laying almost the rest of the house and unloading half of this and the rest of our second house. We were working with a college group from college but many of the students are from around the world. They’re all my age so its nice to get away from all the old farts. I’m pretty sure John Bonazzo is either going to kill me here after I do all the heavy work or just write me multiple tickets. Either way, Ive been having a great time and seeing God in many ways! The people are always happy and laughing and making jokes. It’s hard to believe with this much poverty. It’s quite a heartfelt blessing!!! Ive been keeping Mickey Skeens straightened up for ya tyler!! so don't worry!!! Can’t wait to make some biscuits and gravy tomorrow!! Peace!!

Day 2 | Bill Morlan

You’ve already heard about the day, so here is my take on it.  We went to the market to buy some items with our interpreter, in groups of nine.  We mixed up people from both groups and took off shopping.  My group was called “grandpa’s group”, so everyone was asking me how many grandkids I had.  The markets were like in India, open food was everywhere.  Some of the youth were pretty grossed out by the chickens hanging on the hooks as well as the fish.  The smells were undescribable and the market was packed.  We road in the back of a truck, all 20 of us, standing in the back hanging on to the racks as we bounced all over the place.  It was awesome.  After arriving to the house, we jumped right to work.  We were 6 courses up, when we ran out of material.  We were going to start 2 houses today, but only had bricks at one so we all began at the same house.  We were cruising and then it all came to a halt.  We helped the other team shift sand and did odd jobs like always.  After about 2 hours, our bricks arrived and we spent about an hour throwing blocks to each other.  It was pretty tiring.  We finished what we could before dark and then headed back to the camp.  Another 50 minute ride in the back of the truck.  Now we are getting ready to eat, some are taking showers.  We should sleep well tonight.  Love ya all and talk to you soon, love ya Bron and Boys.

Day 2 | Eladio Mazon

Had a long night last night.  Four big snorers in the room .  Then we got in back of the truck and it was a wild ride.  Haiti is very hilly and have hardly any roads - all 4 wheel drive.  We worked hard until 4:30  and it was a good thing because I was about to give out.   The people  are great  and have a great attitude about life.   God has blessed us beyond believe ! .   Have a lot of different sad stories in this place.  We were able to take GI showers and it felt great.   There is no septic system in the whole country, so everybody burns their stuff.   We will all sleep well tonight after I pass out the Motrin. 

Keep praying for us.  Love you all .

Day 2 | Jon Smith

Wow what a culture change, people at home have no idea how good they have it and I was the same way. Today was a good productive day and I’m looking forward to tomorrow. We all slept pretty good except for the rooster that starts way too early like 2:00 am. Hope everyone at home is good. Mark was right when he said we would smell things we would never forget. Thanks for all the prayers everyone and please keep them up esp with me a little uneasy in the air

Day 1 | Arrival at Camp

The population here is still trying to dig themselves out.   We feel so blessed that we are  able to help out in a small way.   The driving in Port-au-Prince was wild and out of control , but I didn’t see any road rage at all and the streets were full of people.   One thing I have not seen are cats,  I wander why ?.    We got to the Mission compound and got a tour of the campus.  They also have a hospital which we toured and it was really interesting.  People are suffering , but they are very patient, a lesson which we  can learn from. Keep praying for us .          

-Eladio

Day 1 | Arrival at Camp

We arrived in Hati around 2:10 and it was hot!  Baggage claim was just like india with everyone going crazy and grabbing everything in site.  We had no problems during the flight or at the airport and we sailed through customs.  We were taken for a tour of the capitol Port-au-Prince.  We saw some of the destruction, which was unbelievable.  The capitol building was in ruins as well as the cathedral.  the streets are very crowded with only room for cars and trucks to barely miss each other.  We took the tour in an old school bus and our driver drove it like it was a ford focus.  there were a couple of times that everyone got a little nervous.  We are staying in a dorm room, all ten of us and we are located next to the girls room(poor girls).  We will get the tour of the compound tonight and start our projects in the morning.  The mountains that surround us are awesome and it is cool up here in the mountains.  Keep praying for us and we will see you all soon.
-Bill

In the air

On the plane

We are on the plane. On the ground in Haiti this afternoon

In Florida

Made it to Ft. Pierce, Florida. Spending the night here before taking our flight early in the morning to Haiti. We have a couple stops along the way in the Bahamas and the Caicos Islands for fuel. We met up with Rich and Linda Oney this evening and had a good dinner with them. It was a great day for traveling...no problems on the drive down. Please continue to pray for our safe travel and that God would use us to help the people of Haiti and deliver His message. Have a good day and hopefully we'll be blogging from Haiti tomorrow.

Day 11 Video

Day 10 Video

Day 9 Video

Day 8 Video

Final videos

Final videos are finished and I'll begin to upload those after work today. Look for them to start to appear here by 8pm. Thanks!

Day 7 Video

Day 7 | Russell Nuckles

Just to let everyone know, if Tyler doesn't make it home, it was a woman that did it. It will most likely be a very painful, gruesome death. He is totally innocent of all stories you may hear.

Day 7 | Jarren Morlan

This is my first blog of the week, not because I don't like to blog, but because it is the first time it was open to type. Seems as though everyone is on this thing at any and every moment telling about their experiences and God moments this week which has been freakin awesome! God surely has been working in the lives of each and everyone here. Whether it'd be through worship, work, fellowship, and even the "Eric Campbell" jokes. This week has been a great experience for everyone. I have grown closer to individuals within our church that I have not had the chance to before and been seeing God in a lot of things! This has been a great week, I really cant begin to explain all that has happened here, but through others and their blogs I am sure you have read a lot and been moved. Thank you for all your support, without you we wouldnt be where we are today. This has been an amazing week and I am very humbled by everything. (I am done typing now)

Day 7 | Cassidy Dickens

Only a few minutes left before our last dinner in Montana, and I'm praying that God would choose to make the day a few hours longer just this once. Today was by far the best so far of all our days here, which is a huge statement in itself. We had college day this morning at VBS-- it was really great watching Logan, Tyler, Leandra, and Brian get to know all the awesome kids I've been lucky enough to spend my week with. Watching the kids as we all hugged goodbye and let them walk away made me realize something: a piece of my heart will always stay with them, here in Montana.
As if an amazing morning weren't enough, though, God blessed me again just a few minutes ago. Seven of us-- Logan Morlan, Tyler Morlan, Jarren Morlan, Jay Smallwood, Skye Taylor, David Hughes, Brian Gerwig, Russell Nuckles and myself-- decided to hike up to the very highest point on the mountain behind our camp. It wasn't easy (I had fallen in the creek twice within the first minute), but there are no words to describe what made it worth every ounce of effort. It never ceases to amazes me what a magnificent, awesome God we have. Every tree, every much appreciated gust of wind, every multicolored daisy, unnamed flower, rock cliff... It's all one huge reminder that there is absolutely nobody greater. His work, like his love for us, can't be duplicated or outdone, or even described. Just because the mission trip ends doesn't mean that God stops being amazing though; the memories, the realizations, the changes in heart...it will all follow us back home to Braxton.

Day 7 | Miranda Riffle

So far, this week has been amazing. This being my second year in Montana, i once again do not want to leave. VBS had been a great success and interacting with the kids has to be the best part of being here. All the jobs got finished earlier, like always and everyone ended up all working on the house we were adding too which was pure chaos of course with everyone fighting over tools and hiding them so the others wouldn't steal them. But overall, Callie, Erin, Nicole and I (somewhat Andrew) rocked at putting siding on that house. I have to admit that though everyday has been brutally hot, everyone has completely enjoyed being here, spending time with each other and working for the glory of God. Time here on the reservation is amazing, and though it shouldn't because we've done our work, i am certainly sad that this is our last night. We all worked hard, and have become quite close and though i do miss home and friends and family, i don't think i would leave this place in at least 2 weeks. Or maybe never.

Day 7 | JC Hoard

well today went well. we finished our project finally. after we finished, bill, bryson, lloyd and i all showered in ice cold water. We all screamed like little girls. You could hear the chunks of ice coming out of the water hose.

Day 6 Video

Day 6 video below, also new blog posts have been added. We are going to try and post Day 7 video late tonight around midnight-2am eastern.

Day 7 | Schannon Dennison

Wow this has been an experience! One I will treasure. I didn't know what to expect coming into this which turned out to be good that way when we got here and there was no electric and no water and no plumbed toilets I wasn't disappointed unlike MANY of the girls. The work has been hard and we sleep good at night but The Lord is blessing me in so many different ways. To tell the truth I would stay here longer if I had the chance if the Lord provides the opportunity I will be on more mission trips I have the MISSION TRIP FEVER now! I just want to thank everyone that has prayed for us before after and hopefully after our trip and remind everyone we have our own VBS coming up and I ask that you pray for that as well. All this work we are doing, I believe will be pointless, if we don't fertilize the soil in our own backyard! God Bless You all Thanks again to everyone here and at HOME We Miss You All!!

Day 7 | Ashley Neff

Hello all, ashley here again, well today is the 7th day out on our grand adventure.... all in all its been a really great week. I love being here so much that i'm really sad to say goodbye to it all tomorrow. Last night was amazing because we had worship with little Kenny at the new church. It was wonderful to just sit with your close family and friends and sing out praises to the Lord. Kenny was amazing on the guitar... i mean he would just lead us into numerous songs and never stop playing. The church looked wonderful, the finished product was just a sight to see. Yesterday i went to a house to clean... i felt so humbled on the inside because i have more then this family had in the whole house... it just touched my heart to give back in a way that i know that they will appreciate it. The meals here at the camp have been really good, for not having the full kitchen setup the way the dinners come together is just amazing. I have made so many close friends since being out here... and i have come to know myself a lot more in the last few days.. i have pushed myself in ways i thought i never would. God has put me in situations that i have never been in and he has challenged me.. and for that I thank him so much. With this trip i have fully come to the conclusion that i want to go into mission work. My heart just beats with anticipation at the thought of my next mission trip... i just wish my mom could have been here to experience this wonderful trip with my sister and I. So have I been challenged in numerous ways... yes... but do I regret anything... NO!!!! I have come to the conclusion that i have not only gained numerous new friends but a family and i pray that we all stay as close as we are now... Stay good WV... we shall be home soon... and some of us if not all of us will be a changed person in the Lord. Love and miss everyone dearly!! :)

Day 7 | Logan Morlan

Well its been a great week so far the trip was long but really fun. I've gotten to climb a really tall hill and see for miles. It was amazing it reminded me of going to yellow tale with Micah. I took a lot of pictures of it. If you want a good picture of how big God is come here, and climb a tall hill then look around.
I hope the week gets even better as we go along. We are doing really good things here. This camp will be better than Cowen.

Day 7 | Leandra McMillion

Hello family! I miss you so much and I love you :) I hope you are all doing well and that everything is great back home. Today is our fourth day working, and we have already completed so many tasks. I can't believe it has gone by so quickly. I am having such a great time! I have learned so many things...like power tools! I really enjoy working on the house that we are building an extension onto. I hope you all are enjoying the wonderful videos that Eric has put together for us. So many memories are jam packed into those!
God has moved in so many ways. He has really opened my eyes to see his glory. I am so thankful and blessed for that. I am really glad I got to come on this trip to serve Him. This time is really special to me because I am here with my fiancé, Bryson Morlan. Being able to praise God and glorify Him this week by the side of my future husband has blessed me beyond belief. It has made us grow even closer together. God deserves more than I alone could ever give Him, but I will devote my life to praising and giving God all the glory in everything I do.

Day 7 | Allison Ramsey

Hello everybody! I am having a great time, and it's hard to believe this is the last work day. We have of course ran out of jobs. We finished the siding job and I began working with my dad and Bill at Kenneth's house. We had to shower before church yesterday, so since we don't have any running water at the camp, we washed our hair at Kenneth's house, then went down to the creek to bath.

We have had a lot of awesome memories that will never be forgotten. God has really touched my life this week. Continue to pray for us as we leave for Yellowstone tomorrow, and begin traveling home. I love and miss you all. God is being greatly glorified!

Day 6 Video

Look for Day 6 video by 2pm eastern tomorrow. We are currently having worship with Kenny Pretty on Top. Video tomorrow. New blog posts from the youth below.

Day 6 | Russell Nuckles

This has quite possibly been the awesomest mission trip of my life. No showers, no bathrooms, no electricity. And i'm sleeping in a TP. All of which, when added to the atmosphere of a mission week, is turning out to be a terrific experience. Being removed from the normal comforts of life such as running water, cell phone service, etc., really makes you move past the usual everyday concerns about appearance and personal hygiene. The beauty and sheer size of this place shows the unlimited power of the Lord in a way I have never seen before. Anyone who has never seen a sunset on a place as flat as this is missing out on a spectacle unmatched.

As usual, we are already out of jobs, so we are trying to find things to do. In a remarkable turn of events last night, we got the wonderful opportunity to go put a herd of cows back into their proper field. And I thought I had gotten away from all that.

It's hard to believe that we have only one more day to work. This week has really flown by. I miss being home, but at the same time I will be sorry to leave this place.

Day 6 | Matt Bailey

Hola amigos! Today has been a great day here at the Crow Nation. I finally got to take a shower after four days of work. I felt soooooo amazing! I know this sounds cliche, but it really started make me think about God. Going without a shower for four days is gross, and I can barely stand it, but how many times do we not wash ourselves of sin and just go on with our lives? We know we have sin in our lives, but we don't take the time to wash ourselves in the Blood of the Lamb, and be made pure and whole. I want to crave his Holiness like I crave a hot shower. When I get to that point, then I will be where I want to be in Him.

Later today, Bill came up to me and gave me a project, something he has never really done before. I've been in charge of things like teaching, doing bible studies, being a counselor at Cowen, but doing construction work...well...that has never been my strong suit. He showed me the site, and explained the job to me, and I felt a bit overwhelmed. I went back to my room, laid on my mattress, and I was so nervous I would screw it up. But then I realized that I serve a God who can do anything, a God that moves mountains and makes the waves in the oceans. He feeds the starving, completes the broken, holds the frightened, destroys evil, and holds the entire cosmos in his hands. Surely he can but two boards together. And so I prayed that he would help me do this, and he gave me a peace to go and do it.

I went out to the site and looked at the job I had before me. I rallied Mary, Kelsie, and Drew to my side and we owned that job site. Everything went miraculously good! It was more work than we thought it was, but when we got done with the project, it was so amazing. God deserves all the credit for that job, because we did not have the ability or the knowledge to do that job.

You see, God doesn't need gifted people to do his work. He doesn't need carpenters, welders, farmers, trained musicians, doctors, lawyers, or any other special person to do his work. He just needs you. He just needs anybody who will say yes to him, and he will give them all the power that they need. Our potential lies completely in the power that Christ endows us with to do his work. And i assure you, if he wants you to do it, he'll make sure you get it done. Just believe, that's all the difference between ordinary and extraordinary.

Day 6 | Bryson Morlan

Hello to all. I am reporting to you by way of "blogging" from here on the camp site. As most of you have heard this is like camping because we have no running water, didn't have electricity, and no cell service. But if any of you know me, you know that this is similar to a regular weekend hiking trip :). I am in charge of the VBS lessons every morning for the kids and after lunch I help work on Kenneth Pretty On Top's house till dinner. It has been a blast!
Today was something special though. My day started just like every other day, nothing out of the ordinary. However, when I got to the park to do VBS I was really upset because it was covered in trash. EVERY TIME we travel to the park, we clean up trash. The same trash at the same area and the trash cans are always over flowing. I mean we just cleaned this area yesterday, and the day before that, but yet it still just as dirty as if we hadn't done a thing. Out of my frustration, it got me thinking about God. You know that park is like my life. God created it, it is beautiful, however it is full of trash. So think I ask God to come and take it all away, completely clean it up and He does! However, the next day, there's trash. How frustrated do you think God is? It's like I ask him everyday, I just can't keep it clean! It is beyond my control. There is no way I can have a completely clean and beautiful life without God taking away my trash! The coolest thing is, just like every morning I go and clean up the garbage at the park, God cleans up my life every time I ask. Because He loves me, and thats more than enough reason to clean up my mess every time! God's love is new EVERYDAY! I praise the Lord!

Day 5 Video

Day 5 | Mickey Skeens

What a beautiful place God has made.  No Power, No Running Water, No Cell Phones, No TV.  It couldn't get any better.  God never ceases to amaze me at what he does and continues to do.  After traveling over 1700 miles in three days I have heard no grumbling or complaining.  Everyone seems to be in one accord with one another.  The new camp site is beautiful.  It reminds me a lot of camp cowen.  I am so proud of our kids, even though this is only day 2 they have done everything that has been ask of them and then some.  Most of our jobs have been completed and should be finished by Wednesday.  We are starting to look for more work to do.  The Crow Indians are great people to work with, they are very receptive to us and treat us as we belong with them.  God has showed me that it is not always about getting the work done, but just taking the time to spend and share with others.  Just sitting around the camp fire listening to the kids and adults share what God has done for them and what he is doing with their hearts.  You couldn't have asked for a better group to travel with and send out as representatives for Christ.  I am sitting here at the park watching everyone enter act with the children at the carnival we are doing.  I want to thank everyone that made this trip possible for us and to everyone who is taking care of Riley for us while we are away. 

Day 5 | Laura Gerwig

I have had an awesome week so far! I love the whole "ruffin' it", my only problem with it is the whole Porta Potties ( I would rather use the woods). So far today I have helped with concrete which was a really awesome job! I miss my friends and family but still I'm loving it here. I think this is really good for all of us it kinda makes you have to slow down and realize life isn't all about texting, facebooking and such. Sometimes you just need to take a break and get away from the world. I just think it sort of makes us have to bond and not keep our face buried in whats going on at home with everyone. I have had so much fun working. God really touched me a few nights ago with a beautiful sunset. I don't know how people can look at the beauty of this earth and not believe in God.  Tonight is the carnival for the vbs kids I'm so excited. Well it's time to get off here and go back to work :) 

Day 5 video

Uploading the video now. Should be viewable by 2pm. Kenny Pretty on Top will be leading worship tonight (postponed from last night)

Day 4

Several new blog entries by the youth below this video. So please keep reading. I just bumped the newest video to the top.

Day 4 | Ashley Neff

Why hello there.... wow lets just say that this trip thus far has been amazing... I have learned so much about so many people and i thank God for everything that he has showed me. Well today is Monday and today i was with the group that was building on a extra room to a house. Lets just say that i dug enough holes to last me a lifetime but i'm not complaining. I was with Skye, Jarren, Lloyd, Aaron, Logan, Vicki, Schannon, Mahala, Miranda, Callie, Charity, Jay.....so yea pretty much an awesome crew.... We worked really hard and everything turned out great. Then we came back to camp and had a major disaster with dinner but with a few girls and some very lucky women, we including i got an awesome dinner thrown together by dinner time!!! :) Well as i type this they guys are getting together the evening bon fire... i figure this is gonna be an event to be seen... but we will have some smore's and great laughter to be shared.... I miss home and love everyone dearly.... wish that you all could have made the trip. I just heard that we will be able to shower finally tomorrow.... whoop whoop!!! but love you all again.. and God Bless!!!   

Day 4 | Matt Bailey

Today has been totally awesome! We started the day out at 7, with breakfast, and then it was off to vbs. Logan was coordinating the whole thing, Bryson was teaching  bible study for the kids, and i led the puppet show. It's really amazing when you think about it. All three of us, Logan, Bryson, and myself all come from Godly families. Our families live for God, and the core values of their lives is to bring him glory, and look at the impact it has had on their kids. We are all playing a strong part in the ministries we are involved in. You might not think that being involved and going to church is important to your kids, but it is. It makes a difference.

I spent most of the rest of the day under all the cabins, putting girder beams in. Eladio and I were on our bellies, in the dark and grass. It was awesome!

Probably the greatest thing that happened all day was this little girl at VBS, she fell in some mud and got in on her hands. She was walking around, looking for somewhere to wipe it off. We didn't have any napkins or towels, so we were all looking around for what to do. And then I said, "Here, wipe on me" and she did. Both her dirty, little mud covered hands went onto my pants, leaving a huge streak of mud on my side, as she made herself pure. She looked at her hands afterwards, and she was so excited. I walked away and didn't think much about it until later.

It was when we were on our way to camp that God spoke to me. I looked down at my pants, and saw the smear of dirt that blotched my clean pants. And that was when I got it. What I did for that little girl was what Jesus did for me, what he did for all of us. I was a dirty, sinful, wretched, ugly, broken man, and Jesus saw my despair, and he said he to me "Here, wipe at on me. I'll take your sin. I'll take your sin, I'll take your dirtiness, I will take your brokenness" And its only because of Him that I have been made clean. Its only through him that I can be made whole, to be free from the chains, all the addictions and all the pain. He took my sin on, and gave his life for me.

When I realized that, I just started crying. It was the most amazing thing. God is so cool, and he is beyond any imagination. He is God, he is love, he is the love of my life, and I can't wait to be with him tomorrow. Praying for you guys :)

Day 4 | Allison Ramsey

Hello to my family! I miss & love you very much, but I am having a great time! We don't have any electric or showers, which I am fine with, but I'm not a fan of the port a jons. It was different from the last time, but it will be a new experience. So, we are taking the wall home with us.Today was the first day of work. I was in Eric's group, which consisted of myself, Kelsie, Tori, Logan, Tyler and Russell. We are putting siding on Neal's house.

God has really touched me once again with the beautiful scenery across the country. He has also blessed us with arriving here safely. Continue to pray for us as we work this week, and start to come back home. God will be very much glorified! 

Day 4 | Kelsie Tonkin

Hey everyone!!! I was a little taken back when we first got here by the idea of not having showers or electric, but then i realized that it is not about little things like that and that we will just have to make the best of what we have, which we have:) although the porter potties are a little disgusting. Today has been a pretty good day and after getting the hang of our job became a pretty productive day. I am in Eric's group with Allie, Tori, Tyler, Russell, and Logan. We are putting siding on Neal's trailer and it has been very time consuming because of the windows and cuts we have to make on the siding. The funnest part was when Allie, Tori and I put up a piece of siding completely by ourselves for the first time, it was hilarious. I enjoyed talking to Neal, he even taught me a new word in crow, shinik (not sure if that is spelled right), which means later because they don't ever use the word goodbye. We also learned that what we call underwear they call shorts and what we call shorts they call shorties :). It made by day when he gave me a real buffalo tooth from one he had killed a few years ago:). That will most definitely be my most favorite souvenir :). Miss everyone back at home, byeee!! :)

Day 4 | Andrew Bleigh

Well, its been a long, and exhausting day! My day started by me being put on the same job site as Eladio. Bill put me with him because he said this is something that we couldn't screw up. That made me feel special! We started by digging and leveling a foundation for a bath house...which took forever because there were so many rocks! But eventually we got the job done. Then we progressed to putting support beams under the  house after we had recruited a few other people which included the likes of Matt Bailey. That made the job a lot more fun :) Then, Kenny told us we had dug too deep of foundation and had to fill it back up! That didn't make me feel that great. Anyways, we our getting ready for dinner and then a huge bonfire afterwards...so keep us in your prayers and God will be glorified :)

Day 4 | Nicole Horty

After three interesting but fun days in the vans we finally got to Montana! At first I was pretty upset about the showers and no electricity, but were gonna make the best of it, after all, it's not about us. Today I started out at VBS  it was very good, I did a puppet show with David, it was quite hilarious!! We didn't have many kids but were having a carnival tomorrow night, so we will get more kids through out the week. After lunch I went with Bill's group, were enclosing a front porch, which is making two rooms bigger, that means we get to knock down other walls too(: but I had to tear down siding when I first got there, then me and JC had to put up this aluminum/tin stuff around where were building, to help keep out water whenever it floods. It was a very frustrating job!! (The nails didn't like us!) Tomorrow were going to put in the windows and

Day 4 | Charity Ramsey

Hey everyone! we arrived at our reservation last evening. I must say i was not expecting to be at a place with no electric, no showers, and port a potties. Not going to lie, i kind of flipped out at first.  Now thinking about it though, this week is not about me and what makes me comfortable so i need to be thankful for what we have here. We have nice cabins to stay in at night, and beautiful scenery, and a lot of fun people to be with here.  Today was our first day of work and I started out with VBS and it was a lot of fun. Not very many kids were there, probably 10, but as word gets around i'm sure more will join us. We did puppet shows, crafts, singing, played games and just had a good time. The kids here are adorable, they are all just so sweet. After we were done with VBS for the day I went to work on a house were we are building on and putting on new porch steps. I do believe i got burnt today but its not terribly hot, surprisingly. There are a few cows that are wondering close to our camp and that kind of creeps me out, but I just hope their nice. Please keep praying that God will be shown through all of us this week! byee! (:

Day 4 | Leandra McMillion

     Hello to all my family. I miss you all so very much. I am doing well, but the first night was very tough. I am kinda liking the whole no showers and electricity thing, but the whole porta potty thing I am not a fan. My first job was to put electricity in the little camp we are staying at and help dig part of a foundation. I have made some great friends here and hope they last. 

     One thing is for sure, God has really revealed to me who he is and what he can do for me. He has answered so many of my prayers and I know that he would never give me a job I can't handle. I know that I can continuously count on him to provide for me in my time of need and when I worry or am fearful. God is an awesome God. 

Day 4 | Cassidy Dickens

     Day one on the reservation is halfway over, and I have to admit: this is amazing. Confessedly, I have never really been an "outdoors" kind of girl, so when we were informed that we may not have showers for a week, I could almost feel my stomach churn a little. However, it hasn't even been 24 hours, and already, my mind has been changed; after all, we didn't come here expecting a 5 star hotel, did we? I'm beginning to realize that this trip is about so much more than just having a cool story to tell; we have the opportunity every day of this week to make a huge impact on people's lives, and, more than anything, to show God's love.

     VBS this morning has to be, quite honestly, one of the biggest blessings I have ever received. This being the first day, we had a smaller group than we anticipated-- eleven children, as opposed to the thirty something I was looking for-- but numbers proved not to matter.  The kids I met today were incredible, to say the very least. They were all so cute and funny, enough to make me genuinely miss being that little. One boy specifically  made my day, maybe even my entire week, without even knowing it. His name is Tirso and he is absolutely as cute as he can be and as high strung as they come.  We were playing catch, and he accidentally stepped in some mud, so I commented that he would have to go home and wash his feet off.  Then he looked at me and said, simply, "We do not have a sink, or a bath, or a shower." In that moment, my heart broke into about a million pieces: how many times have I complained about my sister staying in the shower too long or using up the hot water? The reality is, everyone here is so fortunate, spoiled even, and yet, we are constantly wanting more.

     The point is, nothing can truly satisfy us except God. I cannot wait for the rest of the week to see what else he plans on revealing to us here in Montana.

Day 3

Sooo I am now starting our 3rd week of trips!! we have a crew from Madison, Wisconsin, New Jersey, And Texas!!! about a crew of 80 people!! which was about the same as last week!! I will be running a group building a deck for and elderly disabled person out on antelope point! no idea why its called that since i havent seen any antelope.. but im just hoping i can reach this group of kids like we have the past 2!!! Its been a very spiritual experience but also a very tiring busy one!!! so ill try to keep my blogs running!!! And I feel for our GBC trip that just reached Montana to find they had no showers!!!! Shoulda came to New Mexico!!!! its the same time zone... ;) lol and by the way a note to Pastor Bill.. you can throw Charity in the Lake when she start to smell funny.. Which is probably almost all the time.. but still you have permission :D Love you all!!!!!

We have arrived

We made it to Crow Agency with no problems. Thanks for all of your prayers. Video and blog postings late tonight. No live feed the rest of the day.

Day 2 Video

Day 2 | Tomi Dennison

As yesterday, today flew by so fast! Even with having more sleep, I felt like I was more tired. Sadly, our van is extra bumpy. Therefore, zero sleep. Good thing I slept well last night. But, waking up at 5:30 didn't work out so well for me. 

Our van is the best! Matt Bailey, and Drew Bleigh are awesome, (:. Around an hour and a half, we ALL slept, minus me. It was pretty relaxing. After that, it seemed as if it took only 2 hours to get here in, Chamberlain, South Dakota, where we are currently staying the night.

I'm off to bed now. Goodnight.(:

Day 2 | Laura Gerwig

 Today flew bye!!!!!! My day started out eating breakfast with the gang. I slept till our first pit stop, :) I just kind of chilled with the people on our van (literally chill it has a very good Ac)!!!! We went to Al's oasis to eat it was really cool and it looked like a old western town it was awesome! :) We went swimming and had a lot of fun! I'm sooooo excited for tomorrow!!!! I watched a beautiful sunset tonight! Well, I'm gonna head to bed! Missing the mountains very much! 

Day 2 | JC Hoard

Today went by really fast. My day started with Starbucks with Vikki. I slept most of the day. If my van wasn't asleep then we were playing games such as Apples to Apples. Excited to Montana tomorrow :) 

Day 2 | Miranda Riffle

Today was an unusually fast day. All of the van actually ended up sleeping about half the way. What time we did spend awake, was rather interesting. Myself and Callie being on a van with all guys excluding Marcy. We ended up playing a letter game (that we made up as we went, I may add) which turned out to be quite entertaining, even Mickey played. Haha. I am veryyy excited to get to Montana tomorrow and i cant wait to start working, for the four (short) days we have.

Day 2 | Russell Nuckles

I am officially blogging for the first time. Go me. Having a great time. It's pretty funny to be cooped up in a van with Mickey, marcy, miranda, callie, jarren, brian, and tyler. But i'm persevering.  Can't wait to get to Montana and start the work.

Day 1 Video

Day 1 | Brian Gerwig

It was an awesome first day on the  road. We left the church  at 5am this morning. We got to Davenport, Iowa this evening around 5pm.  The traveling went rather well today. None of the other vans had any complaints and everyone got along rather well today. And i want to thank everyone that is praying for us on our journey and praying for our families while we are away from home. 

Day 1 | Tyler Morlan

It was a long first day on the road. We left early in the morning around 5am everyone fell asleep in my van but myself so i made sure to keep them up and alive. The bathroom pit stops were way to often we could of made the trip in half the time if it was not for the weak. Over all it was a great day and we had a blast. talking to each van  they all said they had a blast in there vans. I had a blast and everyone got along well with each other in my van. However i had to wrestle with Gerwig luckily he has grown old and fat so beating him took little effort. I am looking forward to tomorrow and am very excited. 

What to Expect

Thanks for checking out the mission trip blog as we get ready to leave on our trip to Montana. I wanted to take some time before we left to give you an idea of what you can expect to see here and give you a couple tips.

Over the course of the next 11 days, you won't hear much from me anymore, unless something isn't going as planned. The youth and some of the adults on the trip will be telling the story. This blog's purpose is to provide you with the best opportunity to follow along with the youth. You will see daily entries by youth on the trip and you will have the opportunity to click the comment button below the entry to send the writer feedback and encouragement. Those comments do make it back to the writer on a daily basis.

Also, every day there will be a video posted summarizing that day's activities. This will depend on what internet access is available, so please be patient. Generally they will be posted late into the night. If you have a slower internet connection and still want to watch the videos, there are a couple things you can do. Once you hit play, you will see a button to turn the HD (high definition) off. This will reduce the quality but it will improve playback for you if you are having trouble getting it to load. The other option is to pause the video, let the video load for a little while, and come back later and play it. I hope that helps.

Finally, one new feature we are going to test out is some live video. You can see a tab at the top that says "live". Depending on what kind of internet is available, this may or may not be working, information will be posted if we can come up with a schedule when we get to the work sites. It should be active for most of the roadtrip. Those are the features, if you have any questions, leave me a comment and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. Share this website with your family and friends over the course of the next week.

This mission is intended to extend the love of Christ to the people of Crow Agency. This site is here to provide you a window into that experience. This is all done so that God may be glorified. I hope through the video you will watch and the postings you will read, you can feel like you are a part of this mission trip. Please keep us and the people of Crow Agency in your prayers.

To God be the glory.

Thursday Hike

ya so this was pretty legit..the family that we have been working with ( weve been installing a new roof) took us out to their sheep farm for a cookout and stuff and we got to go on a hike and naturally we decided to go up the biggest thing in sight..

Day 1 (with a crew)

Hectic.. this is an amazing word because it describes a whole 10 hours of my life :D Started out on a roof with 6 kids with their 2 leaders with Noah Eastman, a co- worker and quickly discovered that this project that was meant to last all week would be done in about 2 days. but all is good in gods eyes I reckon :p got a little bit aggravated at some people but hey, it happens. just some dumb stuff that I think i can do better but thats just a personality thing (thanks mom) haha :D but all is well besides that, I have been chosen as head of roofing operations on all sites and am now an almost full time work crew member, to add to my music stuff :p but hey i gotta go do some practice so peace out!!!!

Video Blog, New Mexico

New Mexico Blog 1

Hey Everybody!! Sorry that I took way to long to start this blog, I've just been one busy fella the past week!!! Anyways.. So last wednesday I took off from Yeager Airport with a final destination in Madison, Wisconsin. As soon as I landed and grabbed my luggage I was tossed in a car with 4 newly acquired friends, as of which we headed to a church camp called Camp Willerup. (which was where I received nine weeks of training.. in four days) Camp was where I met my New Mexico team in addition to all of the other teams that Next Step Ministries sends out nationwide. The four days we had in Willerup were full of Praise Team practices, construction team meeetings, and, bonding with our new friends. It was an awesome experience, all of us came together to prasie and worship our father. We became great friends in a short time!! My crew consists of nine people total, six guys, three girls. My position on the crew is deemed ' music assistant' which basically means I can do whatever I want. :D I do play the bass guitar and run all of the sound equipment and computer stuff. During the main part of the day I will be leading crews of students on the jobsites which will mainly consist of roofing. Since we are already in Crownpoint (it only took us 27 hours of driving ) we have already set up everything and have a slight idea as of how a work week with youth will be. But, with the Lords hand, this will all be a breeze!! I will post pictures & videos of beautiful New Mexico on Facebook and on this blog if possible. Please keep me and everyone on my crew in your daily prayers! God Bless!!!!