OSLCYouth's Xanga

Thursday, May 29, 2008

Thu, 29 May 2008 13:02:13 GMT

05.29.08 Spring Pictures

Okay, so I am really bad at posting blogs every week. I am aiming for every quarter-of-a-year right now. We'll see how that goes. Anyway, I just posted pics from Monkey Bowling, PingyBall, Pinatas, Frisbee Golf, and our Memorial Day Service Project. Enjoy!! Go to the Photos link or just click on one of the photos below to see what we gots!

Wednesday, January 02, 2008

Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:26:46 GMT

01.02.08 Slowpoke

In a world of fast-paced high-tech, I am afraid I might get kicked off the internet. Over two months between blog entries? Inexcusable.

Anyway, I put up photos from the Word of Life SuperBowl and the NYC07 Missions Trip. Enjoy and believe me when I say that I fully intend to write more frequently. And that's a semi-guarantee that you can almost totally sort-of rely on.

--Rob

Monday, October 08, 2007

Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:51:45 GMT

10.08.2007 - Finally, a post!

So, I've been promising and promising to get some photos up on the blog. About stinking time I did. Look through our photos and you'll see the Beach Party, the Pool Party, the Kickoff, The Float-Building, the Go-Karting, and the Corn Maze have all been posted. Whew - that's a lot of activities and a lot of pictures.

I really want to thank all of you for coming, for bringing friends, for being involved, and for the ways that I have heard about you trying to share your faith with your friends and at your schools. Following Jesus can be as simple as being kind toward someone who's having a tough time, befriending someone who feels outcast, or talking with your friends about what you believe. Everyone can do it and I am really encouraged to hear how many of you are.

Feel free to post comments on the pictures! Also, if you have a Facebook account, I will be starting an OSLC Youth Facebook group in the next week or so. Pics will probably be posted there, too.

God bless,
Rob

Friday, September 14, 2007

Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:00:39 GMT

09.14.07 Long Time Coming...

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted anything! I have a bunch of pictures to post - Crane Beach, Disc Golf, Pool Party, last week's Fall Kickoff... Keep an eye out, as I will try to post them all next week.

For right now, I wanted to make sure that everyone knows about our new programming that starts on Sunday.

Schedule:
8am - Traditional Worship Service (Sanctuary)
9:30am - New Community Service (Sanctuary)
I am the worship leader for our newest worship service. This one is designed to connect with pop culture wherever possible. For example, this week will feature songs by Creed and Switchfoot, in addition to a video illustration.
11am - The Pulse (Newly re-done Luther Loft)
No more Sunday School, the Pulse is our discipleship time, with multimedia presentations and cell group activities and discussions. The whole thing is trying to figure out "Why should I care what the Bible says?" and "What does it have to do with my day-to-day life?"

Like I said, all kinds of photos and updates coming soon. For now, I hope I'll see you on Sunday!

--Rob (e-mail me at rcmorris727@hotmail.com)

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Tue, 24 Jul 2007 14:05:55 GMT

This Sunday -- Beach Party '07!! 12:15-5:00pm

Wednesday, July 18, 2007

Wed, 18 Jul 2007 16:51:56 GMT

Coming Up This Sunday -- Four-Square and Mafia

A couple of old favorites that we haven't done for a while will revisit the youth group this Sunday. As always, we will have lunch and prayer partners before that. And start thinking about who you're going to invite to Beach Party '07, which is the next week at Crane Beach.

Saturday, July 14, 2007

Sat, 14 Jul 2007 22:20:22 GMT

7.14.07 - More Wrap-Up Thoughts from Bolivia

Hello everyone,

Bolivia was an awesome experience for me and the rest of the team. It was really fun for me to be with the kids at Florida Norte's VBS. I loved spending time with the kids there including Raul, Ariel, David, and many more. Fresh Water Ministries was incredible because the kids just loved getting picked up by anybody. It was amazing to see how far these moms would go just to give there kids a bath. I believe that Mosoj Yan is one of the best ministries in Bolivia because of the way it helps the street girls. They teach the girls a trade and then they can sell their creations at the store and get the money to help make a living. Casa da La Amistad was another awesome experience. The boys and girls there loved the parachute, as did the two girls who loved going up and down on the see saw making their little chirping noises along the way. The time spent at the hotel in Santa Cruz was great, because we got to relax and have a good time with the rest of the team playing soccer, volleyball, and Marco Polo. we also got to finish up our Renovation of the heart devotion book, which really helped me increase my faith.

The most moving thing on the youth trip to Bolivia was the fact that all of the kids just loved getting a hug or getting picked up. I will never forget the first moment at Fresh Water Ministries, when tons of kids immediately come zooming right at you looking for a hug. I wont forget the last time I was with Raul and his brother Ariel. i was in tears because they meant so much to me on that trip during and after I got back.

The last thing that i want to do is I thank Rob Morris for his excellent role as the trip leader. He might not of looked much like a leader in the one silly picture where he looks like a monkey, but he did an excellent job. I would also like to thank the trip leaders for keeping us all in line, without you there probably wouldn't of been a trip. I would also like to thank the rest of youth on the team for always supporting me during the tough times. Last but certainly not least I would like to thank Matthew Beish for helping cross the line to go on the trip to Bolivia.

Thank you, and see you all in August!

~ Kyle Uhlig

This trip was amazing. I am so glad I was able to go for a second year. Not only was I able to see my friends from last year, but I got to see how much Florida Norte progressed in only one year. By simply encouraging Florida Norte, they now run their whole VBS program minus the games which they could run without us. Also they are running a second VBS program in what I believe is their summer. They even organized their own missions trip. It is incredible how the Lord provides and creates in one year. By simply encouraging and trusting in the Lord, amazing thing happen.

~ Erika (the daughter)

1John 4:7-8 “Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” Each year I leave a part of my heart in the mission field, in Bolivia. Though I leave a part of my heart there, I carry back with me to OSLC the many hearts and pictures of those our church has reached, touched and loved through Florida Norte and other outreaches. We may be the goers, but we are simply humble representatives weaving God’s people and hearts together, many hearts from OSLC praying for many hearts and lives in Bolivia, and vice versa. Two churches united in one Christ. It is such a blessing to have heard how our small church in Topsfield, MA has helped Bolivia. So though we may physically leave, we leave behind a part of our heart, a part of OSLC’s heart, and yes we bring back the many hearts from Florida Norte and all the people of Bolivia (or Togo, India, Sudan, Mississippi). Thank you senders for sharing Christ’s love with the world!!

God’s peace, love and blessings,

~ Erica (the mom)

My overall impression of the trip is being impressed by the youth who were serving. There were many times I was impressed with their selflessness and maturity in dealing with the situations that faced them. One example was our first day at Agua Fresca. As we got out of the bus and began walking toward the waiting children, they all ran toward our youth and jumped in their arms. These were children who needed baths and were dirty, some of them with scabies and other issues. Our youth embraced them and made them happy. They radiated Christ's liove and unconditional acceptance of these most needy children. I did not see one of them say "No" I can't touch you or even look uncomfortable holding them. Even if they felt that way inside, it did not show to the kids. The joy that this small act brought to the children was evident. When the tents were being set up and we were preparing to wash, another team showed up. I was so proud of our youth as they did whatever was neccesary to be helpful. They did not say I want to do that or I won't do that , they just kicked in and did whatever they could. These are just 2 exmples of how they were terrific representatives of our congregation. They truly showed hearts for the people of Bolivia and shared a Christ-like love with them.

~ Karen

Here I am…now almost two full weeks back in country. I still feel like I haven’t completely processed the experience. People keep asking me how it was compared to last year. And for the most part all I can say is different. There really is no way to compare the two trips because they were so different. What stands out most from the trip would be the amount of support given to teammates, the chance to grow closer to and learn more about people I worship with every week. It was a blessing to see the people of Florida Norte again. It brought overwhelming joy to my heart to hear and see pictures from their mission trip. Lord Willing I will have the opportunity to go a third time and continue to see how the world vision of the church is growing.

~ Jenn

All in all the trip was worth all the travel and hard preporation. Seeing the look on those kids faces at VBS and Freshwater and Villa Busch and Casa de la Amistad when you helped them with something or showed them some love. The kids really needed someone to hold them and to really love them.

~ Andrew

[Our team will be presenting the Sunday School hour at OSLC tomorrow at 9:30. Afterwards there will be a welcome-back party at the Schlueters for anyone who would like to attend. Please come and hear more about our experiences, then celebrate how God has worked in our lives over the last few weeks. -- Rob]

Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:57:59 GMT

07.03.07 - Back Home, First of the Wrap-ups

So, as of 5pm yesterday afternoon, we did our last team prayer and gave lots of hugs and a few tears and our Bolivia trip was over. It was an amazing, almost unbelievable experience. I have never had such a powerful sense of God's presence in a team or in the work we were doing. I am asking all of the team members to e-mail me their final wrapup thoughts at rcmorris727@hotmail.com Chelsea and Alex wrote theirs in the Miami airport (our second home) and they are posted below. Thanks everyone for an amazing, amazing experience! -- Rob

Well, we are all currently in Miami waiting for our connecting flight to Boston. The last day in Bolivia was very different from the rest of the days here. It was the last day when it finally hit me that I actually had to leave. After the last service at Florida Norte I was so sad. It’s one thing to leave the place you love for ten days, it’s another thing to leave the place you love for years at a time. I experienced and grew so much on this mission trip. This trip really opened my eyes to the world around me. Everyone may not have as much stuff as we do, but they certainly have the faith. This team really came together and did a great job. I couldn’t be happier that I came on this mission trip and I can’t wait to see what God has in store for me in the days to come :)!

~ Chelsea

I can’t believe that it is over. It went by so fast, and in a way, it feels weird to be going back to the United States. We are now sitting at our gate in the Miami International Airport and waiting for our final flight to board. On Saturday when we had our last day in Cochabamba, everyone was sad. We had created real friendships with the people at Florida Norte, and to have to say goodbye to them was difficult for all of us. Also, the traveling back was far more difficult than the traveling to Bolivia. I think that it was more difficult because we had to wake up so early on Sunday. But overall I think that it was worth it because I wouldn’t trade this trip for anything, even for extra sleep on that Sunday morning. Everything that happened on the trip showed God’s incredible power and love. Our flights being $20 cheaper, Eric’s collar bone being fused together on the ride to the hospital, and us making our flight connection in La Paz are just some of the examples of how his love and power was shown. I can’t wait to see how this trip will affect my life back in New England.

~ Alex

Monday, July 02, 2007

Mon, 02 Jul 2007 08:25:28 GMT

07.02.07 - Day Twelve: Traveling and Sleeping, Sleeping and Traveling

We have arrived safely in Miami after a long flight from Santa Cruz. We are tired, but everyone is healthy (except for Jenn's head congestion). We have had an amazing, challenging trip which would not have been possible without your prayers and support. Thank you so much for encouraging us over the last twelve days -- you have all been a necessary part of this trip and God has used this trip to do great things in our lives and the lives of many Bolivian children.

We will be posting wrap-up thoughts in the days to come, so keep your eyes open.

In the love of Christ,
2007 OSLC Bolivia Team

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 14:45:57 GMT

07.01.07 - Day 11: Safely in Santa Cruz

We have arrived at Hotel Buganvillas, finished our cell groups, chilled by the pool, and had a great lunch. We will be here until 7:30 tonight, and most are sorry we can't stay longer (sorry families at home, but they miss you less now that there are three pools and sand volleyball nearby).

Please continue to pray for our safe travels and thank you so much for your faithful support. Melissa and Erica are both feeling about 90% now and are very grateful for your prayers. Yet again, God has proven himself faithful to our little team.

In Christ,
Rob