Mission Trip: Chattanooga, TN

Every year the parish takes a group of teens on a domestic mission trip to a nearby city.  We've been to places like New Orleans, St. Louis, and Mobile.  This year 47 of us went to Chattanooga, TN for a week long service project and conference.  My small group of teens were responsible for helping convert an old middle school into a community center.  We had to do things like prime the bright red doors, paint (with oil base paint) all the handrails, help keep the hallways cleaned, empty and clean the old lockers, and other easy construction tasks while the construction workers built out new walls and knocked down some others.  It was a fun project to be a part of, and while we left feeling like we only accomplished one or two pieces of the puzzle, we knew that we still contributed to the big picture of this famous new community center. 

I see a red door and I want to prime it white....

Safety Red!

Almost completed space

In process of being renovated

 At night and over the weekend, the Alive in You staff put on a conference.  This year's theme was "The Kingdom" where the kids explored all the facets of the beatitudes in Matthew 5.  Even in the context of the conference we still learned how to be good stewards of the earth, as well as made blankets for a local hospital.  Our kids were invited to sing and dance on stage during one of their favorite worship songs.

On Stage!

I'm looking forward to Eric and I's mission trip to Nicaragua, which is just around the corner!