Archive for July, 2010

2010 Life Builders Work Camp~July 14 – 15, 2010

{ July 16, 2010 @ 3:48 pm } · { life builders, Life Builders Work Camp, work camp, youth work camp, youth workcamp }
{ Tags: , , , , , , , , } · { Comments (1) }

July 14 – July 15, 2010 at Life Builders Work Camp Ministry in Smithers, Fayette County, West Virginia

The weather has improved greatly from the beginning of the week.  In fact now people are getting sun burnt.  But it isn’t stopping them from working hard on their sites.

Yesterday, Wednesday, after having a Gathering Time, groups went to their worksites to work till noon.  After that, groups did a variety of thing in the area.  Some went to a park others went white water rafting, and others went swimming.

Thursday, groups worked the whole day.  There were two sites where expected work had been completed, so they joined another group which could use a number of people.  Work that was tackled included siding, tearing out an accordion wall, fixing a floor in a restroom and painting.

The focus of the Gathering Time on Wednesday was about facing our fears.  Jeff Berger took a look at how Nehemiah overcame his fears to go and build the wall in Jerusalem.  That led to the concept that we can overcome our fears as well with the help of Jesus.

Then Thursday was about overcoming oppositions.  Nehemiah had many oppositions to overcome to build the wall.  He was able to do so.  And with Jesus we can overcome oppositions we face.  That led to the presentation of the gospel and allowing time for people to spend with God in prayer, or to talk with a leader about their relationship with Jesus.

During one of the God sighting times a person shared about having a conversation with a person who lived in the area.  The woman shared with the man about their work in the school, such as painting a classroom. He told her that even though she may not realize it, for the local people to attend a class in a room that has a new coat of paint gives hope to the students in this area.  It is an area that is economically depressed and seeing something like that gives a bright spot in their lives.

So, even though there may be times when groups have been asked to do things which may not have been with local residents specifically.  Their service in secret is still seen by the local residents and especially by God.  The acknowledgment from God, well done good and faithful servant, should be what is sought the most.

If you would like to see videos from the past few days go to www.youtube.com/theworkcamppeople.  You can view pictures of the past few days uploaded to http://bit.ly/aeRTxj

Your continued prayers and support are appreciated.

2010 Life Builders Work Camp~July 11 – 13, 2010

{ July 14, 2010 @ 11:33 am } · { life builders, Life Builders Work Camp, work camp, youth work camp, youth workcamp }
{ Tags: , , , , , , , } · { Leave a Comment }

July 11 – July 13, 2010 at Life Builders Work Camp Ministry in Smithers, Fayette County, West Virginia

The first two days of this week have been tough to work in because of the weather.  The main issue has been rain showers.  But, because there were no Thunder Storms as predicted work continued.  It was impressive the drive they had to continue to work in the rain.

Some of the work being done these days has been roofing, replacing siding, installing windows, replacing a floor, and painting.

The speaker this week is Jeff Berger.  He is focusing on Nehemiah.  His one session took a look at how we should be training ourselves to hear the hurt which other people have, just as Nehemiah did with his people.  The next Gathering Time topic was about being willing to pay the price.  Nehemiah paid the price of his high level job to follow God’s call upon his life.

Despite the weather, the week is going well.  Thank you for your continued prayers and interest.

If you would like to see videos from the past few days go to www.youtube.com/theworkcamppeople.  You can view pictures of the past few days uploaded to http://bit.ly/aeRTxj

2010 Life Builders Work Camp~July 7 – 8, 2010

{ July 8, 2010 @ 10:59 pm } · { life builders, Life Builders Work Camp, work camp, youth work camp, youth workcamp }
{ Tags: , , , , , , , , } · { Leave a Comment }

July 7 – July 8, 2010 at Life Builders Work Camp Ministry in Smithers, Fayette County, West Virginia

It is interesting the personality of each week of camp.  One of the characteristics of this week is noticing God working in the day and the willingness of the teens to share what they experienced.  It is awesome to observe teens share how they see God working in their world.

One of the teens shared an interesting experience he had prior to coming to Life Builders.  Months ago he received information about how much it would cost for him to attend.  He spoke with his parents about it and told them he would pay half of it, if the parents paid half.  The parent’s response was that that was not the way a missionary pays for a trip.  The teen decided to send out letters requesting support.  Fifteen letters were sent to people that he knows.  He was concerned about being able to raise the needed amount.  At the end of receiving donations, he ended up with over $300 more than what was needed.  The boy stated he felt it was as if God was saying to him, “Trust Me.”  He decided he would use the extra money to assist others in their pursuit to attend Life Builders.

Yesterday, after a Gathering Time during the morning, the groups worked till lunch and then had the rest of the day to relax and enjoy some activities in the area.  A number of the groups went whitewater rafting.  Some spent some time playing in the river and others going for a hike.  It was a nice mental break for all.

The focus of the Gathering Time Wednesday morning was communicated through Fred Whaples’, this week’s speaker, testimony.  He shared about the accident he was in while he was in college.  The accident left two people in very serious condition, including Fred.  Miraculously both were healed beyond expectation and are now serving God in full time ministry.

The one person injured had been strapped to a metal bed for days.  This bed rotated to keep the blood flowing in her body.  It was expected she would never be able to move any part of her body below her neck.  But miraculously she was healed and is able to move her whole body.

Fred used her story to challenge people to consider who has said or done something that has strapped you down to a ‘bed?’  We should seek God’s help to free us from that thing so we can live a free life.

Thursday’s Gathering Time focused upon the impact which will be made when all go back home.  They were challenged to consider how impactful their lives will be in a few days.  An important aspect of making that impact is centering God in what is done.

Some of the work done over the past few days include building a deck, putting on a new roof, painting the T-111 and cement board on  a home, replacing windows, installing a shower and ceiling fan, putting siding on a building, and doing touch up work to a restroom.

If you would like to see videos from the past few days go to www.youtube.com/theworkcamppeople.  You can view pictures of the past few days uploaded to http://bit.ly/cpD1Ro

2010 Life Builders Work Camp~July 4 – 6, 2010

{ July 6, 2010 @ 10:17 pm } · { life builders, Life Builders Work Camp, work camp, youth work camp, youth workcamp }
{ Tags: , , , , , , , } · { Leave a Comment }

July 4 – July 6, 2010 at Life Builders Work Camp Ministry in Smithers, Fayette County, West Virginia

This week in West Virginia has started of as a hot week.  Not as hot as is happening in PA and NJ where the groups are from this week.  But it sure is hot.  There is a little breeze at time and not much humidity, which we can be very thankful for having.

There was a bit of a slow start for many sites this week, due to waiting for deliveries of supplies by Lowes.  Eventually groups were able to get started with their work and many things are getting done.  There has been removing roofing and siding, installing siding, painting, doing drywall finishing, plumbing for a restroom, removing flooring, and more importantly getting to build relationships with the local residents.

One of the homes worked on last week, a group is working there this week.  The woman of the home had been away in Nashville, TN last week.  She came home late Monday night.  The woman told one of the Life Builders’ interns that when she returned home she walked around the house for about an hour shedding tears of joy and cherishing all of the work that was done on the home while she was away.

During each Gathering Time there is a time called God Sightings, an opportunity for people to share how they saw God interacted in their lives during the day.  A God Sighting mentioned the first night was that while trying to take out a wall in the one home a person hit the wall with a hammer.  The hammer hit a hot water heater on the other side of the wall.  This resulted in hot water gushing out onto the floor.  Considering all the water the flowed out, the temperature at which the water could have been, and that there are electric wires near by, God protected everyone involved from any injury.

The speaker this week is Fred Whaples who is a pastor at a church plant in Charlotte, NC.  The first night he challenged the group to really consider why they are at work camp and what are they really going to do this coming week.  Monday night, was a look at evil and good.  The group was given a concept that evil is like cold.  In science, there is no such thing as cold.  Rather cold is the measurement of the absence of heat.  Evil is then the absence of good or good being unraveled.

Tuesday evening the topic was forgiveness.  A look was taken at when Jesus was challenged as to what to do about a woman caught in adultery.  The group was challenged to think about some offense that was committed against them and how they would like to punish that person.  They were to consider how they can forgive that person or accept forgiveness for themselves.

If you would like to see videos from the past few days go to www.youtube.com/theworkcamppeople.  More pictures have been uploaded to http://bit.ly/bGSfEK

Please continue to keep the week in prayer for safety, wisdom and for God’s blessings to be received by all this week.

2010 Life Builders Work Camp~July 2 – 3, 2010

{ July 3, 2010 @ 9:01 pm } · { life builders, Life Builders Work Camp, work camp, youth work camp, youth workcamp }
{ Tags: , , , , , , } · { Leave a Comment }

July 2 – July 3, 2010 at Life Builders Work Camp Ministry in Smithers, Fayette County, West Virginia

Last night there was excitement amongst many of the people because a certain homeowner would be attending the evening Gathering Time when local residents are invited.  George (not his real name), started off last week with barely making his presence known to the group working on his home.  Toward the end of the week he was sitting in a chair in his house taking time to talk with the volunteers.  We considered that an improvement in building a relationship with George.

At the beginning of the week the group working at George’s home had been told about the relationship progress of the previous week.  We were looking for that relationship building to continue.  And boy did it continue.  By Friday, George was outside helping the volunteers chip away at the rock mountain behind his home to create a rock sidewalk from his parking lot to his porch steps.  It was amazing to observe such progress.

So for George to attend the Friday evening Gathering Time was an added amazement and joy to the week.  Such experiences exemplify the name of this work camp ministry, Life Builders.  Over the past two weeks we have not been only building his life physically by working on his home, but also spiritually by building relationships, being God’s hands and feet, and showing Christianity.

Through out the day on Friday the work sites were worked on to bring to a point where the work could be halted for the weekend and a new group could pick up this coming week.  An additional two sites will be added this coming week.

One group, after wrapping up for the day on Friday, they drove to the home where they worked last summer.  It was a great opportunity for them to get to see what progress has been done, notice the improvement in the homeowners’ home from last summer, and to speak with the homeowner.  It was a nice way to follow up on a project from last summer.

The speaker for the week, Ben Murray, concluded the week by focusing upon what will happen to us when we die.  Not that it was a depressive talk.  Rather a challenge to consider where your life is heading.

If you would like to see videos from the past few days go to www.youtube.com/theworkcamppeople.  More pictures have been uploaded to http://bit.ly/cpD1Ro

This was another great week.  A lot of work was accomplished, nice weather was had, relationships were built, and impacts to people’s lives occurred this week at Life Builders Work Camp.

2010 Life Builders Work Camp~June 30 – July 1, 2010

{ July 2, 2010 @ 9:23 am } · { life builders, Life Builders Work Camp, work camp, youth work camp, youth workcamp }
{ Tags: , , , , , , } · { Leave a Comment }

June 30 – July 1, 2010 at Life Builders Work Camp Ministry in Smithers, Fayette County, West Virginia

The weather has become very nice, clear, low humidity, a breeze and in the low 80’s.  A great week to be working on people’s homes, compared to last week.

Over the past few days volunteers have been busy doing some of the following items: installing cement board around the bottom of a trailer, removing and then installing flooring, painting a shed, painting bedroom walls, fixing a restroom, installing siding and jack hammering rock around a home which would cause run off water to gather thus destroying floor boards.

On Wednesday afternoon groups did a variety of things in the area to relax for a bit.  Some went white water rafting, others enjoyed a water park, while others took time enjoying the local river.

This week there have been some great times of worship, lead by three people from one of the churches that attended this week.  Their leader, Ben Milley, has chosen some awesome songs for all to sing praises and worship to God.

The speaker this week, Ben Murray, has been making an impact on people’s lives.  On Thursday evening he challenged people to think about who or what do they worship.  He pointed out that our idolatry is so often hidden in our culture.  Culture dictates who or what we idolize, and because of that, we don’t realize we are committing idolatry.  Each person was to consider how they don’t have God as the focus of their life.

If you would like to see videos from the past few days go to www.youtube.com/theworkcamppeople.  More pictures have been uploaded to http://bit.ly/cpD1Ro

Thank you for your interest and prayers of what is happening at 2010 Life Builders Work Camp Ministry in Fayette County, West Virginia.

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.