The Summit 2011

So the mission trip began on July 31st and ended with a BANG on August 7th…. a long week of God filled AMAZINGNESS! (if that’s not a word, it should be!)
We traveled from Norfolk, VA to Youngsville, PA… 29 students, 7 adults (one was 7 months pregnant), 4 babies and a golden retriever!

Here is the Ranch we worked on… God is at work in the hearts of the people that make this ministry what it is and we were blessed to be apart of something so awesome!
Please visit their site to see how God is using them in a mighty way!

Restoration Youth Ranch

Pastor Rick welcomed us with open arms for the 2nd year in a row @ the church property in the middle of the Biggest Little Town on the Map! We camped in tents all week…showers were graciously provided by Aunt Cheri, Grandma and Buppa Dininny, Aunt Kelly and Grandma & Grandpa Bob Nearing…o! and the creek, many mid-day dips were key to cooling off after a sweaty soccer game. Our meals were prepared by Aunt Cheri. A few of the local church members chipped in also for a couple breakfasts and dinners. We were humbled by the serving hearts that surrounded us.

Sunday night, we pitched tents and slept in the cold; okay well it was in the 60′s… but that is cold in July even if you come from PA… I had my pants tucked into my socks COLD! Monday morning brought excitement and perspective as our leaders helped us dive into God’s word and work! We did some manual labor for a neighboring Youth Camp, Wesley Woods. Tuesday we worked our first day on the ranch; meeting the horses, stacking hay and cleaning out a nearby barn and sweeping the fields with our “Rock Star” skills and encouraging each other along the way. Wednesday was a “Free Day” and the kids and most leaders went on a 8 mile canoe trip down the very calm Allegheny River. Thursday, back at the Ranch we made even more “Rock Stars” appear and a few of the kids built a new horse stall in the barn. We saw the grounds where a water tank would soon be put in (the Ranch currently DOES NOT have running water) … we trust God will provide those funds for the Follets and their visitors soon! Friday we cleaned up our “campgrounds” and put in some much needed vamping to the property playground (free sand from the locate Concrete and Block-thanks to Whitmire Block), mulch for under the swing sets and setting up for a night of worship with neighbors and friends. Saturday was our last free day and we went hiking and climbing at Rimrock, a local attraction over looking the beautiful Kinzua Dam. Sunday, God hit a homerun as we worshipped with the congregation of our sponsoring church, Youngsville Free Methodist. The service was awesome and the response…overwhelming!

Thank you to all the parents, church members and family that supported us in God’s journey for us to Youngsville, we can’t wait to go back! Summer 2012, HERE WE COME!

Restoration Youth Ranch