Youth Group Mission Trip

Each summer Chad and I take our church youth group on a missions trip.  This summer at the end of June we made the trek to Cleveland, Ohio!  Although a long 18 hour drive away, it was worth it.  We partnered with the church plant we worked with when we lived there, and the youth group experienced a wonderful week of outreach events, working with kids, and many stretching but growing activities.

 We had just done our own church's Bible School a few weeks prior to this trip, so we were able to use all of our materials to do one for this church plant.  We felt it was a huge success!  

 All of the children were Ukranian or Russian, so teaching them how to play Duck Duck Goose was hilarious!

 We were so proud of our youth kids throughout this trip.  They were hard workers and had amazing attitudes.  It made the trip that much more successful because they were eager and excited to help, serve, and grow from the experience.

 We also enjoyed catching up with many of our friends from this church.

 Lake Erie beach evangelism.  One of those stretching, learning experiences!

 We loved getting to see friends Mike and Jen who we haven't seen in 4 years! They were our family when we lived in Cleveland.  Jen has put in a request that we can be heaven next-door neighbors.  We're for it!

 On the drive to Cleveland, we made one long day trip.  On the way home, we broke it into 2 days and stayed in Chicago for a night!  So fun!  Chad enjoyed getting to show the group his old stompin' grounds at Moody Bible Institute, we did a little shopping...

 and of course ate the best pizza Chicago has to offer!

 with a quick walk by Lake Michigan!

 It was a wonderful trip!