Trip Updates
Keep an eye on this page for updates throughout the week as our team brings Mobile Sports Camp to Atlanta! You can also follow along on social media by connecting with the Alliance Sports Camp or AWAKE Student Ministries pages below:
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Final Update
After a week of pouring out and giving away 80 balls, a ton of shirts and sunglasses, serving in a variety of ways from Sports Camp to the pop up thrift store to the farm work at Envision Acres, and experiencing some powerful refugee training, visiting Toccoa Falls College, and taking care of each other, we took a whole day to sabbath and debrief on the shore. Our team has worked incredibly hard the last 2 weeks and I am extremely proud. More stories will be shared at State College Alliance Church over the next week or so, so feel free to join us in person or online to hear more!
Thursday Update
Highlights:
Student/Leader Quotes:
Jenna Jones (10th)
The community dinner brought so many people together, and joy in their hearts, being able to blesss the community was so special and close to my soul. Another thing I enjoyed was doing some community work at envision acres seeing the barn we raised money for and being able to bless the people there brought me so much joy. I wish we had more time to do more but I know we made such a difference in these peoples life and I am forever grateful to be able to have this opportunity.
Anneliese Folk (9th)
The time we had together on the Envision Acers Farm was just so meaningful and fun. We got time to really bond and spend time together. We mucked stalls and fed baby goats. One really singnificant part of the farm trip was getting to see the barn we raised money for. Just being able to help the farm and the people there was very impactful for me and for all of us.
The community dinner was also so much fun for everyone. People were eating, playing soccer, connecting with others or just having fun. Our team realy got to talk to the kids more-- getting to know them even better and going more in depth about a life with Jesus and what that means to the kids there. It was just a great time for the whole team.
Prayer Request:
Wednesday update
The Bottom Line for today: “Share what Jesus Did”
Highlights:
Today we combined teaching from days 4 & 5 of Sports Camp. It has been a joyful day experiencing the presence of the Lord while serving together and serving one another.
Student/Leader Quotes:
Max Henning (8th)
Over the past week it has been a joy to be able to come to Atlanta and to help host a mobile sports camp with the refugees here. Specifically for today, there have been 2 major things that have happened that I will never forget. The first one is regarding how our team has been able to share in different ethnic foods. Today we were able to have some amazing dishes from Myanmar and I truly have loved how we’ve had the opportunities to get some insight on different, unique cultures.
The second is about how we hosted a thrift store and got to give away clothes. Not only did it allow us to meet many of the people that live here, but it also gave us the chance to show love to these people. I cannot describe how great it is to be able to be here, and how it has helped me, and our team grow in our walk with God.
Olivia Schaak (9th)
I personally have felt a deep group bonding in the debriefing especially tonight, with the amount of care and family like nature and blessings to each other. I feel like we’ve all grown and gotten closer to God and each other on this trip. becoming more and more vulnerable with each other, it gives me a sense of peace and safety within this team as well as a sense of belonging.
Prayer Requests:
Tuesday Update
The Bottom Line for today: “Love who Jesus Loves”
Highlights:
During our refugee loss simulation we wrote down material items, titles of responsibility and influence, hobbies, and names of family members. Through the course of the simulation we followed the storyline of a refugee who slowly had everything stripped away as they run for safety due to violence in the land. This exercise was emotionally challenging, but also as many students noted, necessary. It helped us process and understand. It brought clarity. And it was powerful.
Student/Leader Quotes:
Grace Marshall (11th)
today we worked in the warehouse to put together a “thrift store”. working together was one of my favorite parts of the day, i got to see and work with all of my favorite people. also taking a step back and realizing we aren’t just doing chores and we’re actually helping the community was really joyous for me. after we were done, i came back into the warehouse and saw a mother and her son looking through the clothes and it made me realize how wonderful God is and how gracious he is. i was born into a loving family where i can buy whatever clothes whenever i wanted and this was really a reality check to make me see how i can work on my self more to let go of the selfish habits in my life and help provide for the people around me.
Grace Reynolds (8th)
Today I really felt God's love for me when we did devotions, and talked about how God shows us Acceptance, significance and security through Him. I was touched when we read Ephesians 1:5 which said that we are adopted in Christ. God really showed me His love and His comfort then and there. I love Jesus!
Brooke Rider (12th)
(Regarding the loss simulation)
I was heartbroken and felt empty when I turned my papers over to see what I had left on those papers of things I love.
I remember walking away being thankful, because I felt the pain of what it might feel like loosing those things, hobbies, people. But even though I felt the pain, and the emptiness of watching the things i love most being taken one by one. I didn’t actually loose those things. I still had the people and the things that I loved. But they don’t.
They lived through that pain, and those fears, and trials, and wants. They don’t get that sudden thankfulness or gratitude of it not being true to them. But yet, through all of it, each day we see them living with the most pure joy I have ever seen. They found joy in God, they found a comfort and gratitude through Him. It was a beautiful reminder that God works through everything, even hardships, and can bring joy and gratitude out of any pain.
Jill Zeger (Leader)
Sports camp has been such a blessing on many levels! There is a sense of sweet community building with the kids as they come back each day. Im loving growing in relationship with them and they are also growing in relationship with each other. It’s been fun getting to know them a little better and having fun playing soccer together! My 3rd-5th grade group is so great and I look forward to seeing them each day!
It has also been my joy to watch our SCA teens teaching Bible lessons and leading huddles. They are all doing an amazing job, working together, and loving others well! Today was Gospel Day and our team had many spiritual conversations using the Wordless Gospel! I’m so proud of them and their willingness to engage in these opportunities to share the love and hope of Jesus with others! My heart is full!
Grant Henning (11th)
Today at sports camp we had the wordless gospel presentation, and I was working with the teenage boys. We managed to get through the discussion with the vast majority understanding what it meant to be saved by Jesus. One guy around my age who was not paying attention was a boy we will call “M”. Afterward, Grace Marshall reexplained the wordless gospel to him and I jumped in to share a little bit of my testimony.
Throughout the whole camp M has been super fun, always joking around, but this was the first time I saw him dead serious. I asked him if he wanted to accept Jesus and he said yes, so I prayed with him and he accepted Jesus as his Savior. I gave him some booklets about next steps in his walk with Christ and gave him a big hug. He continued reflecting and reading until we left. It meant so much to see him understand how Jesus loved him as he was and forgave him as he was, and to help M take that next step into the family of God.
John Cho (12th)
Today was amazing, because I really felt God working today. Getting to see some of the fruits of our labors today in our Clothing Drive project as well as at Sports Camp. Today I was blessed to have been able to share the Wordless Book with a girl we will call “A” as well as a boy we will call “I”. I've seen and felt that “I” is hungry for more about God, and today God gave me the chance to do that. I shared some Gospel truths about the love and forgiveness of God. Even when we feel most unworthy, God's love endures forever. I was glad to be able to share that truth with “I”, and see how he was digesting it even as we were leaving to the point he didn't even notice the van right next to him as we were leaving the apartments today. I am praying that God works in the life of “I”. Our team also had the chance to learn more about the devastation and struggle that the refugees in this community have gone through, and my heart feels so connects with their struggles in my own way. All of this to say, I am so grateful for this day and the love of God I have seen poured out today.
Prayer Requests:
Monday update
The Bottom Line for today: “Believe who Jesus is”
Grant Henning (11th)
Devotions this morning were so meaningful. In Luke 7:47 when Jesus asks the Pharisees “Do you see her?”, we were challenged at how we saw others and how we saw ourselves. The whole concept of seeing others as Jesus sees them, and seeing ourselves as Jesus sees us was a super powerful word, and joining together to speak into that was incredible.
The clothes sorting this morning was really fun. We were all working together to bring the boxes down from the loft and get all the clothes sorted. It was really nice seeing all the people on the trip talking, laughing and sorting clothes, all for people we haven’t met.
Sorting all the clothes this morning was really fun. Not only did we as a team bond, but we were able to work towards a pop-up thrift store for all the families we haven’t met. It felt really good to work together as a team towards for Jesus.
Sports camp day two was a sweet time of soccer and conversations about Jesus. One of my favorite moments from today was playing with a small group of pre-K kids who just wanted to race instead of playing soccer. One of the littlest ones ran up to me and asked if we could have more Bible stories by the orange guys (Seth and John Cho). I’m excited to continue to form bonds and see God continue to produce fruit through our AWAKE kids!
Sunday Update
The Bottom Line for today: “Do what Jesus Says”
Highlights:
Today we learned a lot about Clarkston, GA. This is one of the most diverse cities in America. Refugee ministry training opened our eyes to the processes and realities of people on the move.
We also attended an Ethiopian Church this morning. The pastor preached on John 14. He shared how God is a father who thinks about us. Jesus is preparing a place for us. Holy Spirit is our comforter and advocate. Praise God! Pastor Seth also had the chance to give a 10 minute sermon before the sermon. And we also had the chance to lead a worship song as a team.
We had a meeting with the director of the after school program to learn about that ministry and it’s long term discipleship impact. WE spent time in small groups praying over specific kids and specific needs the program has.
We have the unique opportunity to partner with Upper 90 this week which is a soccer ministry hosting long term relational development beyond our week of camp here! So cool!
We had a delicious Ethiopian dinner tonight!
Mobile Sports Camp Day 1 Stats:
Biggest Prayer Need:
Continued energy and momentum at camp.
Seeds of faith to be planted and nourished.
Holy Spirit to move in and through us.
saturday night update
The Bottom Line for today: “Patience and be flexible (with your body to sleep in the van!)”
Stats for today: 750 miles driven and 16 hours.
Highlights:
From Peter (11th grade) and Abel (10th): Praise in the vans was loud and joyful! We had a surprise greeting from other students and leaders from AWAKE Student Ministry to pray and send us off, this was special. Bonding together on the long car trip was sweet! We settled into our mission house called “The Friendship Center” and met the Envision director and a few staff. We had the chance to hear their vision and mission and God-sized dreams for kingdom impact in the area.
Biggest Prayer Need:
Rest for tonight and strength for day one of camp that starts Sunday night! We will be hosting the Mobile Sports Camp at 6:00pm Sunday-Monday to embrace the cooler hours of the evening and some extra shade!
Atlanta 2023 Team
State College Alliance Church is sending a short-term mission team from AWAKE Student Ministry to ENVISION Atlanta in July. Read below for more information about the trip and how you can support it through your prayers and financial gifts.
Learn about the mission
Envision is a short-term mission and internship organization within our denomination, the Christian and Missionary Alliance. They focus on reaching the lost with the hope of Jesus, while developing and unleashing the next generation of Kingdom leaders. Together, we will be linking arms with local churches and non-profits in efforts of ministering to families by hosting a mobile Sports Camp!
Our team will have the chance to engage with children of all ages, build relationships with families, share meals and snacks, and present the gospel daily. In addition to the Sports Camp, we will be doing a variety of physical labor projects on the Envision properties throughout the week. We are taking fourteen students and four adults. Please be praying for our team and for the families that hear the good news of Jesus!
