FRIDAY HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE

Day 2 was another incredible day!!! The high school and middle school students spent their morning together at Center for the Homeless in South Bend. It was a powerful experience! We heard from a woman, Laurie, who was a resident there. Her story moved me to tears! She spoke about her life experiences and how through poor choices, she lost her support system. Support systems are important in life because it’s those people who will get you through the rough times. Laurie is one of many residents who have completed the programs offered at Center for the Homeless. She spoke very highly of them because they gave her tools to take and use out in the world. Now she feels respected and valued. Her proudest moment was when she graduated from the programs and her daughter was there to tell her how proud she was of her mom. Her daughter was part of that support system she had lost and now she has it back. She smiled as she told us how much better she feels now and that she knows that she is loved and respected. After hearing from Laurie, the high schoolers went into the Garden at the Center and pulled weeds and did other small projects. It was a neat moment for some of our students because a few years ago they had been at the garden site when it wasn’t really a garden yet. Seeing the final product was pretty cool 

After working in the garden we ate lunch. I was so proud of our students because many of them went and sat with residents. It was a beautiful sight to see them asking questions and speaking with people who stayed there. Our students have amazing hearts and that really shone through their actions this morning!

In the afternoon we headed off to the Faith Mission in Elkhart. We worked in the thrift store and sorted holiday decorations. One thing I love about the high schoolers is that they know how to make anything fun! We were lucky enough to get a tour of the Faith Mission’s main building as well as the women’s housing. It was neat to see what they were doing for the community. They serve three meals seven days a week. They get many food donations and end up giving some of the food away to other pantries because they can’t hold it all. That’s a good problem to have! It was neat to hear that Feed the Children has donated lots of food because we were just there yesterday and it tied the two organizations together.

This evening we had fun at the Cove. We watched a great game, the Hawks won!! I loved having random conversations with the students around me. Seth Bible made an appearance as well! The evening ended with an awesome fireworks display set to some 80’s music. Oh yeah 

Now we’re all back at the hotel and looking forward to day three of Move. We’ll be at Manowe up in Michigan. Then we’ll drive back to GCC for church. Maybe we’ll see you at the five o’clock service!

-Stephanie Lancione

FRIDAY MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE

Day two was once again fantastic! I am so proud of our team, how well they are coming together, and for all of their awesome work. I am truly blessed to be a part of what they are doing. We spent the morning with the High-School team at Center for the Homeless. We began by listening to some of the staff talking about what the center does, listening to a story from one of the residents and then working in the kitchen and in the garden. After we finished working we had the opportunity to eat with some of the residents. I was amazed by our team and how well they did at being outgoing and engaged with the different people they met. They were quick to introduce themselves and start up conversation. Some of the boys gathered around Giovanni while he shared his artwork, while others spread out around the cafeteria to meet and hear stories from the other residents. They were fantastic and you could tell that the people of the shelter were thrilled to have them there. They fit in with complete ease, while at the same time opening themselves up to new opportunities and allowing themselves to be stretched. It was great to see them learning about how the choices they make today will affect them in long-term ways. They were just soaking up the wisdom that the people had to offer.

After we finished our work at Center for the Homeless, the Middle-School team headed over to GCC for the afternoon. Next time you sit for a service take note of how clean the auditorium chairs are.  We spent the afternoon doing multiple different cleaning projects that included chairs, stair rails, baseboards, pillars, walls, and more. The students were able to learn a lot about the standard of excellence to which our church holds itself. There were a couple of times when they had to repeat spots they had already cleaned, but they did it with great attitudes and learning hearts. They are an awesome team!

In the evening we headed off to Coveleski stadium for a Silver Hawks game and fireworks. We had a blast! I am continually amazed by the amount of energy that they all have to offer, during and outside of work. They had a well deserved, relaxing evening.

Tomorrow we head out to Crooked Creek Ranch in Wakarusa. Crooked Creek serves the community in many ways, including free horseback riding lessons for those who could not typically afford it. While we were at the Center for the Homeless today we actually met a young man who had been over to Crooked Creek to ride. It’s great to see how all of the organizations in our community are connected and working together, and we get to be a part of it! Keep us in your prayers as the team finishes off strong! See you at the 5:00 service tomorrow!

Fun fact for the day: When we say our team is like a big family, we are talking literally. Out of the 32 people on the trip, 16 have a relative here with them! It’s awesome to see siblings, cousins, etc. serving here side-by side!
-Kara Weaver

THURSDAY MIDDLE SCHOOL UPDATE!

Day 1 is a success! Our team is awesome! I was amazed continuously throughout the day at how well the team came together, worked hard, maintained fantastic attitudes and never stopped smiling. They did an AWESOME job!

We spent the morning with the High-School team at Feed the Children in Elkhart. While we were there we packed boxes full of Avon products that will be given to women throughout the community who cannot typically afford to buy it for themselves. The students had a blast working on the assembly line together. The boxes were loaded with jewelry, clothes, make-up etc. After a total of about an hour and a half we actually had to take an early break so that the staff could refill some of the supplies. Our students were working faster than they ever could have expected. By the end of the morning (about three hours) we had put together 1400 boxes.

In the afternoon our two teams split up and the Middle-School headed over to Faith Mission of Elkhart. We spent about three hours working in the storehouse for the thrift store that Faith Mission operates. Once again we spent our time working with beauty products! We took their supply of personal hygiene, beauty products, toiletries, etc. and completely reorganized it. The students did a fantastic job completing the work with excitement and completing it well. At the beginning we honestly couldn’t look at the supply and fathom how it could all be sorted in the amount of time that we had, but lo and behold the students did it! Later we came to find out that a lot of the product we sorted was actually donated by Feed the Children. It was great to see how the different ministries of our community are all linked together in service.

Tomorrow we will spend the morning, with the High-School team, serving at Center for the Homeless. We will take time working on a garden there, in addition to eating with and meeting many of the residents. It will be a day that has a lot of potential to really stretch the students in great ways! Thank you so much for all of your encouragement and support! God is at work in these students!

-Kara Weaver

THURSDAY HIGH SCHOOL UPDATE!

Day 1 was AMAZING!!! We couldn’t be more proud of our students. All day long they worked hard with great attitudes! We spent our morning at Feed the Children with the middle schoolers packing boxes and sorting shoes. The students enjoyed working with the staff there. They were very helpful and even gave us some history behind Feed the Children. It’s amazing to see just how much comes into the organization and then goes back out into the community. It really puts things into perspective!

After our morning at Feed the Children, we headed out to our home turf at GCC. Lori Casto and her amazing crew were there to greet us. After they told us what needed to be done, the students quickly jumped in and got on task. Some of us washed windows and walls, while others did things outside like pick up trash. We worked hard all afternoon. The students walked away with a HUGE appreciation for what the facility care crew does at GCC on a regular basis. Lori, your team ROCKS!!!

This evening has been nice and relaxing. We ate at the food court and then had our debriefing time back at the hotel. I’m sitting here watching the students play in the pool together and I can’t help but smile because they are amazing. Well, day 1 is about over and we’re looking forward to day 2! Tomorrow is Center for the Homeless and Faith Mission. I look forward to seeing what God does within our team tomorrow. I know whatever it is, it will be great!
-Stephanie Lancione

MOVE09 HAS LAUNCHED!!!

MOVE09 is off and running! The team gathered tonight at the hotel (which has been a TREMENDOUS new partnership) and everyone got checked in and settled into their rooms. We gathered for a pizza dinner which everyone was pretty excited about and spent some time talking about this trip and how we're going to do teamwork this week.

We talked about basic trip things like eating and sleeping and also covered the importance of honoring and respecting the amazing leaders that have taken vacation and time away from family to serve this group of students.

Kara Weaver (the amazing middle school trip leader) then guided both the Middle School (MS) and High School teams through some focused prayer time centering in on what God will do in us on this trip and for the organizations in the community we'll be partnering with.

After that Kara took the MS team and Stephanie Lancione(The amazing high school trip leader) took the HS team and revealed the trip schedule and some of the amazing places we'll be working. It was hard to hear the schedule amidst all the cheers and wahoos! These kids are ready to hit it and they are excited about what we're doing!

I'm proud of Kara and Stephanie, they're leading your students well, they're leading our leaders well. Off to bed now, early start to the day tomorrow!

Johnny

MOVE09 IS ABOUT TO BEGIN!!!

MOVE09 will begin in just under 2 hours!! The GSM Staff as well as the volunteer leaders are so excited about what God has in store for us these next few days! What an amazing and exciting privilege we have!

Here are some ways you can be praying for this trip;
-Team unity, that throughout all the work and sweat we'll stay united
-Logistics, good weather, safety and health for the team
-God's will, pray that God will be lifted high through our efforts, that He'll shine through us in amazing ways and that He will do amazing work IN OUR lives as well!

It's going to be an amazing few days and we'll have more reports to share as well as pictures later on!

Johnny

Permission Slips

Hello Team!
It's almost here... I'm so excited!

Middle-School Team this is for you (High-School, you can ignore):
We are going to be spending some of our time working up at Crooked Creek Ranch... Woo Hooo, but in order for us to do that you have to have a couple of permission slips signed by one of your parents. I will have them available at the hotel, but if your parents aren't going to be the ones dropping you off it is important that you print these off, have them signed and bring them with you. If you or your parents want to know a little more about the ministry we will be serving, you can look here:

http://crookedcreekranchhorsebackridingministries.com/

Permission Slips:

2009 Participating Agency Granger Community Church

ACCEPTANCE OF RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

EQUINE ACTIVITIES

I, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to engage in the activity of horseback riding with Crooked Creek Ranch Horseback Riding Ministries, Inc. (“Crooked Creek Ranch”), on land owned by Cindy Sandine, located at 10741 Martindale Road, Wakarusa, Indiana 46573.

I understand that the activity of horseback riding involves numerous inherent risks of injury that are an integral part of such an activity. I assume full responsibility for all such risks, including, but not limited to, loss of control of the horse, collisions, and obstacles, whether they are obvious or not. I and/or my family understand that a horse, irrespective of its training and usual past behavior and characteristics, may act or react unexpectedly or unpredictably at times and I fully assume all such risks of injury or death.

I acknowledge that I have read the sign posted on the premises that read as follows: “UNDER INDIANA LAW, AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO, OR DEATH OF, A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES.”

I understand that in the course of horseback riding I may encounter variations in terrain which may result in injury or damages. I acknowledge that these are my responsibility and I assume the risk for these hazards, including breaks, growth, debris, rocks, cliffs, holes and other hazardous surface or subsurface conditions and obstacles, whether they are obvious or not, man made or natural.

I understand that horses are unpredictable and that the risk of injury is inherent in the activity. I, therefore, agree to accept and assume all risk of injury or death caused by the horseback riding, whatever the cause, except as provided by law. As a consideration for being permitted to engage in the activity of horseback riding, I waive all claims I may have against Crooked Creek Ranch or Cindy Sandine, their owners, directors, officers, affiliated organizations, land owners, agents, volunteers or employees, for any injury or death caused by or resulting from participation in the activity of horseback riding. This agreement shall be binding upon me, my heirs, my estate, assigns, legal guardians and my personal representative.

I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand the contents. I am aware that I am releasing certain legal rights that I otherwise may have, and enter into this agreement on behalf of myself and/or my family of my own free will.

THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY. DO NOT SIGN OR INITIAL THIS RELEASE IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR DO NOT AGREE WITH ITS TERMS.

________________________________________

Signature of Participant Date

_________________________________________

Print Participant's Name

_______________________________________

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date

_______________________________________

Print Parent or Legal Guardian’s name

If the Participant is under 18 years of age, the parent or legal guardian must sign this liability release.

2009 Participating Agency ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Granger Community Church

ACCEPTANCE OF RISK AND RESPONSIBILITY

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES

I, the undersigned, hereby acknowledge that I have voluntarily applied to engage in recreational activities, such as, but not limited to, riding a bicycle, swinging on a tire swing, bonfires, hay wagon rides, playground equipment, sports, hiking and other recreational activities (“Recreational Activities”) with Crooked Creek Ranch Horseback Riding Ministries, Inc. (“Crooked Creek Ranch”), on land owned by Cindy Sandine, located at 10741 Martindale Road, Wakarusa, Indiana 46573.

I understand that the Recreational Activities involve numerous inherent risks of injury that are an integral part of such an activity. I assume full responsibility for all such risks, including, but not limited to, falling off a bicycle, twisting my ankle, collisions, and other obstacles, whether they are obvious or not. I acknowledge that I will inform Crooked Creek Ranch staff if I do not want to participate in a Recreational Activity for any reason including physical or health limitations and lack of experience. If I do not communicate my desire not to participate in a Recreational Activity, Crooked Creek Ranch can assume that I consent to participate in the Recreational Activity. I and/or my family understand that I will be around horses and other animals and that irrespective of an animals training and usual past behavior and characteristics, the animal may act or react unexpectedly or unpredictably at times and I fully assume all such risks of injury or death except as provided by law.

I acknowledge that I have read the sign posted on the premises that read as follows:

“UNDER INDIANA LAW, AN EQUINE PROFESSIONAL IS NOT LIABLE FOR AN INJURY TO, OR DEATH OF, A PARTICIPANT IN EQUINE ACTIVITIES RESULTING FROM THE INHERENT RISKS OF EQUINE ACTIVITIES.”

I understand that in the course of my participation in the Recreational Activities I may encounter variations in terrain which may result in injury or damages. I acknowledge that these are my responsibility and I assume the risk for these hazards, including breaks, growth, debris, rocks, cliffs, holes and other hazardous surface or subsurface conditions and obstacles, whether they are obvious or not, man made or natural.

As a consideration for being permitted to engage in the Recreational Activities, I waive all claims I may have against Crooked Creek Ranch or Cindy Sandine, their owners, directors, officers, affiliated organizations, land owners, agents, volunteers or employees, for any injury or death caused by or resulting from my participation in the Recreational Activities. This agreement shall be binding upon me, my heirs, my estate, assigns, legal guardians and my personal representative.

I have carefully read this agreement and fully understand the contents. I am aware that I am releasing certain legal rights that I otherwise may have, and enter into this agreement on behalf of myself and/or my family of my own free will.

THIS IS A RELEASE OF LIABILITY. DO NOT SIGN OR INITIAL THIS RELEASE IF YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND OR DO NOT AGREE WITH ITS TERMS.

________________________________________

Signature of Participant Date

_________________________________________

Print Participant’s name

_______________________________________

Signature of Parent or Legal Guardian Date

_______________________________________

Print Parent or Legal Guardian’s name

If the Participant is under 18 years of age, the parent or legal guardian must sign this liability release.