Johns Island
Sr High Home Works Mission

Tentative Itinerary
Saturday July 23 Help load supplies at Home Works warehouse in Rosewood
Specific time TBA (usually in the morning)
All mission attendees are expected to come and help.

July 24 (Sun) arrive at church by 7am - drop luggage off in gym
7:45am We will attend the Rite I service as a group
We will be commissioned during the service
After church we will pack up the bus and cars, and then head to Johns Is
July 31 (Sun) Return to St. John's for 10:30 service

Packing List
Wear work clothes, t-shirt, shorts, and sneakers or work shoes
1-2 pair of long work pants
Casual wear for the evening
(enough work clothes and casual clothing for 7 days)
Safety goggles/glasses and gloves
Hat
No sports bras or other inappropriate work clothing
Sports wear for Tue. afternoon soccer/softball/tennis activities
Bathing suit
Shower shoes or flip flops
Rain coat
Sleeping bag (or sheets), pillow, and air mattress (or cot)
3 towels and wash cloths
Toiletries
Water Bottle
Insect Repellent
Sunscreen
Minimal spending money is need (approx. $20) Team members usually purchase a gift for the homeowner upon completion of the repairs.

Notes and Tips:
Determine whether you are current with regards to your tetanus shot
3 meals per day, snack, water, and Gatorade are provided
If possible, bring a paint brush
If you bring any tools, please label them
ipods (or other music devices) & cellphones are not allowed on the work sites
Bring a musical instrument if you play one, such as a guitar
Spend time, sit and chat with the residents of the home

Augusta Packing List and Itinerary
Jr High Home Works Mission

Friday, June 10
5PM -- Meet @ St. John's
5:30 -- Depart from St. John's
We will stop for dinner at Chick Fil A
7PM -- Arrive @ Good Shepherd

Tue, June 14 (these times are approximate and will be confirmed)
12PM -- Eat Lunch
12:30-1PM -- Depart Good Shepherd
2PM -- Arrive back @ St. John's

Packing List
Clothes that you don't mind getting dirty/ruined
(you WILL get paint on your clothes)
1 pair of long work pants
Casual wear for the evening (flip flops are allowed at this time)
Sleeping Bag, Air Mattress, Pillow
Sunscreen
Insect Repellent
Water Bottle
Wet Wipes
Work Shoes (sneakers, boots, etc...must be closed toe)
Safety Glasses
Work gloves
Paint Brush (optional, but helpful)
Hat
Modest Swim Suit
Appropriate sleep attire
Camera
2 Towels
Toiletries
Small amount of cash ($1-5) for offering on Sunday
$ for Chickfila Dinner on Friday night on the way down

Note:
ipods (or other music devices) & cellphones are not allowed on the work sites
Youth do not need to bring food either; all snacks and meals are provided for
Spend time, sit and chat with the residents of the home

Hey there folks,

I finally have more pictures for you! Many apologies. I think this week at Johns Island was the hottest week I have ever experienced anywhere, anytime. Unbearable. I know my work site went through 15-20 gallons of water a day (12 people), and others went through at least that much. The heat index on Johns Island and Wadmalaw Island was consistently between 113 to 119! It was just too hot to take many pictures, and then we were just exhausted at the end of each day. After taking care of other duties (with regards to morning and evening prayer and other work site related meetings), I was just too tired to blog. Many apologies for that.

To give a brief recap: we were part of a group of 75ish people, and we were randomly split into 6 work groups. So, unfortunately, I may not have pictures of some of our youth on their work sites. Our jobs included, but were not limited to: reroofing, painting, redoing subflooring, plumbing, hanging ceiling fans, building structures, cleaning, repairing siding and wall studs, and much more. In some cases, it felt as though we were taking on jobs too big, but amazingly, we, more often than not, accomplished our tasks. Not only did we do the work, but the work was quality in nature as well.

I am proud of our youth for many reasons. They were great leaders. They worked really hard, and never skipped out on work. They lead prayers and worship. You could look around and pick out our youth because they were the ones leading the way in the majority of instances. Our youth have a great sense of mission. They really seem to understand what the mission of God in the world is all about, and they are eager to partner with God in that mission. They know the love of Christ, and they are passionate about sharing it, through words and actions. So, I am quite proud of them, to say the least. Good job, gang!

So finally at last, for your viewing pleasure, here are two new galleries of pictures:





blessings,
dorian

Hey there folks,

Wow. This week has been hot and really busy so far. But it has been a really good week. I apologize that we haven't posted blogs so far. We have been getting up way early and running until way late. The combination of hard labor and heat have really worn us out. The overall group is a bit smaller this year with about 75 people present for the mission. Everyone is split up randomly into 6 work groups, so our youth are working with youth from other groups. Pretty cool stuff.

Our students are awesome. They are great leaders, by faith and example. They are quick to volunteer, and they don't shy away from the tough stuff. I don't have a ton of pictures so far (I only have 1-2 from our group on my site), but know that things are going really well. They are doing everything from painting to replacing roofs. Amazing work!

Here's a sample below. Please continue to pray for us and the home owners.

Blessings,
dorian

Hey there folks,

Guess what? I finally have pictures from the other sites for you! I thought you'd be excited and cheer loudly.

Catherine has been taking pictures at the other two sites (they are across the street from each other), and I got the camera back from her tonight.

The youth have been working so very hard, and they are having a blast while doing it. I know our site was tough: power washing, roofing, cleaning off part of the roof, weeding, repairing the fence, and much more. The other groups had tons of painting to do, among other jobs.

The younger crew is so excited about being a part of this. They are amazing. Our group sets an example for the others, and they work really hard. I am so proud!

Today was a tough day. We had a lot of work to get done, knowing that tomorrow morning is it. At my site, we finished tearing down the tin shed, worked on putting the porch roof back on, cleaned off the rest of the roof, power washed, and more. A storm whipped up, and we had to really push it at the end of the day. Just a little bit more to finish up in the morning!

The evening was filled with games, discussion, prayer, and singing. Great last night! They a=were still pumped up and bouncing off the walls! Compline helped prepare them for bed! Well, check out the pics and we'll see you soon.

blessings,
dorian

Hey there folks,

Sunday is a day of ReCreation at the Jr High Augusta Home Works mission. We go to church, have a Sunday School thing where we do skits and play games, walk the Labyrinth, watch a movie, and stuff like that. This year was unique in that we came back home for the retirement celebration for the Rev. Mary Moore Roberson. The kids thought it was cool that we were going back, and Mary Moore was thankful for our return and participation. The service was way cool, and the party was awesome. Thank you so much for you service to St. John's, Mary Moore!!

We drove back to Augusta, and we arrived just in time to join a viewing of the Princess Bride. It is my personal favorite movie of ALL time. There were many people who hadn't seen it (and if you haven't...watch it pronto!), and they really enjoyed it. I think it was my 273rd time. Not sure, though.

After the movie, we went to a nearby park for a cookout party and concert. It was really humid, but we had a great time. Hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, ice cream, frisbee golf, climbing on a tank, and much more. It was a blast! And we were joined by Abi Moon! It was great to see Abi. She is super cool, and she is the youth minister who started this Jr High session in Augusta. She is currently in seminary at Sewanee, going into her third and final year.

We closed the evening with games and devotion. We talked about the passage 2 Timothy 4:1-8. 2 Timothy is a personal pastoral letter to Paul's protege, Timothy. It was a letter written while Paul was imprisoned for the second time, and Paul was writing to encourage Timothy in preaching, teaching, and doing ministry.

Now the day is done, and we are getting up bright and early. Tomorrow is a full day of work, and we have a TON to do. See you soon!

blessings,
dorian

Hey there folks,

Today was a long, hot, and crazy day. We started off with a quick breakfast, some directions, and rules. We broke into our work groups, got to know each other a little bit, and then header off.

The weekend has the group broken into three groups (unfortunately, I didn't get the camera from Catherine, so we don't have other pics of the other sites. We are at Mrs. Williams's house. She is fairly old but still very functional. She has 8 children and a bagillion grands and greatgrands. Our group killed wasps, cleaned out two sheds, destroyed one shed (on purpose), tore off the backporch roof, removed vines from the rear fence, and more. We worked hard!!

I think the other groups are painting and cleaning. I know one group uncovered a dead cat, and Austin got to remove it. That is pretty impressive! I don't think I could have done that. Everyone seems to be having a wonderful time, and they are working hard!

Again, many apologies that I don't have more pics. I forgot to get the camera from Catherine, but don't worry, we can always put up more pictures! I'm off to bed. Exhausted. We will see you all at church!

blessings,
dorian

Hey there folks,

We have a great group of 12 youth and 4 adults hanging out in Augusta, GA for the Jr High Home Works mission. We will be hear through Tuesday at lunch, spending 2.5 days working on 3 homes. We will primarily be painting, but also making some minor repairs (all age appropriate stuff).

Travel down Friday evening was pretty uneventful. We encountered some rain and storms, but we kept plugging ahead. We stopped for dinner at Chickfila in Augusta, and the group totally amused me with the girls on one side of the restaurant and the boys on the other!

It started storming again as we got our stuff settled, and it never really let up all evening. There was some gorgeous lightning! Amazing stuff. One group from TN was a bit late because of the storms and a wreck they stopped to help with. We played some games to kill time waiting on them, and then once they arrived we watched some safety and first aid videos made by youth at Good Shepherd. Funny stuff!

Unfortunately, I didn't really have much to take pictures of, but I promise the next post will have pics with it. The youth are doing great, and it is going to be a wonderful experience. Stay tuned!

blessings,
dorian