Welcome to Second Presbyterian Youth Ministry!

Welcome to the Blog that is entirely dedicated to the youth activities at Second Presbyterian Church! Here you will find the latest information on outings and gatherings, photos, and more. Enjoy!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Stories From The Youth

Here are a few of the stories that the youth wrote about their personal experiences on the Rez. (Also, the settings have been fixed so that you should be able to leave comments now without registering. We'd love to know what you're thinking!)

This trip to South Dakota was my second and this year was just as life changing as last year's trip. This year was slightly different than last year's trip, in that I had an opportunity to actually sit down and tutor the children that are not where they should be educationally. I also enjoyed how we took two "classrooms" that looked more like prison cells with boring white walls and turned them into a kindergarten and first grade classroom with the alphabet, numbers, shapes, flowers, and colors on the walls. Another great experience was actually, believe it or not, waking up at 4:30 in the morning to go up on a hill to watch the sun rise. It was beautiful and very peaceful. I also love the bonding we do with our fellow youth. This is a fabulous experience and I highly recommend it.
~ Maggie ~

I really loved going on this trip. It was a very eye-opening event in my life. I was able to learn about the Lakota culture as well as how bad off the people are there. It was amazing to be able to share one's love with all the people and watch them grow. I made a lot of friends and learned a lot about how to have more of God and less me! My favorite thing about the trip was playing with the little kids and having a good influence on their lives. I look forward to keeping in touch with everyone and building strong relationships. This was an amazing trip despite the long car ride!! God bless!
~ Chloe ~

At first, I was unsure about going to SD, but in the end I am 100% glad I went! Everyone there was so nice and willing to help. It was so neat to meet the people of the community. Helping put a smile on the kids' faces would give you a great and positive feeling inside. If you are unsure whether to go, just do because you will have a blast! This trip changed my perspective on other people.
~ Anne ~

This trip to SD was very enlightening. Last year's trip was very fun, but I think I learned and grew more this past week. I made many new friends and learned a lot in a spiritual sense. The Lakota people helped me progress mentally and spiritually, and I thank them for that. I also thank the many adults who helped us on this great expedition. I also was able to bond with the landscape of SD and with the people who ran the whole camp. Thank you 2PC for the experience.
~ Preston ~

This trip was an eye-opening experience for me, and not in just one way. Seeing the living conditions and lifestyle of these people made me realize just how fortunate I am and makes me want to do more to help people in need. Also, it strengthened my faith and gave me an opportunity to bond with my church family. I am so thankful that I was able to go on this trip.
~ Ema ~

This trip was amazing. It was a great experience and I'm so glad I went. I am so much closer to God now too. Seeing the living conditions made me appreciate the things I have. I met so many new people too. It was an overall great experience when we tutored kids and painted. I loved this trip!
~ Caitlin ~

I am so glad I went to South Dakota. It was a fun experience. It made me really be thankful for everything I have. Some of the kids on the reservation don't even have parents. This whole experience was fun and it brought me closer to God. I really enjoyed meeting new people and strengthening old friendships at the same time. I would recommend it to all of my friends.
~ Virginia ~

South Dakota changed me! It taught me to always be grateful for what you have. Also, God is always with you and you need to have more God and less you. I'm glad I went because if I didn't I would still be selfish. In the end, South Dakota was a great all-around experience.
~ Katie ~

I had the most fun I have ever had on a church trip. I love the drive up and back. There was a lot of funny moments. Then it was so much fun up there helping people who don't have as much as we do. I wish we could have more time up there working. Best road trip/ mission trip I have ever been on.
~ Conly ~

The mission trip was an indescribable experience. I had so much fun. It brought me so much closer to God. While working in SD I knew that I was doing what God wanted me to do. I felt so at peace. I also met so many new people, and became closer to everyone from my church. I loved every part of the mission trip.
~ Devin ~

I really like the mission trip. It was scary when we got in the Arch but it was fun. Those kids we worked with were awesome. It was so cool to help the community. Some of the kids really liked coming and having fun with us.
~ Ricketa ~

I really enjoyed my trip to South Dakota. Can't wait to go again.
~ Anna ~

Well I had a good time at the mission trip. I am so glad that I went. I learned more about God and I made new friends and my favorite thing was kissing the buffalo. And I love riding in the cars because we didn't stay in one van. But I had so much fun.
~ Christina ~

This year's trip to South Dakota was very different from the past. We stayed on the Reservation this year which allowed closer bonds with everyone: leaders, students, and the community. Also, staying in a different location allowed for various activities. This year we got to visit Wounded Knee, a buffalo feed, a beautiful sunrise hike, and a community cookout. We got to see and experience God's works and love through myriad ways. From morning devotions (devos) to nighttime Club and bonding, it was amazing. On this trip I personally noticed many changes, spiritually and how they acted, in myself, the other campers, and even the kids that we helped. I would like to thank everyone who helped make this trip happen and also those who helped me grow.
~ Kate ~

South Dakota was an overall life-changing experience. When I arrived at Pine Ridge, the living conditions astounded me. I had never imagined how bad some of the natives' conditions were, and much less had I imagined living in conditions almost as horrid as theirs are. When I saw how happy the kids were with their poor living conditions, it made me more thankful for what I had. This realization caused my faith in God to sky-rocket, along with my gratefulness on what He has praised me with. While working with the kids and painting one lady's house that was elderly and in a wheelchair, my relationship with God strengthened immensely. By spreading His love throughout the community, I became closer to Him in so many ways. Not only did I get closer with God, but I also got closer to many people from different churches and the kids on the reservation.
~ Sarah ~

I loved this trip. More the begining than ending. But I liked the worship. Thank you God. I loved saying that. I liked the acceptance from everyone and everyone was everyone's friend. I loved God's creation. I loved singing His songs. I learned that I can always be a better friend and where my priorities lie. And how I can listen to ministers and holy people all I want but that is only half of learning from God. I have to read the Bible, too. All of it. I loved fellowship. I loved the ups and downs. I love everyone I went with. We have all grown closer. Thank you, God.
~ Katie Marie ~

This trip provided a great opportunity not only to make friends but to experience God in whole new ways. Getting to help the Lakota people was awesome, and the fellowship and friendships made were wonderful. It was also a sobering experience to see what we have done to them as a people as well as how they are forced to live. The most influential part for me was the time spent with God outside the norm and having more time to be a relational person. Overall it was an awesome trip and definitely worth doing.
~ Clay ~

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Buffalo Kiss


Here is a video taken by Cathy, a leader of one of the Wisconsin groups, of a "buffalo kiss" for anyone who is out there wondering what it would be like to feed a buffalo with your mouth. Hopefully we will have the stories from the youth posted later today or tomorrow.