So....What's been going on?

As you all can see, it has been a very long time since I have submitted a blog entry. Part of it is that I really have not had much to say. I mean, I have a couple of subjects that I still want to talk about (and hopefully I will do that soon). But as for just general entries, not much to say. Now I feel it has been too long and maybe I should say something. So I decided to blog about what has happend since the last time so that I can catch you guys up on the Tribe's goings on.


One of the big things that happened this summer was the completion of the new youth room. I would like to thank all those that helped in making it possible. It was so great to get that out of my head and to actually see it come together. We are not finished yet, but for the most part it is and it looks great. The kids seem to enjoy it and hopefully it will be a place that they want to bring their friends. God has been so good in supplying furnishings for the room. It seems that every week there is something new to add to the room (right now we are praying for a pinball machine).

With the completion of the room for VBS, we then turned our focus to the Fifth Quarter outreach. I think that they have been a big success. Again, I was at first basing that on numbers, but then God showed me that that is not the case. The kids have been bringing their friends to these events, they are asking other people to come all the time and they want to keep having them. All those tell me that it is a success. Thank God for showing me what real success is and not that of the world's. The big question now is are we going to keep them going now that football is ending.

Then in august we had our churchwide campout. We went back to Aldersgate again. This time we had a lot more people go than last year. We could not do ropes this year because of short staffing, but there was horseback riding, swimming and a little bit of playing ultimate. I got to spend time with my good buddy michael and learn a few more guitar chords (for those that don't know, I have been slowly learning to play the guitar). We also had a few of the youth go and I got to spend time with them (which is always good). It think a great time was had by all. We had a few more people show up on Sunday morning to have breakfast with us and to come to service which we had under the mega-zebo.

Finally, last month we had our fall youth campout. We had a smaller turnout than usual, but again God had those people there that he wanted there. I get tired of hearing that when there is not as good as a response as I (yes me) want, but when it is all said and overwith I have to agree with the fact that God is in control. The big thing this trip was that not only did we get to do low ropes, but we also got to do the high ropes course. I think most of the kids were challenged by the course and I know in the debreifing that there was a lot of positive encouraging that everyone noticed. We were trying to have that as our "theme" for the weekend. The lessons and quiet times were emphasizing encouragement and the power of words. I hope that they got some of it. As usual, it was nice to get outdoors with the youth. We had a lot of fun sitting by the fire, playing ultimate, dodging rain drops and just enjoying each others company.

Well that about brings you guys up to date on what is happening with youth at Tatesbrook. Remember as always to keep us in your prayers.