Day 6 & 7 (Thursday & Friday) The Last Days

Well this is it, we've been at this for a week. Wow, what a great week.

First off, let me say that I consider myself truly blessed to have served on this team with these amazing people. I've grown closer to those I knew and built a relationship with those I did not.

Second off, I'm writing this at three in the morning, there will be a few mistakes.

Serving

Today was what Cyndie calls a "spirit led day." We split into groups and did different, spontaneous service projects. My group went to the Salvation Army and had the unique experience of having a tour of the facility. We also picked up trash and talked to people about the movie night tonight.

Softball & Jamming

Next the whole group split off into two groups; either playing softball with residents of Victorian Manor (a halfway house) or going and playing for residents of Club North (a home for people with mental illnesses).

I did not participate in softball but heard from everyone who did that it was absolutely amazing.

I went with the non-softballers to play for Club North. We had an awesome time playing and praising! Also, Jeff rocked out on the saxophone!

Movie Night

So on with the main event!

Tonight was the movie night in Melchoir park. We watched Escape From Planet Earth on a giant inflatable movie screen. We had a great turn out with an estimated 115-120 participates. There was also face painting, frisbee, parachute games, and catch.

Reflection

So like I've said before I am blessed to have been on this mission trip, served the people I did, and serve with the people that I served with.

I've also enjoyed writing this blog and hope you all enjoyed reading it.

I would like to permanently lift up in prayer the Change of 1 ministry, all the lives we've connected and impacted, the lives of the people in this group, and the future of MUMC's relationship with C1.

I came as I was...

And I left the Change of 1.

Day 5 (Wednesday) Baptism at the Lake

Today something very special happened...
We got to sleep in!
It's true, we didn't have to meet Donn and Cyndie until later in the morning so I woke up at eight today versus the usual six forty-five. Great start to a great day.

The Lake

So today we went to the lake house of Mr. & Mrs. Gates (Cyndie's parents) to enjoy ourselves.

Not much to the lake except fun, fellowship, and freezing cold water (or warm, if you're from the North).

The Baptism

The big thing today was the baptism of two kids from C1's youth group, One Generation.

(from left) Mike, Sarah, Zac, Donn

What a great experience to see these two people who manifested their choice of Jesus as their Lord and savior through a baptism. Congrats Zac & Sarah!

After this amazing event we praised Jesus with song and then celebrated with dinner, cake, and s'mores!

So, thank God for Zac & Sarah's declaration of faith and let us pray for their continued strength!

Last day is tomorrow and we are having the movie night since it was rained out on Tuesday.

Goodnight readers!



GREEN BEANS!

Day 4 (Tuesday) Business Luncheon

So today was another great day for us.

I woke up and I had quite an experience with a Pop-tart and the dining room table. So evidently a hot Pop-tart on a paper towel leaves a stain on wooden tables...who knew? But, thankfully after applications of water, lemon Pledge, mayonnaise, and toothpaste the table looks good as new. Shhh...don't tell Cyndie's parents...

The Business Luncheon

Today's event was another luncheon held for business owners in the Gloversville area. The luncheon was catered by a local Italian restaurant (and the food was awesome).

What was great about this luncheon was the turn out. Donn and Cyndie informed us before hand that one person might show up and that would be it. Through prayer and God's power ten people showed up for the luncheon, including the mayor.

Jam Sessions

After the luncheon Donn and Cyndie decided that our group would take our instruments and go to a gazebo across the way and just play. Those who showed up we talked to and I even learned a thing or two about rigging your everyday electric piano to use certain functions without buying the equipment.

We don't look like it, but we are really having a great time.

After the "concert" at the gazebo we went over to a elderly home and played several songs for those who were sitting outside.

Don't recognize some people? Its a mixed group of C1 youth and MUMC missions team.

The ladies who were present for our show were very appreciative and loving. They were joyful to see us "youngsters" out doing God's work and being the light.

Edna's Dinner

Quick side-note: Edna (and her Edna approved crew) prepared an amazing meal with traditional Ugandan foods. I felt obligated to include this in here because of this picture...

So great day, great new friends, and great food!

Goodnight readers.

Day 3 (Monday) Prayer Walk

Another great day for our group! After eating a delicious and nutritious breakfast of Pop-tarts and Granola bars we head out on the town.

The Tour

So this morning to start off the day Cyndie and Donn treat us to a tour of Gloversville. Wow, what a powerful experience. To see the impact that poverty has on a place is shocking, I just don't see this is Matthews. The amount of rundown houses, unkempt yards, and abandoned churches were heartbreaking and eye-opening.

The Luncheon

So this afternoon our mission team had the amazing opportunity to host a luncheon for members of a halfway house. We had great fellowship and played intense games of ping-pong (that I lost).

I had a great time ministering to these people in the form of just hanging out. We played pool, ping-pong, and jammed together and some even had deep, personal conversations with our team members.

Unfortunately Christians can sometimes get lost in the expectation that ministering to people is all about converting them on the spot and changing their lives the way that we see fit, but this is wrong. As followers of Christ we can do the smallest things, like inviting someone to your lunch table, or the biggest things, like saving someone, and either way its still kingdom building and life-changing. So to all you Christians out there who think that what they do for God isn't enough, I'm here to tell you that in God's eyes, it is.

The Prayer Walk

A Change of 1 tradition, the prayer walk is time for the church communities, the C1 community, and our mission group to go out in Gloversville and pray for the struggles that we see. Also, we get to advertise for tomorrow's movie night and spread the word about the ministry.

My group walked and prayed in Melchoir Park, for the mayor, and at the halfway house. I think the biggest impact that we had was spreading the word about tomorrow's movie night to a couple of people who may otherwise of not known. Also, we were a bunch of people in matching shirts walking down the poorest parts of Gloversville...we turned some heads.

After the prayer walk was over the whole group met at C1 to participate in some worship and reflection time. It was great to see what an impact that the ministry has made on the community of Gloversville; some people we encountered knew who we were and others were eager to be a part of C1.

I have to honestly say, it hit me tonight; Cyndie and Donn are truly doing God's work and making a powerful and fruitful impact on the people of this community.

So another great day for us (hmm seeing a trend here)!

Side-note: The Heavenly Hearts & Hands group who have knitted a collection of clothing items; these have been donated to Change of 1.

Goodnight readers!

Day 2 (Sunday) Sunday Worship

Alright so we wake up this morning bright and early (haha!) to attend Sunday worship at The Baptist Church of Northville. Fun fact: this is the church where Donn and Cyndie were married!

The Change of 1 team

Our day's schedule was filled with  fun and relaxation.

Got creative! We recreated the C1 logo.

After church we headed over to Molly and Rob's (C1 board members) lake house to enjoy food, Popsicles, and of course the water!

Enjoying the H20

After our time at the lake we headed back to the house joined by the Truax family. Before dinner we cheered on the C1 soccer team all the way to a 5-5 tie. Great game guys!

Then there was a delicious dinner of chicken, potatoes, and green beans! (yes mom, we ate our vegetables)

After dinner our team learned about the struggles of Gloversville, the start and current state of the C1 ministry, and what we have in store for the week.

So with that we are looking forward to a week of outreach, serving, and loving others!

Goodnight readers, talk to ya'll tomorrow!

Day 1 (Saturday) We Are Here!

Hello my name is Dallas Lay and I will be covering our trip here in Gloversville day by day on this here blog. I hope to provide honest and complete coverage of our daily events with the written word, pictures, and videos.

Its five o'clock in the morning...

The Trip

A grand caravan of three Toyota Sienna mini-vans and a Honda Civic start out on their trek at five in the morning, filled to the brim with equipment, clothes, people, and of course; lots of snacks.

We finally made it to New York!

So after fourteen hours of Disney movies, junk food, and snapping sleeping pictures we finally rendezvous with Donn and Cindy at Wendy's.

Just found a comfortable position...

The Arrival

Graciously provided by the mini-Truax's

We arrive at our place of temporary residence in Johnstown, a neighboring town to Gloversville. The house is nice and there are plenty of showers! So as we "settle down" and settle in we realize that we are tired...hard to believe right?

So goodnight readers! We cannot wait for tomorrow!