Gloversville 2013

Gloversville Mission Trip-July 2013

We are two days away from the Gloversville trip this year, we'll be meeting at Church at 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2013 to make the journey northward through the mountains of NC, VA, WV, MD, PA and NY.  I'm Mike Godsey and I was blessed to spend a week in Gloversville in July 2012 with the youth-lead AOF mission team.  All but 3 of those members went off to college or out of the Charlotte area and this year's mission trip expanded into a congregation-wide opportunity.  God's hands have already been very involved in this trip, sending signs along the way as Valarie Ross and I learn how to be leaders on a mission trip for the first time.  With help from Donn Truax of Change of 1, MUMC financially and in leadership (via Brad Hopper, Jim Turner, Tim Stokes, Becky Stegall and Pam Gillespie), the sharing of insight and experience from Quinn & Mike Holmquist (leaders of last year's group) and the power of prayer from our Church family, friends and supporters, we are well positioned to have a successful trip.

Where is Gloversville and Why does a North Carolina team go there?

Gloversville is a small town of 15,600 people and is located about 200 miles north of New York City.  This quaint little town, along with nearby Johnstown, NY were once home to over 200 glovemaking manufacturers.  Over time those factory jobs were moved overseas and the economy suffered.  The ripple effect of these down economic times lead to more poverty, not just financial poverty,but also emotional and spirtual poverty as the town was hit with growing unemployment & addiction.  How can history reverse itself and head in a more positive direct? Donn & Cyndie Truax's ministry was born and is aptly named Change of 1.

Elle, Asher, Brekyn, Ayden, Cyndie and Donn Truax

The Truax's combined efforts with the Whittaker & Chamberlain families, along with other strong Christian supporters to create a light in their community.  Still, the question remains, why is a NC team going to NY?  Life is about relationships, and years ago, Donn, Cyndie and their kids lived in Matthews.  Donn worked with the youth at MUMC and focused on the age group from 7-9th graders (an incredibly important time in an adolescent's Christian walk).  He had a personal impact on some of the youth and his energy, enthusiam and passion for Christ helped plant a seed in the spiritual fuel of some of the youth on this year's trip. After a few years in Matthews, Donn and Cyndie felt a strong pull to return to their hometown in Gloversville. Change of 1 is a missionary partner with our Church's Global Impact Missions.  The connection between MUMC and Change of 1 is strong and the network of relationships grow each year during Global Impact Celebration.

Theme verse for the week:  "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.  Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."-Proverbs 31:8-9

What a blessing to have this scripture on our hearts this coming week.  Each day we will start with a morning devotional time, this scripture and the theme song will be repeated throughout the week.  The theme song for the week is "Break Every Chain" by Jesus Culture:

Highlights of the upcoming week:

Worship with the Truax's at their home Church, a prayer walk around Gloversville with areas Church members, Movie Night for the community-this is the raindate from the Movie Night we scheduled last July (2012) which was postponed do to a tiny tornado warning (read blogs from Day 5 of last year's trip).  This year we planned on bad weather and already have a raindate scheduled for our last night in Gloversville, Thursday, July 25th.  We will also head up to Cyndie's parents house in Speculator, NY for a day of bonding with the 1Gen youth group members.  Service projects, community interaction and hosting a local business owner's luncheon are also on our busy schedule.  The best part of this week will be the connecting and reconnecting with the people of Gloversville, despite the economic times and harsh economy, it is a blessing to walk with them and be welcomed as their peers.

2013 Team:

Back Row from Left: Brenda, Sean, Ednah, Will, Skye, Nick, Dallas and Jeff
Front Row from Left: Valarie, Mike, Jon, Lottie, Lena and James
Not pictured, but also going: John, Caroline and Lexie

The Gift of Blogging:

Our main blogger for this trip will be Dallas Lay, Dallas already has a week-long trip to Gloversville under his belt, so he'll have some keen insights on our daily activities.

Please feel free to subscribe to this blog or share the link or via emails, prayer lists and your choice of social media sites.  We covet your prayers for a safe, spiritually impactful week.

Blessed to serve

Mike Godsey