We leave on our Gloversville mission trip next week! Most of our team will be meeting at Church at 4:45 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, 2014 to make the journey northward through the mountains of NC, VA, WV, MD, PA and NY. I'm Mike Godsey, Valarie Ross and I are once again co-leading this trip to Gloversville. The trip last year had a significant impact on our team as 15 of our 17 team members from last year are returning (and the remaining two wanted to come, but had some scheduling conflicts). Speaking of last year's trip, check out 2013 Gloversville Video Recap. With help from Donn & Cyndie 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 the MUMC VBS props, curriculum and supplies (Thanks Molly Joyner), and the power of prayer from our Church family, friends and supporters, we are well positioned to have a successful trip.
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Where is Gloversville and Why does a North Carolina team go there?
Gloversville is a small city of 15,388 people and is located about 200 miles north of New York City. This quaint little city, along with nearby Johnstown, NY, were once home to over 200 glove making 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 spiritual poverty as the town residents were hit with growing unemployment & addictions to alcohol/drugs. How can history reverse itself and head in a more positive direction? via Donn & Cyndie Truax's ministry, aptly named Change of 1.
Front (L) Ayden, Elle, Brekyn, Asher Back: Cyndie & Donn
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, enthusiasm 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 deep level 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 our Global Impact Celebration. They happen to live in NY, but they are still very much a part of our family.
Theme verse for the Week: "Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." - Matthew 11:28
Theme song: We will begin each day listening to our theme song to help center us for the day so we can maximize our opportunity to serve. "Let Them See You" by JJ Weeks band.
Highlights of the Upcoming Week:
We get to start the week by worshiping with the Truax family at a Free Methodist Church. Immediately following the service we'll help host a Family Fun Day. Monday through Wednesday our team will be hosting a VBS at Foothills United Methodist Church. Afternoon/evening activities will include a Prayer Walk in downtown Gloversville Monday night, a recovery Dinner with our friends at Victorian Manor Tuesday night and our 2nd annual MUMC/C1/Vic Manor Softball game on Wednesday. Our time in NY will conclude on Sunday with a trip to Spectulator, NY where we get to have our annual day of bonding with the 1Gen youth members and 2nd Gen college members at the Lake home of Cyndie's parents. That day will be capped off with two Baptisms and Haystacks (If you want to know what haystacks are, I'll show you, on your trip to Gloversville)! The thing I am most looking forward to doing on this trip is reconnecting with the people of Gloversville, hearing about how they are doing, and encouraging them as the Spirit leads me.
2014 Team:
Top - Left to Right: Kevin Stephens, Nick Hutchinson, Brenda Messera, Brandon Stephens, Sean Cooley, Brenda Murphy, Mike Godsey, Cyndi Godsey, Ed Morris, Dallas Lay, Valarie Ross, John Ross, and Beth Marshall
Bottom- Left to Right: Hunter Ross, Paige Duffy, Katie Stephens, Jon Godsey, Lottie Godsey, Skye Cooley and Katie Marshall
Not Pictured, but going: James Ross, Caroline West, Jessie Lay, Lexie Wyland, Ralph Messera, Katie Schaefer, Frieda Morris and Will Martin.
The Gift of Blogging:
Our main bloggers (yes we have two, because our team is just that Awesome) for this trip will be Paige Duffy and Hunter Ross. They are both rookies as far as Gloversville is concerned, but have been active in missions for years.
Please feel free to subscribe to this blog (so you don't miss any of the action-or photos) and/or share the link via emails, prayer lists and your favorite social media outlets. We covet your prayers for a safe and spiritually impactful week.
Excited to be a serving this week in His name,
Mike Godsey
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