Home

We left a little ahead of schedule so we may be getting home early.
The students will have their phones when we are an hour away from home.

It was a great week of camp! We were challenged by the voice of God to
live for Him whatever the cost. As for me personally, I believe the
three weeks of student trips were worth every minute. I have seen God
working in wonderful ways through salvations and increased passion to
serve Him. I have seen our students reach out to the lost and serve
others the way Jesus commanded us. I am so grateful to be at a church
that believes in youth ministry.

The mountain

My prayer for our students is that they understand that even the
majesty of mountains is small compared to God. This picture was taken
from the top of the ridgecrest peak.

We will be competing in Mega Relay this afternoon. Exciting! Everyone
is safe and healthy.

Great night!

God really worked in the lives of our students tonight. They were
worshipping and making their devotion to Him known. I feel truely
blessed to work with these students. We also took up a missions
offering for the Gospel work in Romania and Canada.

We used some of our extra hang out time to go to mcdonalds and just be
with our church group. We are safe and healthy. Pray that our last
full day goes well.

Stand

Today the students were challenged to have the faith to take a stand
for what they believe. When we talked about real ways they could take
a stand at home, they came up with some great ideas. One student said
he could speak out when people at school were challenging
Christianity. I was really excited to here their thoughts.

We are all safe and healthy. Thanks for praying for us.

Rene

The recreation hill

This hill (mountain) is not for those with heart conditions or weak
knees. It is a real hike to get to rec everyday. The walk is beautiful
though. We played a game of tag across the campus and enjoyed
eveything from a high ropes course to laser tag.

We also had a great church group devotion time. Our students talked
about the areas in their lives that God was asking them to let go and
trust him.

Everyone is safe and healthy.

Day one

I love bringing students to camp. Today we laughed, studied the Bible,
and sang praises to God. Our students talked about their expectations
of what will happen at camp. Many of them expressed a desire to know
God more. I believe God wants to make Himself known in a powerful way
this week.

We are safe and healthy.

Rene

Joel

He loves his camp bed.

Rooms

The rooms here are great! Joel Betts has his own Queen size bed.

We're here

We're here at Ridgecrest. The campus is beautiful and our students are
very excited.

Leaving for camp

We left the church. I am really excited about a great week of high
school camp. Please pray that God would work in our lives this week.

Rene

Mcdonalds

We are eating a quick dinner. I am also praising God that He is
merciful. Our bus is working and everyone is safe and healthy.

We will be back by 11:15pm.

Bus

We should know something very soon. Pray they fix the bus.

Problem

The bus broke down. A charter bus will be picking us up at 4:45. I'm
very sorry. We are at the lake city exit I75 north, exit 128.

Rene

Early lunch

We found a Zaxby's so we are eating early!

The last morning

We had a great mega relay last night! Our students worked hard and did
a great job. The Ninth and O adult group brought home a victory.

We are all safe and healthy, and we will be leaving soon.

Extended free time

We had extended free time, and it was really fun. Our students are
listening to God's word and making great decisions.

We are exhausted. Everyone is safe and healthy.

Rene

Salvations

It has come to my attention that some people would like a little bit more news in our blog posts like our Ecuador trip. I will try harder.

We had two students trust Christ for salvation this evening, Kyle and Merideth (brother and sister). It is amazing to see all the events that brought Kyle and Merideth to our ministry. God has been so kind to allow us to see His salvation come to these two souls.

Thank you for praying for us and please pray for these new believers as the start their journey with Christ. I am very excited for both of them.

Night life

We are having a great time! The students have played everything from
water games to soccer.

We are all safe and healthy. Pray for our adults to get rest and have
great conversations about Jesus with our students.

Free time

We had a great afternoon of Bible study and recreation. The Carson-
Newman staff is making this a great camp. This morning our camp pastor
asked the students to see themselves through God's eyes. He challenged
them to go all out for the one who saved them.

Everyone is safe and healthy. Pray for the Holy Spirit to continue His
mighty work here.

Rene

The end of a long day

We are very tired after a long day, but it was great. Our students are
safe and healthy.

The worship leader and camp pastor did a great job today. I am praying
that God uses them in a mighty way.

Carson-Newman

We're getting ready to go to our first worship time. Pray for us!

Lunch stop

We are at our last stop before camp. Everyone is safe and healthy.

Leaving

We're on our way!

Home

We're here.

Rene

They made it on the plane

They made it on their next flight! The airlines held the plane for our group. I am not sure if their luggage will be here tonight but our group will be. The flight is suppose to arrive around 12:15 so they will not be back at the church until 1 or 1:30.

Julie

Delayed

We are not leaving Miami until 6:45.

Luggage

We are having a little trouble with luggage. They are very behind.

Rene

Miami

Welcome to rainy Miami. We are here on the runway, safe and sound.

They are coming home

I received a text message from Rene. They are all safely at the airport and getting ready to get on their plane to come back to the states. According to the American Airlines website, they have already departed and are on schedule. Praise God, they will be home soon.

Julie

Leaving Quito

I am so tired and we have just began our marathon trip home! We have
experienced God's grace and power this week and we are ready to come
home and sleep in our own bed's. We have not had ice in drinks or AC
but we wouldn't trade it for anything. See you soon. James Kerr

Last night

We had a great day at the schools today. Many professed faith in
Christ and most of the construction projects were finished.

Tonight we will worship together and each person will say something
encouraging to another teammate and receive an encouraging word. This
is always one of my favorite parts about the trip.

We leave the camp at 1am. We arrive in Quito at 6:00am KY time.

Rene

Last trip

We are on our way for our last trip to share the gospel with the
locals and have vbs for the children. We should be home in about 30
hours.

This has been a great trip! I hope you have been surviving without me
mom.

Brandon

Exciting day

Some of our people worked at a site last year and planted many gospel-
seeds. This year many children have come to know the Lord at that
site. Tonight we praised God for His timing.

Our people are safe and healthy. We have a long day ahead of us
tomorrow, but we are excited for one more day to share the good news.

Salvations and local sites

We had a great day at our work sites today. Our people shared the
gospel, and there were many professions of faith. We also went to the
city of Banos for the evening. We had time to shop, eat dinner at a
local church, and paticipate in a worship service in the city square.
Both students and adults had the opportunity to share the gospel with
locals as the walked up to see what we were doing. There were a few
who made professions of faith in the square, and the local church
where we ate will be discipling them.

God ignited a passion for his glory in our group today. It was a joy
to serve him.

We are all safe and healthy. The attached picture shows a local band
playing some traditional music for us.

Rene