What a day! The rain started us off with nothing to do. I was worried that we wouldn't have a chance to serve anywhere. All of the places that we contacted already had several groups just show up, so there wouldn't be any work for us to do. The rain made most of the outside debris removal too much of a mess. We had nowhere to go!

Luckily, the youth pastor of the church where the girls are staying was available because he didn't have class (spring break!). His dad works with a prison ministry that does several things, American Rehabilitaion Ministries (ARM). They begin with collecting unused Dayspring cards (sort of a Christian hallmark) to send, to bibles and studies for them, and even baptistries! They are really focused on saving souls for the kingdom. Cool stuff. So what we are doing is presorting cards for them. There are soapy boxes of mixed cards! Plenty of work to do. We also have a small group of guys working out in the warehouse, doing warehousey things. God really provided for us. A potentially useless day filled with purpose!

Thanks for all your prayers and thoughts!!! Stay thirsty for Him.

(fun fact: ARM Prison Outreach was incorporated 8 days after the birth of George Levi Hiett III. (Trae)

A Little Rainy

Kind of a crazy day today in Joplin. The day startedbwith us joining about 300 other volunteers clearing debris (including some other groups from OKC and Tulsa). This was such a neat picture of the Body of Christ at work - together! Then came the rain - the pouring rain. So we cut the day short, got cleaned up, made some bracelets with our prayer buddies, and went to the mall. Tonight ended with a great dinner and some wonderful worship. And as the rain continues we're simply praying for God's plan to unfold above any of ours. Oh, and I'm so proud of our students willingness to be flexible and their willingness to be available to serve wherever and however. Today's scripture was Galatians 2:20. And our theme scripture for the week is from Acts 4:32 - focused on the word 'ONE'. Good night and thank you for your continued prayers.

We Made It

We made it into Joplin yesterday evening and were greeted very warmly by our host churches...sorry there wasn't an update last night - wireless wasn't working, but all looks good so far today. Now we're just excited to see what God has in store for us.

Heading Home!!!!

This trip has been amazing! The opportunity to work along side the Common Ground Staff has been truly inspirational and a great life experience. Now the exciting part is we get to go home and take all that we have learned from the adults and kids from Common Ground and apply it to our lives back home. It will be a challenge, but as a church we will support and encourage one another through the difficulties and problems we face in the future. See you guys soon, we love you Common Ground!!!

Hannah Wilson

Hello Fellow Readers!

This is Lauren Bruno, I just wanted to give a little update about the pictures. The Flikr Widget we have for our blog isn't working I don't think. I've taken over 400 pictures so far but the flikr wouldn't let us put very many of the pictures up! SOOOO I'm going to work on that and get it fixed ASAP so we can see all the pictures from the blog! I do have pictures up on my facebook if you are able to see them from there, but I know not everyone has facebook. So again, sorry about the trouble. I'll get it fixed ASAP. In the mean time, thanks for all your prayers! God is working through all of our students. (:

-Lauren Bruno

My Mission

Hey everyone! Wow we have been sooo busy. When we got here we were returning to the open arms of the kids and adults of Common Ground. They were so inviting just wanting to hang out, especially the middle schoolers, they are some of the most amazing kids i have ever met. They just have soo much life and energy and passion for the community. They take so much pride in what Common Ground is doing for their neighborhood and their lives. My new friend Toby said "We have the cooliest community, the only one in the world with a garden, you got one?". They are so crazy and the things they say and do just make me realize how much God is doing in their lives and ours. On this trip God has helped me to realize how much of a heart I have for these missions, that it shouldn't stop here. We are blinded in Edmond by the big houses and the iPhones that we don't see the people that are in need. We need a Youth Group to share our faith with those who are not filled up with the word of Christ, that is my mission when i get home. :) -Kayla

A Little Picture of Day 3

Today we had the kids tye-dye shirts as a "camp shirt". Here is Maci demonstrating our folding technique.