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.

Wednesday

Yesterday was our first day of VBS at Common Ground and it was definitely a test of patience. Even though there was constantly fights being broken up, kids being separated, little boys using the High School boys as human jungle gyms, and feelings being hurt over little things, it was so worth it at the end of the day! Every person was laughing and smiling while we were talking about our experiences with the kids. It amazes me how much spirit and excitement these kids have for everything they do. They never fail to make us laugh. I love it here I already miss it! Thank you for all of the prayers and please continue to pray!

Good Morning!

So yesterday was the first day of VBS here at Common Ground and it was just incredible. Seeing all the kids just come together and celebrate the Lord was awesome. All these kids have incredible personalities and it just makes you want to love them more and more. I got to talk to Josh yesterday about the internship and he told me if I applied ASAP then he would take a look at it and go over it with Kevin and he would let me know before I leave this week if I get accepted. I am praying so hard for this. I would love to be here this Summer, I feel like there is something here for me and I just don't want to go back home. I am drawn to this place and I can't get enough of it. So I filled out my application last night and e-mailed it to Josh so now it's all in God's hands. I love all that God is revealing to me this week and I see Him in all our students and all the community here. Isaiah 58:9-12 says:
"Then when you call, the Lord will answer. 'Yes I am here', he will quickly reply. Remove the heavy yolk of oppression. Stop pointing your finger and spreading your vicious rumors! Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Some of you will rebuild the deserted ruins of your cities. Then you will be known as a rebuilder of walls and a restorer of homes."

Love your neighbor for it is a form of God. If you mistreat a neighbor, a friend, a complete stranger, you are mistreating God. Love EVERYONE. That is all I yearn for. I want everyone to just love one another, I don't see how people can't. Not trying to say I don't struggle with loving people but it's my main priority. Us humans were made with nothing but love, so why can't we return that favor and just show everyone love? God smiles at us and blesses us when we show His love to others. I am so happy to be here to love on and bond with this community. I'm so grateful and I give total thanks to my God.

-Lauren Bruno

Here's a Little of What We Did Today

Tuesday, MOGO

This morning we woke up to a little rain and a cloudy sky, however, that didn't keep us from working hard! We spent our morning working and weeding in the soon to be community garden which will be run by the kids at common ground. It was a gift to be apart of helping establish something that will continuously benefit CG and the neighborhood. Today was the first day of VBS! I helped lead a group of two beautiful 8 year old girls. We did a craft, listened to a bible story, and played great games! The girls in my group were so precious, and so hungry for Gods word. It is so refreshing to see a glimpse into young ladies with such pure hearts and spirits filled with joy. For the short time I have known them, they have already touched my heart. Two kids got into a fight earlier, and my group and I helped to calm down one of the kids. They used God's word, and lovely words to bring comfort to him. It was great to see. I think we all can learn so much from these kids. Even though things in life don't always run smoothly or perfectly, with God's joy in our hearts, and child-like faith, great things will take place. I am so thankful to be surrounded by such a beautiful group of people, and I can't wait what else God will reveal to us this week.

Kelsey Belden

Tuesday March 15

Ok so, playing spick-peg volley ball not the best idea Trae Heitt. In other news I really feel the holly spirt moving in these kids we're helping here. So please keep praying for us.

Today was what everyone was anticipating and we all thoroughly enjoyed it. I was so thankful that we were able to work in the sustainable community garden that is being planted throughout the week. The middle school students worked on it all day, but we had the pleasure to spend time with them early in the morning to weed the planters. They have such a sweet and goofy spirit within their group and I loved being a part of it. Middle school kids are so fun and I see so much maturity and Christ like hearts in the Common Ground kids. Even though they get a little crazy with each other, they are respectful and know about each other's lives and interact like wonderful young men and women. The kids today during VBS were also fantastic and our time with them went really fast. I am so glad that we have this opportunity to spend time with these kids at CGM, and God has taught me a lot about myself and everyone around me already this week and I cannot wait to see what else he has in store for us this week!

-Arielle Hummel

VBS day 1

Today was our first day of vacation bible school and it was a success! God is doing some amazing things here! To start it off we had a dance off! It was hilarious! It was a little bit chaotic but turned out great. Even though some kids fought and seriously tested our patience, at the end of the day, it was all worth it. I am so happy we came back here this year. VBS is a great way for us to spread the word of God to these kids. Thanks for all the prayers!

-Maci Majors

Had so much fun working in the garden and playing with the kids, they are so much fun. And these kids can teach you a lot of cool things. i will also have so much fun with Kaleb and the kids at vacation bible school

Gonna Be a Full Day

Good morning! It's Tuesday, and really, our first day full of activity. Right now some of our students are preparing for our afternoon VBS we'll be hosting, while others are working in a garden we are helping to start here at Common Ground this week. VBS starts today and while it's cold and a bit rainy, we're still hoping for a good turnout. Yesterday, we spent all afternoon playing with neighborhood kids here at the facility. This was a lot of fun and a good time to start meeting some of the kids we will be working with this week. Thank you all for your continued prayers.

Day 2

Today was an interesting day of planning and setting up everything for our vacation bible school and I thought I would share how we are doing so far. I'm so happy to tell you that the kids we met today welcomed us with open arms and were open to all of us. I am sure that I speak for the whole group in saying that excitement is everywhere. I think that the children we are about to serve through our teaching will be very willing to hear the word of God and accepting of our love for them. The presence of God is definitely prominent in this place and I hope that we can have a lasting impact on the lives of the children. Thanks for following us and keep us in your prayers!

-Eric Gifford

Day 2

I hope I'm not going to be the only person blogging on here. So far, today has been SO wonderful. I found a quote from C.S. Lewis I thought I would share.

“Continue seeking God with seriousness. Unless He wanted you, you would not be wanting Him” -C.S. Lewis.

Well, I'm off. Just wanted to write that short note. I'm sure I will be on here again tonight to blog. Thank you for all your prayers! (:

-Lauren Bruno

Montgomery 2011!

We arrived in Montgomery today and I am so so so thrilled to be here! As soon as we got out of the vans I ran into Common Ground and saw Josh and Ava! It filled my heart with total joy. I was SO happy to see the both of them, they are such a blessing. Things looked a little differently inside of the community center and it made me so happy to see that they are growing so much. They even built an amazing gym right next to the center and it is so amazing! After we unloaded the girls things, we headed over to the "mansion", which was the intern house this past summer. We got to go in there and look around and it really made me want to just stay here ALL the time. I really am going to have a hard time going back to Edmond, but I am going to apply for the Summer internship here. I was talking with Josh and he was telling me that a lot of girls have applied already so it's going to be harder but if it's God's will, then it will be done.
Around 5:30 Brian lead a church service here at the community center and it was really great. Brian is such an amazing leader and every time he speaks, I am just drawn in to what he has to say. We read some in Mark chapter 11, and verse 22-25 really stuck out to me. It reads, "Have faith in God. I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, 'May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea', and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in Heaven will forgive your sins, too."
I am SO SO SO SO SO pumped to see what God has in store. I feel such GREAT feeling and connection with God. He has put incredible joy in my heart and my life and I am SO thankful to be here with all these amazing people. Thank you all for who are praying for us and following us on the blog. God is SO great!!

-Lauren Bruno (:

Spring Break Mission 2011

We're three days out from leaving for our Student Ministry's annual Spring Break Mission. We are returning to last year's destination - Montgomery, AL and the incredible ministry of Common Ground. This year our main ministry focus will be to lead a Spring Break Vacation Bible School for elementary kids in their neighborhood (we will also be doing some physical labor-type-work there at Common Ground and around the neighborhood). We are so thankful that God would allow us the privilege in joining these folks for a week in ministry by invading their space (thank you Common Ground). Our focus scripture this year Philippians 2:5-8. Read it and pray along with us that we could join Christ in His attitude of service. Keep Loving. Keep Praying. Keep Living. -Trae.