In July, a group of 4 high school students, one female leader, and I participated in a week long Youth Unlimited SERVE trip to Sioux City, Iowa. The Prairie SERVE was the first mission trip experience for the students.
During the week it was a joy seeing the students bond over shared experiences of leading VBS for a Lao congregation, tearing up carpet and restoring the wood floors in their sanctuary, and hearing the stories of the people in the Lao congregation too. Throughout the week our students met other students from around the U.S and Canada. Seeing them serve along side other students and adults was an amazing experience as well. The weekly theme of Love God, Love the World was lived out in many ways!
Overall the SERVE trip was a huge win in so many ways. One, the positive experience of the trip has sparked a love of mission trips in the students of Discovery church. Second, the students are now showing a stronger interest in participating in the different way Discovery Church is serving our neighbors.
Last Saturday (August 18), Discovery Church hosted Back to School Bonanza and Pig Roast. This outreach event was planned so we could bless our neighbors with school supplies and a free meal. God blessed this event in a mighty way. We had planned to provide school supplies for 40 students. However, over 100 students needed supplies and at the end of the event, we were able to provide for each one! This event was a great opportunity to deepen the relationships with our neighbors, and provide a big need that they had. Overall we had about 150-175 people attend the Back to School Bonanza and Pig Roast.
Submitted by William TerHaar
