Project 28 - part 1

Here is a mid-way update on project 28:

This week the 7th grade girls LIFE group emarked on what has turned out to be a really cool project. We are spending each afternoon this week (mon. thru thurs.) at Kids First Awareness Center in Alabaster where we are doing a VBS-like class each day. When we arrived yesterday we had no idea what to expect and we did not know any of the kids. But, after wrapping up today there were smiles all around as the kids came out to say goodbye to us.

It has been really cool to be able to share God's word with these children, many of whom might have never heard any Bible stories and have little knowledge of God. The group of girls who've been helping out with the project have already been able to build relationships with the kids. We are looking forward to tomorrow when we get to share the gospel with them and then thursday when we have a pizza party!

Check back soon for Part 2...

Project 27

American Red Cross Blood Drive

A few months ago Kenneth Shaw and a team of students went to work promoting a blood drive that was to be held on an upcoming Sunday morning at Westwood. When that Sunday arrived, however, they found out that the "blood-mobile" was broken and couldn't come. So, Mr. Kenneth and the team of students geared up for a second round of promotion for a second attempt at a blood drive. This time things went much more smoothly as the American Red Cross blood-mobile arrived at Westwood yesterday morning with a goal of 30 pints to be donated. Thanks to all the Westwood church family who donated - it was a successful day! The goal was met with exactly 30 pints of blood donated.

Project 26 - Staffing SL for Kids

On Wednesday, June 25th I got a call from Stuart Chapman, Camp Director for Student Life for Kids, and he was in a desperate situation.  The camp of 1100 kids that they were scheduled to run at Shocco Springs the next week had no Student Staffers, and Stuart asked if we could help. 

We agreed and started calling everyone we could think of or had numbers for, and we came up with a crew of 16 in about a 24 hour period: Matt Treherne, Josh Harris, Blake Strevel, Matt Bess, Ryan Horton, Hayden Frank, Lauren Ginn, Mallorie Gray, Jenna Morris, Liz Hinrickson, Dianna Tingle, Sarah Box, Ellen Anne Bentley, Courtney Jordan, and Lacy Allen.

As Student Staffers, we help load in and load out all the equipment that goes into a Student Life production...and it's a lot!  We assist in the production of the worship services by running cameras, helping backstage, selling merchandise, and welcoming campers.  And, we also run the games on the recreation fields.  There was an outdoor field and a water field.  Needless to say, one was a little messier than the other!

I have staffed numerous camps, and I must say that Westwood's crew did a terrific job.  I received tons of complements on our students and their contribution to the camp experience of 1100 3rd through 6th graders.  We also had a great time hanging out with each other, but I will spare you all the lame inside jokes that have arisen from last week. 

Thank you to a great crew coming together at literally the last second to help 1100 kids have a great camp experience!

- Jeff