Redlands SERVE 2011

More pictures!

2011-07-15T13:34:00.000-07:00

We apologize for having the wrong link for pictures on the right hand side for the last few days. Flickr would not allow us to upload as many pictures as we would have liked so we now have both a Flickr (days 1 and 2) and a Photobucket (all the rest!) for you guys to browse! Please check out the new Photobucket link :)

A day of rest at Huntington Beach!

2011-07-14T17:26:00.000-07:00

It was a beautiful day at the beach as the students and leaders took a breath and relaxed on the sandy western shores!

We were all prepared for gloomy skies and chilly weather but God provided us with a day full of sun!

The day included boogie boarding, enjoying the water, walking to the pier, roasting hot dogs and s'mores and even catching sight of some dolphins!

Using their hands and feet...

2011-07-13T08:42:00.000-07:00

Another successful workday has come and gone. Today, most of the kids were able to see a different work site and gain more connections throughout the community. Work sites included VBS in the park, cleaning and organizing at Helping Hands Pantry and painting at Living Waters church.

Tonight, students were humbled as Jolene shared her story and the many hardships she has faced throughout her lifetime. Hearts were tugged on and God was most definitely alive and working in SERVEants tonights.

Here are a handful of pictures that captured some blessings...

We went "site"-seeing!

2011-07-11T15:45:00.000-07:00

Today was the first workday of the week! The day started out with pancakes for breakfast and some personal devotions. The "Captain America Team" sent teams off to their worksites with encouragement, dancing and high-fives.

Worksites included a VBS camp, a free car wash, painting, and yard work. Everyone did a great job!

We're looking forward to another great time of worship and listening to Jolene speak again tonight.

Tomorrow is another workday with some new sites. We are praying for another blessed and productive day.

Shalom!

Redlands SERVE Team

We had a pic-a-nic!

2011-07-10T16:26:00.000-07:00

Today has been busy, busy, busy! What a better way to start off a Sunday than with mail and cinnamon rolls? After breakfast, Nick In'tHout, a youth pastor at the River, spoke this morning and our SERVE worship leader, Jeff Mercer, lead us in great worship.

Then it was off to Sylvan Park for a church picnic where the prayer partners of the SERVEants and leaders were able to connect and put a face to a name. It was a gorgeous day and God blessed us with an abundance of delicious food and sunshine.

After the park, the students were sent off into the downtown Redlands area to complete a scavenger hunt - the prize being In-N-Out milkshakes for the winning team!

Although it was hot and several teams forgot their water bottles, Team Shazam came out with the victory, answering a whopping 15 out of 20 questions correctly!

Tomorrow, the SERVEants will begin their first day of work, heading out to places all over town to connect with locals, teach VBS, paint homes and churches and tend to community gardens. Our prayer is that they are able to work together as a team of servants, step out of their comfort zones, spread a little peace and stay hydrated!

Until tomorrow,

Shalom!

Redlands SERVE Team

And so it begins!

2011-07-09T21:27:00.000-07:00

Hello all! Our prayer for all our servants to arrive safe and sound was answered!

As each group came in, they were greeted and given a bag with their SERVE shirt, water bottle, name tag and a devotional book they will use for the week. Then they were given a tour of their new (temporary) home!

After time to settle in and relax from the long day of flying and/or driving, everyone grabbed some pizza before heading to worship.

Tonight our speaker Jolene introduced us to the topic of peace, which she will be expanding on throughout the week. Our amazing worship band started and ended the night, leading us in songs of praise and adoration to our God.

Tomorrow, the servants will attend the regular church service at the River and then will head over to a local park for a fun-filled picnic! Little do they know, a challenging scavenger hunt around town is also on tomorrow's schedule :)

Prayers for our Sunday to be a day of servants getting to know their small groups, preparing their hearts, eyes and ears for the coming work days and getting a little bit of much needed rest after all of this traveling!

Be sure to check out the link on the right hand side of the blog for more pictures of today's events :)

Shalom,

Redlands SERVE Team

It's almost here!

2011-07-06T11:01:00.000-07:00

Greetings from the Redlands SERVE team!

We are so excited that the arrival of students from around the U.S. and Canada is only days away! Prayers have been abundant as we prepare for the coming week full of fun, adventure, serving and growing together! Jolene DeHeer will be back again and we couldn't be happier to have such an amazing speaker to lead us this week as we learn to have peace in and around our lives, no matter what!

Our prayer is that everyone arrives safely and without getting too lost! :)
Until Saturday, shalom!
Redlands SERVE Team

Final Day

2009-07-18T22:09:00.000-07:00

What a way to wrap up the week...all work sites were finished and some groups even did bonus projects like a car wash to raise money for the scholarship fund. They rasied about $500 altogether over the course of the week.
The groups all enjoyed a final day at their shower homes with their small groups and then came back to church for authentic mexican food cooked and served by our Spanish Ministry.
And finally Jolene touched the SERVEants hearts again with personal stories and challenges.

Back To Work

2009-07-17T08:57:00.000-07:00

The SERVEants were back at it yesterday sorting clothes, building fences, playing cards with residents at a retirement home, harvesting corn and tomatoes, and painting homes and trucks.

Our community is being blessed in many ways through the service of the servants.

A few kids took advantage of the giant slip and slide to cool off in the afternoon. We are hoping many more will today.

Jolene wrapped up the day with the challenge to have justice, love mercy and humble ourselves before the Lord. We must unite so that as we grow weak others can come beside us and help be our strength.

Day Away

2009-07-16T06:21:00.000-07:00

The SERVEants enjoyed a beautiful day away at Huntington Beach.

2nd Day At Work

2009-07-15T06:24:00.000-07:00

100 degree weather and smog...not the most pleasant working conditions, but they rose and conquered much with no complaints!

Tonight the kids experienced the Redlands Bowl...a beautiful outdoor ampitheater that does free concerts all summer long. Barrage, a young group of fiddlests from Canada, took the stage.

Hands & Feet At Work

2009-07-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

What an amazing group of kids we have! So much work has already been accomplished and so many people already blessed! What an incredible God we serve!

After every work day each group has a church family that has opened their home for swimming and showers and a time to relax.

Thanks Wagners for the AMAZING Tri-Tip!

Jolene challenged us tonight to look at our lives and consider where we are at and what choice we were willing to make...

1. Accept Christ for the first time

2. Release the chains and return to the cross

3. Be a disciple

Kick Off

2009-07-13T14:45:00.000-07:00

Commissioning Service... BBQ...

Loch Leven Hike...

What a day!

Tonight our incredible speaker, Jolene DeHeer, kicked us off by
sharing her testimony

and challenging the SERVEants to bring things to the cross

that are keeping them seperated from Christ.

Safe Arrival

2009-07-11T22:28:00.000-07:00

Hi to all the family and friends of the SERVEants! We are just thrilled as the Redlands Host Team to have such an awesome bunch of kids. I want you to know that everyone arrived safely. Many were able to go swimming and cool off after stepping off the plane into 100 degree weather. It's looking like a pretty toasty week! We are off to bed...we have an exciting day ahead of us.

Excitement Is In The Air!

2009-07-02T15:36:00.000-07:00

The River CRC is thrilled you have decided to come join us this summer for the Redlands SERVE. It is only a week away! This will be our 2nd year giving it a go. We enjoyed every minute of it last year! We have been planning and praying and are eagerly awaiting your arrival. Be prepared to experience God work in your life. Jolene DeHeer, an absolute phenomenal speaker, will be shaping your heart and filling your brains with how to LIVE...INSIDE OUT. Jeff Mercer & Band will be leading you in some amazing times of worship. Our work site coordinator has organized places for you to serve in our community through pouring concrete, painting, sorting and boxing up food, yard work, etc. And don't forget about the refreshing day away.....Huntington Beach!