Southview Connect

Europe Video

Here's the recap of our Youth Group Europe trip which incorporated Rome, Italy, and the Baptist Youth World Conference in Leipzig, Germany.

We're Back!!!!

      

We made it back... and all in one piece!!! Apart from the crazy flight travel we endured, the trip was awesome! Leipzig, though a small town, really grew on us, especially after experiencing the craziness of Rome. The Baptist Youth World Conference exposed us to what I believe was the best worship I've experienced in a long while. Thanks to Matt & Juls Hollidge and the band for truly bringing us closer to the heart of worshipping our awesome God. We made new friends and bonded closer as a group. I'm sure it is not something we will ever forget.

I was truly blessed to have travelled with 20 brothers and sisters, who all in their unique way, have shown me a glimpse of what heaven will be like. Thank you.

First Week in Rome

Well, we made it and we are surviving!!! The weather has been incredibly beautiful and so far we've averaged over 8 miles walking each day! But let me start from the beginning!!!

It was not a good start. We arrived at check in only to find out that our connecting flight from Munich to Rome was cancelled... so we were rerouted thru Frankfurt... After quite an eventful trip with the group making themselves well acquainted with just about everyone (in a good way! It included Rob being screamed at by a German security officer... it had something to do with the bald head and taking photos in secured areas!), we finally made it to Rome!

Italy is like another world (lost in the twilight zone!). Airport security was so lax that we all somehow ended up in the wrong place to pick up our luggage (the national airline area)... so we went through customs and security, walked around to the right place, went through security, picked up our bags and went through security again... we were actually checked only once, and everytime the buzzer went off when one of us went thru the metal detector, the guard just waved us through!

From the Spanish Steps to Villa Borghese, from the Coliseum to the Trevi Fountain, from the Catacombs to Rob's uncle's gelato store... we've been pretty busy. This evening we're heading back downtown to Piazza Navona to experience the sites of Rome by night. Tomorrow Rob will be preaching at a local Evangelical church followed by a pasta lunch and time planned with Bill Quinert. He will be talking to us about the difficulties of being Christian and the challenges of outreaching in Italy.

So, apart from the daily 8 mile walks, the little bit of sunburn and the occassional mosquito bite... we are all fairing well! It's been great to see the kids and their reaction to the so different environment  they now find themselves in. Especially the historical factor... you cannot hide the significance of Christianity in this place. The dominance of an ancient world power that could not stop a movement that began from a lowly Jewish man from a small, insignificant town, in a small, insignificant provence. The sacrifice those Christians made to further God's word, not only prepared to suffer for their faith, but also die for it... this is one thing that as a teacher, you hope the teaching and the talking will help people understand. But it is something else when you experience it, touch it, and physically see the place where so many gave their lives!... and our kids are experiencing that here and now.

Bye Bye Winter!

Spring is here and winter will soon become a distant memory… though I love the cold I think I’m happy to see it go away for awhile!!! But with winter receding it also means summer is looming on the horizon. And wow, what a summer we have planned! Everything, from VBS to sock wars, from pizza and sugar infused drink filled nights to kidnappings, from Europe to taping kids on the outside church wall (ahem… uh yeah… I can explain, I think!!!). In other words we’re looking forward to an action packed summer for our youth. There’s much to plan for and much to pray for. Here are some things to keep in mind:                                                                                                                        

• We will be welcoming back Jordan Spivey. For those of you who don’t know, Jordan was our youth intern last year. We liked him so much, we thought we’d have him come back this year! He is scheduled to be arriving here on May 18^th, and will be staying with us until August 17^th.

• The Europe trip is taking shape. We are scheduled to leave July 22^nd and return August 5^th. We are still in the process of outlining our plans for Italy but the German portion of our trip is all planned. You may have seen a number of fund raisers happening around the church. The proceeds from those fundraisers are to help alleviate the cost of this trip. We are in real need of funds to help get the youth on this trip. If you feel led, please let me know if you would like to support the trip financially. I believe that this trip will have an immense impact on our youth. In Germany we will be attending the Baptist World Youth Alliance conference, where youth groups from all over the world will be attending. The motivation of the conference is to equip our youth to better outreach to the world around them. In Italy we will be teaming up with a youth group from Rome, experiencing and outreaching from within the Italian culture.

• Finders Keepers (Vacation Bible School). As a youth group we are intending to play a prominent role in helping organize and support this children’s ministry outreach event. I can enthusiastically encourage everyone in our church community to help out. Finders Keepers is happening from June 23 to June 28 here at Southview.

There’s so much more planned (including that taping issue!!!). Please keep in prayer all of these events, that we may have a safe, spirit-led and fun summer! In the meantime…. The planning continues!