A Jesus Attitude! - Phillipians 2:5

Canandaigua,

New York

Summer - 2006

From July 30 until August 4th, our Youth served on a Mission

The Mission Experience was done through Group Work Camps - Week of Hope.

Participants (L-R) Ben Bundick, Cara Coniglio, Brytni Deeds,

Shirley Deeds, Bryana Deeds, Laura Hines, Kayla Winters,

Laurel Sterling, Michael Winters and Charlie Benton immediately

after their arrival in Canandaigua.

The ten of us left at 4:30 am on Sunday, July 30 and reached Canandaigua, New York at

2:45 pm that same day. During the week our 6 youth and 4 adult participants took part

in many acts of service to residents of the city and surrounding areas. Some of our group

worked on the grounds of the local Veteran's hospital while others interacted and visited

with the residents. Other members visited with residents of a local nursing home and

did overdue clerical work for non-profit agencies in the area. Two of our participants cleaned,

painted and worked at homes that were designed for residents who were not ready or

financially able to move into the Veteran's hospital. One of the homes

was being sold and needed to be fixed up so they could get a better

price for the property and the other was being renovated to accomodate

more residents, some of which were moving out of the first home.

Some of "Shirley's Crew" working on

Hannah's driveway spreading stone

that was just delivered.

Members of "Shirley's Crew" taking

a break on Hannah's steps.

At least four of our participants worked on the homes of local residents who

were either financially or physically incapable of doing the work on their own.

There was a 4-H camp and a camp at the local Salvation Army that provided

low cost day care and camping experiences for low income families

Cara with some of the children at the

Day Camp at the Salvation Army.

Kayla, along with some of her crew after painting

picnic tables at the Veteran's Hospital

Our youth group (from Virginia) worked side by side with several other groups from Ohio,

New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Indiana. Each work crew was made up of

people from all of these different groups. Even though none of us knew each other,

by the end of the first day we were working together like we had done it for years.

Laurel working with a crew member landscaping a local resident's home.

Brytni painting trim work at a local

resident's home.

Laura sweeping the steps at veteran's hospital.	Charlie working on a member data base for a local Catholic Church.
Shirley sanding steps at Hannah's house.	Bryana painting a home for Veteran's that was being prepared for selling.

While in Canandaigua we stayed at the United Church - American Baptist/Presbyterian.

Each youth group took turns with meal preparation and the cleaning of the building.

Breakfast was "continental" and lunch was packed by each participant every day.

Dinner was a hot meal which changed daily. We had tacos, spaghetti, pizza, hot dogs, etc.

Tuesday night was our free night and we got to experience the beauty of the area.

Ben Painting a local resident's home.

Michael doing yard work at a

local resident's home.

A lot of hard work was involved in our "Week of Hope", but a lot

of spiritual and emotional growth was gained as well.

We also gained an insight into ourselves and a great longing

to bring the energy and excitement of our experience in Canandaigua

to our local area through mission needs here on the Eastern Shore.

We all have stories and photos to share, so please ask us,

we would love to tell you what a great experience this was for each and

every one of us and to thank you - our church family and our community

personally for giving us the resources and the support to participate