The Write Up: “Youth in Action” is not just a slogan 

“Youth in Action” is not just a slogan
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thewriteup on 23 August, 2008 01:46:00
 
"Youth in Action" is not just a slogan, it’s what they are. The Arizona Youth
Department of the Churches of God in Christ recently sent a team of young
workers to build a home for a needy Christian family. Lead by Chairlady Saundra
Loring, most had never done any construction work. So when asked why they were
willing to go, the usual answer was "to help someone that was less fortunate"
than themselves or they "wanted to make a difference in someone’s life."
Little did they know just how much of a difference and how soon it would begin.
Linking with the Armor Ministries of San Diego, California, they accepted the
challenge and traveled to Baja, Mexico to build a home.
Chair lady Loring began preparing for this moment over one year ago when she
began to speak of her vision to help young people make a difference in the
world. She teamed up with Eld. Hal Smith, youth leader of Antioch COGIC, and
soon began recruiting volunteers. Missionary Loring established a sponsorship
program to raise funds for the project, in which the group successfully raised
over $12,000. There were twelve teens (ages 15 to 19), two young adults and
seven chaperons that traveled to Baja including civil engineer Fred Stevens of
Rehoboth COGIC acting as foreman. The team also included a carpenter, Elder
Carlos George who speaks fluent Spanish, and Ms Carmen Kirton his interpreter,
both of Shekinah Tabernacle, as wells as a shepherd covering, Pastor Victor
Rushing of Progressive COGIC. The funds raised were used to purchase building
materials needed, transportation, meals, and campsite lodging for five days and
nights.
The trip began at 7:45 am Monday morning as the entire team met for the first
time at Antioch COGIC in Peoria. Prayers were spoken, pictures taken, and last
hugs given as they departed in two rental vans. As they traveled to California
they played bible trivia and other road games, while getting to know each other.
When they arrived at their rendezvous point in San Diego, they were approached
by two young boys that noticed they were all wearing "Youth in Action" t-shirts.
This opened the door for the team to share the Gospel, and they did. The boys
were led to Christ in front of Carl’s Jr that afternoon.
Their arrival in Baja was a sobering experience. Sydney Bradford, a teen from
Antioch COGIC, admitted she went on the trip narrow minded but says "We went to
bless the family and I realized this was about more than just building a house.
It was a real eye opener. I never realized just how much we take for granted. We
complain because we don’t get things we want even though we have what we need,
but the kids there were running and playing on rocky roads with no shoes, and
they were smiling." Another teen, David McNeal of Bethel COGIC, said the
experience changed his life. "I saw the conditions of the family. Walking with
no shoes on the rocky streets, not knowing what you are going to eat, or where
you are going to sleep… One of the neighbors allowed us to use their bathroom
but there was no real plumbing. We are so blessed here. Each person that went on
this trip encouraged me in some way and now I realize I need to be grateful for
what I have and quit complaining about what I don’t. I want to do this again."
The recipient of this home was the Perez family. The father worked on his job
from 6 pm to 7am then would meet the team at the work site to help them build
his home. Mrs. Perez cried when she received the keys saying this was an answer
to a prayer she’d been praying for three years. From foundation to roof, the
team built an 11’x22’ home. Barely a fair sized family room by American
standards, but to this family it is everything they need in a home. The teens
were encouraged to write in journals about their experiences. Excerpts from
their journals, as well as pictures will be compiled into a "Souvenir Journal"
which will be available for purchase in the near future.
For more information about the "Youth in Action" project, or to order a
Souvenir Journal contact Chairlady Loring at srl_java@yahoo.com. You may also
visit www.Amor.org for information on "Amor Ministries".