New Orleans Devotion by Jeff McGuire and Kurt Esslinger

This devotion was written by Jeff McGuire and Youth Ministry Associate Kurt Esslinger as a reflection on the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. It is based on Luke 18:1-8.

Reflection
We cannot help but see connections in this story to today's situation. We can imagine the judge representing current government leaders such as the governor of Louisiana or George W. Bush. The widow may represent the people of New Orleans, such as the residents of the Ninth Ward, a neighborhood not unlike Englewood in Chicago. In the parable, the widow was persistent and stuck by what she believed in. This encourages us to push for God's justice, to cry out for justice. Earlier in the week, we were told a little bit about whom God's justice focuses on: the blind, the poor, the captives and the oppressed. After Katrina has brought New Orleans to its knees with a flood of water, God responds with a flood of justice.

We, as volunteers felt like we were riding this flood of justice into New Orleans. We were able to help building sheds, installed dry wall, spackled, installed insulation, ripped wires out of a house to strip it down to the frames, and painted numerous surfaces. Now we did not fix all the problems as we could see especially in the Ninth Ward. Houses there still sit in the muck and the mess that filled them three years ago. The flood of justice we rode in on did not magically end the problems of these oppressed people, but the little good we did definitely helped those people we came in contact with. Since we represent a mere droplet of God's justice, we need more friends, more families, more churches, and more communities with enough droplets we can make a wave.

Prayer
Gracious God, we pray that your wave of justice may wash upon the lives of the poor, the oppressed the blind, and the captives so that they may know that your justice is true. May we come together as one to be your wave of justice, Amen.

New Orleans Reflection by Andrew Lowe

What I thought about the New Orleans trip is that it was fun and I got to experience different things. I also got to get to know the kids better and hopefully I can go back there. My favorite thing about the trip was playing the games after dinner. I also liked the fact that I got to get to know more people and just got to know them better.

New Orleans Reflection by Quinn McCarthy

This reflection was written by Quinn McCarthy, who participated in the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. He delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August.

This year's work trip to New Orleans was one of the greatest experiences I have had. It gave all of us a great opportunity to learn about communities different from our own, help provide aide to people affected by a disaster, and bond as a youth group.

One very important part of the experience was getting to see New Orleans and realizing how differently the hurricane affected different areas. In the upper class garden district, you never would have thought a hurricane had even hit. But in places like the lower ninth ward, not a single house had been rebuilt. That really opened my eyes to how politics and money can get in the way of helping the people who need it most.

The best part of the trip was getting a chance to work side-by-side with each other and in some cases the people who's homes we were rebuilding. It was great to know that we were doing something to help people get there lives back together after the hurricane.

We didn't just work and learn on this trip either though. We also had a lot of fun between the great pranks we did on each other, and the crazy trip back to Chicago. I want to really thank all the leaders and I can't wait until next year's trip

New Orleans Reflection by Chelsea Bumpus

This reflection was written by Chelsea Bumpus, who participated in the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. She delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August.

If I had to describe my experience in New Orleans in one word, it would have to be incredible. We experienced so much together as a group, from hours of putting up insulation to a half day of sweeping. I think all these hours and days made us closer a group. We learned new facts about each other everyday, and our many laughs made our work go by so much faster. Our group was also able to visit the lower ninth ward. It was unbelievable how much repair was still needed. The streets look deserted, and the houses were destroyed. Some homes were leaning to one side, and others had no roof. The sidewalks still had broken glass from shattered windows and the grass had grown so tall it was almost covering some houses. It was truly amazing to see the neglect that part of New Orleans had received. I'm so thankful I was able to be a part of that restoration. Even though we had an incredibly long return to Chicago, the day after I was wishing I was back in New Orleans. We had such a great time just hanging out with friends, laughing, singing, and of course working to help the people who were devastated by Katrina.

New Orleans Reflection by Rebecca Lewis

This reflection was written by Rebecca Lewis, who participated in the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. She delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August.

This summer, our Senior High youth group traveled to New Orleans, Louisiana to rebuild homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. As we drove through New Orleans on our way to the church that we would live in for the week, we saw that the city was full of conflicting images. Neighborhoods with beautiful houses that betrayed no sign of hurricane damage stood just blocks away from decrepit homes with holes in the wall and water lines still visible. Thousands of volunteers had come from all over the country to rebuild, but many residents felt forgotten. So when our youth group came to New Orleans, not only did we work on houses for people in need, but we also showed the hurricane survivors that we remembered them, and that we cared.

Throughout the week we spent in New Orleans, we met wonderful people. Volunteers and hurricane survivors, each with a story about how they left their jobs in New England to come and volunteer for a year, or how they let 9 people stay in the second floor of their house until the boats came to rescue them from the floods. While we met amazing people on our worksites, it was after work, back at our home for the week where the most bonding occurred. Whether it was sharing lunch at our worksites after building all morning, having a water balloon fight between the boys and the girls, or singing hymns together at the end of a long, satisfying day, the 25 of us (plus leaders) had a great time being together and getting to know each other much better than before.

One of my favorite memories of the trip is from the last morning, when we drove into downtown New Orleans for breakfast and shopping. After buying French doughnuts from a bustling shop, we split off into groups to wander around. We walked with the friends we had made that week, and looked into little boutiques. Few storefronts were empty. A musician passed us, and after a short conversation, filled the block with music, as we sang along. The city, though still recovering from the hurricane in some districts, was very much alive.

In New Orleans I found a different side of America, far different from the suburban town I live in. Visiting the ninth ward, and seeing how some people lived there brought home some harsh realities. It was also sad to witness the neighborhoods that still needed so much work to become livable again. But we also found wonderful people, willing to take on the challenge that rebuilding New Orleans poses. I am grateful, that for a week this summer, we were able to help them.

New Orleans Reflection by William Kildow

Down in New Orleans I had mixed feelings of surprise, anger, and wonder. As the train pulled into the station past the superdome, I kept saying to myself, "That's a symbol to their city but after the storm it became somewhat of a bad memory." I could still see damage that should have been fixed years ago. The fact that we were going down three whole years later was appalling in the sense that this wasn't some third-world country half-way around the globe which needed years and years of support. This is an American City (a fairly large and popular one) and the fact that it still is reeling from the damage just makes me want to stay and recruit many others to go down and work continuously.

The third year anniversary is only a few days away from when I am writing this and it's sad because similar to the tragedies on September 11^th, our nation is already moving on but the people who experienced it are still trying to recover. I would suggest to anyone I meet to go and visit New Orleans because it is such a beautiful city. The people are great to meet, and the feeling is home-like. Maybe it's the humidity affecting my thinking but I felt strangely at home.

Now, as many within our congregation know, our train on the trip back was delayed indefinitely and we eventually took a bus back to Chicago. This made our group grow closer as we were forced to share confined spaces for many long hours. This kind of hit me as a physical metaphor though in regards to New Orleans. Like us, we became stranded and clueless as to when help would arrive. The officials had no idea, or were not telling the greater people (passenger/citizens) about the situation and what should happen next. Help took very long to arrive and when it did, it was disorganized and not put together well. The thing is, we the passengers have arrived home for quite some time, while many in New Orleans, are still struggling to pick up their lives from where it was before the storm.

This was an extremely moving work trip for it brought me into all the stories and chaos I had heard stories of.

New Orleans Reflection by Erika Force

The most anticipated part of my summer for the past two years has always been the Senior High Work Camp. I hear some of my other friends talking about church in a dreading way, however, for me it is the complete opposite. Church has introduced me to lifelong friends, numerous memorable moments, and of course, night crossing. However, the trip wasn't always fun and games. I remember hearing about Hurricane Katrina and the destruction of New Orleans on the news and on numerous documentaries we watched in school. Coming down to Louisiana really put a whole new perspective on the hurricane. We were able to see with our own eyes the damage it caused, both physically and emotionally. The owners of the houses we were rebuilding were so grateful and some even stayed and helped us, which showed their true determination and hope that New Orleans will one day be what it used to be. We were also extremely determi ned through the course of the trip, whether it was working hard to finish sanding in time before it started to rain or Jonathon trying to beat a twelve year old at jumping over a garbage can, we all exceeded others and our own expectations, including Jonathon.

One thing I will never forget is our tour through some extremely damaged neighborhoods of the city. On each house was an "X" that displayed that the house had been searched. On one side of the "X" was the date it was searched and on the other side was a number, how many people were found inside. As we were driving by, I managed to see a house that was spray painted with the number eight. That really hit me. Although eight is such a small number compared to the thousands that lost their lives, when the number is put into a smaller perspective, it really makes one think about those eight individuals who lived their own lives and all the people that their deaths affected.

This trip especially has shown us how we are able to stick together through some crazy times. Although being stuck in the middle of the nowhere for hours on a broken train, suffering through frozen microwavable hamburgers, almost being hit by a tornado, and getting showered on by kool aid sounds miserable, these are definitely stories I will be able to tell for years. I guess Jeff's and my wish came true, but I'm sure that others will agree with me when I say that I'm glad our trip was an extra twenty hours.

New Orleans Reflection by Sebastian Olsen

Overall, the work trip to New Orleans was great experience. We had the opportunity to not only help rebuild a city, but to get to know its residents and have fun in the entire process. When we first arrived in New Orleans I was appalled by how damaged it was. Nearly three years after Katrina hit, many people were still living on their front lawn in FEMA trailers, including the owner of the home at my first worksite. A tour of the Lower Ninth Ward revealed much more devastation to us, with large fields of weeds where houses used to be. Still, having the chance to help those affected by the storm was an amazing experience. I also had the opportunity to become closer to the other kids in Senior Highs that I may not have known very well before going to New Orleans. The tour we took of downtown New Orleans the night before we left showed us that New Orleans is still an extremely lively city and how with enough time, it can definitely bounce back from the damage it sustained.

New Orleans Reflection by Claudia Carlucci

Before the New Orleans work trip I was pretty nervous because I didn't really know what to expect. I didn't know many of the kids who were going on the trip and I didn't know what to expect of New Orleans. Although I was really nervous, once we got on the train everything seemed to get better. All of the kids and adults were really welcoming and really nice and I started to get more and more excited for the trip. This trip was a completely new experience for me. I had never gone out of state to help out others who really needed it, and it was a great feeling. I was so happy that I was a part of this trip and able to help people in need. It really shocked me how damaged the city still is even after three years. Many houses still needed a lot of fixing up and many neighborhoods weren't in good condition. It made me realize how lucky I really am. Our city isn't perfect but we are so privileged to have some of the things we take for granted every day such as our homes. One of my favorite parts about this trip was being able to speak with the owner of the house I was working in. Anyone can get a story of what the people of New Orleans went through from the media but you can never really be sure what is true and what is false. Actually being able to speak to a person who lived through the storm and to hear their stories is something that is really unique and special and I am so grateful that I was able to do that. This trip has definitely taught me to be more grateful of the things I have because you never know when they will be gone. Every day I get to relax in my home and many people in New Orleans had their houses completely ruined from the storm and some people still do not have those houses replaced even after three years. It was really sad to see how neglected the city has been over the years but It was an incredible, once in a lifetime experience that I will never forget and I am so grateful l was able to be a part of this trip.

New Orleans Reflection by Jen McDermott

As the trip for New Orleans was drawing near I became very nervous. I was so scared that I wouldn't have fun and people would be mean. When I arrived at the train station my nerves calmed down and everyone was very welcoming to me. Then all we had was the 19-hour train ride and we'd be in New Orleans. Although I had a blast on the train I was relieved to get off. My first day of work was fun, tiring, challenging and HOT! Each day when I would drive to my worksite and look out the window I couldn't even imagine being in these peoples situations. I couldn't believe how bad this city still was. During this trip I experienced very sad moments, but also very happy! I had a blast the whole entire trip and wouldn't take anything back not even the ridiculous train then bus ride home. Thank you to everyone who made this trip possible.

New Orleans Reflection by Bridgette Fox

An experience in New Orleans, Louisiana is like no other experience in the world. This past July 26th to August 3rd, New Orleans brought many new courses to be traveled over by the Senior Highs of Fourth Presbyterian Church. Hurricane Katrina brought tragedy to many people in New Orleans. Fourth Church traveled down to Louisiana to help those people who still do not have a home to live in. Thirty teenagers were able to view and understand the damage Hurricane Katrina brought in 2005.

I had the best time of my life in New Orleans. Between bonding with the Senior High Group of Fourth Church to building houses and churches for the less fortunate of New Orleans. The difference we made in one week was surprisingly very noticeable. I felt good about what we did there because we made a difference and everything we did was greatly appreciated. I learned how to put up drywall, install insulation, put up ceiling, and build a shed. I had so much fun accomplishing all of those tasks. I'm so glad I learned all of these new things because I have a new respect for my life because I realize how hard it is to live like that. Also, I realize that being a construction worker is one of the hardest and most painful jobs out there. There are so many details that have to be exactly right. Although everything has to be perfect and that is difficult, in the end it is all worth seeing the difference you made.

Making breakfast and lunch for thirty-three people was so difficult but so much fun. I had an amazing time cooking for everybody. When I was cooking with my meal crew, I had a great time bonding with everyone. It was so much fun to see how everything would turn out. The baseball game, night crossing, water balloon fight, French quarter, and the train/bus rides there and back are unforgettable. I am so glad I had the chance to come to New Orleans and be part of the Senior High group of Fourth Church. Thank you so much for having me in New Orleans. I had an amazing time.

New Orleans Reflection by Jackie Robertson

The trip to new orleans was GREAT. It felt so good to help people who really needed us. it was also interesting to finally experience what it was like for people who lived there during Katrina, rather than just seeing it on television. It was sad to see the damage, but it just showed how much work still needed to be done there. Near the end of the trip, we discussed about how when we would get home, we would hopefully be a little changed and have a different view about everything. this trip definitely made me realize how lucky we are and how helping people who need it - even if its the smallest thing - makes everything overall better. Each day after all the hard work, we got to do something fun. whether it was nightcrossing, partying in the french quarter, pulling pranks on the guys, it was all so fun and it brought everyone closer. I'm really happy I went on the worktrip this year and I'm looking forward to doing it again in the future!

New Orleans Devotion by Chelsea Bumpus

This devotion was written by Chelsea Bumpus as a reflection on the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. It is based on Luke 1:39-56.

Reflection
A few weeks ago the senior highs group went on an incredible work trip to New Orleans. Our task was to help rebuild the destruction hurricane Katrina caused. We split into several work crews, which went to different work sites around the city. Some of the groups were lucky enough to meet the homeowners and work side by side with them. They had unbelievable stories to tell of what had happened to them and what devastation the entire city had endured. Yet, the homeowners still had a smile on their face as they worked through the heat and humidity. On the third day, we spent half the time on our work sites and the other half we toured New Orleans (and enjoyed an awesome New Orleans Zephyrs baseball game). When touring the city, we visited the wealthier places, which had been totally rebuilt. Then, we went into the lower ninth ward. It looked as though it hadn't been touched since the hurricane. There were houses leaning to one side, roofs peeled off, and glass from shattered windows still lying on the sidewalks. A concrete staircase leading to nothing, the home washed away by the storm.

I hope the people that lived in the lower ninth ward still have faith that everything will be alright. We met a few homeowners who are making it though the storm. We pray, they can spread their belief, that everything will be okay, throughout the entire city of New Orleans. And eventually, we will see them be lifted and filled with goodness of the Lord.

Prayer
Dear God, please help the people of New Orleans know that you have promised them your strength. And help us, your servants, to lift them up and fill them with your goodness. Amen

New Orleans Reflection by Ryan Gregory

This reflection was written by Senior High leader Ryan Gregory, who participated in the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. He delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August. What a great testament to years of service through Fourth Church Youth!

Arizona

Mexico

Memphis

Virginia

New Mexico

Birmingham, Alabama

Nogales, AZ and Mexico

Seattle

Hazard, Kentucky

New Orleans

These are the 10 sr. high workcamps I've been privileged to be a part of. Each workcamp has its own spirit and memories.

Memories from this New Orleans trip include quality time in the kitchen with my meal crew; cutting, installing, spackling and sanding baseboards for Ms. Sophie's apartment; the crawfish eating contest between John and Amber; wandering through the French Quarter with 24 high school students; and of course, the 37-hour train/bus ride back home.

One of my favorite memories from this trip was the day we took a driving tour through New Orleans to see some of the areas hardest-hit by Katrina. Jackie Valentine is a former member of the sr. high group. She graduated in 2005, and for the past year she's been in New Orleans working with Habitat for Humanity. Our caravan of 6 SUVs was following Jackie in her Jeep. I was driving directly behind her and thought to myself "how cool is this?" This young woman, who I've known since she was a freshman in high school, is showing us this city which we only knew from news reports on tv. When she was in high school, I was one of her leaders. In New Orleans, she was now leading me, and the rest of our group.

This excursion was a clear reminder to me what great kids we have in this sr. high group. These young men and women are going to do great things. Heck, they already are doing great things. We have amazing actors, musicians, athletes, scholars, writers, artists, future church leaders in our midst.

As I said, I've been on 10 of these trips, and unfortunately this will likely be my last. My wife Jessica has accepted a call to become the associate pastor at Northminster Presbyterian Church in Evanston, and I will be joining her in worship there.

I'll miss this group terribly, and I will continue to read my collection of care cards every once in awhile.

I didn't know what I was getting myself into 10 years ago. And as the memories of all those trips begin to blur together over time, what will remain clear in my mind is how much fun I've had spending time with these kids and getting to know all the leaders.

The one constant through all these years of workcamps, retreats and lock-ins has been Mark Nelson (except in 2006 when he skipped the Seattle trip to get married). It's been a pleasure serving beside Mark, and apparently we're long-lost twins because most of the kids and many of the leaders (including John) got us mixed up on more than one occasion. At least once every day on this trip I was called Mark, and Mark was called Ryan. I suppose that would bother me if I didn't like the guy so much.

So to my twin Mark, John, all the other leaders and all the kids, I thank you for making my last sr. high workcamp so special.

Saugatuck Reflection by Mac Sinclair

This reflection was written by Mac Sinclair, who participated in the Senior High WorkCamp to Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI. He delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August.

Good evening, my name is Mac Sinclair. I was asked to talk about what I learned on the work trip to Saugatuck, Michigan. Some of what I have learned has been through personal realizations and some has been figuring out things between me and my fellow workers.

I have found a new and stronger bond between myself and God by reading the daily scripture readings as a group. I knew that Pastor Vest chose every scripture for a specific reason so every time I read these scriptures I tried to learn a new lesson.

One of these lessons was to not abuse the gifts that God gives us. There is a great example in the bible in second kings second chapter where Elisha asks for a double share of Elijah's spirit when he was taken to heaven. Elijah says that this is a hard favor that he has asked, but it would be done if Elisha watched Elijah go into heaven. So when the fiery chariot took Elijah into heaven, Elisha watched on. When the event was over Elisha took Elijah's mantle and put it on himself. He was then granted his wish. He was granted the powers of a prophet.

He did some good like when men of the city of Jericho were concerned that the water carried death and miscarriage. He cured the water by throwing a bowl of salt in and saying "thus says the lord, I have made this water wholesome; henceforth neither death nor miscarriage shall come from it". But Elisha also misused gods gifts

When he goes to bethel fifty children jeer at him saying go "up baldhead, go up baldhead". So he cursed them in the name of the lord and once he did that two she-bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the little children. Elisha misused his powers and as a result 42 people were dead.

I know that not all of us have the powers of a prophet so we can't curse people in the name of the lord and kill them, but we can do physical and emotional damage to other people. So as a result of this trip I have decided to take my powers of strength and love and use them in a way that is helpful to other people as I did in this mission trip.

As I said before I also learned things about my fellow workers. I've made new friendships as well as strengthen some with old friends. I've learned that some are moving or going to college and some are going to different schools. I've had many laughs and fun times with all the people involved and as a result of all these experiences ive become a better person because all of these people have touched my life in a different way and I hope they have learned as much from me as I have learned from then.

Thank you and good night!!!!!

Special Olympics Reflection by Liam Garner

This reflection was written by Liam Garner, who participated in the Elevation WorkCamp to the Illinois Special Olympics in June. He delivered this at our WorkCamp Vespers worship service in August.

Hello, all you folks out there in Sermon land. I'm not really that big on speechwriting. Honestly, the first thing I want to do is yell out, "Hi Mom."

But you got me up here to talk about the Special Olympics Workcamp, so I guess I'll do that. It was an experience, to say the least. It was way, way down in the center of the land of Lincoln. I was in charge of (mostly) being a Bocce pin monkey. My job was to retrieve the balls, the palena (polena, palina, polina…How do you pronounce it?), and to settle measurement disputes. I ran around the course, volunteering for the guys running the matches, just like everyone else.

It was kind of monotonous work, and hot as you-know-where, plus we all came down with sunburn. In some degree or the other. It was a very long ride back to the church, from the church, and to and from Fourth Pres. The only snack I had for a lot of the trip was two packs of honey-roasted peanuts. Now I love them. I had to sit in the back of the one bus that smelled like a rancid can of Coke. Partly because, on the first leg of the trip, the guy in front of me rested his coke on my back while I was stooping to pick up something. Predictably, I had to sit up, so for the rest of the trip, I had a jacket, an iPod cover, a shirt, and my volunteered spot in the car that reeked of day-old coke. On top of that, I had to be in the same room with a bunch of guys who snored like woodchippers and one guy who took 20 minutes to fully inflate his air mattress with a VERY LOUD fan. I still have the taste of the bad pickle I accidentally ate somewhere in my mouth. I had to pay for a docking port when my iPod ran out of juice. And for some reason I liked it all.

I also met some people I started to like. There was that one judge who was able to keep his calm no matter how often the players would throw the polena (just leave it at that) out of bounds. Plus this one girl who could be "gracious about her wins." She could hug the loser without doing it as part of an act. Another girl who would freely admit that she didn't care about winning or losing, she just wanted to make her dad proud that she got there, then accepted her loss just fine. There were plenty of other guys too numerous to mention, and these ones I just mentioned, I practically picked their names out of a hat. Well, not really, but they were good examples.

I don't know why I have such big memories of that place. Maybe it was the carnival rides we were treated to at the end. But I think it was being around people and volunteering their aid. We were able to help the little guy, even if we sweated our buns off doing it. And the next trip might be just as cool, if not cooler, than the last one.

If you were listening earlier, you'd know that it wouldn't take much.

Liam Garner Satisfied customer, Work Camp '08

Kingdom Come

This is a devotion I wrote as a reflection on the Senior High WorkCamp to New Orleans. It is based on Matthew 6:5-15.

Reflection
At the end of July, twenty-five teenagers and nine adults traveled to New Orleans to help rebuild homes and churches for this community still struggling to recover from the hurricane and floods of three years ago. For many in the group, this was the first time they had visited New Orleans—before or after the storm—and it was an eye-opening experience.

While we labored at what we would call charitable work, we were also committed to thinking about the persistent issues of justice that Katrina revealed in New Orleans. We talked about the priorities of our nation and where helping the poor in New Orleans (and elsewhere) lands on this list.

We began our evening devotions on Monday with this Bible passage, one of the stories in which Jesus teaches his disciples what we call the Lord’s Prayer. We discussed that, in Jesus’ context of imperial Rome, this prayer was subversive in the sense that it seeks God’s rule on earth, an implied criticism of the empire and its ways of doing things.

For us, this prayer became a reminder that Jesus teaches us to seek the priorities and values of the kingdom of God, not the priorities and values of the powers that be. In this way, this familiar prayer became a call to seek justice and live our lives through God’s radical love.

Prayer
God of justice, help me to hear your call and live out your will through love for others. May it truly become on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

A Summer of Service

As we gear up for a new year of Fourth Church Youth, I want to spend some time reflecting on the incredible summer we had together. Summers for Fourth Church Youth always revolve around our mission WorkCamps, and this year was no exception. Over the course of the summer, we had three great trips:

• Elevation volunteered at the Summer Games of the Illinois State Special Olympics.
• Senior Highs traveled to New Orleans to contribute to the relief and rebuilding work that has been taking place after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina three years ago.
• Senior Highs also spent a week working on important camp improvements at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, MI, mission and ministry of the Presbytery of Chicago.

These trips were meaningful experiences for the youth and adults that participated in them. Not only were we able to share God's love through service, we also grew as individuals and as a group.

Over the next several days, I will be posting reflections written by WorkCamp participants. As you read these, I hope you will get a sense of how God moved through these trips and in our lives.