Day 6... A look at the Middletown Camp

The second day of camp is complete and I could not be more proud of the girls and the impact they are making this week. I asked a few of the players at the Middletown location to share their thoughts on the week. Here are their responses...

            This week has been filled with joy and so much love for the kids that we have been able to interact with. To be able to share Jesus with them has been an incredible experience. In just a short week, they have impacted my life in so many ways from laughter, conversations, to just seeing their faces light up.  It’s definitely the little things in life that make the difference. These kids have so much potential and to be a part of their lives for a short while has been so rewarding. Hopefully Jesus’ light will just continue to shine through them, even after we leave.

T-bo, Junior

This week has truly been an eye opener to how blessed we are for the simple things in life that many people take advantage of.  Being able to just love these kids and share the love of Jesus has been a life changing experience.  These kids have for sure made a lasting impact on my life, from their smiles, to the stories they share, to seeing their eyes light up due to receiving what would seem like such a simple gift.  Just being given the opportunity to be a part of these kids lives for a short week has been so special. 

Brooke Perkins, Freshman

            This week has already been so much fun and it isn’t even over yet.  It is such a great experience being around these beautiful kids every single day.  I am so blessed to have just been able to be apart of this camp and meet all of the awesome volunteers.  These kids have stolen my heart and I have really connected with quite a few of them.  I know when we have to leave my heart will just break knowing I might not see these kids again.  Going on this trip with this wonderful team that I have only gotten to know for a few days is amazing as well.  They encourage me to be a better player and woman for Christ.  I already love these girls so much and I can’t wait for the rest of the time we will spend together.  This week has opened my eyes to how grateful I should be for the life I have and the atmosphere I am surrounded by.  To show these kids how Jesus loves them is just a blessing and I am so grateful to be a part of this experience.

Anjela Alicia, Freshman

Day 5...One Team; Two Communities

What a wonderful day for these girls who served at the One Camp in Middletown, NY.  From soccer playing, to worship music and dancing, to bible study time, and just fun camp games, we had a blast. As we registered kids, they just kept coming.  We finished the day with around 80 children, with the expectation that we may have more tomorrow.  The day really was just filled with excitement and energy about getting to love others.  We are praying that as the week continues and our physical bodies are prone to get tired, that God will completely supply all that we need in order to fully serve Him.   We would so appreciate your prayers in that as well.  

As we loaded the vans for Newburgh, there was a lot of excitement in the air. As we arrived on location, the children started coming. The girls jumped right in and began conversations and games. It didn't take long until there was a large game of duck duck goose going on while last minute registrations took place. Once camp 'officially' started, there was much dancing, singing, soccer playing, arts and crafts, Bible stories, and fun. At the end of the day, close to 65 kids had joined us for camp. 

We finished the day with a great team dinner and Bible study.

What can I say about this trip, well for one it's changed my life in big ways and small ways, from going from big town, Rockford, IL, to a small town or spending all my time with a bunch of girls. It's incredible. Instead of just looking at a mission trip as simply a mission trip, we've become a family, something that we can grow in. The change is hard, but remembering who I've been and what I've gone through has helped.  God has been teaching me a lot about forgiveness, the ability to forgive myself, by showing me things other girls have been learning over the years. This week has been the hardest, from thinking I was leaving everything behind, to instead just starting a new life and looking at things and people differently, Home is where the heart is, and God has definitely shown me in many ways that my heart is here and that's where it needs to be, and most importantly where I'm supposed to be.

Amanda Jacobs, Freshman

Day 4: Prepping for Camp

This morning started with a great time of singing to the Lord and a devotion lead by sophomore Rachel Bertrand. After spending some time allowing the Lord to fill our cup for the day, we split into two groups and headed to Middletown and Newburgh, New York. As of this afternoon there are about 80 campers signed up for one site and 40 at the other.

The afternoon was spent at Greg' house, 12th Rock Co-founder. After catching our breath from the morning and grabbing some snacks, we gathered in the living room and shared one experience that had stuck out thus far into the trip. Each girl was very honest and open and there were even some tears shed. Kayla taught on the word 'Remembering' out of Genesis 6-9. She challenged each player to take time to remember what the Lord had done in each of their lives and within the program. It was truly a special time of coming together and growing deeper as a family.

This evening we played a scrimmage against a local women's recreation team. It was a great opportunity to use our platform of soccer to share the gospel and worship the Lord.

The night was wrapped up with pizza and fellowship. Please be praying for tomorrow as it will be the first day of camp. 

Day 3...Brooklyn Tabernacle

This morning was another early start as we headed to the Brooklyn Tabernacle to worship. After church, we grabbed lunch in Brooklyn and then headed to the beach for a relaxing afternoon. This evening we traveled two hours north to Middletown, NY where we will spend the next 5 days serving and leading soccer camps for the towns of Middletown and Newburgh. Below are some thoughts from this mooring's worship service.

As a senior in high school, I read a series of books titled Fresh Wind, Fresh Faith, and Fresh Faith written by Brooklyn Tabernacle pastor, Jim Cymbla. Since that time, attending a service at Brooklyn Tabernacle has been on my bucket list. Eleven years later, I was able to check it off. The service was incredible. What stood out most is that this 'mega' church didn't look anything like the world. Neither the choir, nor the preacher was trying to entertain anyone or trying to use today's trends to draw people. The choir and the preacher relied on the Holy Spirt to do that work. The pastor was bold and didn't water the Gospel down. He stepped on toes and offered challenges. His congregation responded. Cymbla was led by the Spirt, not a clock. Being at the service was an unforgettable experice and a small glimpse at what heaven may be like. 

-Brooke Lincoln, Head Women's Soccer Coach

Since I knew the story behind the Brooklyn Tabernacle, being there in person and seeing what God can do with just a mustard seed of faith was tremendous. The worship was like what I imagine heaven to be like; praising the Lord at the top of your lungs and clapping with whatever hands you have (currently has right arm in a cast) and not being worried about what others think, because they are doing the same thing.

-Mia W., Freshman

Early this morning we were surprisingly welcomed by thousands of Christian people in the most unsuspecting place; an old movie theatre. The hundreds of choir members praised with their hands lifted high, their jaws dropped, and in complete adoration of the Lord our God! Stereotypes were broken today in the Brooklyn Tabernacle. A church where you feel like it's a worship concert. an inspecting preacher with an even more surprising personality spoke; wait not just spoke, but sang, hummed, shouted, danced, and praised our glorious God. Chorus after chorus of music was sung with even more thrill for the spirit, and not a face of boredom was to be found. Today in Acts 28:23-31 we learned in part that God is not knocking on the door of the White House, schools, governments, or cities, but on the hearts of people who live in those places. Are you taking God in your heart to these places? Why in verse 24 are people "not believing" the truth of God? Hearts are hardened...If you pass by the same homeless person everyday while on your fancy phone, wearing your fancy clothes, in your brand new BMW, you wouldn't even notice the person. So it's no suprise when this person comes up to your window and you  pay no attention. You're heart shows no emotion, as though this poor person is just another bum.  You're heart is calloused. So here is a challenge...We have easy access to spiritual resources such as Bibles and devos, but even the best materials won't help you if they are collecting dust. Open your eyes, ears, and heart to the Word of God. 


-Megan Hughes, Freshman

Day 2...Learning to be Flexible

This morning we left Chambersburg, PA headed to New York City. What was supposed to be a 4-hour trip turned into a pretty intense six hour trip due to an exit being closed. The detour we were forced to take took us through a self-led "tour" of New York City and caused us to miss lunch due to the afternoon schedule. After a quick stop at the hotel, we headed to the train station to head to Penn Station. Once we arrived in Manhattan, we had a Double Decker bus waiting to give us a tour of the city. This was followed by a much anticipated dinner at Planet Hollywood. I think it's safe to say we were truly thankful for a good meal after missing lunch.

"I think getting to room with all freshman and getting to know them better has been a good part for me. I really see how each of them are such a good fit for our family. Coach told me from the beginning we had to be flexible, and that was really played out with the detour. It was one of the first times this year we had to work as a team, and I am sure it is just the beginning of that lesson. Coach made a comment to us about how many people around the world miss lunch everyday and that really hit home for me. We are truly blessed, and even in a huge city I'm sure that there are tons of people who don't know where their next meal will come from. "   *[In 2010, The Child Food insecurity rate in NYC was 21.3%, that is 902,070 food insecure children.]  

Morgan Parrish, Sophomore 

"Today's intense schedule was certainly much different from yesterday's relaxed travels. As we drove up yesterday in the three vans, we had a great opportunity to talk, laugh, sleep and just enjoy getting to know one another.  I was immediately drawn to this team and excited about the opportunity to spend the week with them.  At first glance I would say they were incredibly genuine and authentic with me, who is pretty much a stranger to each of them. But, yesterday was pretty easy, so I'd say good feedback was to be expected.

Today, however, could have been an opportunity to see a much different side of this team.  As before mentioned, four hours quickly turned into six. And a leisure lunch near the hotel, turned into no lunch and a frenzy to catch the next train into the city.  You can imagine moving a group of 24 through NYC on a tight schedule.  However, the girls were great sports and incredibly positive and supportive as we navigated the busy streets of NYC.  Once we hit the city, the tight schedule just turned into many, many, (did I say many?) people everywhere. These girls were still incredible.  At the end of day one, I would have said I was really impressed with them, but at the end of day 2, I am even more impressed.  These girls have hearts for one another and, honestly, just are a delight to be around.  In the midst of a pretty hectic day, I literally did not hear one complaint.  That is pretty amazing, if you ask me.  I guess these may seem like minor details, but I think often our true colors come out in the midst of stressful situations or situations that don't go as expected.  If that is the case for this group of girls today, I like their true colors!  

I'm certainly looking forward to the next week with them and incredibly excited to see what's ahead in the days to come.  I'm looking forward to seeing the face of God this week and watching to see Him made known to these girls and all that we come into contact with this week." 

Kayla Watkins, Speaker/Teacher  

Day 1...Great Expectations

We have made the 8 hour trip to complete the first day of travel. Everything went about as smoothly as it could have. Before leaving this morning, I asked a couple of players to write down there expectations for the week. Here are their responses:                     

I’m really looking forward to the next week or so with the team. As coach was       going over the itinerary during our first meeting it finally hit me that the trip was about to happen. I try not to put too much expectation on trips like this, because usually it ends up being completely opposite to what I pictured. And I hope for that again this week. I hope that the Lord shows up in unexpected ways and through unexpected people. I hope that He meets us not only during the times we serve, but also through our bible studies, quiet times, team meals, van rides, sight seeing and whatever else might be in store. I’m thankful for a God that handpicked this team, and already knows the surprises, gifts, and challenges we will meet as a family.

One of the main reason I’m excited about this trip is because I know what a week like this can do for a group of girls, especially if Jesus is the one directing and guiding us. I hope we walk away as an even stronger family, and that all the nervous freshmen feel as much a part of the family before heading into preseason. I hope that on the backend of this week we all know we are a part of a family, and that we learn how to love, encourage, serve and challenge each other at the front end of a very long and hard, yet rewarding season.

I’m thankful that Asbury provides opportunities like this for its students and athletes, and I hope that not only our team will benefit, but that whomever we come into contact with in New York will be curious about our purpose and our drive. I hope that Jesus’ name is glorified and made known through his daughters. We covet your prayers!!

-Senior Captain, Meredith Ury

          Being able to go to New York with my teammates these next ten days is going to be a very good growing experience for the team. That is what I am looking forward too the most. I want to be able to get to know each of the girls on a more personal level, learning what kind of people they are and what they will bring to the table for this team. I'm looking forward to the laughs that will be shared and the conversations that will take place at the kids camp at 12th rock, as well as in the hotel rooms. I'm also excited to dive into the word with these girls these next tens days to learn more about what God's plans for this team and our individual selves are. This trip is only going to prepare us for the great season that is ahead.                                

           - Senior Captain, Sloane Salisbury

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Friends & Family-

Thank you for taking the time to follow our blog as we serve in New York on a missions trip with 12th Rock. If you would like to get immediate updates you can sign up with your email address in the box above, otherwise, check back often as we are sure to have a fantastic week of service!

Thanks!

#TeamAU