Hope Youth Group

Painting Mission- The Hope Methodist Youth Fellowship is plannning a local mission project on Labor Day Weekend. We will be painting a house in Lone Tree that belongs to Joe Galloway, Deb Shaw and Cory Shaw. This house just happens to be Carmen Swanson's neighbor. Because this is such a big project we are inviting anyone who is able and willing to help us. We will begin working at 8:00 a.m. Saturday and will break in the evening for a devotional time with Amy Engelman and plan to camp out in carmen's yard We will attend worship on Sunday and be back at it in the afternoon.

Sonshine Festival- Members of the Hope youth group travelled with Carmen Swanson’s family to Willmar Minnesota on July 11 to attend the annual Sonshine Festival July 12 - 14. On the trip we stopped by Carmen’s sister’s (and her husband John) mission in Olivia - Christian Community Outreach Center - in which children come after school and do homework and have Christian fellowship. They report that the community has documented increased results in local schools since they have been in existence. We look forward to hearing more about this special outreach project.

The youth spent 3 days and nights camping without electricity along with a youth group from the Minneapolis area. The Festival boasts 4 stages which include a main stage with well-known Christian music groups like Casting Crowns, Reliant K, Newboys and Switchfoot. They also had stages for new bands, hip hop and heavy metal Christian music. The music began around 11 AM each day and was continuous until about 11 pm. The youth explored the heavy metal mosh pit and initiated a lot of conversation regarding diversity in music and those that listen to different genders of music. Many messages were offered and witnessing in Christ and some youth were significantly impacted.

A great but challenging time was had by all and we are so thankful for Carmen’s support, encouragement and hard work and the experiences gained from interaction with the leaders of the “sister” youth group that we camped with.