Becca's blog

We have gotten so much done this week, and exceeded everyone's expectations!We started with not even a full floor and now we have the whole roof structure up. I loved working on the house because we all banded together and got alot done. I'm so excited for the church congregation and the reservation when this church is completed.

hannah's blog

So today we put up the actual roof on which was really hard but fun.  I was still a little weak from yesterday when i was sick but I pushed through.  This was my first mission trip so I didn't really know what to expect.  I thought that the building would be pretty far along.  It was far from that.  We had exceeded Dale and Diana's expectations by about two and a half days.  It was life changing.  I've made so many friends along the way. At the beginning of the trip I got sick.  I didn't know what it was from until the next night when I almost got sick again from missing home.  This was the first time I had been away from home without a family member for more than a day.  It was very hard not to have my sister there. I cryed the first two nights because of her.  I just miss her so much.  And plus, she is going through a hard time.  I won't go into details but she just needs to have someone to always be by her side.  Since I am close to the youngest person on the trip i had a lot of good sister figures.  People like Julia, Amanda, and Sophia are people you will remember for a lifetime.  Can't wait to come back next year.  See you soon.

Mary's blog

Well, my first mission trip was a success.  We accomplished more then I could ever have imagined, showing how important team work and determination are in life.  Everyone contributed to the building of the church, each of us excelling at what we do best.  I have created everlasting friendships in one short week and will have memories of this wonderful experience for the rest of my life.  I wish I could have gone to the past few mission trips and am already planning on attending the next one.  It was a great week, and a fantastic way to start my summer.

G-Mo's blog

And we are done completing God's plan.
                                               Laters, G-Mo

Julia's blog

I'll keep this short and sweet, basically we have been working hard and playing hard all week.  We have done more than I could have ever imagined and I hope we have made Chad proud! (We miss you Chad!!) It's been another good mission trip can't wait till next year to do it all again.  See you soon mom!!  Byeeeeee.

Rachel's Blog

     Well, where do I begin? This trip has been the most... interesting, or exciting, or moving mission trip I have ever been on. I am a senior this year, and so I had a few expectations of how this trip should go. I expected that I would be leading in some form or fashion, and that I would be a role model for the younger students. Little did I know that it would be the complete opposite. I'm not going to lie, I tried to be a leader whenever possible, whether it was in small groups, or on the work site, or just hanging out. But, as I soon figured out, God didn't want me to be a leader on this trip-- He wanted me to sit back, let others do most of the leading and heavy work, and for me to just listen. See, there's a difference between hearing someone and listening to someone. I learned that a few moments of silence, just listening to the sounds around you, which could include incessant hammering, the laughter and screams of children, or small group prayers, can do you a load of good. I was shown what it means to be kind and humble, especially by my peers. Cameren showed me that even the smallest of jobs can be the most important. Hannah showed me that being goofy and crazy can cure even the worst of moods. Mary showed me what it means to be truly genuine, not only with others but with God. These kids have touched my heart in a way that no one but God can understand. He knew exactly what I needed to learn, and taught me in the strangest, most unique ways-- ways I will never forget. I know that not only have I touched other people's hearts and shined God's light, but that I have been touched as well. I am incredibly thankful that I had the opportunity to come on this trip, because it has been one that I will never forget.

Stephanie's Blog

Hey guys I have been having so much fun on the trip.We have gotten so much done on the Apache church we are building. We have been having so much fun and we are all really tired. On tuesday I went to family fun day and It was cool to see all the kids playing and learning about God! Im ready to go home but this was a great experiance. See you all tommorow!

Hey From Jessie!

Hey guys! I have been having such an awesome time here in Globe. We have seen and learned so much about Apache tradition, people, and so many Apache stories. We are building a Church right now and we started out with just a foundation and now we are put  all the tresses up for the roof! I am so proud to be a part of this group, and Diana, our "overseer", says we have accomplished soooo much. They constantly tell us that if they had even 10 more groups this summer just like us, imagine what they could accomplish. (15,000 homes are needed right now for those who are homeless on the Reservation) I'm excited to come home tomorrow though and see my family and friends!

Love,
Jessie :)

Working Hard

Staring to Take Shape

Walls are rising up at the Sanctuary thanks to the work of our group!

Our AMAZING Group at Work

Here are a few photos of the progress made on the Sanctuary our group is helping to build for ARM 

A New Leader

It has been a few years since my last SPC mission trip and it feels amazing to be back.  For three years in high school I built houses in Mexico, but for my last year we headed off to Iowa City, Iowa.  That trip started a tradition of traveling the United States for mission trips instead of our traditional Mexico trips.  The group has helped with flood clean up, finishing houses, landscaping, etc.  It has been quite some time since we did any big construction projects, so I was a little apprehensive when I saw the size of the sanctuary we were building.  That fear was immediately erased when I saw the students work.  The very first day, we finished all of the support beams for the floor and even started applying the plywood-- work the ARM team thought would take two days to complete.  I couldn't be more proud of these students and how quickly they pick up these skills.  There isn't a second of any day where we have to ask someone to jump in because they are already doing every job possible.

I will say it is a very different experience being a leader instead of a student.  I have a whole new perspective on mission work and youth ministry.  It is such a pleasure getting to know a whole different group of students.

--Maggie Jones

The mission trip has been amazing so far!  This is my first mission trip and its been such a great experience. We are currently building a church on the San Carlos Apache Reservation.  Yesterday I discovered that I am not good with a hammer, and today I learned that I can use a drill really well.  When we got there there was only the outline of the foundation, and today the floor is almost finished and a third of the walls are up.  I didn't realize how fast people can work when they work together and in the name of the Lord.  My small group of students and another helped run a fair in the local neighborhood on the reservation.  It was so rewarding to see how grateful the little kids were! Can't wait to see what surprises the rest of the week will hold.  To my parents: I love you and I'll see you soon!
Love,
Ellen

Brandon

It's day two, and so far things have been great. We have really been able to help out and do a good job. I can see a huge change in what we're doing, and it feels really amazing. Yesterday we were helping out at the family fun day. All of the kids were very excited, and even got in the bus with us to help unload. One boy handed me a box. I said "thank you," and he responded with, "no, thank you." That is the thing that helped me realize how much we really are helping and how much everyone appreciates it. I can't wait for next year!

HEY!

Today we almost finished the floor but we started the walls. We now have a corner formed and the resemblance of a building. Blue came and helped us today. He ran four miles here and then ran four miles back home. It was really cool to see that because it showed how much the people that live here want this new church to happen, just like us. Also today the church group made us fry bread and it was SSSOOOO good. Completely loving my first mission trip

-Cameren

Hey From Kristy

This is my first mission trip with Sandia Pres and so far I have really enjoyed myself. Yesterday I was able to spend time with the kids and see how the work we are doing impacted the community. Today I got to spend a lot of time with the other students on the work site and I got to know a lot of new people. I'm so excited for the rest of the week :D

Natalie Smith's Post

     This  year has been somewhat different than my other mission trips. I've attempted to learn how to use a hammer. Yesterday, I went to family fun day, and it was great to see how appreciated the food and games were. I'm glad to see again how these mission trips can benefit so many people.

Love,
Natalie

Arrived Safely

The group arrived at their location in Globe, AZ  Sunday evening, safe and sound Small groups will be posting about their days shortly.

-Kat