I had a great time with Youth Serve today in Kershaw.  I was a supervisor paired up with with a Youth Serve Staffer and his campers.  We had the job of spreading a mountain of fresh mulch over the Haile Gold Mine Park   Of course, other Youth Servers were roofing while some were repairing a deck at another home.  And that is just what they accomplished in one day (and Thursday is the short work day of the week)  I think that they took one look at me and thought I was best suited to use a shovel and wheelbarrow…I’ll take that as a complement!!

As I write this, the youth are probably playing some wacky water games or splashing in the pool to cool down after a HOT day.  Tonight they will have great food and a really wonderful time of worship.  Youth Serve is a terrific camp for teens, but I always enjoy volunteering too each year.

Today, I invited my dad to come with me, and he’ll be back tomorrow to direct some youth servers to install handicap bathroom fixtures for one Kershaw resident.  This work means so much to those who are helped, plus, the campers, staff and volunteers always feel a sense of pride and accomplishment.  It is hard work, but it makes you feel great knowing that you’re making someone’s life brighter.  This has been my father’s first experience with Youth Serve, and I hope that it has inspired him to come again in July.

The next week of Youth Serve is July 13-17, where you can volunteer too, or if you’re between the ages of 13-19 you can be a camper!  This year, I could only volunteer one day during the week, but it is so worth it.  I hope many of you can at least take a day during the next week to volunteer a little time.  Check out their website for more details.

This Sunday we’re ending the Summer Love Series with a look at the marriage of David and Bathsheba.  It wasn’t a great start, but through repentance and working together, we have some positive examples to glean.  Probably a lot of relationships have rocky starts, but God can do something when both partners are committed to God and His ways.  This week will be a very encouraging message for your marriage.  See you there!