Day 5 & 6

Yesterday we drove an hour and a half west to Lake Tahoe and then to add to that we hiked about a half hour down. It was all worth it in the end. We got to see pastor Andrew and others screaming like a little girls after running into the lake. After we got done hanging around the lake for a few, we took the long up-hill hike back that nobody was looking forward to. After we got to the top we ate lunch and enjoyed the gorgeous views that God created. While staring off the mountain we all thought how could one not believe in our God. When we all got done eating we went to shop around at some stores in South  Tahoe. After the trip to Tahoe we came home, relaxed and after that we played the youth favorite, Mafia.

Then today (Sunday), the day the whole trip had been leading up too, we went to Living Hope church at the McKinley Arts & Culture Center. After helping set up we had the main service. It was exciting to sing and worship with many believers, now meeting in a building, not a house. After the service, some of us went to a "growth class" or our equivalent to Sunday school and a few of us helped with the kids. When church ended we helped pack things up then went home. Most of the group when to their share groups and then we ended the evening fellowshipping with the Gleisers and Tilsons at In and Out. Although we had a great week we are all looking forward to heading home tomorrow.  
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See you all soon, Love Alivia & Hayden

Day 4
More than half way and we have accomplished so much. We finished canvassing by passing out the remaining invitations for Easter, around 2,500 in total. We were able to speak to several people about Living Hope and their ministry. 

No major wasp attacks while cruising down the interstate today for that I am very grateful. We finished up some of yard work that we started at Calvary Baptist, but ran out of time to finish yesterday. 

Now the good stuff, we met with Pastor Andy twice today. going over parts 2 & 3 growing our faith. The Morning session covered II Peter 1:5 the qualities to grow and change with MAXIMUM EFFORT (It is more dramatic when we use all caps). The magnificent 7 that we must add and grow in our lives Virtue, Knowledge, Self Control, Steadfastness, Godliness, Brotherly Love and Charity. 

Part 3 our evening service covered II Peter 1:8-11 the 3 promises God gives believers to ensure that we are giving maximum effort: He will actively grow you, firmly assure you and extravagantly welcome you. 

The II Peter study has been a great lesson and has encouraged us on many levels, primarily the challenge that we must put forth maximum effort or we will not change or grow in our walk with God. 

The last 2 hours of the night were spent driving downtown Reno on the "Strip" looking at the lights and then going to 6 different locations looking for ice cream. Disappointedly we have now arrived with no ice cream. Somethings are just not meant to be. 

Other than finishing a few "Big" projects we had a day of just hanging out playing pool and watching basketball, Sorry to all those fans of that collage in West Lafayette. We are looking forward to a great day at Lake Tahoe, the kids are asking that all the adults join them in taking a polar plunge in the lake, we will keep you posted as I am sure that there will be photos of me being put in a ambulance because of hypothermia. 

We are enjoying our time here with the teens.  They have a way of making you feel young and old all in the same day.  They are being pushed out of their comfort zones and its exciting to watch them grow.  

Matt and Stephanie

Today in reno: more canvassing, church cleanup, and lessons in Christian responsibility.

We started off the day at the Wess's house, a lesson about discipleship to start out the day. We learned that discipleship, which encompasses both conversion and spiritual growth, is an absolutely essential part of the Christian life. As we prepared, we were reminded that being ready to serve doesn't mean being perfect. Ministry is relationship oriented.

After, we went into canvassing. We did a good four miles today, not quite as much as yesterday. Our goal is to run completely out of invitations by the end of the week. Most of the people we have talked to while canvassing were receptive which is an encouragement.

Andy Gleiser's message carried a strong analogy. A farmer can have seeds, soil, water, and all the equipment, but the pants do not simply grow because he owns the right tools. He must put in the effort to begin the growth. God grows the plants, but the farmer must first plant and water. God can grow us spiritually, but only once we put in the effort ourselves.

After that message from Andy Gleiser, we went out to help around Calvary Baptist Church. After an hour or two of pulling weeds, raking, and cleaning shrubbery, the church grounds started to look good for the upcoming Easter events. It was very hot. Some may say TOO HOT.

Pastor Tilson was the one to give the evening message tonight. He reminded all of us about the personal responsibilities of the believer: Prayer, Personal Study, and Fellowship. 

As we hit the halfway point of our trip, the progress so far has been encouraging. A thought for the day: has the way I live improved the lives and spiritual walk of those I've talked to? Are you living in a way that's other's focused? Onward to the next day!

- De, Coop, and Collin

We started off the day by waking up and eating a delicious breakfast by Mr. and Mrs. Sloan.  After breakfast we headed to Calvary Baptist Church where we heard our frist message of the week from Daniel Kelting about the importance of music in the church to his praise.  As well as the connection between the Sprit and the Truth to our worship and how how it needs to come form our hearts.  After this sermon we headed to the streets to do some canvassing for Living Hope Church to spread the word about there local Easter service coming up.  We had multiple interesting responses as well as finding a sign with my name on it (Keagan) but they spell it wrong.  Then we had a lunch of Champions that concluded of a variety of sandwiches, chips, fruit, fruit snacks and lots of cookies.  We then heard from Andy Gleiser about the three gospel reasons we can grow - Precedents, Power, and Promises.  We continued canvassing after the second message of the day where we continued passing out flyers throughout the neighborhoods.  At the end of canvassing Mr. Matt decided to allow a hitch-hiker to tag along in the 15 passenger van where everyone was able to see and hear the shrieks of terror as he realized that there was a hitch-hiker stinging him repeatedly.  The Hitch-Hiker was found out to be a wasp traveling with us down 395 going 80 miles per hour in the passenger seat of the van as he frantically tired to get rid of the wasp and was eventually squashed but not with out leaving a mark.  After the eventful afternoon we arrived home and ate dinner. Then Bekah, Owen, Hayden, and Pastor Andrew headed to a small group meeting with some of the people form Living Hope and the rest of us went to the final service of the night where we discussed presenting the gospel in the right way and putting the attention on God instead of ourselves. Finally we came back to the house after a long day to debrief and discuss all of the messages and activities from the day.  
Signing off Keagan and Maria. :) 

Today we arrived in RENO! We got to our super nice Vrbo with a sketchy trampoline in the backyard and some free scooters, which Mr Green was quick to take advantage of, and almost quicker to fall off of. After taking our dirt road back into town, we settled in at Calvary Baptist Church (where are meeting are being held), to reconnect with Pastor Andy Gleiser, and hear his hopes for the week. Following Pastor Andy Gleiser's brief history lessons on the origins of the city of Reno, we went to da' Hub to try something we don't have in indy, coffee. Walking the strip in downtown Reno, Pastor Andy Gleiser brought us past the Silver Legacy Casino. This is where he was able to give us firsthand evidence of the "joy," that is promised in sin. Pastor Andy asked us to spot the joy, to spot the laughter, to spot even just a glimmer of happiness that the lights of the casino promised. To this there was silence. From this lesson, we drove to the base of a large hill. The mile hike led to a gazebo overlooking downtown Reno. We could see the Airport, numerous casinos, and tens of thousands of unsaved people. We prayed over the city, and this is where the mission truly began.

-Bekah & Owen Ruley

We are heading back to Reno on Tuesday March, 22 to serve with or sister church and ministry Living Hope. A year ago, eleven of us had the opportunity to be the first group out to Reno to serve and learn from the Hope for Reno ministry. Since then, Living Hope and the Hope for Reno Team has planted a church that's meeting on Sundays  as a group and throughout the week in small (share) groups.

We are excited to be heading back to Reno. Our team verse(s) is Romans 12:10-11 "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord." Our desire is to serve the Lord by showing and sharing the love of God and "preferring" one another in honor.

Will you pray for us as we serve, learn, and grow in Reno? Feel free to follow our trip on this blog. We will post daily updates and pictures.

Here We Go! Reno Plant Camp 2.0!