One Olympics Down, One More To Go

Last night was the Summer Sizzler finale, or as we liked to call it, the "closing ceremony".  It went great!  We had many kids that had all gone to a club during the past two weeks which were held in different backyards around the valley.  We had such a great time and most of it was due to the hard work of the leaders. We got there at 10 and and worked vigerously for 7 hours until the kids started showing up at 5.

 

We started out with an awesome obstacle course that went around the whole youth room, and required quite a bit of skill to complete in my opinion.  The kids then were split into three groups: Russia, Greece and Kenya.  We then transitioned into worship.  Hannah and I led that part of the event and I think that we did an okay job considering neither of us can sing.  Well... Hannah is not that bad but I am just horrible.  It was really fun to do all of the songs with the band and I think that the kids had fun with it.  After that we started the rotations in which each team was trying to gather points.  The five stations included a basketball game, a volleyball game, a blow-up obstacle course, a running track event and a classic game of jump the river.  I was one of the people in charge of the obstacle course seeing as how I am and expert at those things.  I ended up taking pictures most of the time however.  

 

After all of the events were completed, we all went back inside for the crowning of the winner. I thought that Russia was going to win but I was dead wrong as Greece got first, Kenya got second and Russia got third.  We then went on to watch a slideshow of all of the clubs that had taken place for the last 2 weeks.  We also got to eat some delicious mud cups (chocolate pudding, cookie crumbs and gummy worms).  The slideshow was so much fun to watch with the kids and it capped off the night so great.  

After all of the fun, we then had to clean up.  That was a challenge, especially after there had been over 200 kids in the youth room for 3 and a half hours.  It went by pretty fast though as we had about 40 leaders to pitch in.

This year, Summer Sizzlers brought 40+ kids to the Lord.  Thanks for all of your prayers and support.  It was great!

Summer Sizzlers Training: Day 2-3

These two days at the church were full of a lot of information.  I always seem to forget how much work that the interns put into this.  Everything has been really organized this year and there has not been too many problems so far.  Britt came in today for our second devotion and he really helped us all realize that we need to just slow down sometimes and think about the one who gave us all that we have and the one that gave us the opportunity of doing Summer Sizzlers.   It is really fun to be a part of this program as I am learning to change lives while hanging out with my friends.  It is a great opportunity.  Hopefully everything will stay the same and we will have another productive tear of transforming the lives of kids and their families.

Summer Sizzlers Training: Day 1

Today was the day that I now begin a journey that I have already taken 3 times before.  Summer Sizzlers has been something that I look forward to pretty much all year as I get to spend time with friends while sharing God's love with kids that may have never even heard of him before.

Today we began the training.  It will last only this week for about 4 hours each day.  I saw some new faces at the church today.  I think that everything went smoothly and I believe that this year could be one of the best yet!

Have you been involved with Summer Sizzlers at all? If so, what has your experience been like and what are some of your favorite memories?