Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

March 10, 2010

Looking Forward to…
LuAnn Greiner (one of the teachers of the 4th-7th grade Sunday School class) shared with me that the kids in her class were having a conversation about the mission trips the High School Youth take every year and how much they look forward to this opportunity when they get into High School. They see this as a wonderful privilege that our church supports and embraces and can’t wait to be a part of this.

I also this week got a note from a current High Schooler who shared with me how much she loves the mission trips. This is what she said, “I really have fun on all the mission trips, they are the best weeks of my summer. The trips usually come up in all my conversations.”
It has been such a gift to have gone on two trips with the High School Youth and see them engage, have fun, and grow in faith. I look forward to this year’s trip because we are trying something new and going to Alamosa, Colorado. Alamosa is located at 7,500 feet at the center of the San Luis Valley, the world’s largest alpine valley. The Valley is surrounded by the San Juan Mountains (to the west) and Sangre de Cristo Mountains (to the east). The headwaters of the Rio Grande River are located in the San Juan
Mountains, and the river runs through Alamosa.

The valley has a population of 46,190 residents and it remains the poorest region of Colorado. 19.6% of the valley’s population lives below the poverty line compared to the state average of 9%.

Currently we have thirteen youth signed up for the trip and 4 adults. There is certainly room on the trip if there is someone still interested in going. Please see me to get more details.

Thank you to ORUCC for making this such a vital piece of the ministry we offer to our youth. And thank you to all the youth for their passion and commitment to be a part of this ministry.