Youth Reflection - Emma

Today I went to a food bank and made boxes with food. It was amazing to me how much food comes in and out of that place. The food bank gives out the food for free which was also amazing too. I also went to the homeless shelter for woman and children, and served food there. We also took a tour around the area where most of the homeless people in Fort Worth live. It was heartbreaking walking along the streets and seeing dozens of homeless people, and thinking that this is where they live, and they have no where else to go. Today I saw God when I was serving the children food and playing with them on the playground. They were all so cute and most of them were very open and wanted to play with us. 

-Emma, FPC 

Youth Reflection - Anthony

Tuesday the 18^th was the day I learned the true meaning of being in poverty. For my group, Gryffindor, we worked at the Bethlehem Center with kids and in a food pantry where people come to get food for their family. I worked in the food department which had a lot challenges that involved several things to do at once - but it was an amazing experience helping families who are in need. Sometimes the homeless (guest) would come by and pick up a bag filled with little cans, juice, snacks and milk. There was a tour of different shelters in Fort Worth and we also helped feed the people at the women and children’s shelter dinner; then played some games with them. Then the youth had a pool party which was cool.

-Anthony, UPC

Day Two Pictures

Youth Reflection - Amanda

This morning I worked at the community garden for women who were just released from prison and were trying to rebuild their lives. It was a beautiful garden with everything from watermelon vines to Thai chilies (which we tried… and regretted). It was a lot of fun weeding even though it was scorching hot. Fun songs and good company definitely made the work enjoyable. Along with the garden came a smaller prayer garden that was shaded. I definitely found myself drifting over there more often than not to water the plants or see if they needed help. It was such a pretty little place and felt like a fairy garden. I really enjoyed working at the community garden today and cant wait for the rest of the week!

-Amanda, FPC

Youth Reflection - Alex

Today I woke to find the source of my sudden morning sore-ness. Throughout the night my air mattress had made a magical transformation into a mat. Back pain aside I was excited to take place in my morning activity, helping the children at the Wesley Community Center. When we got there the children were almost as weary as we are, but after a few minutes past, especially after recess, we began to talk and have a lot of fun.

Alex, WPC

Youth Reflection - Amy

Today I got to go to a garden for people who had been homeless or just coming out of jail. They open it up to people in that kind of situation. It’s like helping them get on their own feet and grow like the plants grow with water. The people who run the garden are like the water to the people who need help growing. I saw God when we went to the prayer garden and everyone was having a great group conversation and we were getting to know each other. The prayer garden was a place people went for quietness, so just sitting there for 5 minutes looking at each others faces is where I saw God.

-Amy, UPC

Day One Pictures

Day One Pictures

Made it safe to First Presbyterian Church Ft. Worth and we're getting settled in to our wonderful home away from home. We began our time together this evening with a Taizé worship service and communion followed by some time getting to know one another. We look forward to an exciting day tomorrow with the first of our youth reflections posted in the evening. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we seek to follow Christ out into the world.

Grace and peace,

WUFPC Youth

New Year, New Adventures

Hello friends!

Welcome back to the WUFPC Youth Mission Blog! We're excited to kick off our 2017 summer mission trip this coming Sunday, July 16th as we travel to Ft. Worth, TX to serve with the Urban GAPS program. We've got a great group of 34 people (28 middle school and high school youth, 6 adult leaders) that hail from our three partner churches: Westminster, University, and First Presbyterian Churches. We'll be staying the week at First Presbyterian Church Ft. Worth and serve at a number of urban outreach ministries. For more information about the Urban GAPS program, please visit http://fpcfw.org/urbangaps/.

Each day of the trip we will post reflections written by youth from each of the three churches as well as pictures of the day. We encourage you and your church to follow, repost, share, and reflect with us as we live into our faith in Jesus Christ. Please keep us in your prayers this week for safe travels and open hearts.

Grace and peace,

John, Sarah, and Matthew
WUFPC Staff