Junior Saints
Junior citizens  (50's and up) gather once a month for a meal and fellowship. Check the calendar for event and time.

Vespers Service
A contemporary service is held on Sunday night from 9:00pm - 10:00pm with fellowship from 10:00pm - 11:00pm. This service is directed to high school and college age students (or the young at heart) who gather for music, worship and fellowship. For additional information, contact Pastor Gerry Southerton (482-1945).

Senior Youth
Youth who are in grades 9-12 meet weekly during the school year for Bible study, fellowship and fun. Check the calendar for event and time.

Junior Youth
Youth who are in grades 6-8 meet monthly during the school year for Bible study, fellowship and fun. Check the calendar for event and time.

Mexico Mission 2008-Trip Report  "EXPERIENCING GOD'S ABUNDANT LOVE"

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3: 16-18.

The trip to Reynosa, Mexico was truly an experience of His abundant love with "actions and in truth". That love was shown by so many who gave support through prayer, financial assistance, and contributions of building supplies, household items, food and clothing.

The participants on the trip were Rachel Antioho, Sarah Antioho, Jocelyn Barney, Gabe Hendrickson, Lauren Hietala, Drew Holombo, Duffy Lepisto, Russ Lepisto, Valerie Mackrain, Brittany Nelson, Chase Palosaari, Dan Palosaari, Dima Palosaari, Eric Palosaari, Steve Palosaari, Briana Raasio, Craig Raasio, Kayla Raasio, Dave Siirtola, Lani Siirtola, Nathan Siirtola, Jason Somero, Jim Somero, and Janelle Storm.

The fruit of His love was evident during the interaction among the members of the team during our travel, fifteen hours a day, to and from Texas, and also during the six days we spent intensely working in Reynosa.

Upon our arrival in Reynosa we were saddened to find our friend, Alfredo, bedridden and very ill with heart and kidney failure. A number of the team members who knew him from previous trips spent time visiting and praying with him. The sadness was overridden with a peace in knowing that Alfredo believed in the saving grace of our Lord about three weeks before our arrival. We received word the morning we left to come home that Alfredo had left this life and gone on to be with our Lord. We received a message that Alfredo's family expressed much appreciation for the time we spent with Alfredo.

While we were there, we built small living quarters for a family that lived in a very dilapidated house that was about to fall over. We also did work for a mother and six children whose husband/father had deserted them six years ago. He had started to build a house that consisted of a concrete slab and cement block walls (no roof, windows or doors). The mother and children lived in a one room shack on the property that was in extremely poor condition. We added a second story and a bathroom to the building that had been started about eight years ago. Due to time constraints we weren't able to complete the houses to the extent we had planned. Although they weren't complete we learned that both families moved into their new living quarters the day after we left. They were a great improvement over their previous living quarters. We plan to continue work on these projects in the future.

We also did a small bedroom remodeling project, painted several houses, and distributed Bibles, food, clothing and household items. Bibles were also given to the pastors of three churches to assist them in their ministry.

During the afternoon of our first day in Reynosa, our teens, together with the young people from a church in the "colonia" (neighborhood), fellowshipped together with a time of worship. Hot dogs and soccer were also enjoyed by the group. While working in Reynosa members of the team, interacted with the Mexican people by spending time together in prayer, counsel, visiting, playing street games, giving attention to the children and sharing food together.

In Acts 20:35 it tells us Jesus said: "It is more blessed to give than to receive". A greater revelation of what Jesus meant was experienced by the group on the trip. Even though the Mexican people lack in material goods, in their poverty they richly blessed us. We left with the Truth of what Jesus said in that we received much more than we gave to them. This is evidenced by the following excerpts from the writings of some of the teens on the trip:

"This was a life changing experience". . Craig Raasio, Painesdale ALC

"Throughout our hard work and tiredness, our group and myself found enjoyment and blessing by working with the Mexican people"..Rachel Antioho, Zion ALC

"I have really grown to love these people dearly and hope to continue on in this ministry". Kayla Raasio, New Ipswich, ALC

"I had an amazing time and made some amazing friends. I would come back in a heart-beat".. Lauren Hietala, South Range ALC

"I will not take all that I have for granted after seeing how little they have and how happy they still can be. All they have is the joy of knowing God"..Gabe Hendrickon, Kingston ALC

"I am hoping and praying I will have the opportunity to go again next year to see all the smiling faces and help out a few more families".. Janelle Storm, Tapiola ALC

"This was the best experience of my life and it will be something I will never forget. It left me with such a great feeling in my heart to help the poor people".. Chase Palosaari, Zion ALC

"Pictures and words can't explain what you experience down there. It was truly a learning expedition. It makes me happy to know I had the opportunity to help these people with their needs". Valerie Mackrain, Tapiola ALC

"In Mexico I was astonished to see how these people live. I was honored to help the needy. It was fulfilling upon my heart"!!..Drew Holombo, Laurium ALC

"The images of their poverty and their horrible living conditions will never leave my mind. But their love for Christ and the bond they share with each other and with Him will never leave my heart". Sarah Antioho, Zion ALC

"This trip has probably been the most amazing experience I have ever had. To see how happy those people were for just the little things you did was uplifting. Your heart soars, you usually don't experience things like that but I experienced them almost every day while I was there". Brittany Nelson, Laurium, ALC

"God works in the most amazing ways allowing us to communicate and show His love to others. Going on this trip was such a fulfilling experience, it makes me feel so much closer to God and encourages me to spread His love".. Jocelyn Barney, Painesdale ALC

"The people are so thankful that you're there and the children, I just love them. I am so grateful that God has given me the opportunity to go and I hope to keep going"..Briana Raasio, Painesdale ALC

The blessings described by these teens were experienced by all during the trip.

Blessed by His love,
Dave Siirtola
Coordinator