Random Pictures of the COS Youth having fun at the pool, ice cream parlor, and talent night the last night of the mission in contrast with the hard work each day in the Joplin mission field, bringing hope .  They shared last night where they saw God this week on the mission.  The weekend Joplin Mission teams start back up in August.  There is still much God is asking us to do to help.  Join a weekend mission to Joplin!

Cooling off at Cunningham Park

Talent Show

St  John's Regional Medical Center 

Getting ready to worship

Where Did you see God this week?

So Much Yet To Do!

COS Youth in Joplin

The youth cooled off Tuesday in the pool at the park where they were earlier watering trees.  Worship is a big part of any mission trip and the picture to the right shows them waiting for youth from other churches also on a mission trip in Joplin to join them for worship.  Brandon is doing a great job of keeping everyone in his eye sight, even at the local ice cream shop! (See below left)




It looks like they are scrapping paint and painting in other pictures.  Many people lost their homes in the tornado but most were uninsured.  The money they received from the insurance company in many cases wouldn't begin to pay for the rebuild of a new home, so many people purchased older homes in Joplin that were not hit by the storm so they could have a place to stay and then began renovating these homes while living in them.  Mission teams are used to help these folks with the renovations since homeowners can't afford the cost of labor to make their older homes livable.  Volunteers are all over Joplin and there is still so much work that needs to be done!

We are so proud these young people!  They are truly sharing the love of Christ through their unselfish actions and bringing hope to others.

161 Trees in Cunningham Park in Memory of 161 Lives Lost and Christmas Cards for Lost Souls

Pictures of COS youth praying over each tree that represents a life lost in the tornado and carrying buckets of water to the trees during this Missouri drought.  The trees are located in Cunningham Park across from St. John's Regional Medical Center which was totally destroyed in the storm.  It still stands as a gruesome reminder of that terrible afternoon.  The park in contrast has a new playground, water park, and picnic area with the memorial trees planted throughout.  While some youth watered and prayed over the trees, other sorted Christmas cards for prison inmates, praying for these lost souls.

Lots and lots of cards!

Lots of long trips to the watering hole and back to each tree!

The shell of St. John's Regional Medical Center with the HOPE trees in the foreground.

COS Youth in Joplin

 While 20 youth worked to give each tree 10 gallons of water, the remaining youth went to sort cards for the prison ministry.

 This what 125,000 Christmas cards look like.

Time for a short break!

Life is like a box of Christmas cards - you never know what you are going to get. 

56,425 Christmas cards sorted, bundled into packs of 25 and boxed.  Good Job!!

COS Youth Join Forces with 209 Other Youth 

From Across the State 
to Bring Hope to Joplin!  








See the picture of Pastor Robyn below helping the youth in their first mission assignment for Monday!

COS Youth were given the mission of watering 161 trees in 1 of the parks in Joplin during this extreme heat. The trees were planted in memory of the 161 people who lost their lives due to the tornado.  Pastor Robyn reports that over 20,000 trees were lost in the tornado and to date 7,000 have been planted to replace the huge loss.  Bringing life and hope to Joplin can be as simple as keeping trees alive during this hot summer so that future generations in Joplin will find hope through God's creation.  One of the first rebuilds in Joplin was a community park near the hospital which was destroyed.  The children of Joplin had no safe place to play but now the park offers hope, safety, fun, and of course TREES!

COS Middle School Teens Go To Joplin!

Today, over 20 middle school age youth were commissioned and left for Joplin, MO to bring hope to people living there who are still rebuilding their lives after the 2011 tornado tore through the center of town.  We pray that all will stay cool and safe while doing God's work in this mission field.  We are so proud of these young people who are not afraid to answer His call to be the "hands and feet of Christ in the world".  God bless you!

Habitat for Humanity Volunteers

With the 100 degree weather, there has been a decision to end work this Saturday between 10:30 and 11:00 AM.  We are leaving the decision up to each individual as to whether or not they even want to work the 2 or 2 1/2 hours.  We will schedule other make up work days when the weather cools down.  The foreman will be at both sites in St. Charles from 8 AM until about noon.  Contact Donna Weaver for directions to the work site and for further information at donna_weaver@coswired.org

Here are some great links to Habitat for Humanity information:

www.habitat.org        
www.habitatstcharles.org   for information about our local resale store if you have building material donations