We spent the last hours joining up into tribes, and doing our first challenge as teams.  We also watched a video followed by discussion and prayer time.  The youth are really learning a lot, and have been great participants despite their hunger.  They seem to be getting why we are doing what we are doing.  The youth have been encouraged to hear from the participants at home.

"Champions........"

Here are a few more comments from some of the youth.:

I just saw this video about Haiti, about the earthquake. I have been studying 1 John lately, and a verse popped into my head, verse 3:16, that lead me to 3:17... "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?" -Ryan Griggs

Tebow-ing, not when you want to but when it is needed, someone  falls down the stairs and almost dies? that is a time to tebow, wanting a bag of chips? not time to tebow. Seeing people in Haiti dying? TTT Time To Tebow

~ Tayler Lacey and Quinn Pfeifer with commentary of Nash Ingalla and Brooke standing to my left

~ryan smith says:  woo chicks

"Hunger is my REMINDER."-Brooklyyn Ingalla. When you see the screaming, the crying, and the injuries in innocent children it makes you wonder, "Why not me?". We sit and watch and we feel bad, but what are we doing to stop this? Nothing. This is why i'm so passionate about this 30 hour famine, it's a time to remember. We are also reaching out to Haiti with are donations, this is why i'm proud to be fasting for 30 hours.

"I'M TODD!"

This is a quote from nate: I was planking in the background, it was fun. i could keep a serious face. haha. We won the cup stacking contest, no matter what all the other people say. WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS MY FRIENDS. DA DA DA, ILL KEEP ON FIGHTING TILL THE END, DA DA DA, I AM THE CHAMPION. i guess i am done now, everyone is being mean to me. this has been a quote from nate. :)

This has been such a life-changing time! I have had such an amazing time. Watching the videos...wow...I feel so impacted. There was this part where there was a woman just screaming...I almost broke down. Well, I am so blessed to have this opportunity to help others. Remember: When there is nothing left to do, pray. -McKenzie Harris :)

I haven't eaten for about 10 hours so far and i'm getting hungry already. i keep thinking about the people in the world who have to be hungry for even longer periods of time because their isn't anything they can do about it. When we watched the video on Haiti it was really sad. their was a hospital with only 30 beds, and their were 350 people there. some were even on the floor. I feel really bad for them. and it makes me realize how much we have that lots of people don't.... ~Kallie Tueller~

Sid R. having fun.

Jared Hendren,  This  has been one of the best two days I have ever had. I have learned that we live a rich life even if we have nothing. Over in Haiti there is about ten times more people in a hospital then supposed to be with only thirty beds in them. We complain about a head ache, and head to the doctors office, Haiti people might go to the hospital for a broken bone but not always. So I have been supporting Haiti by fasting just for them and with God. By: Jared Hendren

The Amped youth arrived at SMC tonight already hungry as they have been fasting since 12:30 this afternoon.  We spent some time singing praises to God as our Teen Worship Group led, and then Todd led us in a devotional.  We also went over the ground rules, and watched a video and had discussion time together.  We have approximately 25 youth who have given up food and their weekend to come be in God's presence and to learn about the realities of hunger.

Here are a few comments from some of the youth.



Logan says hi
   -anonymous

tyler says the hunger is starting

 without food there is no way to survive
Markie T.

doing what we're doing is helping us with sympathy for the people who have nothing. but in turn we prepare our selves before and not worry about serious effects after, because we will indulge in a feast. in order to feel the pain that true hunger brings, we should visit places with real problems and help them-starr

i am hungry right now but i realize that i am doing this for a really good reason and i am learning how hard it must be to live in the world starving and not being able to have food.

We will be doing an update again in a couple of hours.  Please feel free to comment and send your encouragement to the youth.

With the 30 Hour Famine fast approaching, I thought it would be nice to share some behind the scene photos of our youth working hard to get things ready.

Jared & Tayler working hard on the t-shirts for the event.

Matthew and Alex making thousands of butterflies.

Hope everyone is as excited as we are. Don't forget to check our blog periodically on Friday and Saturday as we will have updates of the event throughout the day, and would love your feedback.

What Would Life Be Like?

Do the Famine...

And find out.
We dare you!

Experiencing a 'Food Shortage' in Area 56

On Sunday, January 8th, our Area 56-ers got to do a little 'hands-on' experiment with a very limited food supply.

Miss Florence gave them a small bowl of cooked rice and 2 apples. This had to be shared among 20 students.

The apples had to be cut into small slivers and the kids had to figure out how to share the cooked rice. They ended up sharing 2 tablespoons per kid. Miss Florence told the kids that sometimes, after a meal like the one they had before them (if you call that a 'meal') they could possibly go several days before eating again. Needless to say, several of the kids were shocked to see how little some people had to live on.

The purpose of this visual activity was to show our 5th and 6th graders what food shortage looks like for families in famine stricken countries. There is no abundance. There are no cupboards with food storage. There is no supermarket to pick up a snack. Many of these families work to produce their own food and it is so sparse that not all family members can eat every day. Sadly, most of the governments of countries affected do not have an infrastructure to care for their poorest, starving people (soup kitchen, food banks, etc.).

But (if you are an Area 56-er or relative of one reading this) just know that there IS something you can do to help people who live in places where food is not a luxury!

You can participate in Shadow Mountain Church's 30 Hour Famine! You can ask friends and family members to donate money while you fast for 30 hours. (or if that isn't possible, try skipping a meal!) You will also get to participate in some really cool, fun stuff during the 30 hours. There will be a scavenger hunt and a video at the church. When the 30 hours is over, Area 56-ers are invited to come back to the church and join the Amped kids and other participating individuals for communion and potluck. (More details will be handed out on Sunday in your Area 56 class.)

All proceeds will go towards the Mission trip in November to help feed the hungry in Haiti. What a great way for 5th and 6th graders to participate in making a difference in our world!

I want to encourage and challenge all our Area 56 kids who are or are considering participating in the 30 Hour Famine with Scripture. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith..." 1 Timothy 4:12.

Regardless of grade or age YOU can be the difference.

So here is the challenge: God is about to do great things through the SMC 30 Hour Famine...are you in??

I Resolve...To Love Hungry

If you heard the sermon today, you'll know the meaning behind "I Resolve." If you missed it, I suggest you get yourself a CD and start the New Year off right :o) Thanks, Pastor Cory, for an inspiring challenge to get us off to a great start in 2012!

Much of Jesus' life on Earth involved praying and fasting. He voluntarily went hungry so others would ultimately reap the benefits of His time with God. If we claim to love Jesus, then we better love who He loves. And if we claim to love others, then why not love them in a whole new way?

Can you sacrifice the one thing you probably take for granted more than any other thing in you life? Will you love hungry and go without food, so other don't have to?

This year, don't let your New Year's Resolutions just be about what you want to improve in your life. Let them be about letting God use you for however He wants to use you in the lives of others.

Warning: Strange and wonderful things start happening when you jump out of your "comfortable boat." Things you will look back on and say "Thank you, God, for the push!"

I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts,
there can be no more hurt, only more love. -Mother Teresa

Love Hungry

SMC's official 30 Hour Famine may not be taking place until February, but that doesn't mean we can't start praying and planning now...

Are you ready to Love Hungry?