This July the LIT (Living In Truth) youth group of Emmanuel Reformed Church (Springfield) went to Staten Island, NY on a service project with Project Hospitality.

21 high schoolers from Bon Homme county and 5 adult leaders left by charter bus early Saturday, July 23, and arrived in Staten Island late Sunday, July 24.

During the week, the group formed smaller teams to serve in many ways.Studentsfilledbagsof foodpantrydonationstogiveawaythroughout the week; the teams also distributed fresh produce, milk, and other pantry items across Staten Island. At other times the youth moved pallets of donations to a newly-acquired property where the ministry will centralize their supplies. Project Hospitality serves Staten Island, helping the hungry and homeless, and providing assistance for those in poverty or domestic violence. This ministry is celebrating 40 years of service this year. You can read more at projecthospitality.org.

Almost 20 years ago, Dr. Mel and Danielle Wallinga led the Emmanuel youth group on this same service project with Project Hospitality, a denominational mission of the Reformed Church in America. For the last year, the Wallingas have been making plans for this summer’s trip, as well. Fundraising efforts at Emmanuel Reformed Church have includedmeals,amovienightandmeatraffle,cookiedoughandgreeting cardsales,andgenerousdonationsfromcongregationmembersandthe church. These funds covered the charter bus and hotel rooms during travel, and other costs. The group wishes to share their deepest thanks to everyone who made this experience possible.

With Dr. Mel and Danielle Wallinga, Devin and Jill Tolsma (Avon) chaperonedthetrip,alongwithEmmanuelReformed’spastorCodyRaak.

ThegrouptouredManhattanonFriday,takingtheStatenIslandferry past the Statue of Liberty, experiencing the 9-11 Memorial, riding the subway, and seeing Times Square. The youth group left Staten Island Saturday morning and returned home late Sunday, July 31.

Lit is high school students who seek to live in the way of Jesus as his disciples. The group meets in the Emmanuel Reformed Church parsonage basement Wednesday evenings 7:00-8:30PM, beginning August 31.

Leaders:

Dr. Mel and Danielle Wallinga Devin and Jill Tolsma Pastor Cody Raak Students:

Mage Bertrand Cameron Cooper Chapin Cooper Clarabelle DenHerder Gwynevere DenHerder Kinley Doom Jaydon Driesen Kiara Driesen Stacy Gilbert Erin Heusinkveld Raelee Lanphear Ashley Tolsma Kimberly Tolsma Alexis Tjeerdsma Tyler Tjeerdsma Alexis Vanderlei Grace Vanderlei Lila Vanderlei Caleb Wallinga Kaeli Wallinga Noah Watchorn