Church youth participate in mission trip
By JESSICA BERNHARDT
MHS student reporter
Church youth groups from Marion and Hillsboro took part Oct. 5-9 in a mission trip to Baton Rouge, La., to aid hurricane victims.
Those attending were from Parkview Mennonite Brethren Church, Hillsboro, and Marion Christian, Marion Presbyterian, and Valley United Methodist churches, Marion.
The group left by charter bus the evening of Oct. 5. After traveling through the night, they arrived at Comite Baptist Church, Baton Rouge.
While there, they helped clean up branches and limbs at the church where they were housed for the weekend.
Part of the weekend was spent distributing supplies at shelters in New Orleans. The group was divided among several distribution centers where they handed out food, cleaning supplies, personal hygiene items, and baby items.
The items were stored and organized in large tents. A drive-through system was established for people to pick up items. Volunteers filled orders and delivered them to people waiting in line.
The pastor of Comite Baptist Church gave a short program about his experiences during Hurricane Katrina.
While in Baton Rouge, the youth were given the opportunity to visit the historic river front, state capitol, and battleship USS Kidd.
The group spent time in devotions and reflection. They also had a wrap-up session the final evening to discuss their thoughts and views about the trip and what they had experienced.
Thirty-four youth and nine sponsors attended.
Those from Marion were Jessica Bernhardt, Kevin Billbe, Jessica Carlson, Adrienne Chamberland, and Rose Taylor.
Those from Hillsboro were Jessica Allen, Jordan Allen, Whitney Allen, Caleb Barkman, Emily Bebermeyer, Daniel Bookless, Alysha Claassen, Jayme Claassen, Nolan Dirks, Jessica Elliott, Jacque Fisher, Joe Fisher, Josh Funk, Josh Garrett, Abi Humber, Cassidy Johnson, Mike Klaassen, Melissa Lieder, David Loewen, Zach Magnuson, Natty McIrvin, Shawon Nelson, Rebecca Pankratz, Carrie Schroeder, Heide Schroeder, Clay Shewey, and John Vineski.
Sponsors were Steve Garrett, Erica Hemmert, Kelli Just, John Regier, Lisa Regier, Andy Shewey, Joel Soo Hoo, Amy Toews, and Colleen Weinbrenner.
