Move 2012

  Wow! I don't think I will ever be able to adequately describe the wonderful things God did this past week through the Granger Student Ministries 2012 MOVE team, but let me just tell you what I am able.

  MOVE is an annual mission trip done by the students of Granger Community Church's student ministries locally. The team meets in a hotel in South Bend's north side and stays for a few nights. Each morning they all get up, put on their game faces, and set out to change their own community for the glory of God.

“The light that shines farthest shines brightest at home." -- C.T. Studd

  On our first work day, we headed out to Crooked Creek Ranch in Wakarusa. Some of us were clearing the pasture of rocks so that the horses have clean grounds to trot, some were building a mounting block so small children don't have a difficult time getting on and off the horses, and others were cleaning saddle blankets. To some, this may not sound like much, but to the owner of the ranch who relies completely on volunteers, it was huge! All of this gives the ranch the ability to reach out to hurting children and adults and show them a love that they don't realize is there.

  The next day we went to Monroe Circle Community Center (MC3) in South Bend. Here we did things such as sweeping debris and garbage off of the walking paths, picking up trash around the property, cleaning windows, and detailing chairs and tables. MC3's mission is to help each adult and each child living on South Bend’s Near West Side take their next step toward a full and meaningful life, to add value, and to encourage and help each person discover their worth for the purpose of developing a vibrant, safe and strong community with strong families.

  After we finished the work in the community center, we headed over to Monroe Circle's pick nick area where we were blessed with the opportunity to play with the children that live there. Children that may come from homes of neglect, abuse, addictions, and poverty. Some of these children wouldn't even know what the word love meant if it wasn't for what MC3 and Son City Kids are doing.

  For the third and final work day, we had the chance to serve at South Bend's Center for the Homeless. The team split up to tackle a large workload. We had teams organizing the pantry, sorting donations, folding linens, working in the community garden, and preparing and serving lunch to the residents. CFH helps men and women get back on their feet and into homes of their own through many education and rehabilitation programs.

  After a lot of hard work at CFH, an ice cream social and games for the children was on the agenda. There was bingo, temporary tattoos, games of ring toss, crafts, and lots and lots of ice cream!








Special thanks to:

Cindy Sandine, Owner and operator of Crooked Creek Ranch Ministries.

LeRoy King III, Director of MC3.

Peter Lombardo, Director of Community Involvement at South Bend Center for the Homeless.

Maribeth Roncz, long time volunteer of the South Bend Center for the Homeless.

Granger Student Ministries' staff and interns.

The countless volunteers that make all of these organization possible.