I want to invite you to participate on a Youth Mission Trip that will help make disciples for Christ, challenge you to grow spiritually and allow you to make new life long friends.

A mission team of youth is being formed right now to visit our sister city in Smolensk, Russia. This is a continuation of our Russia Initiative Youth program that has been operating since the mid-1990?s. The planning for the 2009 Mission Trip includes the following so far:

• Sharing our faith with a Russian Youth Team in a camp retreat setting through youth led devotions, bible studies, singing, hanging out and fun activities. Our goal is to help expand and strengthen Christian youth group opportunities in Smolensk.
• Working with the Russian Youth Team to conduct a mission outreach English Camp. In a faith based setting we will be teaching English to local Russian youth through classes, crafts and sports.
• Carrying on the work of the Adult VIM Team in improving a school for chronically ill children. This will include painting, cleaning and possibly grouting the tile work started by the adults.
• Making life long friends by staying in the home of one of the Russian Youth Team members.
• Touring the Smolensk region to better understand their culture and history
• Touring Moscow to get a better perspective of the Russian country and to debrief the team before coming home.

The trip will leave the United States on July 8, 2009 and return on July 21, 2009. In preparation for the trip, the team will be meeting monthly through June. They will be designing the details of the programs, devotions and activities that the team will take to Smolensk.

Youth who have participated on the past mission teams have said that this trip dramatically changed their lives. Friendships made in Smolensk have carried on through email and cards. Please prayerfully consider your participation on this year?s mission trip to Smolensk.

The trip is open to all youth who are currently in the 8th through 12th grades. The total cost of the trip is approximately $3,000. The team will work together to share fund raising ideas to help with the funding.

If you are ready to join the mission team, complete and return the attached application. The return address instructions are on the application.

If you have any questions or want additional information please contact one of the adult leaders listed below.

 Gary Albert  albertgang(at)comcast.net (732) 223-1504
 Linda Applegate  lindapplegate(at)comcast.net (609) 971-6033

We would be very happy to bring a presentation to your church, youth group or home to help share the full impact of this mission trip.

Looking forward to hearing from you,

Gary and Linda

	Russia_Youth_Team_-_Student_Application_2009.pdf	18.0 K
	Russia_Youth_Team_-_Student_Application_2009.doc	40 K