By Chris Low
Youth Leader from Castro Valley United Methodist Church
Why did five youth and one youth leader leave Castro Valley United Methodist Church at 7:00 a.m. on a Saturday and travel 115 miles to Rancho Cordova to help build a stranger’s fence for six hours? Simple… the answer is in I John 4:19: “We love, because he first loved us”, and God commanded us to love one another. Why else?
Chris and the youth volunteers working hard during a TV segment about the project.
Sierra Service Project put out the call to help the community of Rancho Cordova and Caroline Foley, Jack Low, Craig Lowe, Seanna Prentice, and Andy Yang answered. They had participated in SSP’s 2015 summer program in Smith River, CA and wanted to continue to be in service to others. The youth proclaimed their faith, became the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, and helped Darlene Robbins fix her fence. The youth responded to SSP’s call by spreading God’s love and thus, brought honor and glory to Him. The youth also got to meet a bunch of SSP’s office staff and work side by side with them, which they really enjoyed.
The youth proclaimed their faith, became the hands and feet of Jesus Christ, and helped Darlene Robbins fix her fence.
At the end of the day, each youth was physically tired, but spiritually invigorated. As tired as the boys were of working, they still had enough energy to engage in a made up game of “pinecone football”. The Rancho Cordova Neighborhood Beautification Program is a great opportunity for youth and parents who have not been to SSP’s summer program to experience it for a day.
Editor’s Note: The Rancho Cordova Neighborhood Beautification Program is completely free and all participants receive a t-shirt and lunch. Email Evan Griffiths to volunteer!