Fun in a Box

The things you find in a shoe box. We often find very interesting stuff. But, we know that God has a plan for each box.

Hummel and His Brother?

It's been said that there is a twin for everyone. We think we may have found Hummel's twin at the processing center. What do you think.

Thanksgiving Meal Away From Home

Thanks to Jana, Lori, and a bunch of others here and at home, we had a great meal today for lunch. After seeing this plate, Jana was glad they made the third turkey!

CRUX at OCC on Wednesday

Here is a video of pics taken by people of people at the OCC processing center on Wednesday.  It was a good day. 

Working in the Processing Center

We started our work today at OCC. The boxes today will go to the Ukraine. Thanks for your continued prayers.

Breakfast in Charlotte

We pulled in to our hotel around 1 AM last night, got unloaded and, hopefully, went to bed. The night was short and now we are eating a good breakfast before we leave for the OCC processing center.

The LONG Trip to OCC

I am sitting in the church van as we travel to Charlotte, NC listening some praise music and thinking about how much things have changed over the past 14 years with this trip.

I can write this post while traveling because I have four other people who are are willing (read want) to drive a van! This much better than having to drive and then still be in charge like I used to do. (blogs and iPhones are new as well).

The warehouse will be filled with 100s of volunteers unlike the first years where there were less than 50 most of the time. We are also outside of town as opposed to being downtown in the old convention center.

We stay in suites with stoves and refrigerators as opposed to regular rooms with ice filled coolers. The suites are actually more economical since you can have more people in each room.

There will millions of boxes this year - so many more than 14 years ago.

However, we go with the same purpose in mind - to get the boxes to kids who need to see God's love. I pray that we work hard, have fun and have our, and other lives changed forever.

Joel Snyder
www.abunchofstuff.us
www.twitter.com/joelwsnyder

2010 RMC Shoebox Dedication

Like a lot of other churches all over the United States, we dedicated our shoe boxes that will be sent through Operation Christmas Child to children around the world. At the end of the service, one of the bus drivers from the church brought their bus to the church and collected the boxes. Vonna, our OCC guru, made an animoto video about the processs. Check it out! 2010 RMC Shoebox Dedication

Toby's, Austin and I

Austin and I pose at Toby's. What good food and great show. I think everyone is having a good time.

Teamwork

I am sitting in the hallway of our hotel in Washington DC wasting time as I am making sure no one leaves their room.  The East Juniata Class of 2011 is on their class trip and I am fortunate to have been asked to come along since one of the teachers got sick.  I do consider it part of my ministry since I am able to get to know more kids and impart my life to them.  Everything has been realy quiet since I took over at 3 AM which has been nice since I was able to get a lot done. 

As I sit here, I am thinking of all the people who have made it possible for me to be here.  My wife, Jana, encouraged me to come along.  However, this meant that she had to take up a lot of the slack for me at home.  She not only has her subbing and clients to work with, now she had to be up front  at CRUX and has to be the "director" for play practice, plus a bunch of other stuff.  Thank you, Jana, for your encouragement. 

Other people had to help as well . . . Justin volunteered to do the crowd breaker/game at CRUX and take kids to the OIP afterward;  Pastor Paul volunteered to speak at CRUX;  Hummel is willing to drive a van on Friday if I don't make it home;  Peg sent me the times from the time cards;  Aaron sent messages;  Lori is helping with the play . . . and the list goes on. 

I am really thankful for all who are willing to minister and serve so I can do the same elsewhere.  What a great team of people that surround me!  I have been called the "master delegater" by a few of the people mentioned above, but I think this is what teamwork is all about!  Thanks to all and keep up the good work!

Hanging Out at the Zoo

Yetter, Auker and Shipe pose as they wait for the bus to get fixed at the National Zoo on their Sr trip. National Cathedral is next.

How would you drive from Japan to China?  Well, according to Google Maps, it can be done.  Check out the picture below. 

Here are the directions:  ‎

1. Go to Google maps.
2. Go to "Get Directions"
3. Type Japan as the start location
4. Type China as the end location
5. Go to direction #43
6. Laugh...

Jana Speaks to Wreck Room Crew

I had the opportunity to go with Jana tonight in Thompsontown at the Wreck Room Crew youth group. They have a great room and great leaders. We had a fun time.

Football and Wings

I joined the football team for wings tonight. Good food and fun times!

Getting Ready to Pack Shoe Boxes

We are having a packing party for Operation Christmas Child on Wednesday night and some of the kid volunteered to help prepare for the event.

EJ Soccer - District 4 Champs

Congratulations to the EJ Soccer team for defeating South Williamsport 3 - 0 and become the District 4 champs today.

Thanks to My Youth Worker

I am told that today is "Thank a Youth Worker" Day.  I am not sure who is behind this, but, it is a nice idea.  Anyway, because of the day, I would like to write about a youth worker who was really influential during my life.

When I was growing up, youth pastors were few and far between.  I don't think I know of a church in Central PA who had someone being paid to work with the kids.  What we did have was Campus Life and Campus Life leaders who were supported by people and churches to minister to youth.  Dave Hummel was my Campus Life leader. 

I basically met Dave at lunch at school.  He was there talking and encouraging kids.  I also saw him after school at games and many different activities and events.  Campus Life was held in different homes throughout the area so Dave was able to get to talk with parents and kids alike.  I enjoyed Campus Life, especially all the different events they planned.  But, my favorite thing, believe it or not, was the early morning before school Bible study that Dave led for a few of us.  We talked and prayed and learned a lot.  Dave would often drive to pick me up and take to Bible study.  These were extra times for me to learn and talk. 

I would like to publicly thank Dave for being there for me.  For taking time to drive me to activities, listen to me after everything was done and encourage me in my walk with God.  He was a servant and mentor and continues to be to this day.  Thank you Dave for doing what you did and what you do!

The Fragrance of O.C.C.

This morning when I walked into the Fellowship Hall in our church, my nose sensed a very familiar aroma, a good scent, and a smell that is associated with a very fond memory.  It was the smell of shoe boxes filled with soap (hence the fragrance) and other items for kids around the world which will be sent through Operation Christmas Child.  The CRUX Student Ministries will be heading to the O.C.C. warehouse over the Thanksgiving break to help to process these and many other boxes.  The entire warehouse smells like these shoe boxes and each trip is filled with memories.  And, each year I am reminded that a shoe box is all some kids get for Christmas.  This will be our 14th year going to Charlotte, NC.  Below is a video about how a shoe box helped one small girl.