Youth Mission Trip

Reelfoot Rural Ministries, Obion, Tennessee

July 20-26, 2008

Reelfoot Rural Ministries is a mission program of the Memphis Conference of The United Methodist Church located in rural, Northwest Tennessee. Our four-county service area includes Lake, Obion and Dyer Counties of Tennessee & Fulton County Kentucky. This rural area surrounding Reelfoot Lake is an area of extreme poverty. Lake County, for instance, has the lowest per capita income of any county in Tennessee. The combined lasting effects of farm mechanization and a lake culture have left economic scars difficult to erase.

What to expect at Reelfoot

We will be working in all the ministries that RRM is involved. These include home repair, painting, delivering meals to shut-ins, working in the thrift store and working in the kitchen at the center. Be prepared to work on any of the tasks given to us. Remember that we are there to serve our brothers and sisters.

What a typical day includes

We get up early so that we can start our work in the cool of the morning. Each morning a group will help in the kitchen. We will have breakfast, a prayer for the day and each work team will meet to talk about the task for the day. Each person will pack their own lunch. In the late afternoon we will return to the center, a group will help in the kitchen and we will have some down time. After dinner we will have a time to reflect on the day and have an evening activity. Activities include bowling, a boat ride on the lake and dinner at a BBQ.

What to bring on mission trip

Please don't over pack! Limit yourself to one large soft sided bag and a back pack.

Clothes for 7 days. Please remember that we are a CHURCH GROUP we are not trying out for "SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE". In other words, modesty is the best policy, cover up! We will be painting, cleaning and some of you will be roofing, so bring work clothes. Often we wear the same pants to work in each day, don't worry, everyone stinks. Shorts and tee shirts are okay, however, pants are better. Bring clothes to wear after work. NO FLIP FLOPS AT WORK SITE!!! Closed toed shoes only, work boots are best. Ladies, there is no need for makeup.
Swimming suit, Flashlight, Insect repellent, Sunscreen, Work Gloves, Work shoes/ boots
Personal items (towel, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, deodorant, sunglasses, hat etc.)
Water bottle
Optional: personal stereo, camera and film, reading material

How much does it cost to go on Mission trip?

Food, lodging, materials, transportation and the bowling and a barbeque dinner will cost $400. There are ways to offset the cost of Mission Trip. One is to sell Mission Trip Stock to family, friends and other members of the church. For $10 per share they feel good about helping the youth of our church, our friends in Tennessee and they get a spaghetti dinner and slide show of our trip on a date to be determined early in the fall. (Stock certificates will be available in the church office soon.) Another fund raiser is to work at the Heritage Fest parking lot. We need both students and adults to help. A third way is to help with the tent rental program at the church.

What do we do right now?

Fill out the mission trip application form on the next page and turn it in with a $50 deposit by May 11th. When you sign up, you will receive a packing list and release.

If you have any questions, contact Nick.