handsful

Our new home (we’ve been here 8 months, so it still feels new…) has a large shop out back.  The previous owner was a contractor, and used it for his business.  We weren’t sure exactly what to do with it.

Storage?  Workshop? (Randy loves to build)  Hang out place for big kids?

Last year, Randy had a middle school age guys group.  They met at our house for bible study and teaching every Sunday night.  As the year went on, he began feeling like it was supposed to be “more”, but he wasn’t sure what/how.  Then, it became clear.

We’d use the shop for a youth ministry…guys and girls, middle and high school age.  Our initial idea is to meet every other Friday night for teaching, prayer, and fellowship.  This past Saturday was the kick-off…

The Shop

It’s still very bare-bones.  The previous owner was in the process of finishing the inside…there are two rooms in the back that aren’t completely walled-off.  There’s no plumbing.  We’re getting the heat turned on this week (yes, the kids were cold!).  Randy and his friend Ed built railings for the existing stairs and 2nd floor space, and Ed built 4 benches for seating.  We’ll eventually have a couch and other furniture, we’ll paint, hang stuff on the walls, etc.

About 15 kids attended the first meeting.  I didn’t get any shots during the teaching, I was up at the house stretching out wire hangers to use for marshmallow skewers with Kelley!  Her younger kids and my littles were playing and helping…

When they were done, we loaded up snacks and water and headed down.  They had already started the bon fire.

And, to end the night, Randy took the brave kids on a bumpy ride around our property.  They climbed into his tractor’s trailer and held on tight!

We’re so thankful for this building, and look forward to tons of memories watching our kids and their friends grow in Christ :)