Having just returned from Green Bay and Sault Ste. Marie Michigan, I (Mike) am having a hard time limiting my time to just a few sentences about each community.

Green Bay is beautifully located on lake Michigan and separated down the middle by a sizable river. Despite being hit hard by financial crisis, GB has remained a closely knit community that continues to endure the economic uncertainty. Much of that can be attributed to its pride and unity around the Packers. A simple google image search of ‘Green Bay’ gives proof to the importance of the football team to the community, and the pride that comes with it. As a Vikings fan it was admittedly tough to drive by Lambeau field, the source of so many crushing defeats over the years, but at the same time you can’t help but develop a sense of awe and respect for the organization and what it means for the community.

After a beautiful drive along Lake Michigan, I then arrived to Sault Ste. Marie in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. It was my first time to the “Soo”, and I can honestly say I’m excited to go back. Aside from a massive bridge that connects it to Canada, it’s surrounded by incredible forests and Lake Superior. Sault Ste. Marie also brings with it a lot of pride and a rich cultural heritage. Besides being a historic shipping town, there is a significant Native American population in and around the city that further the cultural diversity of the area.  At our Kids Club program in the neighboring city of Kinross, we get to spend time with nearly 100 kids every day from the surrounding area that come to the Recreation Center.  The Rec Center is a great organization to partner with and serving there is an amazing experience for all those that participate.

Overall it was an amazing trip where I was able to meet even more incredible people we get to privilege to partner with this summer.

Welcome Mike,

We have a new addition to the MidStates team, Mike Thompson!   Mike started this week as the full time Area Director overseeing the communities of: Duluth, Duluth/Superior, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Benton Harbor, Sault Ste. Marie, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, & Denver.  Mike graduated from Bethel University in St. Paul, MN last spring with a degree in political science.  Mike served as a Site Director for our Chicago 1 site in the summer of 2012 and is passionate about continuing to invest into communities through this role at YouthWorks.

A few other fun things about Mike: He played college football at Bethel, he loves fishing and he is adventurous and loves trying new things.

Welcome Mike!

Yea God

• We saw amazing transformation in some of the youth and Adult Leaders this week.  I mean complete 180’s! This group arrived completely divided with some stereotypes and most are leaving with new friends and new perspectives.

• We saw youth doing crew duties not assigned to them because they wanted to serve!

• Great encouragement via the Yooper Mail system this week in Sault Ste. Marie.  It was an amazing encouragement for both participants and staff to receive notes!

• Yea God for a great week at OSC in Kansas City. The community kids/youth are really beginning to notice the way it’s affecting their neighborhood.

• One of the groups this week had youth who had not been very involved in the church and this week really caused God to stir in their hearts.  They formed great relationships with their leaders over the course of the week.  Life Change is happening!

Yea God

• 30 kids coming to our new Outrageous Sports Camp in Kansas City, KS

• Seeing families and people of all ages doing ministry and devotions together in Sault Ste. Marie

• For a new community contact in Duluth who is excited about the ministry that is happening

• A group of participants serving in Cincinnati noted to their Adult Leaders that they wanted to live more like Christ and not worry about what others think!

• A great start to Kids Club in San Francisco

• Yea God for Beyond programming in Puerto Rico and the depth of culture and Christ that students got to experience this week.

Sault Ste. Marie | Christian Freedom International

The Freedom Inn – Sault Ste. Marie, MI

Christian Freedom International is a nondenominational human rights organization that works internationally to provide aid and advocacy to persecute Christians. The Inn is an old motel they have obtained from which they house displaced refugees as well as provide them with employment opportunities. YouthWorks has been fortunate enough to support them in their ministry with some work projects assistance over the years.

-David

Sault Ste. Marie | Kid’s Club

The October weather in the north is crisp and the colours vibrant. The Kids Club location in Sault Ste. Marie has returned to normal with kids only coming into the Kinross Rec Center for after school activities. However, out long time friend and Kids Club advocate at the center, Dee Dee, is still busy as can be.

-David