Haven't you heard time and time again, "The Army is an adventure. See the world!"
Many have personally benefitted from this adventure and many have literally gotten to see the world. This has come by way of several different forms. We receive permanent change of station orders, or a deployment to a faraway land or maybe it happens as we are stationed in a state that is not our "home" state. No matter the reason, new experiences happen with regularity in the Army.
The Youth of the Chapel for Christ is no different. The YOC2 is the Fort Knox chapel's youth ministry program began in the fall of 2016. YOC2 meets each Sunday evenings (except training holiday weekends) from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Religious Education Center across the street from Prichard Place Chapel. There are more than 40 students from sixth-12th grade who meet each Sunday for games, worship, Bible study and dinner. All students in these grades are welcome.
Consistently, teenagers or Generation Zs, are given a bad rap.
It is rarely justified and they are often misunderstood. But, if you need your computer fixed, call a Gen Zer. Need to figure out Twitter, call a Gen Zer. Want to set up a Snapchat account? They can do it for you. The YOC2 participants are all the above, but they are something much more. These teenagers have a deep desire to help others and they are doing that this week.
The YOC2s are participating on a mission trip to the island of Haiti April 2 through Sunday.
Seventeen teenagers and five youth leaders are working this week with the Ti Palmiste Orphanage on the island of La Gonave, Haiti. The orphanage is in its fourth year of operation and supports 28 children full time. Joseph Lee, the Fort Knox director of Religious Education, said "We are going to Haiti to meet some of the children's physical needs and to share the truths of the Bible with them."
As the Ti Palmiste Orphanage cares for children, they also prepare them for their future life as an adult. The orphanage has a strong vocational training program even though it is still in its infancy. Their vocational training includes hands on farming skills (primarily goats and chickens), sewing skills and basket making training. The skills the children receive will allow these future adults a viable work skill after they leave the orphanage.
The day the orphanage opened, waiting at its front door, were two children--a sister and brother.
Both of their parents were deceased. The 8-year-old sister had been caring for her 4-year-old brother on the streets of La Gonave. They have been residents since the orphanage's inception. Because of the orphanage, these children now have real hope for their future.
The orphanage has many needs and the mission team took shoes, underwear, sheets and towels for the children. They are also assisting with several projects during the week. The YOC2 Mission Team is building a much needed playground for the children on the orphanage property. Reports are that the children are eagerly awaiting a swing and slide. The mission team is also ministering to the local population in the downtown market place by performing puppet shows, balloon art, face painting, a tae kwon do exhibition, a yo-yo trick show and a ukulele show.
On Saturday in Prichard Place Chapel the Religious Support Office held a commissioning service for the mission team. The commissioning service was a time for all the supporting chapel congregations on Fort Knox to send the team off with God's blessings. Following the commissioning service there was an informal dinner for the mission team and their Family.
The youth of Fort Knox are making a difference. Not only at Fort Knox and in Kentucky but around the world.
Social Sharing