I am fortunate to have grown up in a family that knows the importance of community action and support. My grandfather, Jack Wilson, has been a community activist for more than 30 years. My parents, John and Laura, are involved in many projects that benefit children and the local community at large. Now, I feel it is my time to start to “give back”.

As a member of the youth ministry of the First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, I have travelled during the last 3 summers to Mexico to help build houses for the underprivileged. I have travelled to Mississippi to help with the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. I have also helped in the slums in New York City. I was fortunate to travel last Spring Break with students of the junior and senior class of our youth group to help build homes and even help with the construction of a church near Lima, Peru. First Presbyterian has groups travelling to Peru, Russia and the Czech Republic again this year during Spring Break.

I have been chosen to travel this year to Russia to spread God’s word and show the people there who God really is. I ask that you pray to keep us safe in our travels and keep us healthy while we are on our journeys. Also, to prepare our hearts as we gear up to go. I have never been to Russia before, and I cannot wait to experience the culture. Again, please pray for what I will be experiencing in Russia, not only for me, but every single life that will be touched while I am there. I am so excited and I cannot wait to share with you what can happen with the power of prayer!

This is just the letter I sent out to everyone i know but i hope it gets the point across, i need help in many ways. I also hope that I'm not offending anyone, just thought you guys and gals would like to know what was going on outside of my Tahoe life, and could maybe help.

I am a member at First Baptist Church of Montgomery. We do all kinds of missions just like yours. Our Seniors just got back from Tuscon, Arizona this past friday. They were out there helping with a church getting started. I havent had as many opportunities as I am only a sophomore in High School but you will definitely be in my prayers. The extent of my missions has been Choir tour and a thing we call Missions Montgomery where we help around town with the homeless and needs, and also kids at a local center called the Nehemiah Center. I almost had the oppurtunity to go and help with the aftermath of katrina but was unable to due to school. I hope to one day travel abroad and do a mission trip. Maybe we could round up a couple of guys on the forumns one day and all get together and maybe due a mission trip somewhere utilizing our tahoes? haha maybe not but that would be pretty cool! haha

You will be in my prayers and if i can scrounge up some money ill send it your way. I just spent most of what ive got on the roof rack Keep us posted!

I really appreciate it man, I've been lucky with all the opportunities i've had with my church. I've been all over the place. From new york to florida, mexico to peru. There's some amazing stuff out there you don't ever really hear about.

Yea man. We went to Miami last summer for choir tour and i would have never imagined some of the things i saw! It was mind blowing! We went to the miami rescue mission which is a homeless shelter and that was an awesome place when we started singing! you could just see their faces light up!

youll be in my prayers man. i dont regularly go to church but i did grow up i church and always went on mission trips, definitely some of the best memories of my life. ive gottn to go to alaska, savannah, canada, and NYC. some of which i probaly never would have seen. what part of russia are you going to? my granddad travels to the ukraine and russia every year for a month to supervise the construction of buildings. from what ive heard from him its a real cool place, with great people.

Moscow. Can't wait

Its real nice that you give back. Good luck with your trip...

Sounds awesome, Will - have a great time buddy.

Didn't see this before, Will, but it sounds like an awesome trip, I went on a few of these with my Church back in middle and high school and I really enjoyed them, and I'm glad to see that people still understand the true meaning of it all.

Been to Moscow before, so I know you'll have a great time, and I know I'll be praying for yall while your over there.

Enjoy it buddy!

Just wanted to let you guys know i'm leaving tomorrow at 3:30 and on my way to Moscow, thanks for the support and i'll let y'all know how it went when i get home!

Good luck bud

yep good luck Will!

Good luck will, your doing some great things!!!

Lucky me, there's a 06 Tahoe European edition parked outside the house we're staying at. We got here today at 1 PM and have been getting ready for a long week of work, can't wait. If you want to see what the other groups are up to you can check it out here http://fpcmariettayouth.blogspot.com/ You can see what's going on and what not. Thanks again for all your support, it means a lot!