December Ministry Update 2006

Wrapping up 2006 has been action packed for Rockport Young Life to say the least. We had our annual fundraising event on November 13th, I got married to Cyndea Peacock on December 2nd and less than 24 hours after returning from our honeymoon in Beaver Creek, Colorado, we loaded up on a bus with 48 high school kids for Polar Bear Weekend on the Frio River. All these events happened in just one month’s time.

The Honeymooners

This year’s fundraising event was a Fish Fry and we had approximately 175 people in attendance. It was so successful that we would like to make the “Fish Fry” an annual event. The night was filled with laughter, songs, and touching testimonies from high school students who have been impacted by Young Life in Rockport.

December 2nd was the day Cyndea and I got married in San Antonio. Over the past 2-½ years here in Rockport I have been blessed in forging relationships with some special kids. I was honored to ask three students, Kyler McNew, Justin Nesloney and Austin Nesloney, as well as Daniel Barnard (a RFHS graduate) to be in our wedding party. The evening was made even more special when over 20 Rockport students and parents drove up for the ceremony.

Polar Bear Weekend 2006

Like I said in the first of this update, less than 24 hours after Cyndea and I returned from our honeymoon we were loading up on a bus for our Polar Bear weekend retreat. It started off a little nerve racking when some bad weather threatened to close everything down. Polar Bear weekend is a time we join other Young Life areas at the H.E.B. Foundation Camp in Echo Valley for fun and a little more intense ministry. After every club there was a “club talk” where the Gospel was presented to all the kids. During cabin time the leaders get to dig in deeper by applying what was said in the club talk to the issues the students are dealing with everyday. Polar Bear weekend always culminates in a river jump. It is amazing to see 350 kids jump into the Frio River in December all at one time. And it’s comical to see how fast they get out.

Shane and Guys at Polar Bear

Cyndea and I are so blessed to be here in this community and we thank all of you for joining us in the noble cause of sharing Christ with kids in Rockport.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Shane and Cyndea Sampson

Young Life Ministry Update - September 2006

With one month under our belt I am pleased to say we have gotten off to a great start with our high school friends. Because you have played such an important role in the success of this ministry I felt it important to share with you some exciting things that are taking place.

Our last three clubs have averaged 55 to 70 kids. The increased numbers can be directly attributed to the time we have spent with kids one on one, in their lives, living out Christ everyday. We have had so much fun, going to the high school at lunch, attending games and practices and just spending time with kids. What a blessing it is to share the Gospel.

All last year we didn't have a guitar player at club, so music left a little bit to be desired. This year I am happy to announce a new volunteer leader named James Frye. He is a college student at A & M Kingsville and drives to Rockport every Monday to help with the ministry. James is a great guitar player and adds so much to our weekly club. You can tell the kids enjoy singing and it adds so much to the energy level.

As always, thank you so much for your support and prayers.

Gratefully,

Shane Sampson