You will see lots of new faces around HSC this summer, including the eager, shining faces of  youth from many area churches.  Carolina Cross Connection helps coordinate campers for the many churches who sponsor youth mission trips to Asheville.  It’s great to have them helping out at HSC on Wednesdays, but you may also run into them on the streets downtown or in nearby scenic locations like the BRP.

“Here in Asheville Carolina Cross Connection’s program is CCC HOME (Homeless Outreach Mission Experience). While here,” according to Allison Spruill, Minister of Discipleship at Canton Central United Methodist Church, “we hope campers will break down stereotypes regarding homelessness and realize we’re all God’s broken children with gifts and talents to share with each other. We use the bus system and serve free ice cream in Pritchard Park and AHOPE on Mondays, take the Invisible Box walk on Tuesdays, experience Haywood Street on Wednesdays, invite others to hike with us on Thursdays, and continue to talk to others in the city and do short projects on Fridays. Throughout the week we have members of the community share our morning devotions and have formerly or current homeless friends share their stories some evenings. These friends also join us during most daily activities as they figure out our schedule. You can learn more about CCC’S organization at www.carolinacrossconnection.org.”

The photos are from this week’s activities and outing on the Blue Ridge Parkway, and most were provided by Allison.  Featured in the first photo are the 2014 CCC staff:  Front row – Stephanie Kipniss, Kelsey Helms, and Mackenzie Galyean; Back row – Andrew Davis, Christelle Wembo, and Ginnie Hinkle.  This week’s campers are from Canton Central UMC, Etowah UMC, and Glencoe UMC.