"You Reap What You Sow, and It’s Harvest Time at Rasberry United Church"
Masterpiece Camp this summer at Rasberry United Church in Indianola is packed to capacity with eager youth. Starry-eyed kids listen intently as each teacher shares the message of the day: “God promises people just like me.”
Markise Jones pauses, then smiles when speaking about his students. When asked why he volunteered to teach this summer, he passionately states, “It’s a way to plant positive seeds—something the kids will remember when they’re older.”
Program director Deja James agrees with volunteer Tyeshia Mosley, who adds, “Children are developing better and closer connections to God.”
This summer, nine dedicated volunteers are helping to grow and inspire the next generation at Masterpiece Camp: Mia James, Cailynn Ayles, Chloe Ayles, Tyeshia Mosley, Ariya Russell, Markise Jones, Virginia McLaurin, and Carolyn Pennington. With a roster of about 30 students, they have their hands full each day. Nevertheless, they are well prepared, guided by the present leadership and the enduring legacy of Mrs. Virginia McLauren.
Mrs. McLauren, who needs no introduction, buzzes around the building from one classroom to the next, never missing a beat. Focused and determined, she gracefully prepares and arranges each activity. Having been active in the church for 68 years, she is deeply familiar with both the program and the congregation.
Eight of this summer’s youth volunteers flourished under Mrs. McLaurin’s leadership and are now paying forward by positively impacting others. “If you can get young people to work with other young people, it’s a domino effect,” she explains. “Our children are failing due to a lack of guidance—but there is still hope.”
That same hope is shared by Mrs. Carolyn Pennington, who quietly accompanies Mrs. McLaurin.
Equally committed, she has long dedicated her knowledge, skills, and wisdom to nurturing the youth who come through Rasberry.
“You reap what you sow”—and at Rasberry United Church, the seeds of compassion, dedication, volunteerism, and God’s love are blooming in the lives of young teachers and students alike.
I am eager to see what else Rasberry has in store for youth this summer and deeply hopeful for the future, knowing that devoted leaders like Mrs. McLaurin and Mrs. Pennington continue to light the way for future torch bearers.
