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"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others" Philippians 2:4
OUTREACH
 A major part of LIFT is the involvement we have in many different outreach projects both locally and regionally. This involvement includes a weekly after-school Bible club located right here in Speculator at one of our local churches. LIFT students teach Bible classes, lead games and crafts and build encouraging relationships with elementary school children. Many of these kids come from unchurched families, so this is one of their only chances to meet, learn from and be loved by godly men and women. Though many of the children are too young to fully understand and devote themselves to Christ, LIFT students experience the joy of being involved in planting seeds in little souls, trusting God to continue working in each of them.
Another weekly outreach ministry for LIFT students is volunteering at the local "Day Habilitation" center, a daycare facility for adults with profound mental and physical disabilities. While this is one of the more  difficult ministries for some, as there are far fewer tangible "results" from our efforts here, God teaches many useful lessons during our time at the "DayHab." Students not only show compassion and mercy to the clients, but - perhaps even more importantly - they are solid witnesses of God's love to the many people on staff at the facility. "I am changed because of having spent time there," says a LIFT student, regarding her DayHab experiences.
One highlight of each LIFT semester is the time spent at Albany's Capital City Rescue Mission. A two-hour drive from CAMP, the Rescue Mission is a vivid example of how God uses faithful followers to make an incredible impact for His Kingdom. The Rescue Mission  boldly preaches God's Word to every homeless individual who enters its doors. God always provides the support needed to keep those doors open, and even to expand their facilities and programs to include life-changing rehabilitation programs for men and women. LIFT is honored to be involved in this amazing ministry by spending two or three days there each semester. During the day, students take part in work projects moving boxes, demolishing old warehouses or even wrapping gifts to be handed out at Christmas. The daily  chapel service is next, and LIFT students have the honor of running the entire service with music and a short message. They then serve dinner to the scores of people who seek refuge from the streets each night, sharing God's love and grace with each one through their smiles and ready service. LIFT 15 student sums up her time at the Rescue Mission: "Outside my bubble again! The Lord truly used this outreach experience to pry open my heart and do some major surgery."
 Each semester brings other opportunities for involvement, including work on the beautiful Sacadaga River Walk, cleaning up the adopted stretch of highway, clearing ski trails at Oak Mountain, hiking to our adopted Adirondack lean-to's to remove trash and perform maintenance duties and even providing assistance chopping wood or with spring cleaning for locals widows. God uses each of these experiences to continue to teach lessons about service and truly loving our neighbors as we work hard for His glory.
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