After months of planning, four youth from Grace, youth and chaperones from Christus Victor in Irmo, Grace Youth Coordinator Whitney Metz and Pastor Eric Fink travelled 2,716 miles to and from the ELCA National Youth Gathering in San Antonio, TX. Theme for the event was CRUZANDO Journey with Jesus. This powerful, Spirit-filled event was held at the Henry B. González Convention Center and Alamodome in San Antonio in mid-July. 

On board the Grace bus headed for San Antonio, Texas.
	First night - cottage of Fleming Family at Mobile Bay, Alabama.
Morning worship with ELCA Mission Builders at construction site for Trinity Lutheran, Mobile, Alabama.
	Altar at Covenant Lutheran Church, Houson, TX - Night 2.
	Rest break at Texas state line.
Gathering's opening worship in Alamodome.
	Prayer Flags at the Convention Center - including names on our prayer list at Grace.
Session with Salim Kaderbhai - Christian convert. Salim will be killed if he ever returns to his home country because he converted to Christianity.
	Youth gather at stage for Final Worship Song. ELCA Bishop Hansen is in red behind the altar in the center.
Grace group wearing their SC Synod shirts on San Antonio Riverwalk.
	First Lutheran, Lafayette, LA - last night on the trip home.
Our constant travel partner - Journey With Jesus