The theme of FOS Missions has taken on a new identity. The overarching theme for FOS Missions is “Let the nations be glad…” which is taken from Psalm 67:4. The point of this theme- that every FOS missions team will be sent with the express purpose of bringing the joy of God to people around the globe. This Spring, 28 people will travel to inner city Los Angeles to bring that joy to people who have never experienced it, never known it, and possibly never heard of it. There is no greater purpose on this earth, nor a greater glorification of God than reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ.
The unique theme of this year’s trip is “Light in Darkness;” taken from Isaiah 9:2. There are a few major ways that this light will manifest itself in our lives during this trip. First, we will be carriers of light for people living in a land of darkness. The city of Los Angeles has a population of roughly 4 million people, 800,000 of which live in poverty. Twenty-five percent of those 800,000 (200,000) are children ages 11 and younger. If you would like a comparison- the total population of Thurston County (Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and neighbors) is 204,300. There are as many children living in poverty in the city of Los Angeles as there are people in Thurston County. The light we will be bringing to these people isn’t preaching and it isn’t discipleship- it’s things like food, water, soap, and tears. We will bring the light of the love of God as we give them basic necessities that they couldn’t have had on their own, and through that they will know the love of God and the value of every human being in God’s eyes.
I believe we will also see a light shine out of darkness in our hearts. As a community we are blessed, but we often take for granted the blessings we have when we sit down to eat dinner. There are needs we have met every day that we don’t even give thought to, and on this trip we will see people who are lacking in those needs. It is my greatest hope that your perspective will be changed before returning home. And not changed for a moment, for a few weeks, or even a year; but having your heart and mind changed for a lifetime as you see the reality that people face every day. Things we never gave a thought to will be highlighted as essential and incredible, and through this God’s grace in our lives will ring out. He will shed light on dark corners of our hearts that we did not even know existed, and we need to return home changed.
Finally, we will bring light to FOS. There is a message, an attitude, and a heart that returns from a missions trip. Many of you have seen it before. We should never forget that message. Through this trip some of us may be called to world missions for a lifetime, some for a season and others will recognize the desperate need to help in our very own town. But we can never forget what we witness, what we hear, what we do, or even what God reveals in our hearts as we serve. That is a message that has to be passed on to FOS, to Evergreen Christian Community, and to the body of Christ as a whole. It is a message of grace and compassion, a message of heartache and brokenness, but most of all a message about hope. It is a message that brings joy where there was none, and a message that brings light to those trapped in darkness- whether that is Olympia, Los Angeles, Burma, Indonesia, Mexico, or Spain- it must go on.
Take a posture of humility in this trip, and allow God to do with you as He wills- you will be surprised to find the depths of joy in serving such a caring God.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Saturday, August 22, 2009
El Sal Day 1
Our first full day in El Salvador started bright and early with breakfast at 6:30am, followed by a short orientation before we headed to the gym for several hours of training. When we woke up we were thankful to at least have running water to bathe in, something we didn't have the night before and wouldn't have for most of the trip. The King's Castle camp is right on a lake, set within gorgeous, lush mountains and not too far from an active volcano. 
We spent several hours of the first day learning the songs, dances, and dramas that we would use to minister for the remainder of the week. King's Castle has a wide variety of ministries as they strive to respond to a diverse range of the physical and spiritual needs in El Salvador and Nicaragua. However, their principal method of ministry has always been through the avenues of drama and what they call "spectacle evangelism".
The motto of King's Castle's method has always been (in Spanish), "utilizando todo los medios que estan a nuestro alcance", which means:
Hannah, Olivia, Brittany, Tiffany, and Sarah enjoying a refreshing swim. 
We spent several hours of the first day learning the songs, dances, and dramas that we would use to minister for the remainder of the week. King's Castle has a wide variety of ministries as they strive to respond to a diverse range of the physical and spiritual needs in El Salvador and Nicaragua. However, their principal method of ministry has always been through the avenues of drama and what they call "spectacle evangelism". 
The motto of King's Castle's method has always been (in Spanish), "utilizando todo los medios que estan a nuestro alcance", which means:
"...to utilize every method that is within our reach to preach the Gospel."
After sweating profusely for several hours, we were more than ready for a swim in the lake. Pictured below is the King's Castle dock and trapeze swing. SUPER FUN. Our team enjoyed a couple hours of free time before heading to dinner and then to the prayer tower for an evening of intercession and spiritual preparation for our week of ministry.
The dock.
One side of the beautiful view.
Hannah, Olivia, Brittany, Tiffany, and Sarah enjoying a refreshing swim. Josh and Cannon getting ready to pull a dangerous stunt.
Friday, August 21, 2009
El Salvador Mission Trip
August 8-16 marked a significant "first" for the FOS community as 15 students and leaders ventured out on the first ever FOS foreign mission trip. At 4am on Saturday, August 8, while most of you were still in dreamy-dream land, we were groggily rubbing the sleep out of our eyes as we loaded the ECC bus and headed to Seattle to catch our 7am flight. As tired as we were, there was no mistaking the excitement and expectancy in each of our hearts for what we were about to encounter. After months of planning, prayer, and fundraising -- it was finally here! After a long day of traveling we arrived in at the San Salvador airport at 5:30pm. It gets dark in El Salvador by 6:30pm, so by the time we retrieved our bags, made it through customs, immigration, and stepped outside, it already felt much later than it really was. Nonetheless, setting foot on El Salvador soil (or should I say "pavement") for the first time is not something any of us will soon forget. The sky was a deep, dark, royal blue. The tropical trees were a beautiful, rich, emerald green. The air was thick with humidity and littered with the sounds and silhouettes of lively birds.
There waiting for us were a group of five nationals (the El Salvadorian Mast
er's Commission students who would work with our group all week), one lively American intern (Caleb), and the dream machine pictured to the right-- the Castillo Del Rey bus. We were really blessed to meet up with another mission team from Washington who arrived in El Salvador the day before us. These ten students and leaders from all over Washington were a perfect match for our FOS team. We bonded instantly and had a blast ministering with them all week.
er's Commission students who would work with our group all week), one lively American intern (Caleb), and the dream machine pictured to the right-- the Castillo Del Rey bus. We were really blessed to meet up with another mission team from Washington who arrived in El Salvador the day before us. These ten students and leaders from all over Washington were a perfect match for our FOS team. We bonded instantly and had a blast ministering with them all week.After a very bumpy and rainy 3 hr bus ride we arrived at the Kings Castle camp. By this time it was quite late and we were all thoroughly exhausted so we headed straight to bed. We needed to get our rest because the next day would start bright and early with breakfast at 6:30am, followed by orientation and a whole lot of training.
More to come very soon!!
Sunday, April 12, 2009
DC Team at FOS Church
This Wednesday night will be our Dream Center testimonies night. The entire team will be sharing stories from the front lines--we'll have pictures, videos, and narratives about how God changed us through this trip.
Come out to FOS Church on Wednesday, April 15th @7:05pm in the North Auditorium at ECC for the "Dream Center Stories" gathering.
Come out to FOS Church on Wednesday, April 15th @7:05pm in the North Auditorium at ECC for the "Dream Center Stories" gathering.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Overcoming the Fear of Silence
Final full day of the trip today. We've checked out from the Dream Center and we're hanging out at our hotel this final night in Newport Beach. We fly out tomorrow morning and head home. I can't wait to see my family.
After checking out of the DC around 10am this morning we headed down here for a day of rest and reflection as we try to process the lessons we learned on this trip. We'll have one final meeting tonight where I'm going to read the students some of these blogs I've written during this trip, and use that as a springboard into a discipleship challenge that applies to our return.
What is it worth if we don't internalize it? What are the value of the experiences if we don't allow them to integrate into every compartment of our lives? If we aren't filled with compassion and broken for the lost of our city, is the sacrifice we offered up in this city worth much? I guess this shows my perspective on this trip. We need to change. I believe we all need to change, and I pray that this change was advanced through our time on this trip. This team is so energetic and excited just to be alive, and that's awesome. But they're young. Their youth is seen in the fact that our culture's tricks still dupe them quite a bit. They possess the insecurities, fears, and hesitations of 15 and 16 year old kids. There's is the struggle to find authentic fellowship with God in the midst of a culture that says "He's not really real."
I've never been a fan of creating a Christian sub-culture. I beleive in protecting them from things they can't process yet, but insulating them in a shelter where they can't tell the difference between real and aritifical light is counter-productive. This trip has been great because we've been able to live with them and process the lies of culture and where they lead people who blindly follow them. I want more than anything for these students to return changed. I want them to begin to experience true redemption in their lives.
I want this to be real and practical and life-changing. I want their sense of humor to change. I want their insecurity to be turned into confidence in who Christ has created them to be. I want them to realize they don't need a "crush" or a relationship with another insecure teenager to validate their existence. I want them to die to the idolatry that is manifested in the world of unlimited texting, video games, pointless movies our culture thinks are great, and constant noise clouding their minds.
Today's teenager fears silence. They fear silence because alone--without the Ipod headphones, or the TV keeping them company, or the mindless chatter through texts or messages from friends--they see themselves. They see someone who wants to live authentically and above the noise and passionately connected to the image they were created to identify, but they see that they are too afraid to take that step. That's too much to handle. It's 25 to 1 every day they walk on that campus, and living beyond the noise may very well kill your social life. And if you listen to 30 seconds of any song they love or watch 2 minutes of any show or movie created for them by our culture, you understand that if people don't love and accept you--life is not worth living.
I pray that this trip, where we literally forced them to get beyond the noise, gave them a taste of what life is like with a soul that doesn't fear silence. I pray they go home with a taste of quietness in their souls, a taste that turns into a constant daily craving for the REAL. I pray that the hunger pains in their souls for God's word and His presence that are re-awakened on trips like this, continue to grow deeper and deeper into their daily routines. I pray that it changes them.
I am going home encouraged. They are young, but they are real. They still fear silence. But God has created space in them individually and as a family through this trip. God has grown His kingdom in their hearts. He has bonded us together in relationship. They trust and know how much I and my leaders love them, and these relationships are the foundation for current and future discipleship. I am encouraged because this trip was just another step on the journey God is taking us on. It's a grind. The daily work of pastorally nurturing and discipling young people, leaders, and their families is a hard road. But I know that we are all in it together. And for my part, I am more inspired to continue to work, study, preach, connect, build, disciple, and pray harder than ever to see God's kingdom explode in the lives of these young people.
I see something happening here...
After checking out of the DC around 10am this morning we headed down here for a day of rest and reflection as we try to process the lessons we learned on this trip. We'll have one final meeting tonight where I'm going to read the students some of these blogs I've written during this trip, and use that as a springboard into a discipleship challenge that applies to our return.
What is it worth if we don't internalize it? What are the value of the experiences if we don't allow them to integrate into every compartment of our lives? If we aren't filled with compassion and broken for the lost of our city, is the sacrifice we offered up in this city worth much? I guess this shows my perspective on this trip. We need to change. I believe we all need to change, and I pray that this change was advanced through our time on this trip. This team is so energetic and excited just to be alive, and that's awesome. But they're young. Their youth is seen in the fact that our culture's tricks still dupe them quite a bit. They possess the insecurities, fears, and hesitations of 15 and 16 year old kids. There's is the struggle to find authentic fellowship with God in the midst of a culture that says "He's not really real."
I've never been a fan of creating a Christian sub-culture. I beleive in protecting them from things they can't process yet, but insulating them in a shelter where they can't tell the difference between real and aritifical light is counter-productive. This trip has been great because we've been able to live with them and process the lies of culture and where they lead people who blindly follow them. I want more than anything for these students to return changed. I want them to begin to experience true redemption in their lives.
I want this to be real and practical and life-changing. I want their sense of humor to change. I want their insecurity to be turned into confidence in who Christ has created them to be. I want them to realize they don't need a "crush" or a relationship with another insecure teenager to validate their existence. I want them to die to the idolatry that is manifested in the world of unlimited texting, video games, pointless movies our culture thinks are great, and constant noise clouding their minds.
Today's teenager fears silence. They fear silence because alone--without the Ipod headphones, or the TV keeping them company, or the mindless chatter through texts or messages from friends--they see themselves. They see someone who wants to live authentically and above the noise and passionately connected to the image they were created to identify, but they see that they are too afraid to take that step. That's too much to handle. It's 25 to 1 every day they walk on that campus, and living beyond the noise may very well kill your social life. And if you listen to 30 seconds of any song they love or watch 2 minutes of any show or movie created for them by our culture, you understand that if people don't love and accept you--life is not worth living.
I pray that this trip, where we literally forced them to get beyond the noise, gave them a taste of what life is like with a soul that doesn't fear silence. I pray they go home with a taste of quietness in their souls, a taste that turns into a constant daily craving for the REAL. I pray that the hunger pains in their souls for God's word and His presence that are re-awakened on trips like this, continue to grow deeper and deeper into their daily routines. I pray that it changes them.
I am going home encouraged. They are young, but they are real. They still fear silence. But God has created space in them individually and as a family through this trip. God has grown His kingdom in their hearts. He has bonded us together in relationship. They trust and know how much I and my leaders love them, and these relationships are the foundation for current and future discipleship. I am encouraged because this trip was just another step on the journey God is taking us on. It's a grind. The daily work of pastorally nurturing and discipling young people, leaders, and their families is a hard road. But I know that we are all in it together. And for my part, I am more inspired to continue to work, study, preach, connect, build, disciple, and pray harder than ever to see God's kingdom explode in the lives of these young people.
I see something happening here...
Thursday, April 9, 2009
A Life Changing
I come down to this trip with a different perspective than anyone else that steps on the plane. There are the obvious things--like the ultimate authority and responsibility for all 19 souls--and the less obvious--like the realization that this trip is as much about discipleship for the kids as it is about actual ministry they will do. They've set it up down here so that church ministry groups from across the world can come out and maximize their days here--getting high impact ministry experience within a structure with great accomodations and a setup that insulates them from danger, but allows them to interact with raw real-life suffering. All added together the DC is used by God to change literally thousands of lives every month, many on the streets of LA, but many more lives who take it back to their cities and implement the mission of reaching the lost there. Amazing stuff. This place is changing the world. They are changing the physical and spiritual landscape of their city--and spreading it around the world through lives that get rocked here on short term missions trips. It's awe-inspiring.
My perspective coming in:
So as I headed down here I was thinking about all these things. I was not thinking about how we could make this trip "fun," but how we could maximize the experience, be intentional every minute with the students, and set up a structure where the most transformation possible could take place in us and through us. But I've been surprised by this trip. To borrow an oft quoted phrase from one of my favorite authors: I've been "surprised by joy." I have found--in this team of 14 teenagers and 5 youth staff leaders--the most life-changing, loving, and Spirit saturated joy I think I've ever experienced. I called Carissa last night after we returned to the DC at about 10pm--and talked to her for a half hour about how much I've laughed in the last 4 days. I've found--in Max, in Joel, in Sarah, in Joey, in Kaleen, in Katelyn, and in ever one of our kids--my joy. I put Joy in my little girl Olivia's name because I knew in her I would always find Joy--and I do. After missing her and Carissa (and our soon to be born Sophia Hope) in the first few days, I found myself longing to be home. But last night it was like I stepped back as God revealed to me what we have in FOS. He summarized 4 days of unbelievable moments, one on top of the other, in my soul--and flooded me with joy. I've been experiencing His joy throughout the whole trip--laughing uncontrollably until my face hurts many times--but that joy is only experienced in its fullness because we are creating space for God to fill us with it.
Let me explain:
Yesterday was an unreal day.
We ministered at Skid Row all day. Our kids did amazing. Watch an innocent, enthusiastic, mission-inspired 15 year old sophomore from Tumwater High School walk up to a 59 year old homeless man, face chapped from years sleeping outdoors, entire earthly abode carried on his back; and watch that teenager hand him a snickers bar and say, "Good morning, you want a little extra energy pick-me-up for today? Here's a Snickers. We're serving a free hot lunch at 1:30 right down the street at the VOA--we'd love to have you join us! What's your name?" Watch as that face--torn and bruised from the world humans broke--cracks (literally) a smile and says, "Sure, I don't have any plans for lunch....um....my name's John..." Watch that scene and if tears don't fill your eyes there may be something wrong with your soul.
Yesterday was filled with moments like that. Life is measured in moments--and my life was filled yesterday until it started bursting at the seams...and when it overflowed my soul I found what life is supposed to be called--it's supposed to be called "Joy."
A night to step back and see JOY:
After a day filled with intense ministry--our kids were worn out. We wanted to surpise them last night with a really exciting night that would clear their minds and souls and refresh them. Christy and I planned just such a night--but we didn't tell any of the kids any details. All four van drivers were pelted with questions as we drove to Glendale--a very safe suburb of LA about 15 minutes from the DC. We pulled up to the parking lot of a giant YMCA building--parked and got out--and as the kids gathered around I tried one out on them to see how they'd respond. "Okay guys, we've been given an opportunity tonight by our friends here at the YMCA! We get to serve dinner to everyone at the Y!" What happened next was hilarious. Carlee--who provides the dictionary definition of words such as enthusiasm, spunk, excitement, and energy immediately jumps up in the air and squeels--YES!!! ALRIGHT!!! HOW EXCITING!!!
You seriously had to be there to appreciate the scene as I made this announcement: it all happened in an instant: Carlee jumps up in the middle of the group joyfully enthusiastic and simultaneously all 13 of the other teenagers eyes dropped to their shoes--totally disappointed and exhausted at the thought of pouring out when empty--but with a kind of willing submission to the task needing to be done. I gave the joke about 7 seconds--but decided to break the truth to them to avoid mutiny. "Just kidding guys...Wow...you are fleshly pagans!" The nervous laughter started to bubble up as they realized I was joking. "This is a fun night you guys; we're proud of you for how hard you've been working these last couple of days and we're going to reward you with some family time."
We then launched into a competition between 4 teams made up of the students/leader from each of the 4 different vehicles. Each team needed a name: we had 1) The Pirate Germs (Margot, Davy B., Katelyn, and Erin R.), 2) Conchitas (Christy, Joey, Morgan W., Kaleen, and Lucas), 3) Team Dave (Megan, Dave B., Morgan N., Carlee, and Kelsey), and 4) The Managers (named after our vehicle--a slick Ford Flex SEL we call "the Manager:" this team was myself, Max, Joel, Sarah, and Emily). The game was a digital picture alphabet scavenger hunt. The goal of the game--run around the surrounding blocks taking pictures with a digital camera of things that start with letters from A to Z--each picture had to have a team member in it--as well as the object you were photographing. The 26 pictures had to be in order, and you could only take pictures of words on signs 5 of the 26 times. To give you an example: for "I" we took a pic of Emily in front of an "Intersection," for "F" I shot a pic of Max jumping up grabbing a hold of a Fire-escape. After we said "Go" all 19 of us ran with our teams down the streets to get the pictures. It was incredibly hilarious. The creativity of the kids was epic. After about 15 minutes all 4 teams were back at the starting point (the cars in the YMCA parking lot)--and we went through all 104 pics together--laughing at what we had thought of. We're planning on picking the 26 most creative (one for each letter) and putting it together in some sort of a DC photo-book when we get home. And for the recond...the Pirate Germs took home the title.
From there we walked through Glendale--making our way toward Cold Stone--where each team member got to order their favorite ice cream. There was only one guy working on a what was a normal slow Wednesday night for Cold Stone. As we walked in the guy just started laughing--and in true Cold Stone fashion--the college student who attends USC entertained us with songs, dances and some crazy ice cream tricks.
It was in this Cold Stone that I stepped back a few times and just experienced the moment. All 19 of us--laughing and enjoying each other--rehearsing inside jokes that have developed--overflowing with Joy that is in our lives because Jesus has saved us and given us each other. It was unreal. It was a night filled with moments that I will never forget. Memories that can't be erased now fill our minds--and these memories were able to inhabit us to a fuller extent because God created space in us through our sacrifice of serving him during the preceding two days of ministry. Everyone agreed this morning that last night may have been the most fun any of us have ever had.
Cell Phone Controversy:
Yesterday we took all their cell phones away. I implemented a texting/messaging fast that will continue at least until we leave the DC Friday. Why? I just felt like we needed it. Our leaders still have phones--and kids can call their parents if they have to at night--but if you're 15 and you live in America--you can't experience moments of deep focus if you have your cell phone on you. That's just reality. A few kids balked at it at first--but by this morning I was hearing things like "I don't even miss my phone--I'm not even thinking about it--It's actually nice not worrying about it" from most of the kids.
In our devotional today I brought up yesterday's memories--Skid Row all day and great family time all evening--and I pointed something out to the team, "Do you guys think we would have had the time of our lives last night if we had spent all day playing video games or watching TV?" A loud "No way!" resounded from the troops. I continued: "You know why we were able to experience deep joy and real love with each other? Because we had allowed God to create space in our souls for it. We turned off our phones--got away from the vegetating experience that marks our existence--and truly connected with who God created us to be." Heads nodded as they began to realize the image that we've been created in. It's the image of a God who is love, who holds ultimate Joy within Him--and whose heart breaks because the world He created to reflect the love and joy that is Him has been raped by sin. As we realize this and work to change it--and work to restore His image on our faces and within our reach--it is at those moments that we touch Him and He touches us.
My life is changing. All 18 of my team members would sit here and say the same thing. We are finding Joy. We are finding Love. We are realizing that sin takes these from us and that our culture tries to distract us from understanding this. As we've stripped those distractions away we've seen Him. I've seen Him.
I saw Him last night more clearly than I have in a long time.
I saw Him in John Maxwell "Max" Martin--and his unbelievably hilarious one-liners. I saw Him in Sarah Stanley and her sweet and thoughtful demeanor and great sense of humor.
I saw Him in Joel Vandekieft and his unexplainably intelligent wit.
I saw Him in Emily Hamack whose mature leadership looks like Jesus.
I saw Him in Katelyn Ritchie's artistic genius and creative laughter.
I saw Him in Davy Butler's honest hunger for true life.
I saw Him in Erin Rice's deeply unique and gut-busting antics.
I saw Him in Carlee Collins awe-inspiring child-like innocence and unadulterated enthusiasm. I saw Him in Lucas Halter's pure hunger to enjoy every moment to its fullest.
I saw Him in Morgan Wilson's desire to laugh at everything concievable.
I saw Him in Morgan Nicholls and her appreciation and thankfulness for the perspective God is creating in her life.
I saw Him in Kaleen Mercer's depth and capacity to internalize true love and joy at barely 15 years old.
I saw Him in Kelsey Hummel's beautiful smile--lighting up lives that can't escape it's sincerity.
I saw Him in Joey Vela's honest love for people--no guile, no pretense--purely motivated by a pulse that beats deeply for Jesus.
And I saw Him in my leaders. In Dave Baskett--raised in Elma--first time on a plane 4 days ago--who has become THE student favorite with his shear "Daveness." I saw Him in Christy Briggs--the woman of God who changes more lives than anyone I've ever met through using her God-given talents with the most epic kingdom mentality I've ever seen (this trip would hardly exist without her). I saw Him in Margot Knight--weeping 27 steps into Skid Row in the morning--compassion uncontrollable for a dying world--and dancing with Joy surrounded by friends who her heart now calls family--in Cold Stone that evening to the Beatles tunes blaring from an Ipod. And I saw Him in Megan McClain--whose heart beats for justice, whose mind is on fire for God, who dwells deeply in life as a woman of God's presence, and who leads our girls with such intelligence that they may not realize her impact until they are many years down the road from here.
A life is changing. It's the life God gave to me. I have been surprised by joy.
Thank you Jesus.
My perspective coming in:
So as I headed down here I was thinking about all these things. I was not thinking about how we could make this trip "fun," but how we could maximize the experience, be intentional every minute with the students, and set up a structure where the most transformation possible could take place in us and through us. But I've been surprised by this trip. To borrow an oft quoted phrase from one of my favorite authors: I've been "surprised by joy." I have found--in this team of 14 teenagers and 5 youth staff leaders--the most life-changing, loving, and Spirit saturated joy I think I've ever experienced. I called Carissa last night after we returned to the DC at about 10pm--and talked to her for a half hour about how much I've laughed in the last 4 days. I've found--in Max, in Joel, in Sarah, in Joey, in Kaleen, in Katelyn, and in ever one of our kids--my joy. I put Joy in my little girl Olivia's name because I knew in her I would always find Joy--and I do. After missing her and Carissa (and our soon to be born Sophia Hope) in the first few days, I found myself longing to be home. But last night it was like I stepped back as God revealed to me what we have in FOS. He summarized 4 days of unbelievable moments, one on top of the other, in my soul--and flooded me with joy. I've been experiencing His joy throughout the whole trip--laughing uncontrollably until my face hurts many times--but that joy is only experienced in its fullness because we are creating space for God to fill us with it.
Let me explain:
Yesterday was an unreal day.
We ministered at Skid Row all day. Our kids did amazing. Watch an innocent, enthusiastic, mission-inspired 15 year old sophomore from Tumwater High School walk up to a 59 year old homeless man, face chapped from years sleeping outdoors, entire earthly abode carried on his back; and watch that teenager hand him a snickers bar and say, "Good morning, you want a little extra energy pick-me-up for today? Here's a Snickers. We're serving a free hot lunch at 1:30 right down the street at the VOA--we'd love to have you join us! What's your name?" Watch as that face--torn and bruised from the world humans broke--cracks (literally) a smile and says, "Sure, I don't have any plans for lunch....um....my name's John..." Watch that scene and if tears don't fill your eyes there may be something wrong with your soul.
Yesterday was filled with moments like that. Life is measured in moments--and my life was filled yesterday until it started bursting at the seams...and when it overflowed my soul I found what life is supposed to be called--it's supposed to be called "Joy."
A night to step back and see JOY:
After a day filled with intense ministry--our kids were worn out. We wanted to surpise them last night with a really exciting night that would clear their minds and souls and refresh them. Christy and I planned just such a night--but we didn't tell any of the kids any details. All four van drivers were pelted with questions as we drove to Glendale--a very safe suburb of LA about 15 minutes from the DC. We pulled up to the parking lot of a giant YMCA building--parked and got out--and as the kids gathered around I tried one out on them to see how they'd respond. "Okay guys, we've been given an opportunity tonight by our friends here at the YMCA! We get to serve dinner to everyone at the Y!" What happened next was hilarious. Carlee--who provides the dictionary definition of words such as enthusiasm, spunk, excitement, and energy immediately jumps up in the air and squeels--YES!!! ALRIGHT!!! HOW EXCITING!!!
You seriously had to be there to appreciate the scene as I made this announcement: it all happened in an instant: Carlee jumps up in the middle of the group joyfully enthusiastic and simultaneously all 13 of the other teenagers eyes dropped to their shoes--totally disappointed and exhausted at the thought of pouring out when empty--but with a kind of willing submission to the task needing to be done. I gave the joke about 7 seconds--but decided to break the truth to them to avoid mutiny. "Just kidding guys...Wow...you are fleshly pagans!" The nervous laughter started to bubble up as they realized I was joking. "This is a fun night you guys; we're proud of you for how hard you've been working these last couple of days and we're going to reward you with some family time."
We then launched into a competition between 4 teams made up of the students/leader from each of the 4 different vehicles. Each team needed a name: we had 1) The Pirate Germs (Margot, Davy B., Katelyn, and Erin R.), 2) Conchitas (Christy, Joey, Morgan W., Kaleen, and Lucas), 3) Team Dave (Megan, Dave B., Morgan N., Carlee, and Kelsey), and 4) The Managers (named after our vehicle--a slick Ford Flex SEL we call "the Manager:" this team was myself, Max, Joel, Sarah, and Emily). The game was a digital picture alphabet scavenger hunt. The goal of the game--run around the surrounding blocks taking pictures with a digital camera of things that start with letters from A to Z--each picture had to have a team member in it--as well as the object you were photographing. The 26 pictures had to be in order, and you could only take pictures of words on signs 5 of the 26 times. To give you an example: for "I" we took a pic of Emily in front of an "Intersection," for "F" I shot a pic of Max jumping up grabbing a hold of a Fire-escape. After we said "Go" all 19 of us ran with our teams down the streets to get the pictures. It was incredibly hilarious. The creativity of the kids was epic. After about 15 minutes all 4 teams were back at the starting point (the cars in the YMCA parking lot)--and we went through all 104 pics together--laughing at what we had thought of. We're planning on picking the 26 most creative (one for each letter) and putting it together in some sort of a DC photo-book when we get home. And for the recond...the Pirate Germs took home the title.
From there we walked through Glendale--making our way toward Cold Stone--where each team member got to order their favorite ice cream. There was only one guy working on a what was a normal slow Wednesday night for Cold Stone. As we walked in the guy just started laughing--and in true Cold Stone fashion--the college student who attends USC entertained us with songs, dances and some crazy ice cream tricks.
It was in this Cold Stone that I stepped back a few times and just experienced the moment. All 19 of us--laughing and enjoying each other--rehearsing inside jokes that have developed--overflowing with Joy that is in our lives because Jesus has saved us and given us each other. It was unreal. It was a night filled with moments that I will never forget. Memories that can't be erased now fill our minds--and these memories were able to inhabit us to a fuller extent because God created space in us through our sacrifice of serving him during the preceding two days of ministry. Everyone agreed this morning that last night may have been the most fun any of us have ever had.
Cell Phone Controversy:
Yesterday we took all their cell phones away. I implemented a texting/messaging fast that will continue at least until we leave the DC Friday. Why? I just felt like we needed it. Our leaders still have phones--and kids can call their parents if they have to at night--but if you're 15 and you live in America--you can't experience moments of deep focus if you have your cell phone on you. That's just reality. A few kids balked at it at first--but by this morning I was hearing things like "I don't even miss my phone--I'm not even thinking about it--It's actually nice not worrying about it" from most of the kids.
In our devotional today I brought up yesterday's memories--Skid Row all day and great family time all evening--and I pointed something out to the team, "Do you guys think we would have had the time of our lives last night if we had spent all day playing video games or watching TV?" A loud "No way!" resounded from the troops. I continued: "You know why we were able to experience deep joy and real love with each other? Because we had allowed God to create space in our souls for it. We turned off our phones--got away from the vegetating experience that marks our existence--and truly connected with who God created us to be." Heads nodded as they began to realize the image that we've been created in. It's the image of a God who is love, who holds ultimate Joy within Him--and whose heart breaks because the world He created to reflect the love and joy that is Him has been raped by sin. As we realize this and work to change it--and work to restore His image on our faces and within our reach--it is at those moments that we touch Him and He touches us.
My life is changing. All 18 of my team members would sit here and say the same thing. We are finding Joy. We are finding Love. We are realizing that sin takes these from us and that our culture tries to distract us from understanding this. As we've stripped those distractions away we've seen Him. I've seen Him.
I saw Him last night more clearly than I have in a long time.
I saw Him in John Maxwell "Max" Martin--and his unbelievably hilarious one-liners. I saw Him in Sarah Stanley and her sweet and thoughtful demeanor and great sense of humor.
I saw Him in Joel Vandekieft and his unexplainably intelligent wit.
I saw Him in Emily Hamack whose mature leadership looks like Jesus.
I saw Him in Katelyn Ritchie's artistic genius and creative laughter.
I saw Him in Davy Butler's honest hunger for true life.
I saw Him in Erin Rice's deeply unique and gut-busting antics.
I saw Him in Carlee Collins awe-inspiring child-like innocence and unadulterated enthusiasm. I saw Him in Lucas Halter's pure hunger to enjoy every moment to its fullest.
I saw Him in Morgan Wilson's desire to laugh at everything concievable.
I saw Him in Morgan Nicholls and her appreciation and thankfulness for the perspective God is creating in her life.
I saw Him in Kaleen Mercer's depth and capacity to internalize true love and joy at barely 15 years old.
I saw Him in Kelsey Hummel's beautiful smile--lighting up lives that can't escape it's sincerity.
I saw Him in Joey Vela's honest love for people--no guile, no pretense--purely motivated by a pulse that beats deeply for Jesus.
And I saw Him in my leaders. In Dave Baskett--raised in Elma--first time on a plane 4 days ago--who has become THE student favorite with his shear "Daveness." I saw Him in Christy Briggs--the woman of God who changes more lives than anyone I've ever met through using her God-given talents with the most epic kingdom mentality I've ever seen (this trip would hardly exist without her). I saw Him in Margot Knight--weeping 27 steps into Skid Row in the morning--compassion uncontrollable for a dying world--and dancing with Joy surrounded by friends who her heart now calls family--in Cold Stone that evening to the Beatles tunes blaring from an Ipod. And I saw Him in Megan McClain--whose heart beats for justice, whose mind is on fire for God, who dwells deeply in life as a woman of God's presence, and who leads our girls with such intelligence that they may not realize her impact until they are many years down the road from here.
A life is changing. It's the life God gave to me. I have been surprised by joy.
Thank you Jesus.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
The Difference -- Changing Lives
Parents: We told you that one of the differences that would be made was in your students. I can profoundly say that this is happening. I watch these students that I have had the joy of getting to know for the past two years or less as they have come into the ministry, and they are growing. To watch them walk up to a homeless person with boldness, to have another student ask if he could share when we get back to school. All of them are changing and growing and learning profound things that will impact the way they live their lives as they come home. God is good and He is alive in the hearts of these students. It has brought me to tears many times in the last two days. I can't wait for you to experience the impact that these students can and will make as they return!
For all those who gave to allow us to be here:
Thank you for being a part of this and giving so these students and leaders can experience this growth.
For all those who gave to allow us to be here:
Thank you for being a part of this and giving so these students and leaders can experience this growth.
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