TESTIMONY
Saturday & Sunday, 16-17 March 2012
After driving to Florida and back on Friday, it is back home we go. Once again I can give praise to my "Van-dals" as they keep me awake for the entire trip.
As we are traveling on Sunday morning, I learn that a girl in one of the other vehicles is struggling with her faith. During the past year, she has gone through a major depression, and as a result, she is doubting God's existence. Ironically, she has come on this trip anyway.
As soon as I hear this story, I know that God is telling me to talk to her. So, when we stop for lunch, I ask her to leave the group she is sitting with and come sit with me. I am sure it felt a little bit creepy as she reluctantly agreed. But after a few awkward moments and explaining my intentions, her story poured out.
After she shared her story, it was time for mine. There is no doubt she was intrigued since our similar stories had such different conclusions. It has provided a healthy dose of dissonance in her life.
To my own surprise, she has agreed to continue meeting with me on a weekly basis. Once again, it makes me celebrate the testimony that God has given me, which has included some dark times. In the end, you find out that God wastes none of our experiences. To Him be the glory!
18 April 2012
Students on Mission (Part 9)
REST
Friday, 15 March 2012
Friday is our day off, and the leadership team agrees to head south to Florida to spend a day at the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of heading to a popular Spring Break beach like Panama City, we go to a quiet beach at a state park.
It is a perfect place for us to decompress. The students play, sleep, and enjoy the sun.
What is most restful are the times we gather into small groups and tell stories about how God has directed us in our lives. In its own way, these stories were acts of worship, and they were certainly a true time of rest.
Friday, 15 March 2012
Friday is our day off, and the leadership team agrees to head south to Florida to spend a day at the beach on the Gulf of Mexico. Instead of heading to a popular Spring Break beach like Panama City, we go to a quiet beach at a state park.
It is a perfect place for us to decompress. The students play, sleep, and enjoy the sun.
What is most restful are the times we gather into small groups and tell stories about how God has directed us in our lives. In its own way, these stories were acts of worship, and they were certainly a true time of rest.
17 April 2012
Students on Mission (Part 8)
JOY
Thursday, 14 March 2012
Today is our last workday, and our main focus is running a Field Day at a local Christian school. We arrive in time to join the students for lunch, where once again, I am confronted with age issues.
Nate (the InterVarsity Campus Minister) sat down with the second-graders and the conversation with them was going well until he asked one of the boys how old he thought Nate was. Nate was stunned to hear the boy say, "70."
But he was quick with a response. "If I am 70," pointing across the room at me, "how old do you think the man is over there?"
"200."
This is more fuel for the college students during the rest of the trip, as I am consistently referred to as "The 200 Year Old Man." I guess somebody had to be the oldest...
It was my privilege to speak at the chapel following lunch, and talk about God's mercy. I used a personal story from my past when my father chose not to punish me for my disobedience. It was a true act of mercy, wholly undeserved. It is a story that still grabs my heart and fills it with joy.
Although these few days have been full - and the limits of the students have been tested - I am amazed at the joy this group possesses. It is a true evidence of the Spirit at work in their lives.
Thursday, 14 March 2012
Today is our last workday, and our main focus is running a Field Day at a local Christian school. We arrive in time to join the students for lunch, where once again, I am confronted with age issues.
Nate (the InterVarsity Campus Minister) sat down with the second-graders and the conversation with them was going well until he asked one of the boys how old he thought Nate was. Nate was stunned to hear the boy say, "70."
But he was quick with a response. "If I am 70," pointing across the room at me, "how old do you think the man is over there?"
"200."
This is more fuel for the college students during the rest of the trip, as I am consistently referred to as "The 200 Year Old Man." I guess somebody had to be the oldest...
It was my privilege to speak at the chapel following lunch, and talk about God's mercy. I used a personal story from my past when my father chose not to punish me for my disobedience. It was a true act of mercy, wholly undeserved. It is a story that still grabs my heart and fills it with joy.
Although these few days have been full - and the limits of the students have been tested - I am amazed at the joy this group possesses. It is a true evidence of the Spirit at work in their lives.
05 April 2012
Students on Mission (Part 7)
HOPE
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
As we came to the end of the day on Wednesday, we discover we are close to completing both jobs that were started earlier in the week. The two sides of the house were nearly completed. The inside of the ministry house had been painted except for a few spots. We were amazed at how much had been accomplished.
Late in the afternoon, we head to Smithville, GA to help with an event at the Smithville Baptist Church. This town, located between Americus and Albany, is 75% black and 25% white, and until recently has been a completely white church. Our first assignment is to walk the neighborhoods around the church and invite people out for a community meal and service. Just this walk around a small town in the deep south exposes many of the students to the demeaning prejudices that still exist as they find doors shut in their face.
Black and white playing, eating, and worshiping together is a common experience at UB, but in this church, it is new and exciting. The students do not realize the power of their example as they already treat each other as equals. It communicates hope to this community, that perhaps they too can break these racial barriers down, and find oneness in Jesus. What a powerful hope it is!
Wednesday, 14 March 2012
As we came to the end of the day on Wednesday, we discover we are close to completing both jobs that were started earlier in the week. The two sides of the house were nearly completed. The inside of the ministry house had been painted except for a few spots. We were amazed at how much had been accomplished.
Late in the afternoon, we head to Smithville, GA to help with an event at the Smithville Baptist Church. This town, located between Americus and Albany, is 75% black and 25% white, and until recently has been a completely white church. Our first assignment is to walk the neighborhoods around the church and invite people out for a community meal and service. Just this walk around a small town in the deep south exposes many of the students to the demeaning prejudices that still exist as they find doors shut in their face.
Black and white playing, eating, and worshiping together is a common experience at UB, but in this church, it is new and exciting. The students do not realize the power of their example as they already treat each other as equals. It communicates hope to this community, that perhaps they too can break these racial barriers down, and find oneness in Jesus. What a powerful hope it is!
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