Monday, July 12, 2010
Thursday, July 8, 2010
Tuesday and Wednesday
Tuesday -- we painted/stained at the Y. I studied in the lodge (homework never ends, ya know?!?) Cool thing -- I knew the kids were in great hands and I knew they would work hard regardless of my presence. In fact, this was a defining moment for me in the 'letting go' process...up to this point in the trip, great things were happening. The leaders were staying up late talking with kids, great conversations were happening, and I did not need to be the one facilitating. In fact, it was better for me to get out of the way and let the other leaders 'lead'! This continued on Tuesday, and gave us a great chance to talk about the fact that ministry does not depend on one figurehead, but rather youth (and dare I say pastoral?) ministry ought to have many faces, each with their own talents and passions, interacting together to do great things for Jesus' sake in the lives of those around us. The afternoon was a trip -- building a brand new trail and chopping thistles out of the hillside. It was SATISFYING to look at a new trail that was cut out of the hill using shovels and pick axes...we were dirty, sweaty, tired, and psyched to see something we had done. Best part was we provided a new walking path that was safe and solid for guests at the Y in future years that allowed them to connect with other parts of the camp. Good, good stuff that served the camp, and even better Jesus -- serving those who serve others on His behalf!
Wednesday -- this was a HARD work day. They had been up to this point, but Wind River took it to a wholly different level. We carried logs (2-3 person jobs on some) down a mountainside. We shovelled manure to fertilize grass seed. We made and demolished piles of slash (limbs and brush from the logs). We pushed hard on Wednesday. We were bloody, beat up, tired, and once again, satisfied. This was our favorite day by far! And it was all done at this horse ranch that is a Christian family camp sitting at 9500' feet under the shadow of Long's Peak. Rob, their maintenance guy, prayed for our time and our group and blew us away. Again, the theme was to serve Jesus by serving others. Huge. This was a day I needed -- something physical, keeping my senses engaged and my eyes on Him. We slept well knowing we accomplished a project for some GREAT folks who love Christ and follow Him daily that they had been needing to get done. Very, very special.
Thursday -- we hiked! The service continued, in a different way. We loved each other, encouraged each other, as we walked 8 miles, seeing high mountain peaks and lakes, laughing, enjoying the beauty of what He has done. We had numerous chances to share our purpose for being in Estes Park with others on the trail (matching shirts may have opened the door...) and I was super proud of our kids who took the time to speak about our projects and the fact that we were there to serve Jesus by serving others. Great day, again...tired, dirty, and happy. The service took on a different tone, but was every bit as meaningful. Hopefully we brought this home -- we can serve Him everyday, even in something as simple as hiking around and having fun. He opens doors, we have to walk through them.
More to come!
Wednesday -- this was a HARD work day. They had been up to this point, but Wind River took it to a wholly different level. We carried logs (2-3 person jobs on some) down a mountainside. We shovelled manure to fertilize grass seed. We made and demolished piles of slash (limbs and brush from the logs). We pushed hard on Wednesday. We were bloody, beat up, tired, and once again, satisfied. This was our favorite day by far! And it was all done at this horse ranch that is a Christian family camp sitting at 9500' feet under the shadow of Long's Peak. Rob, their maintenance guy, prayed for our time and our group and blew us away. Again, the theme was to serve Jesus by serving others. Huge. This was a day I needed -- something physical, keeping my senses engaged and my eyes on Him. We slept well knowing we accomplished a project for some GREAT folks who love Christ and follow Him daily that they had been needing to get done. Very, very special.
Thursday -- we hiked! The service continued, in a different way. We loved each other, encouraged each other, as we walked 8 miles, seeing high mountain peaks and lakes, laughing, enjoying the beauty of what He has done. We had numerous chances to share our purpose for being in Estes Park with others on the trail (matching shirts may have opened the door...) and I was super proud of our kids who took the time to speak about our projects and the fact that we were there to serve Jesus by serving others. Great day, again...tired, dirty, and happy. The service took on a different tone, but was every bit as meaningful. Hopefully we brought this home -- we can serve Him everyday, even in something as simple as hiking around and having fun. He opens doors, we have to walk through them.
More to come!
Monday, July 5, 2010
What we learned, part 1
Thinking today about last week. Here are some of those thoughts...I'll post correspondingly daily from here.
Sunday -- our job was to strip beds of their sheets, gather up old towels, and trash from rooms recently vacated by guests at the Y. First thought -- ewwwhhh. Not glamorous, potentially icky. The kids jumped in; we dominated 75 rooms and worked like rock-stars. Teams of 3, knocking it out. The post I saw from one of our students from last Sunday -- 'See the need, mee the need...' That is a rallying cry for us around the Z; something needs to be done, you do it. Doesn't matter if it is your job or not; it is an old camp thing, too. You do what needs doing for the sake of the gospel and in service to one another. No questions asked. Love it! The kids got that right away.
Monday -- Rocky Ridge Music Center, 9500' elevation...that was tough and a primer for what was to come. We shovelled dirt from the foundations of cabins, painted and stained, and worked with Mike and Charlie, two retired gentlemen who put us to shame with their energy and servant hearts. Not sure where they stand with Jesus; the camp itself is not a Christian organization. We were clear about our affiliation with Team Jesus and all around knew we were serving Him by serving them. We had some great spiritual conversations in their presence, and did not shy away from the hard things of faith in discussion just because we didn't know where they stood. Pretty solid. I was thinking today that we served Jesus by serving Rocky Ridge, even if they don't know/care/honor Jesus Himself. What does that say about service? Is the gospel advanced even among those with no intention of worshipping Him? Should we limit our service to the areas where we are confident there is an opening for the gospel? I think not...
Great stuff! Lots of pics on Facebook; I miss the mountains and the kids...so excited to pull y'all together and talk in the next few weeks to see where stuff is sinking in...
Sunday -- our job was to strip beds of their sheets, gather up old towels, and trash from rooms recently vacated by guests at the Y. First thought -- ewwwhhh. Not glamorous, potentially icky. The kids jumped in; we dominated 75 rooms and worked like rock-stars. Teams of 3, knocking it out. The post I saw from one of our students from last Sunday -- 'See the need, mee the need...' That is a rallying cry for us around the Z; something needs to be done, you do it. Doesn't matter if it is your job or not; it is an old camp thing, too. You do what needs doing for the sake of the gospel and in service to one another. No questions asked. Love it! The kids got that right away.
Monday -- Rocky Ridge Music Center, 9500' elevation...that was tough and a primer for what was to come. We shovelled dirt from the foundations of cabins, painted and stained, and worked with Mike and Charlie, two retired gentlemen who put us to shame with their energy and servant hearts. Not sure where they stand with Jesus; the camp itself is not a Christian organization. We were clear about our affiliation with Team Jesus and all around knew we were serving Him by serving them. We had some great spiritual conversations in their presence, and did not shy away from the hard things of faith in discussion just because we didn't know where they stood. Pretty solid. I was thinking today that we served Jesus by serving Rocky Ridge, even if they don't know/care/honor Jesus Himself. What does that say about service? Is the gospel advanced even among those with no intention of worshipping Him? Should we limit our service to the areas where we are confident there is an opening for the gospel? I think not...
Great stuff! Lots of pics on Facebook; I miss the mountains and the kids...so excited to pull y'all together and talk in the next few weeks to see where stuff is sinking in...
Friday, July 2, 2010
What an adventure
We made it. What a day...12 hours across Wyoming and Nebraska. From cool and clear to cloudy and warm to hot, sunny, and humid. Oh my. It is such a great thing to write from my own couch, after a hot shower and hanging out with my kids. I don't think this trip could have gone better -- the kids were amazing, the weather perfect, the mountains, well...mountains! I believe we made a difference in the Estes community -- we worked hard and served hard, we used the chance to tell everyone we met that asked who we were and why we were there (serving Jesus by serving others) and I also believe that the lives of each person on the trip were touched as well. I posed 2 questions to the kids on Saturday night last week --
1) What kind of person are you -- one who believes in Jesus and follows, one who is not sure about Jesus and what that means, or a person who says they follow Him but in reality are living out something different?
2) Why did you come -- what were you expecting, and finally, what did you find?
Those might be great questions to ask your kid tomorrow (they ALL need to sleep, lots...) My (and the other adults, Pat, David, Karen, and Laura) prayer is that they were drawn closer to Jesus and saw themselves move further towards becoming a fully committed follower of Jesus.
Thanks for your prayers, for your support, and for allowing us to hang with your kids this week. I saw Christ in each of them and was blessed richly by each!
1) What kind of person are you -- one who believes in Jesus and follows, one who is not sure about Jesus and what that means, or a person who says they follow Him but in reality are living out something different?
2) Why did you come -- what were you expecting, and finally, what did you find?
Those might be great questions to ask your kid tomorrow (they ALL need to sleep, lots...) My (and the other adults, Pat, David, Karen, and Laura) prayer is that they were drawn closer to Jesus and saw themselves move further towards becoming a fully committed follower of Jesus.
Thanks for your prayers, for your support, and for allowing us to hang with your kids this week. I saw Christ in each of them and was blessed richly by each!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
What a finale to our time in Estes Park. Today we were on the trail at 7:15 am, headed up towards Lake Hiayaha, a high mountain lake surrounded by a boulder field. 8 miles and 5 hours later, we were down, exhausted, and happy to have seen some of the most beautiful scenery in the Rockies. The kids hiked well, some loved it more than others. The afternoon was spent napping; BBQ for dinner and some time in downtown Estes Park, then back for communion chapel and more deep conversations with Patrick and David. I cannot say enough about our leaders on this trip -- Laura, Karen, Rick, and David have been tremendous. Each has connected with different kids, speaking and modeling the truths of Jesus into their lives. I am so blessed to have been a part of this adventure, and while I'm anxious to get home, I'm also excited to see what Jesus has in store for us on the journey home. We're departing Estes Friday morning at 5 am...so...gotta sleep! Look at the photos, and we'll post some 'best ofs' and what we learned things in the following days. See y'all in DSM!
We are up, it is 5:40 Colorado Time...hiking a string of lakes that loop up the mountain side today with stunning views. Flattop Mtn is not happening, but hopefully we will stand on the summit of Bible Point tonight. A full and comprehensive report coming then...blessings to you all and know your kids are 'the talk of the town' for their efforts this week. The man hours of service we've done cannot be counted, and ministry they have enabled others to do by serving the servants is priceless.