1. This trip is special. I have done many things in my 17+ years of ministry. Each trip is unique, each was great. This SummitServe thing is different. I have consistently noticed something happens in each group of students we take west - they grow and grow up a bit in front of us. They are asked to lead, to step up and out, and they do.
2. They don't complain (much anyway). This is not a comfortable trip - church floor, a week of showers in public, sharing 2 small bathrooms, granola bars and water all time, up early and to bed late, dirt and bark and bumps and bruises. 12 hours each way in vans jammed together. We never get push back from them on any of it.
3. They do hard things. Not many will use a shovel the rest of the summer. Or pick up rocks. Or logs. Or line trails. Or strip hotel beds. Or clean toilets (happily). Many criticize this generation for lack of motivation or for a sense of entitlement. Last week, there was none of it. Just good old fashioned elbow grease and determination.
4. They wear out. See the above statement. They need a break too. When they got tired, we figured out how to give them rest. A big group helps, as they don't all wear out. But we got tired. We rested too. That is a holy thing. Maybe a little less is good at home, too.
5. We play hard. Some love to shop. Some to hike. Some to eat. Lots. They all love to laugh. Loudly. Frequently. When you put them in this setting, away from pressures and pretense, they come out of their shell. You get a snapshot of who these kids are with no pressure to be a certain thing. They are still kids (so are your leaders it turns out!). It is a really good thing to play. We did.
6. They love well. This group had 8 or more different schools represented. 5 different grades. 3 different countries and native tounges. Different interests. Personalities. Needs. But for those few moments in the mountains, they were a family. It was fun to see 'bunk mates' reunite and sleep next to each other, just like they did in years past. In the same spots. And to see new friendships develop. They care about each other, regardless of where they go to school or where they are from. We are a family.
7. Weird things follow us around. Odd pool house moments. Random horses on the trail that REALLY want to be part of our group. Small decisions that end up being really good ones in retrospect. Stuff that strikes you in the moment but you are not quite sure what to say about or do with, but you know that God is up to something. Maybe this is normal, we just need to slow down to see it.
8. People notice us. In a good way. From our first stop at Ole's to the last bathroom break of the trip, people asked who we were and what we were doing. We told them. They smiled. And thanked. And encouraged. They were consistently impressed with how hard this group worked, and grateful for it. They expressed the need is still immense. Parent trip, anyone?
9. We have a home away from home - Shepherd of the Mountain could easily say no to housing us. We take over, the building and their service. The median age of their congregation is, well, not young. First gal in on Sunday looked around a gasped a little bit, maybe overwhelmed at the volume of students in their lobby. But they LOVE your kids. Love having us. Are so grateful that we come stay at their church, bring life with us. Have told us repeatedly how much they would like more 'youth' in their congregation. They pray for us. Appreciate our efforts. Rumor has it they are putting showers in as part of an expansion in part (or maybe in whole) because of us. That is pretty cool. And the kids feel like SMLC is home. They love being there. Same with the YMCA of the Rockies. Spider and Jeff's place. Wind River. Feels like home. Like we belong.
10. They love Jesus. We prayed. We sang. We read and heard scripture. In church and on the mountainside. We worshipped with our voices and with our hands. They have faith that literally moved mountains, working hard because it needed doing and because they believe that by serving others, you follow the example of Jesus. Singing on the porch Wednesday night, lifting their voices to God in praise...it was real and heartfelt and how church ought to be. It was about Christ and who He is in their lives. Period. Nothing more, not concerned with self or want, but with making Jesus great. Amen.
Some of this might make an appearance this Sunday in church. Forgive the repetition if that is the case. I do think a huge thanks is in order to Kate, Jamie, and the Bowmans for shepherding and serving. To Pastor Ron and SMLC for their hospitality. To Spider for her coordination, friendship, and leadership. And to you all - you made it possible, trusted us and your kids, and believe that good things happen when you put your children in service and mission opportunities. Good things did indeed happen. I hope you see it like we did.
So until next year...#GO.
