sunny (??) california
Just a quick update:
We ARE in California, but it has not been quite so sunny. Chilly, and even snowing in the town we're headed to this weekend.
(But it is overall much nicer here than in the wintery tundra of Indiana).
Saw Caleb, Anna, and Zach, bringing our 2009 alumni total up to 80.
Feeling pretty proud of that.
And really proud of these students.
Off to meet with another one today, and then visit churches in Cherry Valley, Hemet, and Yucca Valley.
Should be able to post more later today. Just wanted you to know that we're here and we're loving it.
Labels: 2009 alumni
read this if you know a 2009 barnabas alumni...
Last weekend Stacie and I got to be a part of the 2009
Operation Barnabas reunion. We loaded up the bus Thursday night and headed to Columbus. Friday morning we, along with 21 students, headed off to Philadelphia (with one more stop in western PA to pick up 10 more). We got to
Urban Hope Friday evening to spend the weekend there reconnecting, loving & serving the community, and working with the Urban Hope staff. Altogether we had 44 students & 8 leaders together.
We got to do all kinds of sweet things:
- hang out at Friday night ROCK with a bunch of kids from the block
- 'scavenger hunt' on South Street -- lots of opportunities to talk with people and to share Jesus
- good time with the Lord, and in worship, and in prayer
- sharing from a few leaders
- manual labor
- Thanksgiving meal sign ups
- hanging with THE Ed Lewis
- time together as teams
- 1/2 of us at a local church and 1/2 at Urban Hope's Sunday service & Kingdom Kids
All of those things were great. Seriously. It's always good to be together again, to be involved in serving again, to reminisce about the summer.
The best part? Let's call it the
covenant community of faith.
These students share a bond that is unexplainable. They have been honest with each other about their struggles and sins. They have prayed for each other. They have shared their faith together. They have read Scripture together. They have loved and encouraged one another when they most needed it. They have loved and encouraged others together when they most needed it. These students, they are a part of the body of Christ. And they have learned together what that really means.
So last weekend, on the bus, during team time, during manual labor, while walking the neighborhood, I watched these students function as part of the body of Christ, as part of the covenant community of faith. At one point I was moved to tears as I recognized genuine, Christlike love in these high school students.
I know my job is to spend time with these kids. So maybe you think I'm biased. But I think these students, these 2009 Barnabas alumni, are incredible. The Lord continues work in their hearts and work through their lives.
If you know a 2009 Barnabas alumni, ask them about what they're learning about the body of Christ. Watch them in action. Thank the Lord for what he's doing. Man. I'm overwhelmed. Seriously. God. Is. So. Good.
(wanna see some
pictures of the weekend?)
Labels: 2009 alumni, covenant community of faith, Operation Barnabas, Urban Hope
burdened
I told you 2 days ago that we had seen 62 of our alum (we're up to 63 now. And #64 tomorrow.) And I told you that only 1 was not doing well.
Over the last couple of days I have been burdened by this 1 student. And I mean, burdened. This afternoon I have found myself fighting back tears multiple times.
Can I be honest with you?
My heart is aching. I feel heavy. I feel so sad. I feel so angry. Tired. At a loss of words. Full of questions.
And I feel like I need to ask you, to beg you, to pray for this student. Please. Pray that God breaks their heart. That He does whatever He needs to do bring this one home. That He will strip them of things, relationships, comforts, identity, whatever else that is a distraction or a hindrance to a vital relationship with Jesus.
While I don't enjoy feeling this kind of misery, I thank God that my heart is still soft enough to break over something like this. That I haven't been so burned and hardened by the trials of life, of ministry, that I no longer feel sorrow over one who is lost. I pray I never get to that place. And if you are there, I pray for your refreshment, for your softening.
I read
something today that reminded me of this truth--that any of us persists in our walk with Jesus is truly a miracle, and it is by His grace and empowerment in our lives.
Thank you Jesus, for keeping me and many of my brothers and sisters close to you. Please break the hearts of those who are wandering. 'Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, o Lord.' (Psalm 83.16)
Labels: 2009 alumni, burden, lost
statistics
I was a math major in college. (Some of you are judging me now. That's fine. I love math and I don't care who knows it.)
Anyways. I love numbers. So I thought I'd share some with you now.
In the last 6.5 weeks:
# of states we've visited: 3
# of Operation Barnabas 2009 alumni we have seen: 62
# of 09 alumni that are in (or are actively pursing) discipleship: 61
Okay. I don't know what that does for you. But 61 out of 62?! That is clearly the work of the Lord. He is protecting, growing, and using these students in awesome ways. There are stories of these young people sharing their faith, confronting believers in their sin, leading their peers, investing in younger people. I am so so thankful.
There is that one though. And it makes me think of the parable of the lost sheep in Matthew 18.10-14. I am praying often that Jesus will pursue this one who is wandering from Him, that He will draw their heart back and restore them. I ask that you pray the same. We rejoice greatly over our 61. And we grieve over the 1.
We just wanted you to know where we're at. Thank you thank you thank you to those who pray for us and our ministry. Thank you for praying for these students. Don't stop. Just because their summer is over doesn't mean they don't need prayer --- they need it now more than ever. God is moving in and through them.
tomorrow: Michigan
the weekend: Iowa
next week: Ohio
Labels: 2009 alumni, discipleship, Operation Barnabas
