Monday 07/27/09

 This is he of whom it is written, `Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.’   Luke 7: 27

Wednesday morning we leave on our mission trip.  11 teens and 7 adults in 3 vehicles for 7 hours.  God Bless you, Tom, for driving the van full of kids.  I really need this mission trip.  Despite the work, I’ll consider it more of a vacation.  There is something so theraputic about working with your hands…especially when it’s in service to others and God.  I hope we are able to complete some of our assignments; it is so rewarding to see the finished project.  The youth take great pride in their work and we love those before and after photos.

But what I’m really looking forward to is the time I get to spend with the youth.  There isn’t enough time to get into really deep conversation in our short youth group meetings, but working side by side, or whispering late into the night, or just chatting in the car…stuff comes up.  They start to open up about their feelings and concerns and their faith.  I wish every parent could have a profound faith experience with each of their kids…

but this kind is reserved for youth leaders.