Heading Home...

The day has arrived to go home, go home to Lee Ann, go home to a normal way of life, go home to family and friends, go home to a big bed and a nice shower, go home to a clean house where my things are my things. Go home to TV, to walks in the neighborhood, to studying at Asbury, to my final year as an MDiv student. There is so much to go home to that will become normal in just a few weeks, but there are many things that are left behind as well. Even though I’m excited to be going home I think the things that I will miss the most are serving with the youth and adults in Cortex. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the participants and helping them make a difference in the community of Cortez. My prayer is that they were touched deep in their heart in a real way as they ministered to the poor, the sick and the needy. I will miss getting to meet different homeowners and getting to tell them that a group of 10-12 young people will be coming to paint their house. They got so excited at the thought of people coming from all over the country to Cortez to paint their house. They were so very hospitable as they gave what they could to these young people to show their appreciation and thanks for what they came there to do. The homeowners didn’t have much, but what they had, they gave with a glad heart. I do believe that YouthWorks is making a difference Cortez. They have been there seven years now and changes are continuing to happen all over the place, from Cortez, Deloras, Mancos and even in Towyac. God is in the midst of ministry happening in Cortez, but the thing is, is that ministry has been happening before we and YouthWorks got their and will be happening far after we are gone. We have been privileged to just be apart of ministry in this area. God has blessed Tony, Anna, Amanda and myself as we have been His vessel this summer. It has been a pleasure and an honor to serve with them this summer.
As I head to Atlanta is a few minutes I have been reflecting on what this summer has meant, but now it is time to look ahead to what God wants of me in this next year. There will be a lot going on, with some things I can’t divulge right now, but I do know that God is in the middle of my relationships and I continue to trust that He will guide myself and Lee Ann in His ways. I’m excited to see what those plans are and to share those plans with family and friends.

Faithfulness....

Time gets away. Kristi e-mailed me the other day and was asking me what was up; you haven’t blogged since July 15. There is no excuse, just not taking the time to sit down and write my thoughts on paper, or in this case electronically. Today is Sunday, the last Sunday of the summer here in Cortez. It is hard to believe that the summer is a week away from being done. There are a lot of emotions, thoughts and ideas that are flowing through the old noggin, all are reflecting on the summer and what God has brought to light and the lessons that I have learned this summer. It may take some time to fully process what the summer has been like and sort out what God has been speaking about when He speaks about serving neighbors and treating them as well as you treat yourself. I’m hoping that this journaling experience this summer will help me remember how God has moved through the community of Cortez, through me personally, through my interactions with the youth and adult leaders, with my friends and family and especially with my love Lee Ann.
God is so very faithful and gives us moments to inspire us, to encourage us and to help us along the path of life. God gave me one of those moments this week, let me explain. A couple of weeks ago I was praying about the end of the summer and asking God to instill in me a peace about going home, but in the same time to be present in Cortez, not physically present, but emotionally present, not to check out even though I was "doing" ministry by facilitating the groups in their painting projects and other activities that I help with. It came to mind, and I believed God planted a seed, how cool would it be to see groups that I served with before last summer come to Cortez. That would help with my staying emotionally present here in Cortez for the last two weeks. Like I mention, and you know, God is faithful and provides little opportunities. Last week a group came in from Illinois who I served with last summer in Taylorsville, NC. It was early bird week where all the staff from a particular area gets together to have an additional work of training. It was great to see Kathy, Jeff, Bob, Caleb and Andrew along with Josh, Andrew, Peter, along with others I served with last summer. I remember connecting with this group last summer and really creating a bond in the first week of the summer in 2006. So, I thought that was really great and swell that I would see a group I hung out with last year. God is good, loving and very supportive. So this week, our final week roles around as the weekend pass and I’m cooking chicken for Sunday night dinner. Through the window I see that groups are arriving and I’m just minding to the dinner. About 4:45 I head to other house to check on the oven that is housing my other chicken and stop to talk to a group from Wisconsin that just arrived. I look closely and realize that it is some girls that I know. They all exited to see me and welcome me with open arms, its like role reversal as I am suppose to welcome them to Cortez. I head back inside and get swarmed by the other members of their group and finally realized this is a group from Eastern Kentucky last year. Now what are the odds of that? I told Mark it has been like old home week, seeing familiar faces and reliving stories from last year and catching up on life from the past year. It has just be wonderful to see how God has been working amongst old friends. God is faithful and is truly helping me get through this week by allowing me to encounter the blessings of the past 12 weeks and last summer as well. Thank you Lord for reminding me why I decided to serve these past two summers.

Ministry happens...

Today marks the start of our 6^th week of programming here in Cortez. I’m excited for the groups that will be coming this afternoon and even more excited about the homeowners that they are going to bless this week. I was in Wal-Mart yesterday and ran into 12 homeowners who I either groups have painted their house in the past weeks or are going to paint their house in the upcoming weeks. We have only been here in Cortez for eight weeks and I’m seeing people all over the place that I know and am happy to visit with. It is wonderful to here the stories and the testimonies of how young people have helped out this community. Greg, the custodian at the First Assembly told me Friday that he was checking out at City Market and while talking to the cashier, learn that some youth painted a family members house just last week and they did such a good job of getting to know the family and ministering to the family. It’s not all about painting and doing the physical labor that touches people, though that is an important aspect of this ministry, I believe what is really important is about building the body of Christ up, building the relationships within the community, getting people out talking about what great things the Lord has done for each and every one of them. We don’t know who is watching these young people paint house; we don’t know who is listening to our conversations while on site. Ministry is happening all around us and we may not be aware of it. We are called to serve and be open to what Jesus wants to do through us. When we are open to the possibilities of ministry He can do wonderful things in a person’s life. No task is too small and no ministry site is to poor or to rich to minister to that individual. There are times we think that ministry can only happen to the poor, the lame, the sick, or the lowly, but I believe ministry can happen to those that are in need, even the people that can afford to buy paint, who can afford to hire someone to paint their house. Ministry happens in the heart and those who take the time to listen to someone else, to care for someone else, and to be a friend to someone else for a week is a minister. These homeowners are getting blessed by these youth and these youth are getting blessed by theses homeowners.

It has been great to witness the friendships and the bonds that come from people serving each other. I am so very glad that God has placed my in the place to be a witness of His grace and mercy throughout this summer. I have witnessed lives being changed, lives being turned over to God, friendships being made, barriers being broken down, and a reliance of God being made a priority for people. I have witness changes being made in my own character and my surrender to God and His will for my life. It has been a great summer and I am looking forward to what God is going to teach me, what He is going to show me, what He is going to give me in the next three weeks of ministry here in Cortez. But ministry doesn’t stop here, ministry keeps on happening wherever I may go, wherever these youth may wind up, where ever there is God in the midst of our hearts, ministry happens. God has been good to me and I’m so happy to serve Him in what ever capacity that He wants me too. My prayer is that we will be able to hear His voice guiding us and leading us in the direction that He has set for us.

Praise the Lord; I got to talk to Lee Ann yesterday. She called twice from Jamaica. The team got through with their mission aspect of the trip and is spending a couple of days on the beach relaxing and enjoying the ocean and each other. It was so good to hear her voice. I have missed sharing my day with her and listening her tell me how God has touched her life. I wasn’t aware that I could miss someone so much; I have come to rely on her and want to be in her life on a daily basis. Even though we talked only briefly she shared with me God’s plan for our life and the passion God has placed within her. She wants to build up the body of Christ through those people who are very passionate about the Lord. Whether it be working with locals bringing teams in for mission work, or by planting a new church where disciples can be developed so they can minister to friends and family, that is the way to build up the body of Christ. It is a wonderful thing to hear her say these things, because my passions have always been youth and mission work. I have no desire to be in the local church, leading a local church, preaching to the suburbia style church. My passion calls me into the mission field, to get my hands and feet dirty, to show the love of Christ through my work ethic and through my relationship building. Tony and Dan were talking about spiritual gifts Friday night and I believe I have service, hospitality, and administration as my top three. I believe these gifts that God has given me go hand and had with the calling He has placed in my life. I know that God is bigger than the church and ministry happens when we are willing to follow God and His will for our lives. I am so looking forward to partnering with Lee Ann, discussing our future together and being involved in ministry together. God has been so good to both of us and know I firmly believe God has brought us together to encourage one another, to pray for one another, to be a witness of and for each other, to love each other, to be in ministry together, and to love him though each other. I never thought something like this was even possible in my life. Thank you God for bringing Lee Ann and I together.

Just in Awe...

I can’t believe that it is Tuesday night and I am getting a chance to journal. The youth group, yes I said “group” is from Minneapolis, all 76 of them. It is a tremendous group with great personalities and a wonderful work ethic. It really is a joy to be around them, they are very respectful of each other, of their adult leaders, of the community and of the staff. They are in church group time right now and are all in church group time, all 76 of them. It’s pretty neat to see the dynamics of the group and how they all kind of mesh together. I have been talking to a few of them about what brought them on this mission trip and they essentially replied that they love God and love missions and they love to go on trips with the youth groups. These youth stand in line at their church to sign up for this particular trip to Cortez, and they say it like this every year, no matter where they go. The excitement and the joy they get out of serving drives them to want to come back. They in turn tell their friends in the youth group and they get excited about coming on YouthWorks trips. These youth line up several hours before registration begins just to be able to get a spot on the trip. That is dedication and only the ones who want to be here. It all makes for a good week and a great group. So they are in church group and they are worshiping and having story time and processing the day as a group. They are going to put themselves to bed and this allows me to journal and reflects on the first couple of days of ministry.

It has been a great couple of days of ministry on all accounts. I really enjoy getting to know the homeowners and being a friend to them. They are so special in so many ways. Bill and Lorain Lackey remind me of Ann and Daddy. Their generosity, their love, their commitment to Christ, their commitment to each other is so very similar to Ann and Daddy’s. Bill is an older gentleman who takes care of Lorain who has health problems. He was out in the yard all day interacting with the youth, getting them rollers to use, getting them water to drink, fixing them lunch of elk burgers and watermelon. I was thinking of Daddy as I was there, because that is just what he would do if youth were working on his house in Auburn. Tomorrow we are painting a house of Mike and Viola Randle who are just the greatest. I went over to look at their house last Friday and they invited me to have dinner with them. I just met them and they offered me streak, potato salad, and cherry pie and oh yeah a grape soda. It was just a wonderful gesture of hospitality I have had offered to me. All these homeowners are very grateful an organization such as YouthWorks is here in the community of Cortez helping out by painting and playing with kids all summer long. It is great to be a part of this and I would not want to be anywhere else right now, well maybe in Jamaica with Lee Ann. I know that God has placed me here for a reason and I have always known that. I may see what the purpose is and then again I may not see what fruit comes from me watering the fields. I trust God that He is going to do some amazing things this summer and I believe in what His plans are for this community, the lives of the youth and adult leaders and my life.

God Moments...

Wow, this is the beginning of our eighth week. We only have 4 more weeks to go until we are heading for home. I know its crazy to think about, but it has been a great time so far. By the end of the summer on August 3^rd, we will have seen about 600 youth and most likely around 100 Adult Leaders. When you look at it, it is incredible how the world gets smaller and smaller. A good majority of these people we will never see or speak to again, but knowing that there is someone out there that we may have been instrumental in turning their life around or that we we are able to brighten someone’s day is all that really matters, Many times we may plant a seed that gets nourished along the way and we may never get to see the process of blooming. I have the assurance that God is the master gardener and He will water it and place people in their path to encourage and strengthen these youth and adult leaders. That is why I encourage these youth to talk with their Youth Directors/Leaders about questions they are having. The leaders are the ones that have a vested interest in these youth and are better equipped to minister to them in the long haul once they are back in their communities. But I do understand that it may be easier to talk to someone that doesn’t know their past and wont judge them for decisions they have made. When we pray with them and assure them that everything will be alright and no one is going to judge them then it may be time to share their feelings and commitment with the adult leaders who know them well.

Last night Tony asked me to speak to the group of staff that came into Cortez to for some much needed R&R. This was great opportunity for me because it just allowed me to speak from the heart and get things off my mind that I have been thinking about and not really saying to anyone except to Lee Ann. I would like to share this with you in hopes that it may touch you as well.

God Moments:
Colossians 3:12-17

There is devotion in Streams in the Desert about a gentleman who goes around with an oil can lubricating doors and windows that creaks and makes awful noises. He does this for the people who come behind him won’t hear the terrible sounds that come from opening doors or windows. We are to be like that as we meet people along our path, we are to oil the people who are no so happy, who are not so pleasant to be around, or who just need a word of encouragement.

Many times our busyness gets in the way of our ministry. Especially when have to get our job done, when we have to get dinner prepared, when we have to get the showers cleaned, when we have to get work for the participants to do, when we have to do our finances or many other things that get in our way from participating in ministry. I know that these things are important and they have to be done, but what is it costing us when we letting these things get in the way of being involved in ministry? Are we missing the opportunities that God has given provided for us?

I’m sure we all have stories of how we have been so busy running from 6:00am to 12:00 midnight that we have missed the “God Moments” that he has given us. I’m also sure that all of us have stories of how God has allowed us to be his vessel to minister to those who needed our support in one fashion or another. I have just a story I would like to share with you and you may have other stories you would like to share. One night many weeks ago right after church group time I was sitting in the club room just sitting at a table praying for the churches and the youth that we apart of the weekend. This youth come in crying and questioning the Bible and what it really means. I sit there listening to her and sharing my faith and assuring her that the Bible is 100% true and can be trusted. I am able to get her calmed down and thinking about what God truly says and means when He says that He loves each and every one of His children, even her. It is ok to have questions, but knowing that God is the one who has all the answers and there is nothing that He cannot handle or doesn’t know about. All of a sudden I see another young lady running through the hallway and out the door and then back in the door of the fellowship hall. At once she flops down on her knees at the table and is crying out to Jesus to take away her sins and her burdens and come into her heart. A couple of her friends come in and we all prayed with her and encouraged her in her journey of faith. What stories of “God Moments” have you witnessed…?

We as Christians who love Christ are called by Him to love one another just as He loves us. We are to essentially clear the way of all the obstacles that are hindering our brothers and sisters from reaching their full potential in Christ. The questions that I would like to ask is: Are we picking up our oil can and paving the way for our neighbors, for these youth, for these adult leaders, and even for each other so that all of us can move toward Christ in a more fuller and positive way? Are we taking time to see these “God Moments” in our lives and are we taking time see what God wants to show us nor only in the people that we come in contact with in our communities were we are serving this summer, but back at home as well.

I want to encourage each of us to no be looking at our own interest, but look for ways that will honor and bless others that along our path. Keep a watching eye and a listening ear for those God moments that He wants to share with each of us. When we experience the love and compassion of God we become vessels for Christ to work through us to bring someone closer to the fullness of Christ. As you go back to your communities, I encourage you to share these “God Moments” with each other so that God may be gloried through you testimonies.

God is BiGGer!!!!!........

It has been a wonderful week. There were youth groups here from Texas, Washington, California, Minnesota and Arizona. We all had a tremendous time in ministry both at kids club and at wok projects as they took time out of their lives to play with the kids and paint a few houses. I think it is just incredible to see how a person’s life is changed just because they have taken the time to help out another person.

I’m always reminded what my mother always says “ Be on your best behavior no matter where you may go, you never know who you are going to run into, and you never know who is going to know your mother, and they will tell her how you been acting.” Well, I don’t know if this count, but the group from Minnesota is from Hopkins. Hopkins in the next town over from Deephaven where I lived for 2 years of my life. I lived there in 1975-1976 and went to school at Deephaven elementary. Paul was an Adult leader from the church in Hopkins and went to elementary school there as well. So did Mollie and in fact she lives about 3 minutes from that area. She is going back and try and find the house and send pictures back. It really is a small world and you really have to be nice to everyone, because you don’t know who is going to know your mother.

God’s hand is in everything that we do, I’m thoroughly convinced of that. I don’t think anything happens by chance or accident and nothing is coincidence. I believe God continually puts people in our path to encourage us, to minister to us, to correct us. I also believe that I have been all there to other people for that same purpose. God knows that we all need encouraging, correcting and ministering to every day and I am so grateful that He has put friends and family in my life for these purposes.

I am about to fall over. It has been a good week, but a long one at that. I am so drained by the end of the week that I just want to fall into a so called bed. Today I haven’t been that lucky enough to get a nap after the groups left. Most Fridays we take an hour or maybe two to rest before starting our other duties for the day, but I didn’t take that opportunity today. We went shopping for food for next weeks participants, you should of seen the looks we always get at Wal-Mart when we are coming out of there with 12 shopping carts full to the brim with food. It is a great way to tell our story and what we are doing in Cortez. Everyone that we tell is all amazed at what we are doing and are grateful we are here. It is so nice to hear what people in the stores and on the streets is saying about us. My prayer is that our actions and our words encourage others to make the same commitment to this town as we have. I would hate ministry to just stop once we have left the area on August 5^th. But God is bigger than that and certainly bigger than I could ever be. There is no reason to think that ministry will stop happening once we are gone. God we call others to service, weather it be by action or word, God will get His message through to those who have not been blessed by accepting Him as their Lord and Savior. I love Thursday night clubs because it gives us an opportunity to pray for the youth on an individual basis. This is a time students can be real, to let down their barriers and to open up to what the Lord has for them. I am so exhausted after this brief 15 minutes and I know it is a good thing because the Holy Spirit has been moving through me to touch the lives of these students.

Lee Ann is on her way to Jamaica for two weeks in country for a mission trip with youth, college age, and adults. She has been looking forward to this for along time. A lot of preparation has been put into this and I know it will be a great time for her and the people on the trip. Missions are her passions and it is so encouraging to see that she is doing what she loves. She is getting the opportunity to preach a revival service for four nights while she is there. I’m so proud of her for taking the opportunity of ministering and preaching to the people of Jamaica. I am going to miss talking to her for a couple of weeks, but it is a small sacrifice to make for ministry. God is so good for equipping her with the talent to preach, teach and to minister. Praise be to God!!!!

Tru Love...

Yes, yesterday was my birthday. I am 40 years old, but don’t feel like a 40 year old should feel. Then again, I’m not exactly sure what a 40 year old should feel like. I still have energy, nothing has broken on me, nothing has fallen apart, and I can still climb a mountain with the best of them, though it may take me a little longer. I still have fun with the youth and having a great time building friendships with them. They are so energetic and breathe so much life into me; it is hard not to catch the excitement of life that exudes from them. I am grateful to be able to minister to them as they are here in Cortez this summer. They are truly ministers of the word by their actions, their words and the deep conversations that we have been having about what it means to be a Christian in today’s world and in their own communities when they get back home. My prayer is that they would be able to carry some of what they experienced back home and apply it to their daily lives. Amanda has done a wonderful job with the evening clubs and the talks that accompany the clubs. I was thinking tonight that she has a spark in her that is hard to ignore. She gets right down to the level of the youth and explains the verses that truly makes sense to these youth. It is hard to do that, but Amanda is reaching these youth and encouraging them to follow Jesus Christ. It has been awesome to see her grow in the talent that God has given her. I pray that she continues to speak for the Lord because she has some wonderful things to say and the Lord will use her in a mighty, mighty way to reach people who may not know Him.

The birthday weekend was incredible. Lee Ann came all the way from Kentucky to see me this weekend. It was very special to get to see her and spend time with her. She brought two of her closest friends from London, Amy and Rosemary. They are both as sweet as could be, until we got to all the questions J. We had a blast just being together, laughing and cutting up. It was just like we had been old friends. We traveled around to different sites viewing HovenWeep, Monument Valley and the Four Corners. All were good, but didn’t have enough time alone with Lee Ann. Since I had not seen her for oh about 7 weeks, the time with her went by a little to quickly. I have so enjoyed talking with her on the phone and getting to know here with out seeing her, if that make sense. I have gotten to know her heart, I have gotten to know her passion for the church and for the youth that she serves, I have gotten to know her fears and failures and I have gotten to know her joys and accomplishments. She is a wonderful person who loves God and wants to spread that love to as many people as she comes in contact with. She truly is the love of my life. Been praying about a love like this for many years and I truly believe God is faithful and has put her and I together at this particular time in our lives. She is my best friend, she is the one I want to talk to everyday, she is the one I pray for every day, she is the one I don’t have to pretend to be someone I’m not. I can just be me and that is great with her. She is the one who encourages me, who prays for me, who challenges me, who understands me, who takes care of me when I’m sick or when my feet are nasty and cracking. She loves me and I love her.