Creating in the Image of God

One of the best parts of our service this week has been seeing the youth use their creativity to make a welcoming space for the kids who will come to Shining Stars camp next week. I love knowing that their creations will be enjoyed by the community for the rest of the summer.



























- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Lights of Evening Find a Voice

Tonight we were able to spend time in fellowship and worship on the beach. It was amazing to watch the light shine over the water and the mountains. We had time to relax as we snacked, talked, laughed and played together in the sand. Then we gathered for worship as we watched the sun begin to set, singing praise songs under the great cathedral of sky. For many of our youth this was the first time they worshipped in such a public space. Our group shared about the power of this experience during our group time afterwards. They talked about how it felt surprisingly freeing and comfortable. Some shared about how they struggle to know what to believe and wrestle with their faith, but singing on the beach, seeing the golden sunlight stream through the clouds was an undeniable encounter with God. For all of us tonight was soul refreshing as we experienced God in nature, in worship and in community.

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Serving in Vancouver

This week our Sr. High youth group is working with Youthworks to serve and learn in Vancouver Canada. It's only Tuesday and already our week has been filled with amazing and unforgettable experiences.
One group is working at Shining Stars Camp helping clean and set-up for the incredible children's camp that they run for low-income kids all summer. It is amazing to know that next week the rooms we've been cleaning and decorating will be filled with children and youth who will learn life skills and experience a safe and supportive community. Our youth have gotten to put their creative skills to work painting banners and posters to welcome the children into this year's theme: "Dare to learn, Dare to Soar."
The other group of St. John's teens is serving in an assisted living facility where they are showing care to the elders who live there. As the youth lead games, facilitate activities, and share conversation, they are building relationships and hearing the stories of the incredible people who live there.
I am constantly amazed at how God's presence is manifested by our youth. Their joy, compassion, laughter make every moment a living prayer.

Fun on the Plaza

In addition to experiencing amazing service work throughout Kansas City, MO, each night the Jr High group gets to experience fun and fellowship. On Monday we had an awesome time completing a photo scavenger hunt on the Plaza. The Plaza is a beautiful part of the city featuring incredible Spanish architecture and gorgeous fountains. It was such a great time to just laugh and play together.



























- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Love One Another

The power of a Mission Trip experience is not just in the way we experience God or the way we serve others, it's also in the way the group bonds together and loves one another. One of the most moving experiences of the whole week is Thursday night, when we take time to wash the feet of each member of the group and lift prayers for them. The youth have the opportunity to say what they are thankful for in each person in the group and as a community we surround each person in prayer. Listening to those prayers, I felt so blessed to be a part of such a beautiful community of young people. After spending all day every day together, you might expect the group to lose patience with one another, or be annoyed. But instead, the words I heard were patient and kind. Our group saw the best and each other and beautifully expressed the way they see God's presence in each person in the group.

Finally, on Friday after a week of hard work we had time to celebrate and enjoy each others' company with a morning of fun exploring Kansas City, and enjoying some local BBQ. It was great to just laugh, eat, talk and play together after such an exhausting and amazing week of service.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”-John 13:34-35










































- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Unearthing Glory

This week at least half off the work we do is work projects. This means we don't just play with kids or work at community organizations. We get down our knees and get dirty weeding. We sweat in the hot sun painting and repairing. We labor and hope to be a part of a real, material transformation through our work.

Interestingly, these have been some of the most rewarding projects of the week. Through one day of working, we turned what appearing to be an overgrown empty lot, into a small community park. As we pulled a jungle of weeds, threw away debris, and mowed the grass, we unearthed a beautiful stone path that we didn't even know was there. The smooth shiny slabs of rock were nothing short of glorious. I couldn't help thinking that as we participate in the restoration of this community, even if it's only in a small way, we are also restoring something in ourselves. With each day of service we are unearthing a little more of the Glory of God that dwells in each of us.

"If you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden like a spring of water,whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations;you shall be called the repairer of the breach,the restorer of streets to live in. "
-from Isaiah 58



















-Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

The Joy of a Child

Over the past several days, we've been able to spend a lot of time with kids. It is amazing to experience wonder through their eyes. They are so ready and willing to love and be loved. As our group has played with them, and helped them read, make art projects and play games, we are able to catch a glimpse of their child-like joy.

I have been inspired by the way our youth are willing to give so tirelessly to the kids even when they are worn out. At the community BBQ last night I watched them play soccer, push swings, give piggy-back rides, and make silly faces for hours, and watching such playful, overflowing love I saw a piece of the Kingdom of God.












































Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone