Building Our Walls.

Things have been a great blessing so far. Tonight is the first night that we have had an internet connection. During the first part of the week we were staying at a large ministry center. Tonight we moved locations to a church where I am now typing this blog in the gymnasium where they have a wireless connection.

This trip has been an incredible trip for so many reasons. I will do my best to explain it by going through our nightly reflection questions. Each night I ask 4 questions. What did you see today? What did you feel today? What did you do today? Lastly, I ask what did WE do today?

Here is what I have seen. I have seen students look for ways to serve instead of hiding back and waiting. I have seen students encourage each other, I have seen them notice the small things, I have seen them step out of their comfort zones physically and spiritually.

Also, I have felt a great sense of unity with this trip. They know how to have fun, but they also know how to work hard and be serious. They are getting things done quicker than any of the project leaders know what to do with. They are making sure they keep each other more focused (which is not easy with a bunch of seemingly ADHD teenagers). They are encouraging each other and challenging each other. I have felt pride seeing them begin to take hold of this vision that God has for them in their lives and taking the steps of necessary for them to take that next spiritual step in their lives.

I have seen these students do some amazing things. They have demolished walls, stacked desks and chairs, carried tables, cleaned rooms, painted walls, paint pictures, put up shower curtains and put together detailed things for a big outreach event for the christian center. However, together we have served God by serving others. Caleb said it best tonight when he said "What we did today saved the people we served weeks of efforts". By each of us doing seemingly small tasks we have freed the people there to focus on people and the ministry and be blessed. We haven't just painted walls, we've prepared homes. We haven't just stacked desks, we have created a sanctuary. We haven't just worked, we've served.

Tonight we talked about Nehemiah and how he faced so many oppositions in rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. However, Nehemiah trusted God and built the walls one stone at a time. Parents, be proud of your kids. I know you may have a hard time getting them to clean their room at home, but here they are helping build a Kingdom one act at a time.