Please join us on Sunday, August 14, 2011, for our Mission Trip Celebration. We will begin immediately following the 10:00 am service (approximately 11 am) and share what we experienced on this trip. We will serve a lunch (approximately 11:30 am) that is just like the community cookout we served in Pawhuska, Oklahoma. There is no cost for lunch, although a freewill offering will be received for lunch expenses. Come and join us!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Saturday, July 2, 2011
HOME SWEET HOME!
We have concluded our trip and have arrived safely home in Fort Wayne. Pish posh. We had an awesome experience. Thank you to the entire congregation of Trinity English Lutheran Church for making this trip possible. We have more to share about what we experienced, what we learned, and how we have changed. We hope to have an opportunity to share with those interested very soon!
Friday, July 1, 2011
So Much to Share...So Little Time!
We were so busy yesterday (Thursday) that I didn't have time to post anything. Sorry about that.
I am posting some pictures from Wednesday evening first. Now, I know this is one of those things that "you had to be there", but I wanted to share it with you anyway. The staff asked for 4 volunteers. Jason, Justin, and Christa immediately volunteered as did a student from the Texas group. Once they were on stage, it was announced that they would be participating in a "dance off". Both Jason and Justin hammed it up a bit. Christa was hesitant...and the whole crowd cheered her name over and over. She ended up doing an incredible dance! You had to be there to fully appreciate it, but take a look at the pictures and I think you'll get a sense of it.
We finished up our work assignments on Thursday. It was 106 degrees. We decided the quote of the day was from Delaney. She commented that it was so hot that her mouth was sweating and her mouth has never sweat before! One of the home owners whose home was being painted treated the work crew to Sno Cones from a truck that is located in downtown Pawhuska. I ended up having to drive the crew (which included Jacque, Brent, and Jon) and had a great time with them. I then took my crew (which included Ross, Justin, Jason, and Austin) and they enjoyed it as well.
My crew (along with Catherine and Meredith) visited at the Pawhuska Nursing Home in the morning to play Bingo with residents. We ended up forming a choir and sang for the residents. After our first song they found some hymnals for us and we ended up singing quite a few.
We enjoyed a community cookout Thursday evening. Many of the people who we had served throughout the week came and joined us for dinner. It was great for our youth to see how much the work they did was appreciated. Marjoleine joined us for dinner as well.
Our closing worship time on Thursday evening was quite moving. We had a footwashing service.
This morning we departed, spending the day at Big Splash Waterpark in Tulsa. It was a great place to spend the day. We had dinner tonight at Romano's Macaroni Grill.
Right now we are about to turn off the lights so that we can get some rest before our 7 am wake up time. While everyone has had a wonderful time, we look forward to returning to Fort Wayne tomorrow.
I am posting some pictures from Wednesday evening first. Now, I know this is one of those things that "you had to be there", but I wanted to share it with you anyway. The staff asked for 4 volunteers. Jason, Justin, and Christa immediately volunteered as did a student from the Texas group. Once they were on stage, it was announced that they would be participating in a "dance off". Both Jason and Justin hammed it up a bit. Christa was hesitant...and the whole crowd cheered her name over and over. She ended up doing an incredible dance! You had to be there to fully appreciate it, but take a look at the pictures and I think you'll get a sense of it.
We finished up our work assignments on Thursday. It was 106 degrees. We decided the quote of the day was from Delaney. She commented that it was so hot that her mouth was sweating and her mouth has never sweat before! One of the home owners whose home was being painted treated the work crew to Sno Cones from a truck that is located in downtown Pawhuska. I ended up having to drive the crew (which included Jacque, Brent, and Jon) and had a great time with them. I then took my crew (which included Ross, Justin, Jason, and Austin) and they enjoyed it as well.
My crew (along with Catherine and Meredith) visited at the Pawhuska Nursing Home in the morning to play Bingo with residents. We ended up forming a choir and sang for the residents. After our first song they found some hymnals for us and we ended up singing quite a few.
We enjoyed a community cookout Thursday evening. Many of the people who we had served throughout the week came and joined us for dinner. It was great for our youth to see how much the work they did was appreciated. Marjoleine joined us for dinner as well.
Our closing worship time on Thursday evening was quite moving. We had a footwashing service.
This morning we departed, spending the day at Big Splash Waterpark in Tulsa. It was a great place to spend the day. We had dinner tonight at Romano's Macaroni Grill.
Right now we are about to turn off the lights so that we can get some rest before our 7 am wake up time. While everyone has had a wonderful time, we look forward to returning to Fort Wayne tomorrow.
Friday - Devotions - Return Different
Our focus for today is Luke 5:17-26: "17One day, while he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting near by (they had come from every village of Galilee and Judea and from Jerusalem); and the power of the Lord was with him to heal. 18Just then some men came, carrying a paralyzed man on a bed. They were trying to bring him in and lay him before Jesus; 19but finding no way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the tiles into the middle of the crowd in front of Jesus.20When he saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven you." 21Then the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, "Who is this who is speaking blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" 22When Jesus perceived their questionings, he answered them, "Why do you raise such questions in your hearts? 23Which is easier, to say, 'Your sins are forgiven you,' or to say, 'Stand up and walk'? 24But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" — he said to the one who was paralyzed — "I say to you, stand up and take your bed and go to your home." 25Immediately he stood up before them, took what he had been lying on, and went to his home, glorifying God. 26Amazement seized all of them, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, "We have seen strange things today."
As we prepare to return to Fort Wayne tomorrow, we are returning as different people then when we left. We are glorifying God because we have seen strange things. We return differently in order to Be Different!
As we prepare to return to Fort Wayne tomorrow, we are returning as different people then when we left. We are glorifying God because we have seen strange things. We return differently in order to Be Different!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Thursday - Devotions - Love Different
We are focused on John 13:1-17: "Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2The devil had already put it into the heart of Judas son of Simon Iscariot to betray him. And during supper 3Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, 4got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. 5Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" 7Jesus answered, "You do not know now what I am doing, but later you will understand." 8Peter said to him, "You will never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no share with me." 9Simon Peter said to him, "Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!" 10Jesus said to him, "One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean, though not all of you." 11For he knew who was to betray him; for this reason he said, "Not all of you are clean."
12After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord — and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."
12After he had washed their feet, had put on his robe, and had returned to the table, he said to them, "Do you know what I have done to you? 13You call me Teacher and Lord — and you are right, for that is what I am. 14So if I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. 15For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. 16Very truly, I tell you, servants are not greater than their master, nor are messengers greater than the one who sent them. 17If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them."
Jesus gave us an example of what living differently looks like through humble service to his disciples. We are called to love deeply in a servant-hearted, sacrificial way.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Being Flexible is Important!
Today we changed our work assignments. Those who were helping with Kid's Club did scraping and/or painting today and vice versa.
Everything went really well. It's really nice that the kids are getting both experiences. I tried to ask each which they liked better. Shannon said it was difficult to say because it was really comparing apples to oranges. That is very much true. Several preferred one over the other, but most agreed with Shannon.
We all took a break at Sonic this afternoon and had shakes, slushes, or other cold things to drink. The 71 of us here this week took the place over and it was a lot of fun.
Our evening activity was worship at Pawhuska Bible Church. It was an interesting experience. The Pastor there is also the Mayor of Pawhuska. The worship style was definitely different than ours (and the building is certainly different!) but we shared in the Word of God and in singing. You'll have to ask our youth about it. We have just returned from it, so I haven't been able to hear their reactions.
Right now they are playing card games and it is very loud! They are having a great time. The staff are baking chocolate chip cookies for us and are pouring the milk right now.
Tomorrow is our last work day. Tomorrow evening our activity is a community cook out. We are excited because Marjoleine will be joining us for the cookout.
I anticipate a bit of sadness on Friday. Our youth have formed really wonderful friendships with the other youth here, especially the youth from Minnesota. In fact, we didn't pack any "nice" clothes for church tonight and half our youth are wearing clothes from their Minnesota friends.
We are having a wonderful time. Our youth have just been awesome. They are serving, learning, sharing, laughing, worshiping, having fun, and even getting some sleep. We really couldn't ask for anything more.
As you look at the pictures, you will see "Fort Wayne, Indiana" which is written in chalk on the playground at First Baptist Church of Pawhuska. Haley is the artist responsible for it.
Everything went really well. It's really nice that the kids are getting both experiences. I tried to ask each which they liked better. Shannon said it was difficult to say because it was really comparing apples to oranges. That is very much true. Several preferred one over the other, but most agreed with Shannon.
We all took a break at Sonic this afternoon and had shakes, slushes, or other cold things to drink. The 71 of us here this week took the place over and it was a lot of fun.
Our evening activity was worship at Pawhuska Bible Church. It was an interesting experience. The Pastor there is also the Mayor of Pawhuska. The worship style was definitely different than ours (and the building is certainly different!) but we shared in the Word of God and in singing. You'll have to ask our youth about it. We have just returned from it, so I haven't been able to hear their reactions.
Right now they are playing card games and it is very loud! They are having a great time. The staff are baking chocolate chip cookies for us and are pouring the milk right now.
Tomorrow is our last work day. Tomorrow evening our activity is a community cook out. We are excited because Marjoleine will be joining us for the cookout.
I anticipate a bit of sadness on Friday. Our youth have formed really wonderful friendships with the other youth here, especially the youth from Minnesota. In fact, we didn't pack any "nice" clothes for church tonight and half our youth are wearing clothes from their Minnesota friends.
We are having a wonderful time. Our youth have just been awesome. They are serving, learning, sharing, laughing, worshiping, having fun, and even getting some sleep. We really couldn't ask for anything more.
As you look at the pictures, you will see "Fort Wayne, Indiana" which is written in chalk on the playground at First Baptist Church of Pawhuska. Haley is the artist responsible for it.
Wednesday - Devotions - React Different
Tonight we are focused on Matthew 18:21-35: "21Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, if another member of the church sins against me, how often should I forgive? As many as seven times?" 22Jesus said to him, "Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times.
23For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
23For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. 24When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; 25and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. 26So the slave fell on his knees before him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.' 27And out of pity for him, the lord of that slave released him and forgave him the debt. 28But that same slave, as he went out, came upon one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and seizing him by the throat, he said, 'Pay what you owe.' 29Then his fellow slave fell down and pleaded with him, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay you.' 30But he refused; then he went and threw him into prison until he would pay the debt. 31When his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their lord all that had taken place. 32Then his lord summoned him and said to him, 'You wicked slave! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33Should you not have had mercy on your fellow slave, as I had mercy on you?' 34And in anger his lord handed him over to be tortured until he would pay his entire debt. 35So my heavenly Father will also do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother or sister from your heart."
The way that Jesus responds to us can make a difference in how we respond to others and their faults or situations in life. Because Jesus forgives us, we can forgive others.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Tuesday (continued!)
There was a skit tonight that was for all of the churches. It featured Eva, Austin, Justin, and a student from Minnesota. It was very funny and made the point well.
Our time together as a church group this evening was awesome. Each of the students shared what they experienced today and I had a hard time moving on as they had more to say. Even our prayer time was moving as so many of the students prayed aloud.
Since I have the opportunity to share some additional pictures I am going to. Hope they help you have a sense of what we are experiencing.
Tuesday - Devotions - Act Different
Tonight we focused on Luke 10:25-37: "25Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he said, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 26He said to him, "What is written in the law? What do you read there?"27He answered, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself."28And he said to him, "You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live."
29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
29But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" 30Jesus replied, "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. 31Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. 34He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, 'Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.' 36Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?" 37He said, "The one who showed him mercy." Jesus said to him, "Go and do likewise."
Belief and faith in Jesus necessitates action! We are exploring how we might act differently as a result of our faith, not just in Oklahoma, but wherever we are.
Another Great Day!
We started the day off with a little bit cooler weather. In fact, it was 75 degrees when we headed out to our work sites. Mid morning the sky got dark and it looked like it might rain. It didn't, though. It passed over, the sun came out, and then it got hot!
Both of our painting groups finished the houses they were working on and then moved on to another where we did scraping. Those working with Kid's Club, spent the morning at a nursing home visiting with residents and then worked with kids in the afternoon. Jacque tells me that the nursing home visitation was really fun. She enjoyed meeting the residents and working with them. She says singing with them was great.
This evening we are going to participate in a softball game. A local retired minister will lead the game using a unique set of rules that he came up with himself. I'll try to get some pictures of that and post them later.
Tomorrow we will switch our work assignments. Those who having been painting will run Kid's Club and vice verse.
I know that it isn't a good thing to brag, but indulge me just a bit. Every time I turn around, someone else tells me what a great job our kids are doing. They are truly being leaders here and we have good reason to be very proud of them.
Both of our painting groups finished the houses they were working on and then moved on to another where we did scraping. Those working with Kid's Club, spent the morning at a nursing home visiting with residents and then worked with kids in the afternoon. Jacque tells me that the nursing home visitation was really fun. She enjoyed meeting the residents and working with them. She says singing with them was great.
This evening we are going to participate in a softball game. A local retired minister will lead the game using a unique set of rules that he came up with himself. I'll try to get some pictures of that and post them later.
Tomorrow we will switch our work assignments. Those who having been painting will run Kid's Club and vice verse.
I know that it isn't a good thing to brag, but indulge me just a bit. Every time I turn around, someone else tells me what a great job our kids are doing. They are truly being leaders here and we have good reason to be very proud of them.
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