Some Pictures from the Trip!

We Are Home!

We are home having arrived at Waterloo last night on time.  I have more stories and lots of pictures to post.  I will do that over the next day or two.

We give thanks to God for the opportunities we had to serve, for the wonderful experiences, and for safe travel.

You are Here...to Serve

Our evening began with considering 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.

We talked about how Jesus didn't let his power keep him from serving others.  We should follow his example in service.  This week, we have been in Thunder Bay to serve people in the community.  Jesus is inviting us to use all he's given us to make serving others not just something we do once a year on a mission trip, but as a way of life.

We believe that serving others is an important part of following Jesus.  We are still pondering how Jesus is inviting us to serve others when we return home.  We hope you will consider how God is calling you to serve!

Fort William

We had a wonderful visit last evening to Fort William, which is a living history museum. It is set in 1814 and was a fur trading post. It was very interesting and we learned a lot about the history of the area. We have pictures which I hope to post soon.

Yesterday we had another great day. Students again expressed how meaningful and rewarding their serving has been. Today is our last day of serving before heading back to Minnesota.

We are running late today, so that's all for now!

You are Here...to Unite

This evening's Scripture passage was John 17:20-23:
²⁰I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, ²¹that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. ²²The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, ²³I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.


We considered that God didn't give us gifts and situations in life so that we could go it alone.  We are meant for each others.  We are meant to "be one with each other and one with God."  That's why we serve and love each other...because when we unite together, the world will see Christ's love through us.  We are better together.


We appreciate the ways in which we are serving and growing together this week in Thunder Bay.


Why do you think God made us to need other people?  What are the benefits to uniting with others?  How is God inviting you to grow deeper in community with others?

More Photos Added

Http://s1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj604/dakajabr/ If you retype that address above into your browser it should take you to some picturs. It works on this end and hopefully does wherever you are!

Ready for Wednesday!

Yesterday was another great day. Everyone seems to be enjoying their work assignments. It was easier for most on the second day since we knew what to expect. Several students said they especially enjoyed having the chance to get to know those they work with even better. Our evening activity was a photo scavenger hunt around Thunder Bay. It was a lot of fun. Jack, Brent, Olivia, Morgan, Kaylee, and Christa prepared breakfast for the whole group this morning. Jack led the prayer.

Every evening I asked each student to share their high point, low point, and something they are looking forward to. It gives each the opportunity to share and it gives me a "read" on what is working, if any potential problems are brewing, and insight into what they are excited about. There have been loads of high points, mostly related to the ways in which they are serving. Low points have been mostly about how long it takes for showers, a wish for more free time, but nothing of real concern.

I have added more photos to the photobucket album. Look in a previous post foe the URL to see the photos.

You are Here...to Invest

Our Scripture reading for this evening was Matthew 25:14-30:
¹⁴For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; ¹⁵to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. ¹⁶The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. ¹⁷In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. ¹⁸But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. ¹⁹After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. ²⁰Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.' ²¹His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' ²²And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, 'Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.' ²³His master said to him, 'Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' ²⁴Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, 'Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; ²⁵so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.' ²⁶But his master replied, 'You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? ²⁷Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. ²⁹For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. ³⁰As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'


We talked about how God has given us gifts to invest --- gifts like time, money, abilities, love, and much more.  These things are on loan from God and we probably aren't meant to bury them like the servant in the story.  Our job is to invest our gifts by sharing them with others.  


We are considering where we see poverty and need and how we might invest ourselves and/or what we have.  How about you?

Some Updates

Yesterday's update mysteriously disappeared, so first a recap and then some new information.

We had an awesome visit to Crosswinds Comunity Church in Stillwater, Minnesota. It was great to see students and adults that we served with last year in Oklahoma. They were incredibly hospitable and kind. They had an awesome potluck and sent us on our way with lots of home cooked food.

We ate dinner on the shore of Lake Superior at Grand Marais, Minnesota. It was incredibly relaxing, beautiful and fun.

Yesterday was our first work day. One group is running a Kids Club for community children. Another group is working at a camp for aboriginal children. One group is working at a soup kitchen. One group is serving with the Community Safety Initiative and doing a different project each day. Two other groups are each leading activities at a total of 4 nursing homes.

Everyone reported enjoying their service yesterday. Madisen connected with an elderly person who she especially enjoyed getting to know. Jon helped an elderly woman win at bingo several times and others were envious at his obvious skill. Jason, Justin, Delaney, and Haley did a great job leading songs, skits, crafts, and games at Kids Club. They also read to students. So many shared amazing stories of how they served yesterday and how meaningful it was. Austin said that he couldn't even put into words how he felt serving but that it was a great feeling.

we are in the midst of our second day of our work assignments. I only know about the Kids Club group so far since I am in that group. We served at a community garden this morning. It Feds hungry people here and helps build community. The kids are here and so we are about to start our music time.

I will try to add more later.

We are having issues getting the blog updated and pictures posted. Yesterday's update seems to have been deleted somehow. Please know we are all well, enjoying our time here,and helping many others. We will keep working on updates.

Pictures

Http://s1270.photobucket.com/albums/jj604/dakajabr/

If you retype that address above into your browser it should take you to some picturs. It works on this end and hopefully does wherever you are!

Finally.....

We have made it to Thunder Bay! We are all doing well. our train left Waterloo about 2 hours late. We left Chicago even later. We didn't arrive in St. Paul until 3 am. A caravan of 9 taxis took us to Luther Seminary. We didn't get to bed until 4 am central time. We had an awesome morning at Crosswinds Community Church. I'll post more about it tomorrow. Sorry but I am tired and ready for bed...I'll post more tomorrow including pictures. I am so grateful that we have an awesome group of students and adults who are a joy to travel with. More tomorrow...I promise.

You are Here...to Love

Our Scripture reading for this evening was Mark 12:28-31:

²⁸One of the scribes came near and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, he asked him, "Which commandment is the first of all?"²⁹Jesus answered, "The first is, 'Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one; ³⁰you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.' ³¹The second is this, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these."

We talked about how Jesus gives a short answer to the question "Why am I here?":  to love.  Love God and love others!  And don't just love them, love them with all you've got --- with all your emotions, passions, thoughts, words, and deeds.  Really love.  That's what our week in Thunder Bay is all about.

The questions that we are consider for ourselves this evening are one that we would encourage you to contemplate also:  How are you being invited to love God more?  How are you being invited to love others more?

We are grateful to be here in Thunder Bay and for all those who have made it possible for us to be here! 

Church Group Time

When we are in Thunder Bay, we will meet together as a church group each evening.  The theme for the week is:  You are Here and it based on Mark 12:30-31:  "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.  The second is this:  'Love your neighbor as yourself.'  There is not commandment greater than these."

Sometimes we focus on the future.  We dream about what will be or do someday.  We hope for something different or we fear that things will change.

Sometimes we get caught up in the past.  We think about what could have been or we regret mistakes or we wish for something different.

The past is behind us and the future is still ahead.  You are Here!  We are here in this time and place.  And if we spend all our time looking forward or back, we might just miss the things that God has for us right here, right now!

This week we will be reflecting on God's purpose for us here and now.  Each evening in our church group time we will look at a different passage of Scripture.  We will share those on this blog.  So, stay tuned!  In the meantime, know that God loves you and God can use you wherever you are!

On our way to Thunder Bay!

This morning at the Amtrak platform at Waterloo, before boarding the train, we gathered together with family members and heard these words from Matthew 20:25-28:

"Jesus called [his disciples] to him and said, 'You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over the, and their great ones are tyrants over them. It will not be so among you; but whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you must be your slave; just as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.'"

We also heard from 1 John 3:18:

"Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action."

We then prayed:

Dear God, you watch over your people when they go out and when they come in, when they are home and when they are away from home. Come, Holy Spirit, watch over each of our mission trip travelers as they travel to serve you by serving others in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. May they return to us in good health, strengthened in faith, filled with compassion for others, and ready to serve as you call us all out into the world with grace, mercy, and peace. Amen.

Please pray for safe and uneventful travel today and that the Holy Spirit would bind us together as one in Christ as we embark on this journey.

Tomorrow is the Day!

Tomorrow, Saturday, July 7, we meet at 7 am at the Waterloo Amtrak platform to begin our journey to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. We ask for your prayers and God's blessing as the journey begins!

Why Not Just Serve in Fort Wayne?

Twenty-seven of our mission trip travelers and their friends and family gathered last evening to clean a couple of yards of storm damage (and more volunteered, but we already had more than we needed!).  It was awesome to have so many help out and amazing how quickly everything was done.  For me, it only heightened my excitement about the mission trip as I was reminded what a great group we have!

Someone recently questioned why we have to go to Thunder Bay to serve when there are opportunities to serve right in Fort Wayne.  We do serve in Fort Wayne...and not just a little, but a lot.  I'm proud of what our Trinity English youth do on a regular basis to serve the congregation, the Fort Wayne community, and beyond.

With that said, the congregation provides an important faith formation experience for our youth by supporting our mission trips.  By taking part in these mission trips, we not only are able to "do" things that help others but there is an intentional focus on relationship-building and faith formation.  We begin the day with devotions and silent meditation and reflection.  We end each day with Scripture reading, music, prayer, and a message.  

Research has shown that middle and high school students who experience a mission trip are more likely to still practice their faith as young adults.  That's really not surprising to me as the experience cements relationships and strengthens faith in so many ways.  Being exposed to people from different churches, cultures, and socio-economic backgrounds stretches our youth as does traveling together in ways that some have not experienced (almost half of our youth last year had never flown before and at least half this year have never traveled by train before...even some of the adults haven't).

If you still have doubts about the value of our mission trips, please join us on Sunday, August 12, 2012, following the 10:00 am worship service for our Mission Trip Celebration.  You can hear from our students directly about the impact the trip had on them.

Thank you for continuing to invest in our youth!

Mission Trip Meeting

First, thank you to everyone who was able to be at church this morning for the blessing of the mission trip travelers. I appreciate your effort to be a part of worship to allow the congregation to see who is going on the trip. Thank you to the congregation for your warm send off! Our pre-trip meeting will be held this evening from 6 to 8 pm at Plymouth Congregational Church because our church building still doesn't have power. You can park in Trinity English's lot at Fairfield and Wayne and enter the glass doors on the left side of Plymouth as you are facing it. Dinner will be served. Parents are asked to attend so that they are informed about the trip as well!