An Audience of One

Today was the last official outreach of Bridgebuilders 2009 - our outreach to Mechanicsville Christian Center, where we began. As you can probably tell, I now have full internet access and my apologies to all the blog followers for the lack of updates since last Tuesday...but, between having to use my Blackberry and the rigorous schedule God planned for us, there just was not adequate time to post all that has happened.

Since Tuesday, when we were at the farm, the BB team has been part of so many outreaches in Auburn and Syracuse. There was the Mercy Rehab Center, which had family groups come almost every day to dance and talk to residents there. Many of them were in wheel chairs, but our kids were awesome at getting right in there and just being a friendly face and companion. One of our kids actually prayed the salvation prayer with an elderly woman who said she "didn't have any friends." She met the best friend of all that day - Jesus. We shared cupcakes and juice, danced, ministered with puppets and just tried to be the light of Christ.

Then there was the Rescue Mission in Syracuse. My family group went for an entire day, while others went for partial days. We cleared a very long fence of lots of brush and vines - a lot of hard, sweaty work. We showered there (yay for private showers for the boys), ate lunch then worked the rest of the day serving dinner (a few hundred meals) and in their mail room helping them stuff their Christmas mailers. I can still hear the table of boys beat boxing while they stuffed!

A couple of family groups did a work project at Destiny Church - which turned into a 2+ day project to complete, largely due to some very stubborn wallpaper that needed to be removed.

Then there was the day we went out to do homeless ministry with Mr. Bennett. He took the Hart / Fowler group out, armed with pbj sandwiches, water bottles and a map of Syracuse. As we worshipped to music and began praying over this map, one by one our kids got a word from the Lord. "Pickwick Street," followed by "Apple and banana" and then finally "Jim." We took the long way to Pickwick Street by way of a huge park where our first block party was to have been the night before, but it was cancelled due to rain. On this morning, however, it was sunny and there was a group of boys playing hoops. So we "faked lunch" as Mr. B called it - we took our sandwiches and cooler out to the park and just started hanging out. The next thing you know, all the boys are eating, having a cool drink and listening to Mr. Hart share the gospel through his illusion skills. Then Adam and Kendall joined in a game of hoops, while some of us talked with other kids in the park. At the end of it all, a boy named Joey stayed back just to hear a little more about why we were there. Outreach right there in the park.

Finally, it was off to Pickwick Street. Two blocks long, fairly neat houses, not much to get excited about. We went to the cul de sac and got out in two groups to start praying. We were trying so hard to "figure out" what God was speaking to us...did that house look red like a tomato? Should we knock on the door? We spoke to a woman who was peeking from her doorway, but she didn't need prayer. We went further, praying. Brittany Cousins, who had the word for the street, declared "I just want to know why God sent us here!" So we all agreed with her and prayed that God would show us.

A little further, we asked a man sitting in his garage if he needed prayer...nope, he was good, he said. As we neared the front end of the street, where it intersected with the main road, all of us felt we should proceed to a store. In the small strip was a barber shop and an antique store, so we proceeded to the antique store. We buzzed the security button and entered, to find two men behind the counter. Brittany told them we were here to see if they needed prayer. One man, Lou, said "he was good"...a common theme on that street. The other man asked if we would pray because his mom had just died and his dad was not doing so well. "What's your name?" I asked. "Jim," he replied. I cannot really describe our reaction other than to say we suddenly KNEW we were having a very big God moment. As Brittany cried, I explained how we got there through prayer. After we prayed with him, as we were leaving Brittany told us that in the back of his store, on a table, was a plate filled with tomatoes and bananas. At that point, we all began jumping up and down and ran to tell the other group who was around the corner near the barber shop. Brittany grabbed Beth's hand to take her to meet Jim...that was her word from God. She cried, we all cried, and we rejoiced. Jim ended up coming out of the store to the van to talk with us, and he ended up giving us $60 toward whatever we wanted to do. We told him we would give it away and he smiled. When Jack Hart asked him how this affected him, to know God specifically directed a group of young people to his street, his store, himself just to lift up his needs in prayer, Jim said it encouraged him to be bolder in sharing his faith. As we debriefed in the van with Mitch, he reminded us that God chose this moment to show us very specifically that He is in our midst and He wanted to increase our faith.

The next day, our group had a very frustrating day working at the Chapel House, a homeless shelter in Auburn that had just gotten off the ground in January. We were supposed to paint, but nothing was going right. There were no supplies, and the room was too small for all of us to be in. We were impatient and just not getting things done. As we dedicated ourselves to cleaning the room and doing some other odd jobs in lieu of the painting, some of us were struck with the idea to give the $60 from Jim to this shelter. As we were leaving, we presented the $60 to Sandi at the shelter and Brittany told her the story of how we came to have that money. She was so delighted and thankful. I think we all realized that our purpose at the shelter that day was to see their need and give them that money...it wasn't really to paint, but to experience some of their pain and frustration and be a blessing. And the story will go on...we know that.

On Friday, we ended the week with a block party in Syracuse. Some might say it was unsuccessful because there weren't a lot of people there. But I know that there was at least one boy who prayed to accept Jesus for the first time. I know that a young man named Brandon, who I met in Syracuse at the Starbucks the day of the Rescue Mission, brought his small team of youth there to "see what Bridgebuilders was doing"...you see, he is part of a very young church called Missio Church...and they are all about a missional vision. I know for our team, they all got to dance together and experience ministry together as one big family. And I know that we made connections and impact that may only be revealed in Heaven. And we were all reminded that in everything, we have an "audience of One."

Worship at the farm

All of the team helped at the Matthew 25 farm today. We picked lots of lettuce,cabbage and green beans. We weeded, planted and prayed for the tomato crop affected by blight. As we surrounded the field and prayed, we sang and lifted up a song of unity...so sweet to sing "great big .god-o" and see our brothers and sisters doing the motions!

After hot showers courtesy of the YMCA, we went to Auburn AG for evening worship. God's presence was full and sweet and we all took a great big drink. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers as we remember that everything we do is for an audience of One.

Can it be Tuesday already?

So we are all heading to the Matthew 25 farm to pick vegetables. Everything grow on the farm goes to feed the poor and needy in the Syracuse area. We will also be serving the farm by weeding, mowing, etc.

Yesterday our groups split up. One group went out for homeless ministry while the rest of the team divided between the church in Syracuse and the church where we are sleeping. We scraped and painted exterior doors and windows, scraped wallpaper, painted some more and cleaned a lot. Our kids also had fun practicing their outreach dances. Then it was off to see the Syracuse Chiefs baseball game...what a blast. Thw entire team cheered, ate cotton candy and funnel cake, bought foam fingers and even caught a rogue foul ball!

Tonight we will be going to Auburn AG to worship. Our family groups are awesome...God is working in ul to know more of His crazy love for us, and we are all learning his to "do hard things"...all for His gory!

One Big Family

Today we worshiped at our two host churches and shared the "Victory" dance. Our kids did a great job showing enthusiasm while dancing in small spaces. Thw group at Destiny had the treat of meeting Mr. And Mrs. Simile, pastor Dave's parents. The other group was able to work with the kids, doing games, puppets and generally having a blast. After lunch it was off to a huge lake park where we had a great afternoon. Playground fun, riding bikes, feeding birds, riding a tram, a very extreme game of "steal the bacon"...followed by the largest duck, duck, goose circle I have ever seen! We finished our night with worship and hanging out...family time. Time for all Bridgebuilders to be asleep. Now if only I can find some wifi tomorrow!

Good Morning New York!

We made it! We all got here last night, safe and sound. After dividing up into our sleeping areas, air mattresses were inflated and sleep followed. We have had breakfast and are going to head out to two different church services. Pictures will be posted if I can find a wifi connection. Thanks for keeping this team covered in prayer!

We're on the road!

It's about 11:30 and we are headed to NY. The morning has been super busy and the vans are loaded with people, backpacks, pillows, coolers and everything that would not fit in the box truck. Yes, we are loaded up! We had an awesome outreach last night at the Robinson Theater...thanks to everyone who came out and served, prayed and helped out. Please pray for the team as we drive toward what God has prepared for us. I will update as I can, depending on internet connections!

Day Five - Commissioning

Today was another packed day, with worship, quiet time, ministry prep, dance practice, teaching...and commissioning.

Our teaching time was especially relevant and annointed and Pastor Matt Hoole and his wife, Andrea, shared straight from their heart about "doing small things." We were all reminded and exhorted to do the small things, knowing God sees all, even if man does not. That in doing the small things, we are taking steps to create the future God has planned for us.

Our evening highlight was the commissioning of adults and students. We broke into three groups (2 family groups each), and the core leadership prayed over each adult, and then in turn all leaders prayed over each student. God brought specific, significant words for each person - words for outreach as well as personal growth in the relationship we share with our Creator. Each one of us brings something to the table. Each one of us is being changed, shaped, and molded every day and our overriding prayer is "Lord, have Your way."

Tomorrow, we are all doing a block party outreach at The Robinson Theater from 5-7pm. This will be a "dress rehearsal" for the ministry planned in New York. Come, serve, be part of this amazing bridge building event.

Praying for a restful, deep sleep tonight for all our team members. Please pray for the team as we have had a couple of students not feeling well, a few sore muscles and one young girl who had to get her tooth pulled today - Sara Reutti. She, her mom and her brother are here for their first time and we are praying for a healing touch for Sara and strength and peace for Mrs. Reutti and Ryan.

PICTURES!

Here are some pictures from tonight's worship service as well as yesterday's activities. Hope you enjoy a snapshot of what we are doing. We are thankful for keeping the team in prayer as we get closer to leaving for New York and reaching out to the Syracuse and Albany communities.

Our God is SO BIG!

Man's love is so small.

Worship after the commissioning service tonight.

Great Big God-O!

Some family group time at the Clements' Pool!

This morning, the "confession" station (brown paper) from last night along with the burdens we laid down which were nailed to the cross were part of our morning worship and quiet time.

The foot washing station - bringing us into humility with one another.

Raegan Doise and Kendall

The Simpson family group after the scavenger hunt!

Hi, I'm Melinda and I'd like you to meet someone who looks like my twin - my daughter, Erin (one of the items on the scavenger hunt)

Beth Martin, aka the mummy wrapped in toilet paper.

The Hart / Fowler family group pyramid on Pastor Matt's front yard!

Hattie and Noah making sandwiches for homeless outreach.

PBJ's for the homeless.

The Zook family group, taking a photo with an ex-bridgebuilder (Rachel Hammond - now Rachel Matthews!) - a scavenger hunt item.

Colin King eating a pickle sundae - scavenger hunt yumminess!

Posing with a mascot - Chuck E Cheese!

Zook Family Group time!

Chakia and Kourtney!

Day Four - awesomeness!

My apologies for posting this morning, but yesterday was such a full day! A big shout out to all the people volunteering at meal times - we have been very well fed! So Wednesday's highlights included one of the best scavenger hunts of all time during family group time. All the family groups got a list of items to find, then we piled into the vans and took off. There was a time limit, a spending limit and of course...the reminder that we are representing Jesus. Thanks to all the MCC pastors who allowed us to invade your yards to make human pyramids and take pictures, your homes, borrow toilet paper and rubber duckies, old pennies, used bars of soap, take out menus, condiment packets, and abandoned bird's nests. Teams ate pickle sundaes, stuffed twinkies, sang songs to a store clerk, posed with mannequins, photographed road kill, took pics with police officers and their cars, found someone that looked like a twin, and found and photographed the elusive ex-Bridgebuilder. Creativity was rampant as teams found the "biggest item that would fit in their van" including tents, a huge long string of quilts, and almost a shopping cart. The life size cardboard cutout was a challenge - why does 7-11 throw those things away anyway?

Well, after all that competitive fun, it was time to make a sharp left turn transition and go into our worship service for the night. Worship with a twist. We went on a prayer walk through the church as we encountered stations following the verse 1John 1:9. We confessed our sins, and then we laid our burdens down. Two completely different ideas, really. Sin separates, burdens weigh us down and distract or discourage. Then there was the foot washing station, humbling yourself before your family group. Next, we each experienced a physical demonstration of what it means to do our part - whether big or small - as we chose different lengths of rope and tied them together, forming a long strand. Unified in process and form. The next station was a reminder of the cross, Jesus's complete and total sacrifice for us, and His request to have the same from us - everything. As we contemplated this great exchange, we ended with a time of communion in the sanctuary by candle light. Each family group processed at a pace dictated only by the Holy Spirit. No one was quick to leave His presence.

The night finally concluded with Krispy Kreme donuts for everyone. The original plan was to take everyone there, but the Holy Spirit had other ideas and the lingering presence of the worship service changed our plans slightly as we picked them up and brought them back for everyone to enjoy.

Pictures will follow in another post!

Day Three - Family Groups Getting in the Groove

Good Evening! As we wind down day 3 of Bridgebuilders boot camp, the family groups are starting to come into their own community. Today began with some sleepy teens! Let's just say the 6:00 am showers were a little less crowded...breakfast was awesome, followed by morning worship and quiet time, and then the morning teaching by Mitch Bennett.

After lunch, it ws time for more choreography! They are learning some new songs, and one has a percussion part, so the students 14 and up broke into 2 groups and learned the deep, bass rhythym as well as the faster counterpart.

Before dinner, it was time for a "friendly" game of dodgeball!

Mr. Bennett and Mr. Patterson - two great minds and tender hearts for Bridgebuilders!

Alex and Daniel giving it all they got!

Alright, now it's your turn Colin!

After dinner, it was family group time. A couple groups went swimming. The Tim Matthews / Donna Susenbach group had another idea...nerf wars at Pastor Carter's house. Oh yeah.

The Jack Hart / Joanna Fowler Hart family group took a different approach - homeless ministry with Mr. Bennett. We went to Kanawha Park and talked to Mr. Tanner and Sam. A couple of the students shared and prayed with them. Then we went to Monroe Park and encountered a whole group of folks, all happy to get a sandwich, a bottle of water, a smile and a prayer. For some of the team, it was their first experience with homeless ministry...I doubt it will be their last.

Making the sandwiches, assembly line style

Lauren played chess in the park with John. Who knew that would be a way to connect?

Okay, time for a night worship time. Wow. God is speaking to us, meeting us right where we are at, and letting us know that He is there, He is present, He is constant.

Once a bridgebuilder, always a bridgebuilder. Leave it to the people who used to be teens to come up with the gross teen time activity of "drink what I put in the blender." And they did. But they got to wash it all down with root beer floats afterward - thanks Anna and Fish!

Day Two - so this is boot camp!

Some girl time in one of the rooms



Lauren Cole, we love you!

Donnie!

First family group time

I now present...our centerpiece!

Love, peace and breakfast!

Girls being girls

Showers at 6:00 am for the girls...check. Cereal, banana and english muffin for breakfast...check. Get out of my comfort zone? Wait a minute...for real? Yep, our teaching sessions started today with Pastor Daniel Susenbach encouraging us to "Take that first scary step" and increase our comfort zone. We all identified ourselves inside the fences of fear, pride, apathy and selfishness. And we were reminded that God's number one concern is not my comfort, but His Kingdom.

Ministry prep followed, and many faces were painted!

After lunch, began the (drum roll please)...choreography. Everyone was awesome as they learned the dance moves to the songs.

Look at me - I'm dancing!

I've got the victory!

Our evening worship time concluded with just a sweet lingering of the Holy Spirit, as students and leaders shared their heart - for this generation, the generations to come, and all people. Love God, love people. Amen.