Saturday, August 1, 2009

Project Complete: Final Reflections

Well now that I am finally home I have been able to think back on the summer and reflect on all the memories. The last week and a half was chaotic but it all payed off when kids shared what they were before and how they have changed. At the end there were at least 100 kids up on stage shaing how their lives had been changed as a result of the summer program. It made all of our hard work and preparation worthwhile. My last night I stayed up until about 3am with some of the kids I had grown closest to and we talked about how they would keep their relationship with God on fire. Then they all told me what I meant to them and how I had helped them grow over the summer. It was truly amazing to see how God had worked on their lives. I want to thank all of you for your prayer and financial support this summer. I could not have done this without your support.

Saturday, July 18, 2009

Yesterday was the last day before all the staff and students arrive for all Staff Training Getaway. I cant believe that the four weeks we spent so long planning are already done. For our last meeting we had kids stand up and say things that they learned. I never understood my youth pastors when they would say that hearing positive feedback is the most rewarding part of the job until now. It was truly amazing to hear what the kids had learned. I had kids coming up to me and saying thank you for being a leader. I enjoyed most when the kid I am discipling told me how much he enjoyed our time.
On Monday we have about 4oo more kids coming so please pray that the next stage of this project will be a success. Talk to you later

Saturday, July 11, 2009

Ministry in Action

The kid with me in both of the pictures is Mark Bentley, a student I am discipiling. He is one cool guy and a strong man of God. I have been learning as much from him as he has learned from me. We have been spending a lot of time together.

I am honored to have opportunities like this. I also lead a small group which I have gotten the opportunity to both teach and learn from. We have been talking a lot about the lies that the world tells us. Please pray for me in the weeks to come. Talk to you soon.

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

The past week has been pretty cool. The college students who will be serving with us on the summer project arrived this past weekend to help us as more kids come in and the program expands -- each week our numbers grow as more CCC staff arrive with their kids. I am getting along pretty well with most of the new leaders -- some more than others but that is natural.

We as a leadership team spent last weekend in Winter Park getting to know each other and learning what it means to be a leader. The firework show for the 4th of July was pretty spectacular.

On Tuesday we went to Water World, the biggest water park in Denver. Today we had a guys/girls time where the guy leaders spoke to the girls and the girl leaders talk to the guys. It was pretty cool to answer some of the questions the girls had for us. After that we did some street evangelism where the senior high went to Boulder and the junior high went to Estes Park. It was pretty cool to see the Holy Spirit work in the hearts of some of the people we talked to. I will keep you up to date about more of the stuff that happens in the weeks to come.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

Photos from Six Flags and Extreme Challenge
















What A Week.....

This week has been sooo awesome but so exhausting at the same time. On Monday the Senior High students did a service project while the Middle Schoolers did "Extreme Challenge", which I would most compare to American Gladiator. I was impressed with the attitude of the Senior High students as about 95% of them showed up for the project.

Tuesday was real cool because we got to go to Six Flags Elitch Gardens in Denver. We were only there for a few hours but got to ride all of the major rides.

Today was so rewarding. We had a guy's only time in our morning session. We discussed relationships with father/son, brother/brother, brother/sister and best friends. It was so awesome to see at least 10 of the guys drawn to tears during the talk. I was blown away at all the Holy Spirit was doing in the room. After that the Senior High students got to do the Extreme Challenge. I had a total blast on that. I just got done with that and I could use a good nap -- but I've got to hit the gym first to maintain my figure. Talk to you soon

Monday, June 29, 2009

A Typical Week







In a typical week, mornings are spent in a large group Bible session. Afternoons are filled with small group studies. Evenings often consist of some type of activity -- pictures are of students participating in "crazy bowling". Weekends are a time to relax and enjoy the great outdoors in Colorado.

Thursday, June 25, 2009

This week has been very busy. Today I went whitewater rafting again, this time with the kids, for a couple of hours in the morning. After that I had lunch with my small group which consists of a few 10th and 11th graders. Later today, my group is going to preview a movie by the makers of the movie "Fireproof" geared toward teenagers. That should be pretty cool. I have to teach the main message to all the students tomorrow. I'm nervous, but it should go well. I'm going to talk on John 13 and Jesus washing the disciples feet. Please pray for me about that.

Monday, June 22, 2009

Students Arrive - First Day of Meetings and Activities


What an awesome day. Our meetings and activities started today with nearly 70 students participating - the number of students will grow each week with the largest numbers being the last 10 days of July.
I had the privilege of sharing my testimony with the entire group. Everything went well and the students seemed to enjoy the time together. We broke into small groups in the morning so that the students could get to know each other better. We had games in the afternoon.
Thanks so much for your prayers -- God really moved.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

The CSU 2009 Leadership Team

Yesterday we visited Rocky Mountain National Park. This was most likely the most beautiful place I have ever been to in my life. We got up to an elevation of 12,080 ft at the highest point of the park. I was amazed at how much snow was still left up on the mountains. There were parts which had at least 4ft of snow still left. We got to see yellow bellied marmots -- which look a lot like gophers -- and a few male elk.

Today, we did whitewater rafting on the Poudre River which was amazing. The river had 13 class 3 rapids and two class 4 rapids and we hit them all. I had so much fun -- it was a real adrenaline rush.

Next week the program starts and our meetings begin. We get to see all of our prepartion and hard work pay off. I 'm really looking forward to this but I'm also nervous because I have to speak next Friday to all the kids about an aspect of God's love. Please pray for my presentation and that God would work in the lives of the teens we come in contact with.

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Estes Park, Colorado











Preparing to go caving


Yesterday was pretty sweet. We went to Estes Park to meet up with Mark Zieler at the Midwest Getaway (outreach project)for Student Venture. From there we went off to find this cave called The Crack. In our genius we went to find the cave at 11pm with only one flashlight. We ended up climbing to the top of a random mountain searching for it. Although we couldn't find it I was able to experience one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen. The sky looked like a swirl of watercolors and mystery. The night sky makes me realize God is truly an artist.

Friday, June 12, 2009

The Team Performing Community Service in Ft. Collins


Its been real busy here. We have been doing lots of community service before all the students arrive. We developed some sweet plans for the students this summer. I'm real excited about it because I see the Lord's hand at work in our decisions. We designed a sweet tee shirt today that I'm real stoked about. I'm exhausted but so pysched about what God is doing. I'm missing VA but I really do love it here in Colorado. Talk to you soon

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Colorado is truly God's country. I am loving my time here. On Sunday I got to check out Brett's church Forefront which I do have to say is pretty awesome. I experience more faith at that church than any I have before in my life. After that he took me to Red Rocks which is the most beautiful place I have ever seen. At the top of the ampitheatre you can truly see as far as the eye can see. I love it so much here. I just got in to where I will be staying for the next 2 months. I will keep you updated in the days to come.

Saturday, June 6, 2009

This whole experience seems very sureal to me at the moment. I never really expected this to come. It was one of those things that you look forward to but it feels like it will never happen. I leave today around 5pm to fly to Colorado where I will be able to hang out with my old youth pastors Brett Crimmel and Josh Chapman. I am really excited about that because I have not been able to see them in a year. They were the two that really helped me grow in my relationship with Christ. I am so excited for this whole experience to start. I will continue to keep you updated on what happens in the days to come.

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sunday, April 12, 2009

Well today I created this blog where I will be able to communicate with everyone about the impact of my savior Jesus Christ on my life and the lives of others this summer in Colorado. I am so stoked for this summer where I will be surrounded by fellow beleivers and be able to serve the Lord. This is pretty cool.