Showing posts with label Trip Updates. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Trip Updates. Show all posts
Sunday, January 04, 2009
Friday, January 02, 2009
Monday, November 19, 2007
Headed Home
I'm headed back to Manchester today, its was a great conference. Hanging out with 5500 youth pastors is quite an experience. I heard some heartbreaking stories, hilarious stories, and a few that were a bit disturbing. The theme of the conference was definitely the power of stories, which was pretty cool since that has been something i have been dealing with a lot lately. I'm excited to get back and hear what stories have happened in your life recently.
A quick funny story: My friend Chase and I were talking to a homeless man who was following us asking for money. Chase told him he would go to McDonald's and order him whatever he wanted. After a somewhat frustrating conversation about why this man was not allowed to enter the McDonald's (basically its bad for business) the man gave us his order... he asked Chase for 50 chicken nuggets. Chase's eyes got pretty wide, but as the man reminded him, Chase told him whatever he wanted was his. So after ordering 50 chicken nuggets and bringing them out to Jerome (who looked absolutely shocked that he had been handed so many nuggets) we went to a diner and listened to people sing badly on the karaoke machine. Lots of fun. Lots of nuggets. Hopefully we didn't give cause Jerome to have a heart attack.
A quick funny story: My friend Chase and I were talking to a homeless man who was following us asking for money. Chase told him he would go to McDonald's and order him whatever he wanted. After a somewhat frustrating conversation about why this man was not allowed to enter the McDonald's (basically its bad for business) the man gave us his order... he asked Chase for 50 chicken nuggets. Chase's eyes got pretty wide, but as the man reminded him, Chase told him whatever he wanted was his. So after ordering 50 chicken nuggets and bringing them out to Jerome (who looked absolutely shocked that he had been handed so many nuggets) we went to a diner and listened to people sing badly on the karaoke machine. Lots of fun. Lots of nuggets. Hopefully we didn't give cause Jerome to have a heart attack.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Atlanta --- Day 1--- Bluetooth, Ticket Agents, Jeff (not that Jeff)
I will do my best to give updates on things that are going on here in ATL. The Internet is free in the lobby but $5 every half hour in the room... so I'm in the lobby. Yesterday involved lots of sitting in an airport but God had big plans for it. My flight was supposed to arrive in Philadelphia at 8:15 and didn't get there until 10:00. which didn't bode well for my connection which left at 9:20, so as I settled in for a long stay at the airport waiting for the 3:00 flight to Atlanta I noticed a few things... People on Bluetooth headsets walking through crowds of people or standing in line look crazy. And also that people are really mean to the ticket agents. I watched a guy get so worked up because they wouldn't make a flight appear out of thin air, that he had to be escorted away by security. It works much better if you are nice to people, the lady even let me choose my seat.
Once the much later flight finally began, I realized that there was a reason for all that waiting. That reason was a man named Jeff who was seated next to me. I had every intention of sitting quietly in my seat for two hours when Jeff, and his thick New Jersey accent, began telling details of his life. They ranged from some FAR too intimate details about his personal relationships (and far too much doesn't really do it justice), why he doesn't use match.com to meet women anymore, to his time in the army in the 80s. After lots of hearing his story he asked me a question that I in some ways feared could bring an end to the conversation...;. "What to you do?" I explained what I do and he quickly tried to backtrack on some of the previous details that had been shared. He was visibly shocked when I told him that stuff didn't bother me. He asked me what would make me want to do ministry. It was a big time opportunity to tell my story with this man. We talked a bit about family history, faith, some theological issues he said he flat out doesn't believe. All of this because we were willing to tell each other our own story. He asked me if I did a lot of "preaching at people". It as interesting telling him that I saw far more value in talking with him, hearing about him, and being able to share my journey. I have no idea what lasting results there will be in Jeff's life because of our conversation. All I have is a genuine thanks and a look of curiosity about a faith he admitted he gave up on a long time ago. And while I'm curious about what happens in Jeff's life, I am convinced God gave me the honor being used to get a foot in the door.
Know your story, it is one of the most powerful things the Holy Spirit has given you. I had no idea my story would be used yesterday, but as with all other things, its is not just your story, it is God's story of work within you.
Once the much later flight finally began, I realized that there was a reason for all that waiting. That reason was a man named Jeff who was seated next to me. I had every intention of sitting quietly in my seat for two hours when Jeff, and his thick New Jersey accent, began telling details of his life. They ranged from some FAR too intimate details about his personal relationships (and far too much doesn't really do it justice), why he doesn't use match.com to meet women anymore, to his time in the army in the 80s. After lots of hearing his story he asked me a question that I in some ways feared could bring an end to the conversation...;. "What to you do?" I explained what I do and he quickly tried to backtrack on some of the previous details that had been shared. He was visibly shocked when I told him that stuff didn't bother me. He asked me what would make me want to do ministry. It was a big time opportunity to tell my story with this man. We talked a bit about family history, faith, some theological issues he said he flat out doesn't believe. All of this because we were willing to tell each other our own story. He asked me if I did a lot of "preaching at people". It as interesting telling him that I saw far more value in talking with him, hearing about him, and being able to share my journey. I have no idea what lasting results there will be in Jeff's life because of our conversation. All I have is a genuine thanks and a look of curiosity about a faith he admitted he gave up on a long time ago. And while I'm curious about what happens in Jeff's life, I am convinced God gave me the honor being used to get a foot in the door.
Know your story, it is one of the most powerful things the Holy Spirit has given you. I had no idea my story would be used yesterday, but as with all other things, its is not just your story, it is God's story of work within you.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Saturday, July 28, 2007
We're Back
Though we weren't sure we were going to make it out of Charlotte last night we are back in NH. Thanks to all of you for your prayers. I'd also like thank Chase Willsey publicly for allowing me to call him every night and give him updates for this blog. For those of you who went on the trip don't forget that Youthworks is creating a Facebook page dedicated to the trip. I will post pictures here and on the Facebook page as quickly as possible. Again, thanks to all those who helped make this a great trip!
-Adam
-Adam
Friday, July 27, 2007
Day 5 - Wrappin' Up
Well, we wrapped everything up yesterday. We said goodbye to the kids and finished the house we were painting. Last night, a local church cooked dinner for all of us and we got to experience some great cajun gumbo. As one student put it, "I give the day two thumbs up."
Today, we will be hanging out at a local park and our flight leaves at 5:00 P.M.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Today, the obvious prayer request is for safe travel home. We fly through North Carolina and are looking forward to seeing ya'll soon.
God bless.
Today, we will be hanging out at a local park and our flight leaves at 5:00 P.M.
Thank you so much for all of your prayers. Today, the obvious prayer request is for safe travel home. We fly through North Carolina and are looking forward to seeing ya'll soon.
God bless.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Day 4 Continued
We also wanted to let you know that the food has been good, as has the weather. It is hot and muggy, but the rain is holding off.
Thank you for all of your prayers.
God bless.
Thank you for all of your prayers.
God bless.
Day 4
Well, we have had another great day in Houma, LA. Yesterday, the teams switched roles. If they had been painting houses the first couple of days, they are doing children's clubs and visiting the elderly and vise versa.
Last night, we also went and worshipped with a local youth group. And following that we had a debrief of the day where one student asked, "How can we take this home with us?" Both the worship and the spirit of service that exists here.
Today is our last full day serving. The program ends tomorrow morning, though we will not leave until tomorrow night.
Prayer requests:
1.) That students would take this home with them.
2.) good attitudes would prevail
3.) Perseverance as we near the end and fatigue tries to set in.
4.) That people would see Jesus in us.
5.) That students lives would be impacted forever because of their time with Youth Works in Houma, LA.
God bless,
Adam & Chase
Last night, we also went and worshipped with a local youth group. And following that we had a debrief of the day where one student asked, "How can we take this home with us?" Both the worship and the spirit of service that exists here.
Today is our last full day serving. The program ends tomorrow morning, though we will not leave until tomorrow night.
Prayer requests:
1.) That students would take this home with them.
2.) good attitudes would prevail
3.) Perseverance as we near the end and fatigue tries to set in.
4.) That people would see Jesus in us.
5.) That students lives would be impacted forever because of their time with Youth Works in Houma, LA.
God bless,
Adam & Chase
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Day 2
Hey everyone, sorry for not getting to this last night.
For the last couple of days we have been split into two teams. The first of the two has been painting. Today they completed the first home which was started on Monday and started and completed a second home today.
The other team has done a kids club with underpriviledged children on Monday and today visited a nursing home in the area. Today, they also got exposed to life in government housing projects, allowing them to see a reality different from theirs back home.
And tomorrow, the two teams will switch.
Tonight, a pastor spoke about poverty here in Louisianna. He challenged the students to think about poverty, not just as a lack of money, but why it exists. What are the reasons that people stay in such a setting? Much of the time was spent talking about the Acadia tribe of Native Americans that is here. Students were interested to also here about the relationship these people have with the land and how dependent they are on their surroundings.
Prayer Requests:
1.) Continued positive attitudes
2.) perseverance inspite of fatigue
3.) And that the people we are serving would see Christ in us.
*By the way, these posts are being transcribed by none other than, Adam's best friend from college Chase Willsey. God bless!
For the last couple of days we have been split into two teams. The first of the two has been painting. Today they completed the first home which was started on Monday and started and completed a second home today.
The other team has done a kids club with underpriviledged children on Monday and today visited a nursing home in the area. Today, they also got exposed to life in government housing projects, allowing them to see a reality different from theirs back home.
And tomorrow, the two teams will switch.
Tonight, a pastor spoke about poverty here in Louisianna. He challenged the students to think about poverty, not just as a lack of money, but why it exists. What are the reasons that people stay in such a setting? Much of the time was spent talking about the Acadia tribe of Native Americans that is here. Students were interested to also here about the relationship these people have with the land and how dependent they are on their surroundings.
Prayer Requests:
1.) Continued positive attitudes
2.) perseverance inspite of fatigue
3.) And that the people we are serving would see Christ in us.
*By the way, these posts are being transcribed by none other than, Adam's best friend from college Chase Willsey. God bless!
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Day 1
We have arrived in Houma, LA!!! Tonight, we all did some orientation and learned about the ministries that we will be helping with. There are two areas that we will be serving. One is an inner city apartment complex and the other is painting houses Shrimper's Row.
We get started tomorrow at 7:00 A.M. and will work till 3:30 P.M.
After work, we will get cleaned up, have some dinner and do a walking swamp tour.
We will do our best to keep everyone back in New Hampshire as informed as we can.
Prayer Needs:
Unity in our group...
Positive R.F.A. (ready for anything) attitude...
And a willingness to serve, no matter the need.
We get started tomorrow at 7:00 A.M. and will work till 3:30 P.M.
After work, we will get cleaned up, have some dinner and do a walking swamp tour.
We will do our best to keep everyone back in New Hampshire as informed as we can.
Prayer Needs:
Unity in our group...
Positive R.F.A. (ready for anything) attitude...
And a willingness to serve, no matter the need.
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