Day 2. People watching with a purpose

Today's activities were focused on a neighborhood community event here in Minneapolis called "Party in the Park", hosted by the Minneapolis Park District down the street from our host church.

This morning was spent setting up tents, tables, chairs and the like. Everyone mucked in to once again prove that famous line "Many hands make light work".

Tonight's event drew an estimated 4000 people just out with their families for some fun and fresh air.  Abi and I found ourselves selling tickets for kids activities.... And we were busy.

I don't know about you, but I'm fascinated by people, and at the risk of being nosey, I love to watch how people interact and act at an event like that. There was a huge variety of people, clearly from all walks of life. Some with kids. Some in wheelchairs. Many with bikes. Lots with food. Some frazzled. Many smiling. All there, I would assume, because they wanted to enjoy a beautiful evening out.

As I observed, I was reminded of the verse in Matthew 9.36. When he [Jesus] saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

As already mentioned, I love to people watch, but over time I've learned an important boundary. i.e. not to assume I  know more about a person than I really do.

For example, just because someone looks well dressed, it doesn't mean they're wealthy. Or just because someone seems frazzled with their kid, it doesn't mean they're necessarily a bad parent.

One thing we can be sure of though, is that all people no matter their appearance have a God shaped void that only Jesus can fill through the love and compassion of the saints. It felt meaningful to experience that today.

Sandy (for Abi too)

Day 1. A ruckus in the sanctuary

First day down....and it was no warm up. We were straight in with activities after a leisurely ride up to the twin cities.

First thing was to gather as a group and pray for our time. Set the stage. Get perspective. See the big picture.

Father, please use us this week to bless people and glorify you, in spite of our weaknesses and blind spots. We are your servants.

After that we went into the local neighborhoods and distributed leaflets about upcoming outreach activities in the next few days and weeks. Fun to do that with Abi.

After getting acquainted with our fellow MTTCrs over Sloppy Joes, we went upstairs into the church sanctuary to join 300 clients from the local Teen Challenge program for a time of worship. Un... believable.

Vibrant. Passionate. Engaged. Uninhibited. Encouraging. Diverse. Loud. Roof-raisin'. This was truly some holy hootin and hollerin.  God was smiling over us tonight.

It had to be one of the most genuine, fun filled, joyful worship services I've ever attended. Folk there knew that Christ had changed their life and they weren't afraid to shout it from the rooftops ...or the pews in this case.

The 7 testimonies reinforced the unexplainable supernatural regeneration that most of these folk had experienced.

Now I'm excited about what tomorrow will bring.

Goodnight friends. Thanks again for joining us in prayer.

Sandy (for Abigail too)

PS. I'm having technical issues with the inclusion of photos in my blog posts. I'll attempt to add them later when I get home. Thanks for your patience.

Greater things have yet to come

I was working on my basement over the weekend and had Pandora playing in the background. Of course I wasn't listening to every lyric that left the cheap speakers behind me. Perhaps you, like me, enjoy a little background music while you're working?

I felt compelled to look up and listen when this song came up.  Take a moment to watch and listen:

http://youtu.be/d61LamkXfwk

Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done here

Abigail and I aren't going to the Twin Cities because of what we have to offer, but because of what God can do through his people.  Furthermore, we aren't God's people because of anything we've done either....but because of His mercy "in this...that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us".

We will simply go, as we are...because he is greater...and we believe that greater things are still to be done in St Paul/Minneapolis, and in every City.

For His Glory,

Sandy (for Abigail too)

Following innocently.

After the business of a jam packed Thursday, I sat on the edge of Abigail's bed to tuck her in and say good night.  I asked her about her day and mentioned that Mission to the City is less than a week away now.  It's impossible to describe in words how her eyes got bigger...a smile of anticipation and excitement emerging on her face. 

I forget sometimes that kids don't pay attention to maps and schedules like we adults obsessively do.  She asked me "Where are we going again?"  "Minneapolis", I replied.  "I thought we were going to Minnesota?"  "We are - Minneapolis/St Paul is in Minnesota - It's called the twin cities".  "Ooohhhh - I get it", she smiled.  "Is it a big place?"...she had no idea.

I delighted in her innocence.  She was asking out of curiosity and wonder.  Not because she needed to know.  I thought about how she and I will experience our trip together.  I will be the one driving.  I will be her chaperone, her guide, her source of information when she's confused about what happens next, about what she should take with her to each destination.  I'll even double check that she has packed her toothbrush.  She will rely on me for making sure we're at the right place at the right time.  Our experiences will be different from that perspective.  Kids aren't always thinking ahead like adults need to. 

In a similar way, I thought about how we will rely on our heavenly father for His leading on our trip.  Perhaps not to interpret a map or schedule...but how our interactions with people will need his guidance.  How He will need to set me off in the right frame of mind each day...We'll be serving "under the shadow of His wing" - with Him as our guide...so we can look back...in wonder, excitement and awe at how everything has been taken care of...just like my 9 year old Abigail.

Thanks for joining us on the journey.  See you next time.

Sandy (for Abigail too)

More information on MTTC is available at: http://www.theurbanrefuge.com/mttc/main/about_mttc

10 days to kickoff

Good evening friends.  Thanks for checking in.

Appreciate your interest in what I hope will be a life changing experience for Abigail and I.  We have signed up with our churchplant (www.regencr.com) born out of www.newlifecr.com to travel to the Twin Cities, MN to join www.theurbanrefuge.com/ for a project called Mission to the City.  We'll be leaving in 10 days for about 4 days of service and missions work.

Why?  A number of reasons:

1. Missions trips that I've been on in the past have had a profound influence in my life - in helping me step back and experience God's power working through me in a fresh way.
2. Abigail (the oldest of my 5 children) will be joining me.  I'm praying that she will experience the "missions bug" and start to form an excitement and passion for missions work.
3. It's been a while since I went on a short term missions trip.  It's simply time to do it again.

So, I'm inviting you to join Abigail and I on this journey into a little of the unknown, and see what God has in store.  Shall we make a deal?  I promise to keep the posts short, if you commit to praying for Abigail and I.

Not because we want our experience to be trouble-free - but because this is a key opportunity for God to work in both our lives...and I'm ready for that afresh.  Thanks.

Sandy (for Abigail too)