Pictures from Mission to the City

As promised, here are some pictures of our time.  Of course, I can't recreate how special and meaningful our time was through just images like these, but hopefully, you'll get the idea...

Thanks again for joining us on the journey...

New Life/Regeneration Churches meeting to start the convoy up to MN

We were hosted by www.theurbanrefuge.com.  

A great church and wonderful people.

Abi figured out how to get there.

Our uniform for the week.

 We manned water-balloon catapults during the festivals in local parks....

...and poured a concrete pad for a bike rack at the church.  =0)

Again.  A wonderful time, and a great way to be reminded again of God's heart and power.  Looking forward to next year.  I hope you can join us.

Sandy (for Abigail too)

Day 5. Worship and Home

Our trip wrapped up with a worship service this morning at The Urban Refuge, our host church for the last 5 days.  Great energy in the worship service and a great sermon by visiting pastor Brent Know on "Breaking Free From the Power of Sin".  Great perspective.  Convicting, yet practical.  You can hear it here...http://www.evergreenchurchmedia.com/uploads/audio/Urban_08-03-14.mp3

After saying goodbye to the friends we'd made this past week, we hit the road.  Tired, but content.  Once again reminded that we serve a God who is bigger than our dreams, more powerful than our fear and more passionate than our desires to see lost people saved.  He was working these last few days.  We were just tools in his hands.

On the pensive 4.5 hours home, I began to imagine what a MTTC project could do in Cedar Rapids.  What could happen if God pulled together a team, right here in our home town?  Perhaps next year?

Keeping it short again this evening.  Up for work at 6am tomorrow morning.  I'll continue to share over the next few days, as we transition back into real life again...just with a refreshed perspective on our role in the daily grind.

Sandy.

Day 4. Collapsing and Contemplative

Well. Here we are. The last night of our trip....and I don't remember the last time I was this tired. We've worked our tails off the last 3 days and we're exhausted. But its a ”good tired”.

This morning was spent as a course marshal on a children's triathlon event here in town. You can read more about it here.   http://www.miraclesofmitch.org/page/show/489303-miraclekids-triathlon

Great event. Kinda makes me wish I was a kids again.

It felt meaningful to shout out to the young riders from the side of the road, especially the ones with beet red faces bringing up the rear. I was one of those kids once and know how it feels to be left in the dust of our more naturally athletic counterparts.  I had my bike with me and was able to ride 100 yards or so to cheer on the last kid. I think she appreciated it.  She seemed to enjoy a small burst of energy.

I also appreciated the tags the kids had pinned to their shirts. Instead of wearing numbers each participant's name was displayed. As they passed, I was often able to quickly read their tag and encourage them by name.

I was struck again by just how formative these experiences are for all kids. That we as adults need to cheerlead for our kids in a world that won't.

I will write more in the coming days, but one initial conclusion of my experience on this trip is this. I might know a bunch of stuff about a bunch of stuff, but my actions are what really count. As a (or a few) wise person (people) once said, "People don't care about what you know until they know that you care"

It's easy for me to postulate about theories and philosophies about how things should be done.  But it's not so easy for me to get stuck in and lead the charge into action. I'd like that to change.

So I'll be taking some time over the next few weeks to think more about that, and what that should mean for me personally as I continue to grow in my walk with Christ. I'd appreciate you joining me in prayer on that journey.

I'm also looking forward to the drive home with my favorite 9 year old. I expect she's got some nuggets too.

Good night Friend

Sandy (for Abigail too)

Day 3. Concrete and Changing Names

Today had 3 unique experiences. It was a long but good day. It's late now so I'll keep this one short.

Our first activity was with the team that worked at the Urban Refuge (www.theurbanrefuge.com) church building. Abi working with the painting team, while I got to mix two of my passions (serving the church and biking) by pouring a concrete pad for a bike rack outside the church. They have a lot of folk ride their bikes to church... Nice.

After lunch we threw an outdoor party for the local Boys and Girls Club of America. We prepared free food and games. It's was neat to get to serve so many kids (estimate 200), and greet each of them as they grabbed their hotdog and cup of water.

Our final event was serving at a community event in the Frogtown neighborhood of St. Paul (renamed by the folk working there as ”Godtown”).  Here's a link to an article that does a better job than i can do of explaining the groups history and mission. Incredible.

http://twincitiesrefreshed.com/godtown-ministry-aims-to-transform-frogtown-community/

Thanks again for joining us on this adventure. Your prayers mean that God works in people's lives. Right here. Real people. Changed lives. Christ glorified.

Sandy (for Abigail too)

PS. Still having issues with posting pictures from my phone. I am taking lots though. I will plan on posting a slide show when we get home.

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)