Saturday June 7, 2003

To see photos from today, please scroll down the page...

Jeff's Notes 

We're on our way!  When we hit the first mile in this van, the youth (all boys) celebrated and clapped and sounded a little like a football team in a huddle getting themselves psyched up to do the best they can in a big game.  

As we left, we got in a huge circle in the parking lot and prayed.  I read the call of Jeremiah (the prophet who heard God's call, but was a little afraid to accept it, because he was still just a youth.  But God told him that God would go with him, so he did not need to be afraid.

As I think back to this morning, I do remember seeing various emotions; some from parents and siblings left behind, and some from the youth as they prepared to part company with their family.  It is not easy to go; we all have a lot at stake personally that we are leaving behind.  And those left behind were clearly placing their beloved children and siblings in the vans with love and a prayer. I guess everyone had to decide for themselves whether to leave the familiar behind for a while in order to go and be in mission for God in a distant place, or whether it was not worth the time and energy to go. 

I'm proud of these 22 young people, and their leaders, who are willing to venture out to help others.  They remind me of Jeremiah, because he did not say "I'm too young" or "I'm too inexperienced" to be used by God.   I know from previous years' experience that it is impossible to know in advance who we will meet or what adventures we will have together.  But just like God said to Jeremiah, "I will be with you."  We don't know where this journey will lead us, but we do know that God will be with us wherever we may go!

Thank you for your prayers and your support!  Please be sure to gather in prayer Sunday to support us in prayer, and to listen for God's call in your life.  God never gives us even one day without a mission, you know, if we will just avoid the excuses and, like Jeremiah, say, "Sure, l'll go and try to speak for you, Lord." 

We made it safely to Jackson, Mississippi at about 6:45 p.m., got settled in at the church, and then had supper.  Everyone is feeling great and seeming to have a great time! They're out there playing basketball in the gym at the church where we're staying right now, and Tyler is doing wheelies in a wheelchair (he's pretty good!)  They also have roller skates, and being 40 something, I thought it would be better for me to avoid both roller skates and wheelies in a wheelchair, so I'm giving you a quick update before I put this page online!  So we're all having fun!  Hope you are too...