First Week!

LT is often a time where you just hit the ground running. Upon arriving, I found out within 24 hours that I was going to be a Project Group Leader. Project Groups are the heart of LT and are basically small groups of about 15 that meet once a week all day. There are two leaders per project and it's their responsibility to plan the project day and be the spiritual leaders of the group. I was pretty nervous and uneasy about it at first, but I can feel God using it already to grow me in many ways. A lot of issues about my insecurity as a leader have come up even though we haven't even had our project day yet (it's tomorrow). It's just hard to imagine that God could use me to be an effective leader. But it's been good as I step outside my comfort zone and depend on God to fill in where I'm lacking.

Since I was at LT two years ago, I fell back into a routine surprisingly quickly and it was like I never left. My job in food service is assistant cook and I'm having a lot of fun cooking and prepping for meals. I have all morning shifts which means I start work at 5:30 AM everyday (and hence go to sleep at 8 PM every night). So it is true that even a night owl like me can change (temporarily, of course).

I had quite the adventure yesterday when I was cutting tomatoes for a tofu medley when I hacked off a chunk of skin from my left ring finger (pictures on facebook of course...). Even though I wasn't mentally freaking out, I went into shock and almost blacked out in the kitchen. Rest assured that the finger chunk was not added to the tofu because then it wouldn't have been vegetarian! So as I nurse my bloodied stump of a finger (not really), I realize just how much you use your left ring finger . . .

I would appreciate all of your prayers for my project group, my confidence in leading, that I would follow God's will as I lead, and for quick healing of my finger (I can't play guitar or cello for worship right now!)

Read more...

FINALLY HERE!!!

I'm finally here in Estes Park, CO after a grueling 20 hour drive through the night. I am running on 20 min of sleep since Friday night and will be looking forward to sleeping. Here's some pics of my bedroom where I'll be staying...





On the way up here I had a chance to talk to a roommate of mine from the last LT. He has a crazy story of redemption and transformation. When he first arrived at LT, he was a only a week out of a prison in Michigan after he led cops on a high speed chase when he was high on drugs. During LT, he became a believer and God has been using him in amazing ways ever since. Just recently he spent an extended time in Ethiopia evangelizing and all sorts of stuff. He called me from NYC where he's doing street evangelism and involved with the IHOP (International House of Prayer) movement. When I compare the Danny I moved in with two years ago to the Danny now, it blows my mind to think that that kind of change could happen so soon. Only by the Blood of Christ! It was beyond encouraging to talk to him and have him pray over my summer with blessing and reflect upon the work God did in him during the last LT I attended.

Soon I will meet my assigned project group and we'll have our first meeting. Please pray that we would supernaturally be cohesive and unified from day one! We are all starting new jobs and training so also please pray that it is a smooth (and enjoyable...) transition for all the YMCA Staff. Maranatha!

Read more...

Baby Church

Today my church in College Station sent off a church plant to San Marcos (Texas State)! It's the first time I've witnessed a church being born and it was pretty awesome. I feel so blessed to be a part of the body of believers here in CS that are hyped about fulfilling the great commission (Matthew 28:19)

I think it would be awesome to go on the next church plant; our church's goal is to send one every 10 years (I would be 30...weird). The only thing would be if I stay here that long...

Something that struck a chord with me today was something my pastor said: "The immediate fruit of an apple tree is an apple, but the ultimate fruit is another apple tree. That's why our ultimate goal as a church is to produce more churches." Why doesn't that happen more often? I guess when you're older and have a family it's harder to uproot yourself and move to another city to start a new church. Maybe that means we have a problem with complacency and materialism, which shouldn't be news to anyone...

The new church is called "242" which is based on Acts 2:42-27:

"42They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."

I desperately desire to see the Church (big C) live like this.

Read more...

Summer Awaits...

So most of you reading this have received my support letter that led you here. As I finish up finals and prepare to move to Colorado, there are a couple of things on my mind that I would like prayer for:

-that God would move greatly in me and through me this summer
-unity and cohesiveness in project groups (small groups we will be organized into)
-safe travel for all the LTers
-provision for sub-leasers over the summer for people who need it

I am becoming very excited for LT to start and to head up there! My departure date for Colorado will be May 22nd.

Maranatha!(Our Lord has come)

Read more...