On the Road – Day 9
Jul 17, 2009 Mission Northwest 2009
Posted by
Edde
Friday July 17, 2009:
Throughout this trip, I have really enjoyed keeping everyone updated through these posts. It is an opportunity for me to organize my thoughts and chronicle the trip so as to not ever lose the memory of what the Lord has been doing with and through this youth ministry. In saying that, I am very tired today and need so deperately to be refilled by the Holy Spirit so that I am able to give my best when we arrive in Portland. So, I am not really sure where this post is going to go today…
Waking up today was bittersweet with thoughts that this trip is coming to a close with our last stop in Portland. We have really become one family unit working together with one goal of spreading and sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
We have served together, shared together, been exhorted together, encouraged together, learned together and grown together. It is bitter because I am sad that this trip is going to end. The growth in the kids has been exponential and Gary and I are so very blessed to have been a part of that. It is sweet because I am now only two and a half days away from my wife, my son and my favorite pillow…
Lets start with yesterday’s ministry…
Albany Oregon has been by far the hardest testing ground. We got the opportunity to speak to a lot of kids and had one kid come to Christ yesterday during an outreach at the Albany Skate Park. But I must say that this park is a major stronghold of the enemy. Every teenager and young adult that we spoke with were so very hard hearted and closed off to the Gospel. I trust in faith that seeds were planted and pray that the enemy does not come in to steal, kill and destroy.
Our students were the boldest they have been on this trip. The Holy Spirit worked tremendously through them. Even though we did not get to see the harvest, they knew they were being used in a mighty way. We even saw gifts of the Spirit (knowledge and discernment) used.
Last night we ministered at a park right between the county fair and a veterans memorial. Again, our students were poured out. They witnessed, performed, shared and even grieved at the loss of a few. After arriving back at the church, Gary noticed one of our boys sitting in a corner in tears.
After speaking to him, he told us he was grieved because we had to go. He and three other boys were sharing with a man who’s life was in the tank and sadly enough was very drunk as a result.
Sometimes, the Lord calls us to just share, then leave and let his Holy Spirit do the work. We cannot bear the burden of saving them. It is not our job. When we make it our job, it becomes a work of the flesh and God does not get the glory…
We had that experience earlier in the skate park when a group of us were sharing with some “Emo” girls hanging out. One of the girls in particular had a very hard heart until the Holy Spirit gave us a glimpse of what was in her heart and when she was called out on it, her countenance softened and it was everything she could do to hold back the tears. Yet, she claimed she was not ready to accept Christ. So we left her with a bible as a gift and a word of encouragement and the number of the youth pastor to call…
The most interesting fruit we have seen from this trip was three of the kids from the youth group joined us for outreach and “caught the fire”. They wanted to join us even in Portland, and we would have considered it if we had time to prepare and if our accommadations would allow for it… Sadly, this time would not work, but in a manor much like the way Jesus encouraged the healed demoniac in Mark 5, we encouraged them to “…go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how he has compassion on you.”
Please keep in prayer the city of Albany, Calvary Chapel of Albany, the youth ministry here and the souls who heard the Gospel. Please also pray for this last outreach. Even with exhortation and encouragement, our unity is starting to wear as we grow a little more tired and the areas of the flesh start creeping out. Pray that the boldness in the students does not cease, but continues to grow… Please also pray for our group that we stay in the mode of doing everything with excellence as we gather for the last outreach in Portland…
One final note…
Last night as we were sitting down for dinner at 11:00 PM, three of our girls approached me to start and evangelism team in the youth ministry for our own communities. I have been praying for this for along time, but wanted to make sure it was a work of the Holy Spirit. In my opinion, their approach to me was that work needed.
Pray…
© 2009, Edde. All rights reserved.
Tags: Mission Northwest, Youth Missions
