My Unlimited Journey

I have been enjoying connecting with teenagers on Thurs night as we hang out usually in the park. Last week, we played some basketball for awhile. Realized quickly that I should not have worn sandals. Later we switched to Ultimate Frizbee. Great thing is that people are inviting their friends to come so I am meeting new people. Interacting and laughing together has been great.

A few weeks ago, 5 of the staff from Monarch Bible Camp came out to play. It was great to hear what has been happening in their day camp and get to know some of their stories. They travel around the county offering a place for children to interact, have fun, and learn together.

On a personal note, I am enjoying one of my favourite sports, Mountain Biking. I am volunteering on Tuesday afternoons to drive for Medeba for their Mt. Bike Club. This means I get to ride at Buckwallow too. Buckwallow is in Bracebridge and is very technical riding for all levels. Lots of ridges and drops. It’s a great 2 hour work-out for me and I get to push some limits as well.

So, I’ve been hanging out with 5-8 teens on Wed nights to shoot some pool and then we pop in a Nooma video and talk. I have led lots of groups and usually I have found many tend not to talk much. Really cool things are happening. We actually talk for an hour most nights. Mostly it has been church teens coming out. I have some help leading and hanging with the teens. Now, it seems like Nooma is becoming a rallying point or a vision casting time for these teens. They want to get organized to participate in some missions stuff, both overseas and locally. And, one of the girls wants to see a girls bible study happen.

Just returned last week from a two day solo trip. Yes, a canoe trip to an Island on Big East Lake (part of Poker Lakes) by myself. I have been intrigued to do such a trip for some time now, but was unsure if I would be bored. Yet, it was nothing like that. I packed up my tent, some gear, food and paddled across the lake in my canoe. Paddled along the one side of the lake and eventually to the farthest end where I spotted the perfect spot on the end of an Island. I knew this would be a good one from a map a friend gave me.

Time in solitude was a little strange at first but soon saw how much I need to rest more in life. Making it a part of the rhythms of my life.

A great experience and one I think everyone should be a part of.

All I can say is way cool. 10 Boys showed up to hang out and watch Nooma and talk about it. It was a tender moment as most of the guys there were part of Elevate (Jr. High program at Lakeside) that I ran when I was on staff there. Over 15 months has passed since I really connected with them. After playing a little B-ball and hanging out in our youth centre. Yes youth centre cause we have a pool table, air hockey, foosball, and ping-pong table and were given space at the Adult Education and Training Centre to make it all happen.

Nooma’s theme was rain. We talked about the moments in life we would freeze and take it all in. Then chatted about the storms in life and the rain that comes. It was interesting talking about trials and did God put me intentionally in that trial. Is there a better way to learn. Ended up chatted about who God is. Got a little off track when the boys tried to come up with a physical description. Evening ended out chatted how the Bible talks of us crying out to God when the rain comes down in life. Way more to share! You can check Nooma videos out at Nooma.com.

I was writing several notes today for each of my newsletters I am getting ready to mail out. As I wrote these notes, I prayed for the individual or couple and asked God how I might pray. As I did this, it was encouraging to ponder what this partnership really means. Some of the people are currently partners, each sacrificing what they can. Some are potential financial partners and some are prayer partners. Either of these ways, they all are part of Youth Unlimited. This is what I find incredible, God is using each person in a specific way. I can only imagine what heaven will be like when I hear stories of people who’s lives were touched because I was faithful to what God called me to. This meant, dozens and dozens of people were part of this and enabled me to do the work I was called to.

Finances are important in the ministry I am a part of. It is my salary after all, but God provides time and time again. Thinking and praying through Dana’s and my decision to take another leap of faith for me being full time in September seems a little overwhelming. As important as the finances are, I see more clearly tonight that the partnership with people is the heart of my ministry. It comes down to my faith response to God, communicating clearly, and saying thank you.