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When my boss told me I’d be embarking to Mexico for a few weeks in March my first thought was about pinã coladas- so imagine my second thought when I learned i’d be chugging water like the Israelites in the desert for two weeks instead…
One of the joys of pastoring the next generation is seeing God at work in their stories as you stand back and champion them. Over this past trip I’ve had the pleasure of watching 5 of my students do incredibly hard things- some of which i delegated off my plate, but most a result of them being willing to enter into hard spaces with a posture of availability.
I’ve asked these guys many questions over this trip, and one I thought was worth sharing about as we wrap up our time here at the Ranch was this…
“alright guys, if you think back over this past trip, where have you seen God show up?”
Brooklyn B. (Gr.8)
During this justice journey I learned many things and have many things to be grateful for. I am grateful for this incredible opportunity to work along side some amazing missionary’s . I have had the joy of experiencing the Lords presence in scooping truck loads of horse poo to going on gorgeous hikes and swimming in the ocean. I have seen the Lords work in so many ways, through the laughter in the children’s faces at kids club, cooking meals together, and learning more about the people that I am here with. The sun has definitely had an impact on our time here (not necessarily good), I see it as an opportunity to humble ourselves before God. As an opportunity to say that we can’t do it without Him, and that we need His resources to survive in this desert. Just as it will be when we go back home. There will always be hard times but as long as put our faith in God and allow ourselves to be humble, we will see the other side.
Emma Y. (Gr. 10)
As I was preparing for this justice journey I had very little information about what these 10 days would hold but as we continue this trip, I began to see that god brought us together to serve him as a team as well as create so many meaningful memories and new connections with one another. One of my favourite parts of this trip was campfire in the middle of the disc golf course. As we gathered around the fire we sang and took the time to reflect on our week. As I was reflecting I realized how much of gods presence I had encountered through chores, kids club, the beach, talking to the youth from the ranch and so much more. As we gathered to sing I could see how much our connection between everyone had grown all coming together to worship god through song. It has been such an awesome experience just being able to talk with the kids, staff and youth on the ranch even if our different cultures and languages were in the way we were still able to connect through kids club, playing tag in the pool with the youth and morning devos with the staff. And as I go back to Vancouver I am so grateful for the experience I’ve had and the wonderful connections I’ve created with other people on this team as well as the people from the ranch.
Adele Y. (Gr. 8)
So far this trip has been an unexpected experience. Over the first few days I worked in the hot blazing sun resulting in blood, sweat and tears. I formed new relationships, saw God in different ways and made new memories. For example, Pastor Cecelia’s “blessing of the churros” (which actually worked!!) or “echas” and “dinggg” at the pool and especially the queso-taco-rito’s (also Pastor Cecelia for the win) with extra chipotle sauce (although Karthik owns this part). Overall, this experience has taken me out of my comfort zone and drawn me closer to God in many different ways.
Karthik S. (Gr. 12)
So far this trip has been filled with joy. One moment that stuck with me was when all the youth volunteers and Tenth’s youth were in the pool together. We didn’t know each other’s languages but we still knew what each other were saying and doing. We played “echas” and volleyball for hours, while constantly laughing. It has been an amazing week and a bit at the ranch.
Carl S. (Gr. 11)
At the start of this trip I didn’t really know what to expect, but when the work days started, I got into a grind, and those days were fun. I felt like my connection with God was lacking a little bit, but when we went to Church out in the Colonias on Saturday; a church with no walls of roof it just felt like God was right there with us singing and praising and listening to the sermon. It just felt right; being able to see the neighborhood and the sun set on the mountains, and for anyone to come and listen even without coming inside- it felt like how church was meant to be.
God is at work in the next generation, pouring deeply into their spirits through both the expected and unexpected as they willingly take steps to do hard things. The Next Generation is the future of the church- and if these 5 keep at it, I believe the church will be in good hands as they seek to bring the Kingdom of Heaven nearer to us day by day by day.
See you soon Vancouver- something is stirring…
