Madison YWAM Mission Trip
My late entry isn't due to writers block or a lack of events to cover, rather the opposite! We got home from Madison, WI with the high school youth group mission trip on Friday, and I'm just getting the chance to record it all now. There was so much that happened in this eventful week, and these youth and leaders are the highlight. Each person grew in their own way as we all dove deeper into Christ's calling of the commission and what it means to leave it all behind and focus on the kingdom.
We started each day with a training session that focused on the call of John, James, Peter, and Andrew as Jesus instructed them to leave their nets behind and follow Him. We looked at different things Jesus called them to leave behind and what that means for us. We also looked into scripture of those called by Jesus who didn't give up everything to follow Him and what they were afraid of leaving. It was an insightful study that concluded at the end of the week with asking the students and volunteers what God is calling each of them to surrender to follow even closer behind Him.
During the afternoon, there was a variety of activities. We began the week with a scavenger hunt in downtown Madison that encouraged gospel-focused conversations. I loved watching as students in my group jumped immediately into Christ-centered conversations. One of the scavenger hunt challenges was to find someone riding a bike and take a picture. I instructed my group that in order to take the picture, we need permission first, and while it was only a one-point scavenger hunt item, a student in my group made that his top priority. It was comical to watch him try to flag down bikers and move to different areas of the sidewalk in hopes a biker would be passing by. Finally, after a couple of hours downtown, he was able to signal to a biker who stopped for him. I explained that we were a church group doing a scavenger hunt and asked if we could take a picture, and he agreed. He then asked more about what we were doing in Madison and the group and I began talking. This really interested the bike rider, and he shared how he believed there had to be something greater, but that each religion seems to explain it for themselves. Still, with every point he made, he would then contradict himself saying he has seen miracles in people who believe in God. It was an interesting conversation, though unfortunately, as it was at the end of our time, I explained we were already late to meet our group. He asked, "Where are you headed? I'll walk with you all." He joined us on the walk back, continuing to chat and ask questions. When we arrived with our group, a few others from the rest of the team joined in the conversation. I took a copy of the gospel of John we had been using in conversation with people and and went to John 3:16. I circled "the world" and wrote in this man's name, saying that because he is part of the world, this can be a personal promise for him. He happily accepted the Bible and wanting more information, I connected him with one of the YWAM staff members who wrote their contact in the front of the Bible.
The next day, we went back out on the streets of Madison and shared Christ with people and brought some bagged lunches to the homeless. Some of the kids were just itching to share Jesus with others that they started talking to people before we even dismissed them! When we returned back to the whole group after that day, a few of the kids were already talking about getting together back home to continue evangelizing. There was another surprise, our biker friend from the first day had contacted the YWAM staff and came to say goodbye and thank us! We are praying he remains connected with the staff and will become connected with a church in the area.
When we arrived back to the center where we were staying (an adorable little schoolhouse transformed into a team mission center) one of the leaders had noticed the front garden was in need of some TLC. We asked the group of students after a full day of serving if anyone was interested in helping, and we were pleasantly surprised that nearly all the youth and leaders came out to help! One of the students who is extremely filled by hard work said, "This is the project I was waiting for!"
To start our last full day in Madison, we went in the morning to a nearby city to for a prayer walk. While we had been in the car, the students were playing a game of listing food that starts with every letter of the alphabet, starting at A until they can't think of more and then changing to B. Another leader and I took advantage of this game and during the prayer walk asked the students to play the same game listing the attributes of God. It was such a powerful way to be present in adoration of our Creator in the entirety of the pray walk.
During the week, we introduced a new game that we called "Underground Church." It is essentially the game of Mafia with roles of the underground church trying to find the "informants" who are turning in members of the church. We had such great team-time playing this game for multiple evenings, and we loved seeing the students discuss what a real underground church would be like and research the most persecuted churches in the world. It was impactful to see how this game caused a spark discussion that focused then on praying for the persecuted churches worldwide.
The final evening, the YWAM staff had a couple application activities for us to participate with as they asked each of us to write something to "cast on the net" as Jesus calls us to let go and follow Him. We then each retrieved a stone from water with a truth God says about His children. We brought the net with all the items written out to the bonfire in a symbolic act of burning these things that had been weighing us down. As dusk rolled through, we were greeted by many little fireflies! A group of us enjoyed this fantasy-like evening as we caught fireflies and watched as they glowed on our fingertips. It was a great evening seeing these students spend with their friends, mentors, and soaking in God's promises.
Student Link
Youth Group
Later that day, we served by cleaning out three storage units owned by the food shelf for families in need in the community. The storage units hold children's bedding and beds for children they learn who are sleeping on the floor. I had so much fun sorting through and organizing the bedding with my team, and I was amazed at how engaged everyone was during the entire serving time. Later, we asked the leader of the food shelf how many children they service with beds and bedding. She said they access the storage unit pretty frequently as they serve 6-7 kids a month.
During the week, we introduced a new game that we called "Underground Church." It is essentially the game of Mafia with roles of the underground church trying to find the "informants" who are turning in members of the church. We had such great team-time playing this game for multiple evenings, and we loved seeing the students discuss what a real underground church would be like and research the most persecuted churches in the world. It was impactful to see how this game caused a spark discussion that focused then on praying for the persecuted churches worldwide.
The final evening, the YWAM staff had a couple application activities for us to participate with as they asked each of us to write something to "cast on the net" as Jesus calls us to let go and follow Him. We then each retrieved a stone from water with a truth God says about His children. We brought the net with all the items written out to the bonfire in a symbolic act of burning these things that had been weighing us down. As dusk rolled through, we were greeted by many little fireflies! A group of us enjoyed this fantasy-like evening as we caught fireflies and watched as they glowed on our fingertips. It was a great evening seeing these students spend with their friends, mentors, and soaking in God's promises.
Toddler Tuesdays
With a toddler time right before Independence Day, we focused on what freedom means. Some of the kids tried their own definitions of freedom, though none of them could really understand this big concept on their own. Finally, one student said freedom is when someone does something bad and is punished and someone does the same thing and isn't punished. For the age of these young kids, this was the best way to understand "freedom." I embellished on the child's response saying that we are blessed in America because we have freedom to worship Jesus and in other countries, they are in trouble if they worship Jesus and could be put in prison by the police. One of the preschoolers said, "that's sad," and we all talked about how freedom is something to celebrate this Independence Day!
Big Machinery and Little Construction Overseers at Church
Later this month, we looked at the parable of the lost sheep. We talked together about how being lost can be scary and referred back to a lesson last month on things that make us scared. As we read the story, the toddlers considered this lost sheep and without hesitation, said the obvious solution would be for the shepherd to go look for the little sheep. When we reached the part of how the shepherd found the sheep and carried him back to the pen, I passed around a stuffed animal sheep and asked the kids to show how they would carry the lost sheep home if they were the shepherd who had found him. Each child took a turn hugging that stuffed sheep - each child gripping the little sheep tighter and closer than the last. It was such a beautiful display of how Jesus carries each of us He loves back to the safety with the Father.
Student Link
My co-leader and I have been loving the extra time these girls want to spend with each other and with us. It is always so fun for us to think that just six months ago, none of us knew each other, and now these three are best friends! We have been meeting outside in the nicer weather at parks for picnics and then playing some rounds of pickleball - which ends up being more comical than competitive with this group!
We had a couple birthdays on our Student Link Team in July! We embraced these summer birthdays at one of our favorite, frequented summer place - the pickleball court. We know as summer comes to an end, we will be losing a few of these team members as they pursue ministry schooling as they continue in their calling to all God has for them. It is exciting to see where they will go in these next parts of their journeys, and we treasure the times we still have a team together.
Youth Group
One of my favorite ministry joys this season is with these 6th grade girls. I am beyond blessed by them and their joy and desires to spend our Wednesday evenings together to study scripture. A couple of the girls have brought some friends to join and when I introduced myself, one new friend said, "I know who you are! All my friend ever does is talk about church and the people there!" I love the heart of these youth to already be sharing Jesus with their friends.
As a Student Link Team, we took on leading evening games for one youth gathering this month. With all the different ages represented and the continually changing weather forecast, our ideas were vast and flexible. I enjoyed seeing all the students participate and involve everyone in the games. The unity in this youth group is fun to witness, especially as these new 6th graders involve themselves with the activities of the "big kids" and fit in so beautifully.