So, next week at this time 21 of us (adults and youth) will be in rural North Carolina serving others. We will be participating in a mission outreach project in cooperation with an organization named Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters. We will be sleeping in tents, walking 6 miles (uphill both ways) to the bathrooms, enduring the elements. We do this willingly and joyfully. My heart is full to overflowing as I interact with our team and sense the excitement they have to go and take cold showers for a week. I have never seen a more servant minded group of kids. I am so encouraged by this upcoming generation. It is so important for us to mentor and teach them how to pursue an active and intimate relationship with a risen savior.
Last night we had a team meeting which was planned and designed to build trust, intimacy and unity with each other. We talked about how we were acting in obedience to go and serve others. We shared our hearts about why we were even going on this trip.
We had a practical lesson in humility which is what we all agreed needs to be our perspective on this trip. We want to serve others out of our humility and obedience. We prayed for brokenness for those who do not know Christ. We read and prayed over John chapter 13 and paid special attention to verses 12-17 ("12 So when He had washed their feet, taken His garments, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am. 14 If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you. 16 Most assuredly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.") See Jesus had just finished washing His disciples feet and teaching them about humility. So, we washed each others feet last night and I cannot begin to tell you what a beautiful thing it was to see our kids humbled, on their knees in front of their brothers and sisters in Christ washing their feet.
Will you be in prayer for us? Will you pray that God will continue to knit us together as a ministry team to go and serve others? Will you pray for our effectiveness in proclaiming the truth of the gospel? Will you pray for our protection and also for our transformation?
Thank you.
Waiting on Him,
ML
