Tourist Trap

 A town of vaporous joy

(on the shoulders of God's canvas)

where every wonder is a ploy-

overpriced and underhanded.

Travelers scurry, anxiously searching

for a relaxing escape.

Parents' hope precariously perching

on the valleyed, kitschy landscape.

Families carry memories

they try to recreate.

Acting out documentaries

of joy, but it won't replicate.

A man that I do not know

tells me he loves this community.

I count him as part of the show,

taking his insincere opportunity.

Vapid connections, conversations-

cacophonous counterfeit depth.

A masquerade of expectations;

I am dancing with the rest.

Surface roots are all some know,

skimming dirt, missing richness.

When deeper truths hum low,

shallow roots miss this.

But souls have grabbed these joy clouds-

elation, excitement, electric smiles.

The "community" is just a crowd

but the man intends no guiles.

In a temporary town,

there's permanence behind Main Street:

Where tents and facades abound,

foundations and structure lay beneath.

Missouri 2

Well, let's just say it was the smoothest week... ever. I mean, I've only worked 5 weeks of MOVE, but this one had to be the smoothest. No way it wasn't. Registration, although late as usual, was smooth. Only a couple churches needed to move, and they were super well mannered about it. It was great. I only ran into one upset youth minister, and it wasn't even anything I could fix, so I feel good about that.

One thing I regret about the last couple weeks was that I found it difficult to talk to students there. The camp was spread out and there was no logical congregating point; there were even other camps there. But everyone seemed positive and to be having a good time.

We now enter two weeks in Joplin, unpacking, reorganizing, etc. Then I'll be home! Please keep praying for strength, and check back in case I think of something to post. I love you all, and thanks for joining me on this journey!

Missouri 1-End Of The Week

Here's the deal, there are only a couple buildings here with wifi and it's inconvenient to get to them with my laptop, etc. So, you'll probably get to see pics next week. I apologize.

Day 3, my favorite, was great as usual. I am finding more and more joy in the Bible and I love seeing others have that. Plus, our volleyball tournament was a blast and so was the Alternative. One student I had been talking to did a cover of Bieber's "Pray" that I actually half way appreciated.

Day 4 was slow, but relaxing. It was our extended rec and we went to Osage Beach for a beach and BBQ. However, we couldn't find the beach. Good thing food at Wobbly Boots was so good.

Day 5 was another smooth one. We didn't really do a whole lot outside the norm. Dodgeball was fun and super quick, with a great spot in the shade for spectators. The highlight of the week was Jason French's intense love for God displayed through his message that night. He reminded us that we are nothing and it's God in us that is worth anything; we are the match, he is the flame.

It was a good week, smooth week, and moving week. I pray next week is as well.

Missouri 1-Days 1 And 2

So internet here at Windermere is limited. This means that posts will be short and pictureless. Or at least until I can get on and update them.

But here is my weekend, and Days one and two:
Our weekend was much different from other set ups. A lot of our production guys weren't there right away, and so set up was delayed. But everything was done by Monday night. We got to eat at a super tasty Mexican place in Camdenton, the closest town. Overall, the weekend was not too stressful, just different.

Day one was pretty good, for day 1. That is registration and always busy, but the Holy Spirit kept me calm through it. We had issues with the conference center's rooms and churches who stayed a night early. But everything was sorted out by the end of the night.

Today was also fairly smooth. My only stressful time was realizing that we had not bought most of the supplies/balls for tournaments. So we rushed off to Walmart to fix that right quick, and even got back in time.

That's all for now! Please stayed tuned.

On The Road Again

Finally! We are on the road to another event. Our team will be spending the next couple weeks at Windemere Conference Center in Roach, MO. We all are beyond pumped to be out of the office and back to events. I haven't written much the last couple weeks because there isn't much to write about.

The majority of our last two weeks in Joplin have amounted to twiddling our thumbs and having fun, but none of it compared to being at a MOVE event. Last weekend my team and I went to Kansas City to shop and have dinner with Hannah's mom who was in town there. That was fun, but really the most we did.

Tuesday, we had the opportunity to check out Windemere, as it is only about three hours away. Our team is beyond pumped for the campus. It is right on Lake of the Ozarks and has so much to offer. I can not wait to see the fun students have and how the Spirit works there.

Please keep praying for the students and our endurance. Pray specifically for the four guys and Clif heading to Illinois this week for that MOVE event. I wish I could be there with them.

TN2 and TN3 Quick Recap

I apologize for not updating the last couple weeks. We were super busy and I just couldn't find the time or willpower to write about my weeks. So let me give you short recaps on each week.

TN2:
We stayed at Milligan College this week, which meant the weekend was basically free. It left us with simply having to refresh/rejuvenate things, instead of tear down and load in again. Surprisingly, it had a much different feel than the week before. We had a few injuries, some "issues" from youth ministers (which means youth pastors, for those back home), and I was busier with housing for TN3 to complete. However, many students still met God that week and every "problem" fades away in light of that. One memorable story is that of Lake Eustis Christian Church from Florida. I got to talk to these folks a few times that week and their leaders were strong and following God's call. The students were friendly, loving, and learning. I really appreciated having one group to talk to that week who I could count on to be happy to see me.

My favorite night, Wednesday, when students seek the scripture. Here you see ministers holding signs that say "I know the way" for students to approach them and ask what the Bible says about [you fill in the blank].

TN3:

This past week, we held an event at Johnson Bible College (Johnson University as of July 1, 2011) for 900+ people, which is double what we had the past couple weeks. It was impressive and difficult in some respects, but we each knew we had a break coming up and pushed through. I had to redo housing the weekend before, but with God's patience and his gift of Monster, got it done. For the most part, this week was also easy. I only got one call from a youth minister after I went to bed, and it was because they finally got to the campus. There was an added craziness and excitement from the increased number of people, but nothing God couldn't handle. I met a couple of cool churches that week. First, I met some graduated seniors from New Life. I was reading and overheard them talking about some heavy stuff and joined in. It was awesome to hear students years younger than me getting some concepts way before I did in life. Second, I met some leaders and later students from Woodford Community. Again, just great encouragements to speak with and I wish I could have talked with their leaders more. Also, I got to perform in front of most of the attendees Wednesday night! Check it!

Overall, I'm leaving these weeks joyful, but jealous. I see these leaders interact, have fun, speak with, and simply hang out with their students and I miss everyone from Driven4Him so much. But God does not need me there to work in them and I will see them again soon.

Please pray that my team gets the rest we need these two weeks and, as always, for high school students across the nation and world. I love you all, and miss all the great folks back home.

The Preparation Will Pay Off Soon

My team leaves tomorrow. Raise your hand if you're pumped. I know I am. We have spent three weeks in the office, doing a few odd jobs, preparing housing, and making sure we're ready. Let me tell you about yesterday, today, and look ahead with you.

Yesterday, we viewed the film Love Costs Every Thing made by CIY in association with The Voice Of The Martyr. It was fairly intense, seeing brothers and sisters persecuted and even killed for confessing faith in the God I love. The film was full of great stories that broke my heart and inspired me. You can watch it at any MOVE event this summer, or it will be available in the fall.

Following the showing, we took place in a 24 prayer like the one students will experience at the events. Each of us had a half hour shift in our prayer room (set up in the conference center). Like I said in a previous post, I'd love to share more with you because it was an awesome experience, even when tired (my shift was 1:30am), but I don't want to spoil it for students attending. Let me just say that God will be present, moving, and working through and despite the stations and experiences we have set up.

Today, the Colorado team left early in the morning. The rest of us did a lot of work to make sure our teams were ready to leave (two teams tomorrow morning, one next week). Now we are packing, hanging out, and getting stoked to start events and see God's plan fall into action.

I want to look into the near future with you now to share some requests for prayer. To be honest, I know nothing about these students, I may not get much time to interact with them, and even if I do it may amount to nothing. But I love them and my heart breaks for them. Frankly, I'm not sure who will understand this if they are without the Holy Spirit. Logically, I should hate high schoolers. They are loud, don't always smell nice, and can be arrogant. But they are the future of the Church, and they continue to amaze me and show me God's glory. So, if you will, ask God to work in the high schoolers at the events, their friends, and the strangers they meet. Ask that God will start their hearts towards him and his work, that their friends will be affected by this change and even the strangers on the street will react to how they shine.

As well, please ask the Father to continually remind us MOVE staff what we are doing.

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10

It is insane to think God uses us, but he does! In fact, he prepared these works for us ahead of time. I can't explain how that makes me feel. It is so crazy and amazing. I pray that we can live out these works as God wants, and give him the glory.

Please tell me, how can I pray for you?

Quick Update

Last night a tornado ripped through Joplin, where I was headed. So my flight from Dallas/Fort Worth was cancelled. I got a Super 8 room at a discount and I'll be getting to Joplin today.

Good news is the Spirit is giving me strength and calm and is providing. One was is the waffles the size of Texas... ir at least shape... So I am fine.

Please pray for those in Joplin and other areas affected by the storms.