Dreaming of Silver Roses

     Well, for the first time in a very long time, I am preparing to fly solo from my family for a week. I am signed up to help with apartment ministry through our church. At first I confess it was utterly terrifying to think of Mat and Abbey and Diallo baching it for a week without me. More for me than for them. Under wise councel of dear friend I realized that they really need that security as much as I do. They can make it without mama-san. It’s not that big of deal with a six year old and eight year old. Now my 34 year old is battling, but I think it’s just ten years of cleaving that make it seem uncomfortable and difficult. I think when all is said and done he will probably beg me to do it more often and let him fly solo! It should be quieter for him by far!

     When the church first pitched the idea, I thought and prayed that it would be a terrific chance for me to get to know some of our church folks. We’ve been here about five years in Terrell and three years at our church and really as far as deep connections that just hasn’t been something that others seek out. I thought that this would be a way to kind of have a captivated audience to get to know. …I thought that.

     None of the folks I thought were close to my age are going. And it would seem that my special talents, background, and experiences place me in a unique situation. Our minister of education placed me with a team that will work in the mornings with a VBS team and in the evening specifically with teens. My back ground and -ahem- how do you take this?- age make me young enough to party and old enough to lead out apparently. I am with not a soul from our congregation period. Instead I am working with a Spanish mission church who are going with us and I believe a few from a church in Oklahoma who are sending folks to work our church. So my hope of connection will have to find roots if possible on the van during travel and at meals and possibly near bed time. C’est La Vie. (I remember Greg Teel talking about wearing a rubber band for the entire summer to remind him to “Be Flexible” while he went door to door canvasing houses during one tour of duty ) The cardinal motto of the missionary pounds in my ears - “Be flexible”. So it is written so I shall live.

     I am working with the the folks from the mission church here to learn some quick reader’s theater and ad lib dramas. I am tossing together kits for “Chubby Bunny” (think mouthful of marshmellows), “That’s Using Your Bean” (think pantyhose and tennis balls), “Driving You Bananas games” (think bananas and pantyhose and bananas and surgery), “How Many on T-shirt” (think of building a tower of cheerleaders on an extra large t-shirt), tons of ice breakers, name that tune materials, and more! In connection with the folks with me, we are adapting the VBS material to work with teens instead of just children. And we have this week alone to do it all! Whoo-hoo. Feels like college days. It will be lots of fun (I pray!) and hopefully some kids in Colorado will have a blast and know more about Jesus.

    My home church folks will be throwing block parties and hosting VBS meetings for the other area churches and apartment complexes. They are stacking boxes, gathering ideas, and packing up this week as well. I am reminded over and over that when it comes to missions nothing is ever really predictable no matter where you go or whom you reach out to. It’s all about openness and willingness. I would imagine that God has a very specific lesson in this for me. I pray that I get the bulletin and am a quick learner!

     So that said, pray with us if you like and I will be taking the camera and lap top and maybe if there’s internet I will let you trail along virtually!

Currently listening : Letters Prayers & Journal Entries Anne Davis- Release date: 2003-09-02

Filed under: Christianity, life on July 9th, 2008