(actual picture of student tubing who crashed)

We’ll be taking around 20 or so students on a snow retreat this weekend! It will be an exciting time, for fun and going deeper with many students.

Pray for us for:

• safety
• open hearts
• fun
• for God to show up

 I (and the other leaders) have really been praying about theses specific students and I’m entering this trip with real expectation of God revealing himself to many on this trip. So keep us in your prayers this weekend!

It’s take me too long to give the update on this one, but here goes anyway.

A couple weeks back, we took 9 students on a rock climbing weekend that was an amazing mix of challenges and breakthrough. The weekend was based out of the amazing Stonewater Ranch in Leavenworth, WA and we did our climbing in Icicle Canyon (which is equally amazing).

Leaving Friday, we got caught up in traffic. And with an old suburban filled with middle school guys, it was an odd mix of belches, gas, and laughter. Going deeper with these guys on the ride up wasn’t part of my plan, but it’s always amazing to see God’s hand of providence upon a situation. About an hour in our conversation steered towards heavy subjects. We all shared and discussed the worst pains we’ve ever felt, but physical and emotional. The guys really opened up and shared some deep things. It really set the stage for the weekend.

Saturday was filled with a great day on the rock. We had impeccable weather and lots of students stepping forward and challenging their fears either by climbing or rappelling. It’s awesome to see them conquer something they were certain they couldn’t.

Throughout the weekend we had some really impactful discussion times led by our staff and volunteers. The Lord orchestrated the entire time. It seemed that each speaker fit the mood of the kids for each occasion. Our first speaker Jessica was calm, then came Bronco who challenged them before we went climbing. The kids were pretty wired and crazy Saturday night and that was mine to speak. But who better to kamikaze a message than me! We ended the weekend with Janet really sharing her heart. It’s amazing and odd to actually see middle schoolers engaged and listening (because I don’t see it much!).

When all was said and done we had lots of re-commitments, and 2 guys prayed to accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. Even the kids that were on the fence about the whole Christianity thing have agreed to start meeting with me weekly to discuss what it really means to be a Christian.

Youth ministry is never a pretty thing, but it’s awesome to walk away from a weekend like this feeling that the Lord was there and we were all used for His purposes.

Keep praying for these kids as we continue to follow up with them.

Could I have planned this? No way. God’s spirit was there a move in those students. All the praise is to Him and Him alone.

(A student and I eat some gnarly hot sauce in Leavenworth)