Faithful Friday: Freedom

For seven days last week, the kids were soaked in the Gospel.

From youth camp to our mission trip, they were knee deep in devotions and in being the hands of feet of Christ.   I'd like to say that is how we live every single day but the truth is, life often gets in the way.  Which is why I'm thankful for opportunities like these for the kids to fully disconnect -and reconnect to God.

God spoke to both at different points last week and weights were lifted from their young hearts.  One I heard about upon their return from camp, one I was blessed enough to witness.  For both of them, they had breakthroughs and this momma heart was rejoicing...tears included!

Oh, the freedom that comes from knowing our Savior!

And this be our motto: "In God is our trust."
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
(Star Spangled Banner)

Noah, my somewhat stubborn reader, found messages within God's word.  He soaked up the lessons in their group devotions.

Arriving home, he eagerly showed me his Bible, scriptures underlined and his own notes written in the margin.  Above all, he shared an important moment he had while there and a conversation he had with his youth leader.  With misty eyes, we hugged and I sent up prayers of thankfulness for him having this opportunity, for God using camp to reach him, and for Noah having such wonderful role models to lean on.

Going into the mission trip was the perfect bookend for him.  With each ping of the hammer, he was filled with a passion for helping refugees entering our nation.  God ignited a spark within him and I can't wait to see how he'll use him in the future.


For Tina, I was prayerfully concerned about her on our mission trip.  By luck of the draw, she was put into a group without any of our church members.  Worried, she would be too shy and upset to enjoy the weekend, I asked if she wanted me to request a change.  Without pause, she said that God placed her in this group for a reason and she would do it for Him.

And use her, He did!

Tina's group visited a refugee neighborhood and did a Backyard Bible Club.  She was able to hand out shoes and clothes, play with the kids, and even visit a Sikh temple.  It was eye-opening for her!  So many moments touched her and through the lens of her phone camera, she captured some of the best photos from our trip.

   

But perhaps the photo that speaks the most to us, was the one I quickly snapped of a surprise moment at the end of our day.  As our groups combined to share testimony, mouths dropped when our timid little girl asked for the microphone.

With a brave small voice, she shared her favorite experiences of the day.

She watched God move through her and the lost and it forever changed her.

Later she shared what an urgency she had to tell the story and what freedom came afterwards.

On this day, our nation's birthday,

a day we celebrate our freedoms and independence...

I can't help but feel blessed to know both these kids know the true sense of those words.

One nation under God...

one family filled with His Spirit!

Nacho Usual Teen Party

My aunt was the ultimate youth leader.  Funny, cool, relatable, and extremely creative, she made learning about the Bible fun.  Aunt Becky was gifted with making you want to hang with Jesus.

Even though I wasn't officially a "teen," Becky invited me to be a part of the youth group a few years early.  Like Noah, I looked older than my age, and being a typical first-born female, was mature beyond my years.  Of course, it also helped that I had a family connection.  I didn't care how I got in, it was just great to be a part of the group.

Among my favorite youth group memories are the recreation of the Lord's supper, Luau's in the backyard, and rapping the Sunday school lessons.  I remember thinking then how much fun it would be when I was a grown-up and could host teen parties for my own church.

Fast forward many, many years later to present day. 

Last night, we were blessed to host the monthly Bible study for our kid's youth group.  Mix together a couple dozen teens and youth leaders, 2 ginormous bags of tortilla chips, a vat of nacho cheese and all the toppings, a heavy assortment of sugary sweets, a study video that asks tough spiritual questions, and you have all the ingredients for one great night.

We've come to love so many of these teens the past year and last night was a wonderful opportunity to get to know others better.  Prayers, lots of laughter, and smart conversations were shared.  Tim and I loved watching Noah and Tina interact with their friends and responding to the challenges given.  Coming off Revival, the timing was perfect to remind the teens (and us adults) to be brave and bold in continuing to share the gospel. 

"What if each of us reached just 1 person this year for Jesus?"

rang through the walls of our home and stirred our hearts.

Cleaning up a littering of plastic cups and chip crumbs, I found myself smiling as the last kid trotted out the door.  Amazed, even still, at the work God has done with our family through this church.  Grateful and blessed that Noah and Tina have solid role models, strong youth leaders, and faithful Christian friends.  Of all the gatherings we've hosted in our home over the years, this Bible study is by far at the top of our favorite's list.

And I can't help but chuckle that someone in the neighborhood called in a complaint about the crowd.  If they only knew the great things that were happening under this roof.  ...Maybe next time we'll invite them to join us!