Day 2: Welcome to Denver

For your information, a small group was formed yesterday and today on this trip, the origins of which I cannot discuss here however just know that when I refer to "The Brotherhood" I refer to Robbie, James, Myself, Brian and sometimes Kathy Shell. Don't ask, just accept.  

We left Casper this morning and began our drive to Denver. Today however The Brotherhood got to sit in the front seats and thus were able to spread some legs and stretch a little bit. The drive was easy, it was only about five hours drive time from Casper. We stopped at Sierra Trading Post for a little break after eating lunch at Cheyenne, (massive amounts of Arby's were consumed). We were promised by Robbie that we would encounter amazing deals at this trading post, however all we saw were 400 $ pair of shoes. James did however buy some sunglasses, they look quite stunning to be honest. 

After the trading post, we headed north towards Canada. Just kidding, but we did continue our drive to Denver. As the twisted roadways and towering buildings came into sight I realized that I've never been to a city as big as Denver, at least not for any lasting time. 

We are staying at Holy Cross Lutheran Church while we are here which is located in a suburb outside of Denver. It's a sweet church, kind of old school with stain glass windows in the sanctuary but it is awesome. We unpacked and chilled for a little bit before eating a dinner consisting of Subway...eat fresh. 

John is the man who works with AIM who is in charge of this trip, after din din he debriefed us a little bit about what we will be doing here and what it may be like. He is full of energy and very passionate, needed characteristics when you work in the inner city. 

I began to realize just how unprepared I am for this trip. I just realized that I don't know how to talk to a prostitute, or deal with the homeless, or share Christ's love with someone waiting at a bus stop. I know realize just how much we all need God on this trip, he is everything and we, especially me, cannot do anything without him. John talked about us being in a battle, and it's true. I'm nervous about starting but very excited even though I know I will be outside my comfort zone on many occasions. It's late and nearly time for lights out, so there is lots I have to leave out, but a few important notes:

We are meshing pretty well with the other youth groups well, but continue to pray for unity.

We had a worship time, and for me personally it was very refreshing to put my focus back on God.  

The Brotherhood created a sweet techno song on Robbie's Apple computer, let me tell you, it is a hot beat.

Please pray for health because several of us are struggling a little bit with fatigue, and sickness. Pray for wisdom and divine help in situations that we don't know what to do. Pray for spiritual strength to win the battles we will face. 

Oh yeah and that we would all get a shower tomorrow. 

Day 1

Well we left. Yesterday morning we finally got on the road to begin our trip to Denver. A lot of us were pretty tired out from Summer Adventure Week at our church, but I think everyone is very excited to be finally going.

Robbie, James and I got stuck in the back of the Van but it was alright. Jame's mother was kind enough to buy us a six pound bag of gummy bears, of which about two pounds are in my stomach right now.

In the van we all told our life stories, (breifly of course) and James's can be summed up pretty easily, and I quote, "My parents say I'm friendly, I don't like to talk very much." Hilarious.

We drove to Casper Wyomming and arrived at about nine thirty. We're staying at a community center owned by a church, I can't remember what it's called. We played some basketball last night in the gym to unwind from the Van trip then the guys went out to get some gas for the Van and we realized that after 11:00 virtually all of Casper shuts down, which was a problem.

Robbie, James and I got up early to run this morning, and I think all of Casper is uphill, seriously. We eventually ran onto a cart path on a golf course which was fun, but by the time we made it back to camp we were all pretty tired.

Time to go eak breakfast, going to cover all of yesterdays junk food with donuts and cereal to try and cleanse my system. Another day of driving, only about five hours though, and we'll be in Denver. Please pray for sanity in the van, and safety on the road.

P.S. Robbie wants to know if there are any side effects to eating an entire bag of trail mix. Quote "I just love this stuff!"

Prayer

We are just four days away from departure, I can’t believe it. Denver is coming, and coming fast. I’m excited, and I know that everyone else going is too. Now, more than ever I am inclined to ask for your prayer support in this trip. Prayer makes such a difference, God moves when we pray! I can’t wait to see how, but I know that we will need as much prayer as we can get for this trip.
Every aspect needs to be given up to God and taken out of our hands. I believe the most important thing we can do on this trip is to hand it completely over to God, I know that I am not capable of anything on my own, and I need God for everything. This trip is God’s not Mark’s, and not Brian’s, or anybody else’s. It is God’s. Completely for him, and completely made possible by him.
Prayer will change this trip. Prayer will empower us in this trip. Prayer is the backbone of what we will be doing, without it we will be working in vain, I truly believe that.

Matthew 9:38 – “therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”

2 Corinthians 1:11 – “You may also help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.”

Matthew 21:22 – “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

Colossians 1:9 - “An so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understand, so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.”

That is my desire, that prayers would not cease for us during this trip. Prayers that we could all be filled with the knowledge of God’s will, and that we would walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him in every area of our trip. Alone it is impossible that these things happen, it is only possible with the help of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Here are some prayer requests we have right now:

1.) Unity

We will be working with about 30 other students and staff in Denver from three difference churches. Unity can be a hard thing, especially by our own power. Please pray for unity in the team going from MAC, and that we would have unity in Denver with the others and be able to fellowship with them as brothers and sisters in Christ.

2.) Ministry

Please pray for the ministry we will be having in Denver. For all the people we are going to interact with, including each other. We have no idea who God plans to touch through us in Denver, but pray for those who he has ordained to be affected by us. Pray for the broken, lonely, hardened people we will meet, pray for the children we will work with during out Vacation Bible School. Pray for everyone we will come in contact with in Denver.

3.) Individual Growth

Pray for those going on the trip, that we will each encounter God in a way we have never done before. Pray that we will all individually grow in Denver, and become closer to God in a life changing way. It’s not too much to pray for life changing events and spiritually changing encounters. This trip could be the turning point in peoples walks with God.

4.) Physical Strength

Our days will be long and hard, pray that we will maintain our strength and patience with each other. Pray that we will sleep well and our bodies would be strong enough to serve God all week long.

5.) Staff

Pray for Brian, Robbie, and Cathy as they lead us in this trip. Pray that they will lead by example, and be strong and faithful to God. Pray also that they would be patient, and be able to be strong Christian leaders and that God would strengthen them and use them exactly as he wants too.