Summer Journal 2006

Richardson Naz arrived safe and sound and ready for adventure to Colorado Springs. Monday morning started out with a great breakfast from the Benedictine sisters of Benet Hill Monastery and then they put us to work around the retreat center. The team mowed, spread word chipping on newly created trails and cut and moved dead trees. The work was hard but the team thrived in the cool Colorado climate. After lunch, we took the team to explore the red rocks of The Garden of the Gods.

The next day we went for a short drive through the mountains to Florissant Fossil Beds Park for a little hiking and exploration. The park was full of petrified redwoods and incredibly detailed fossils of ancient insects and plants that reveal a very different Colorado of long ago. We ended the day with a great encounter time and an amazing meal whipped up by the team.

Tomorrow we head out to the Royal Gorge for a day of white water rafting.

Please pray for protection, direction and strength for our staff and the groups heading out for their next pilgrimages.

NEW ORLEANS
Molly leads the biggest trip of the summer starting today in the Big Easy. St. Albans comes in from Pennsylvania joining with Apostles, Epiphany and St. Luke's from Dallas. This will be a team of almost 60 people which presents many challanges and opportunities,

COLORADO
Jason and fisrt time director Eric Neubauer lead Richardson Nazarene to our maiden voyage to Colorado Springs where they will engage in hiking Pike's Peak, river rafting and many other outdoor activities.

CANTERBURY
Shawn and Cheryl lead our old friends, Holy Communion from Memphis Tennessee, to southern England where we will explore the Canterbury trail. This is also a maiden voyage for the crew so pray for open doors and abundant wisdom.

None of these trips mean anything unless we expereince moments of wonder. May god grant us an abundance of those moments. "I didn't ask for sucess. I asked for wonder." -Abraham Joshua Herschel

The Wonder Voyae staff has been partaking in a couple days of much needed rest. We love the privledge to lead these journeys but the scheduling can be very intense. This is a physically, emotionally and spiritually taxing calling so days of restoration are appreciated.

Molly remains in New Orleans between trips visiting old friends and catching up on sleep. She told me she went to bed at 5 p.m. on Friday and did not wake up unitl 8 a.m. Saturday.

Jason is back in Dallas at his home resting. He took his time to see 'Nacho Libre' (which he gave high reviews- especially enjoying the baptism scene), visiting the comic book store and sleeping as many hours as possible.

I was able to come home and enjoying June 23- my 18th wedding anniversary. This is the first time in 5 years Cheryl and I celebrated our anniversay on our actual wedding date. (I am usualy out of the country on a trip at this time).

The key to restoration is REST and thankfully we have had a couple of days to enjoy just that.

There was little rest for the Skillman/St Matthias crew as they wound down their last day of work. The team was split into two groups; one group went to the Ninth Ward to hand out water, food, toilet paper and other necessities to those in need, while the other group went to gut another house. It is hard work in the hot sticky New Orleans climate but the team soon realized how worth it it all was as they drove through an area where one of the levees broke. The destruction had a sobering effect on all of us and made for great conversation later that night about our own lives and what we hold dear to us.

After four days and over 600 man hours of house gutting, trash pick up and handing out needed supplies to the “New” New Orleans, the team took a much needed break and explored the French Quarter, ate some great food and even spent a little money on feathered masks, goofy T-Shirts and a few beads to show off the New Orleans spirit. After a few hours of exploration and shopping, it was off to the bayou for one of the infamous swap tours where Captain Craig is always entertaining and, in the opinion of most, a little crazy!

The night ended with a great meal and some moving stories and confessions in “Pass the Candle”, a time where we share our moments of wonder and encourage our fellow brothers and sisters, reminding them that although the trip is over, the journey has only begun.

The team for VLC is reluctantly celebrating their last full day in Ireland. Every journey must have a return but they are all wishing they could stay much longer. The day started out with a special surprise. Father Johnny asked us to attend the morning service at Esker. The parish is in the fifth day of celebration for their Novena (Nine Days of Prayer). Each service (5 a day) is packed with people and the priests are preaching with fire. This is a wondrous occassion to take in for the team from Waco, Texas. During the 8:00 a.m. service Fr. Johnny spoke on renewing our commitments for Christ and shaking off the old religion of our parents in exchange for a personal vibrant relationship with God. After the Eucharist Fr. Johnny brought the team forward with the applause of the church. He prayed a wonderful prayer for a continued aventure of faith for these pilgrimagers then he asked us to pray a blessing over their congregation. This was a great honor during this time of celebration and we are humbled by the invitation.

Please pray for the safe and easy travel of the VLC as they head back to Texas early tomorrow.

Please pray for the Mavericks to kick the Heat's butt tonight. (OK that is a selfish unanswerable prayer but I needed a moment to purge my soul.)

It has been a hot couple of days here in New Orleans. Our Skillman/St Matthias crew has spent the last two days serving our friends with YWAM New Orleans by gutting a house in mid-city. The house is owned by a small local ministry, and has been used as a group home for people struggling with poverty issues. The team has done amazing job stripping the house to the bare frame.

In the process, the team has really gotten a sense of the overwhelming nature of the rebuilding tasks ahead for this special city. Many of the team members expressed a desire to do MORE. We can do our best during the time we are here, but the monumental task is going to require all of God’s people to come together to help.

We made a special friend in Miss Georgia Lambert, a lady who lives across the street from where we are working. Miss Georgia survived the storm and was in the process of refurbishing her home of 20 years. Just last Tuesday, however, a fire, that started next door, completely destroyed the interior of her home. Miss Georgia says she is still “so blessed” by God, and will seek His will for the next step in her life. We prayed last night to all have that kind of joyful faith.

VLC in Ireland spent the day visiting the Esker Parish Church to experience their first mass. They were touched by Fr. Tony Kavvangh's message about renewal in the church and reaching back to not only the roots of our faith but the passion of our faith. After the totally packed out church service (standing room only) the team visited the ancient site of Clonmacnoise where 9 different churches were established over 1000 years. This was a great example of the faith of the Irish throughout the ages.

Meanwhile...

Molly and Jason moved south on the Mississippi from Memphis to New Orleans…from pulled pork barbecue to spicy jambalaya. Their group is a combined team from Skillman Church of Christ, and St. Matthias Episcopal. They arrive with the pledge to be like the early believers in Acts chapter 4: full of the Spirit, of one heart and mind, and holding all things in common. The people of New Orleans will not see two churches, but the Church, united in passion and in purpose.

Our final day in Memphis was filled with exploration. We began our morning with a visit to the historic Elmwood Cemetery. The students from Olive Place were challenged to consider the legacy of their lives and to leave behind in the cemetery those things which were hindering them from fully living the way God intended. It was a powerful time, and many walked away with new resolve to live amended lives.

We also toured the second most visited site in America: Graceland, former home of Elvis Presley. After our tour the students were asked, “To whom do you make pilgrimage?” In this city of “Kings” like Elvis, B.B. King, Martin Luther King, cotton, and pork barbecue, it is crucial for us as followers of Christ to remember our King and not get distracted.

We spent the evening sharing the ways in which God had challenged and changed us this week. It will be hard for many of the students to leave tomorrow. They have experienced God in new ways here in Memphis. Many of them have made commitments to live new lives. Many of them have discovered gifts for ministry. Our prayer for the Olive Place students is that they take Fort Worth by storm, and continue to walk those new paths upon which God has placed them.

We have been visiting An Tobar Nua in Galway Ireland. This unique cafe has severed thousands of youth with fantastic food and a variety of services such as counseling, teaching in the schools, concerts, inspirational speakers and a safe haven for wandering youth. They have just finished a 9000' foot expansion program which has added male and female dorms, teaching rooms with state of the art media, and internet cafe, a counseling center, chapel and women's shelter and outreach to unwed mothers. We are proud to be a part of this finest of organizations.

The team from VLC has been working hard to clean the newly constructed building preparing it for a grand opening in two weeks. The dust has overtaken but was eliminted along with carpet cleaning and window cleaning, bathroom scrubdowns, polishing and any other necessary chore to make this a beautiful place. Part of our phiosophy is: you cannot truly start to understand a culture until you serve it's people. Today VLC served with zeal.

It’s our inaugural year in the city of Memphis, and the youth ministry from Olive Place Baptist Church in Fort Worth has taken the challenge. Our first day was spent exploring the area along the mighty Mississippi River with the purpose of finding examples of faith, integrity, truth and hope. We learned about the people who lost their lives nursing Yellow Fever victims from the 1800’s; and about Tom Lee, who saved many people from drowning in the river in a storm even though he could not swim himself. We finished our day a the National Civil Rights Museum with the stirring words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.,”I cannot believe that God would want me to hate…”

The last two days have been spent serving Shine in the Dark Missions. This organization works with the less fortunate in the Downtown Memphis area. The students experienced a variety of service opportunities, from distributing devotionals, to making and serving food to the homeless, to collecting and distributing toys, clothing and household goods in the housing projects, and having a worship time with handicapped kids.

This week has been an amazing journey. The Olive Place students have gone from fear to exuberance in many ways. Their initial hesitation has turned into a boldness and energy to leap in wherever the Lord calls them. Our prayer is that this is the first paragraph in a new chapter in the history of their congregation.

The gardens of Esker would be the place the VLC team would work sowing their lives into the history of Esker. But they would also tend the gardens of their own hearts as they took times of purposeful reflection on what it means to be a Christian.

The most meaningful moment of the day came as a group of local Catholics joined with this group of American evangelicals in a time of prayer and worship. What they came to find out was that they were really not so different. After the worship time we gathered for team, scones and verbal exchange. The conversation has been engaging and enilightening. We pray these two groups learn that they are not so different and they are eternally connected through God.

The team from VLC has arrived full of anticipation for the coming week. After a bit of exploring and castle raiding (we found and explored old abandoned castle home from the 17th century long forgotten) we made it to Esker. The Esker Monastery has been on this location for 350 years as a constant sign of God's love in this area of Ireland. Esker's church, chapels, 86 lush acres, tranquil woods and constant mystery make this one of the best locations a group can stay. Journey's of the heart are readily available at this place.

At Wonder Voyage we look for culturally unique locations to house our teams so they can engage in best of the location they are staying.

Please pray for Olive Place Baptist as they head to Memphis Tennessee in search of the King (June 11 - 16) and for VLC as they follow the footsteps of Saint Patrick in Ireland (June 12 - 21).

We would also like you to pray for strength, safety, wisdom, creativity and wondrous moments for the Wonder Voyage leaders on the trips.

Memphis: Jason Wendel and Molly Wren

Ireland: The Small family (Shawn, Cheryl, Coeli, Kayla and Hunter), April Wigley and Mike Flickinger.

As the first of 6 Wonder Voyage relief teams head back on the long bus ride to Dallas I reflect on their determination to touch a city so deeply wounded. What did they accomplish?

1. They finished the siding, caulking and painting of the interior and exterior of a huge home that will house thousands of relief workers over the next few months.
2. Built bunk beds
3. Deep cleaned 6 missionary homes.
4. Cleaned out and refurbished a condemned school room that will be used to teach kindergateners
5. Ran 5 dyas of VBS in Algiers Point
6. Installed air conditioners, toilets, stove, microwave
7. Repaired doors and windows
8. Did lawn care and clean up
9. Much demolition

In 6 days they got 5 weeks worth of jobs done off the Youth with a Mission base's list. 979 man hours that equal $11,700 worth of work. Thnak you Calvary and Point View for not only caring but doing something about it.

After an incredible week of hard work the New Orleans team settled down to a great swamp adventure. With our special guide, Captain Chaos, we headed into the bayou spotting several gators. Many on the team hand fed the gators chicken and took in lush surroundings. Anyone who knows me knows I have become obsessed, over the last few years of visiting the swamps, with catching critters. I have become pretty good with snakes (especially Water Mocassins) but today I would catch the grandaddy reptile of them all. Chaos taught me the technique, which consists of dangling your head several inches above the water over a bunch of hungry gators. Pushing some away you eventually lure one to swim away then you gently reach down and grab the back legs hold on with everything you have until he tries to bite. It took several minutes looking face to face with several gators (seriously I was less than 12 inches away from most) until I caught a seven footer. I felt the power of his body as he tried to get away, barely releasing it before the tail whacked me in the face.

What can I say? Dreams really do come true. I'll be back for more in the future.

For the Hillcrest JV Del Rio was primarily VBS. Superheroes and Bible heroes filled the minds of the children from Templo el Tabernaculo. All who attended were touched by the passion and energy of the Hillcrest students. On our final morning in town we also participated in service project with Faith Mission International. Pastor Allen Ehlers and his wife began this organization years ago when their truck broke down in Del Rio. Now Faith Mission takes groups on twice-daily journeys over the border into Cuidad Acuña to distribute food and clothing to the less fortunate. For three hours, in a warehouse which overlooked the International Bridge into Mexico, our team bagged pinto beans and donated clothing for the missionaries who were going across that afternoon. They were able to bag enough for the day, and an entire extra month as well! Way to go!

The team has returned safely back to Dallas, but many have returned with a love for the Del Rio area in their hearts. Who knows whom the Lord might call back here in the future?

The New Orleans teams from Point View and Calvary have formed a seamless bond of unity. They work hard together against overwhelming odds. Restoration is imperative but the need is crushing. This team has been focusing on children's work, restoring a kindergarten classroom, cleaning several peices of property that will be used for relief teams all summer and working on a huge house that will hold over 60 relief workers every week for the forseeable future.

But along with hard work comes good fun. Tonight, these Baptisits and Assembly of God brethren joined our home church in New Orleans, the Episcopal Church of Mount Olivet for a time of worship and communion at the altar. After a touching service they all moved outside to long tables covered with newspaper. As they sat down, hundreds of pounds of boiled crawfish, potatoes, sausage, corn, onions and garlic were poured out. They joined their New Orleans hosts for a genine Cajun crawfish boil. This is communion of a different kind and further shows a love that spans time and eternity.

It’s sunny and hot here in Del Rio, but the team from Axis Student Ministries at Hillcrest Church is turning up the heat. We began our journey in an appropriate fashion by celebrating Pentecost, the coming of the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Christian Church, with our hosts from St. James Episcopal Church.

“How to Smell Like God” is our spiritual focus this week as the students learn to be the “aroma of Christ” in the world. We are exploring the way we live our lives, and being honest about the parts that stink. We pray daily to display the sweet aroma of Christ to the people of Del Rio, and to the people in our lives back home. During the evenings the students are leading the children from Templo el Tabernaculo in ”Superheroes of the Bible” Vacation Bible School. Songs, skits, games, and crafts are the order of the day, and the brothers and sisters from Templo have welcomed us warmly.

The group from Point View and Calvary took the long and winding road to New Orleans. But nothing could prepare them for what they would experience this morning. As we slowly pulled into the lower 9th Ward the group would walk in a neighborhood of about 30 completely destroyed homes. This devestation goes on for 30 more miles- 70,000 homes in all completely destroyed by Katrina. 600,000 people displaced in a matter of hours. We stood right below where one of the levies broke giving people minutes to clamor on to their roof or die. Each of the team members picked up a small relic to remind them of the devestation- stuffed animals, a small angel, light fixtures and even small shoes, all caked with mud- tell the story of individuals whose lives were wiped away in minutes. There were many tears and more prayers.

As we left in silence we had to ask ourselves- what do we hold on to that we think is necessary? What are the most important things in our lives and where does God fit in the vast amount of stuff we own?

I was able to spend a few hours at home with the family and catch up on the details of the summer but by 2 pm I was back in the air. San Antonio will be the destination for a 3 day fun trip for IBC 8th graders called the Mystery Mission.

On Saturday, Molly and Jason headed off to Del Rio Texas to host the Hillcrest JV group for a week of mission work in the Colonias. There theme is What Does God Smell Like? Yes, I am wondering also but I am sure Molly has determined the scent of the Almighty.

The IBC junior high group gave a 100 man hours of work at Daily Bread, a local warehouse that gives away 2.5 million pounds of food a year through collections at local grocery stores. If not collected by someone this food would be wastefully thrown away. Today the kids help sort and load enough food to feed 10,000 people. Quite an accomplishment for a group of students having a fun weekend.

The staff flew back to Dallas today but we were stuck for 2.5 hours on the tarmac in Newark waiting out a thunderstorm. Although delays are not what you wish for the time was used by all of us to catch up on much needed sleep and put our body clocks back on US time. Delays are often a part of the journey but always useful for some necessay task. So today I say thank you for delays Lord.

The day was joyfully spent in the exploration of Edinburgh. Each person was able to hit the sites that intrest them such as the Royal Museum, St. Giles, Grassmarket and the Royal Mile. We had a real treat in the evening as a local storyteller took us on a Saints and Sinners tour of the old town. We heard fascinating stories like John Knox's grave, Deacon Brodie (the inspiration for Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde, why it rains cats and dogs, and Charles II's piddling pony.

As I walked through St. Giles (this is the Vatican of the Presbyterian world- sorry about using a Vatican refrence to my Presby brethren) I was awestruck as I caught a scene of the transfiguration of Christ in a high stain glassed window. Heaven's bright sun was coming through the window in a way (I am sure designed by the artist) that blinded you from the figure of Christ. One of the greatest reasons I love pilgrimage is because it blurs the hard and limited ideas I have about God. I tend to picture Him through the pallet of my humanity. I idealize God into my own image. But moments of wonder, where the glory of God is revealed, reminds me that I can only see what He reveals and there is infinitely more to God than I will ever be able to understand. May He continue to blur my eyes with a blinding glory that never allows me to put Him into a box of my creating.

As the boat pulled away from the island the entire group watched with sadness as Iona slowly faded into the past. Many believe most American young people cannot survive without the constant din of the internet, cable television and their MP3 players. Iona's appeal is its simplicity. Cruising the internet is replaced by hiking pilgrimage trails that are over 1600 years old. The distraction of TV is lost on the white sand beaches, refreshingly clean air, warm afternoons and crisp evenings. Instead of the sounds of your MP3 player you have the glorious silence of ancient ruins, a constant blowing wind that wraps around you like the arms of God and the voices of the saints of the past. The youth of Holy Trinity would gladly give up their modern trinkets for a few more days of blissful exploration on Iona.

But back to the city we must go for new discoveries will be found in Edinburgh.