Wonder Voyage 2009 Summer Blog

Poverty and homelessness abound in this city and trying to grasp their plight and understand their life is not easy.  But, we are here to serve them so we began our first day challenging our team to, in a sense, walk a mile in “their shoes.”  So, today that is exactly what we did.  Each student prepared the night before by sleeping in their work clothes.  We began this morning early – with a challenge to accomplish three tasks.  1.) Find something useful on the streets that could assist the homeless person, raise a minimum of $5.00 USD (to donate later), and meet + build relationship with someone living without a home.  Each team was bold and successful in their own unique way and blessed a “new friend” with a great lunch, conversation and a small financial gift.  The students were really challenged with this assignment.  Many had no idea what it was like to wander, to depend solely on self, and feel the brunt of rejection from a society who often judges a book by its cover.  They were challenged when they sat down to eat and listen to the stories of the homeless – to HEAR their story and learn from their life.  They realized that many of their new friends actually had something (a bit of wisdom) to give to them.  They may have been physically poor but rich in other ways.  It was a transformative morning and this team came through with flying colors.    

After lunch we headed to Plymouth Church in Brooklyn and had a great tour from the church historian.  She told us about the churches first pastor Henry Ward Beecher – an abolitionist who single handedly inspired a large congregation to participate in freeing slaves throughout the 1800’s.  This church was a significant stop in the Underground Railroad and was integral in raising money and support to purchase adults and children from slavery and send them to freedom.  Abraham Lincoln worshiped twice at Plymouth as did Martin Luther King Jr.  One of the largest churches of its day – it is a testament of how one man can actually change the world.  The students were inspired by the stories and took some time in the courtyard to reflect on what “cause” God might be calling them to stand up for in our world today.  Finally, we came back home via the Brooklyn Bridge – one of the most famous bridges in the world to enjoy our “Stone Soup.”  The team ended the evening with discussion in their small groups about how this day’s events impacted and inspired them. 

We were ready.  Ready and waiting I should say.  With the Fellowship Bible Church leaders prepared and Wonder Voyage ready to go…weather delayed our team’s flight.  Finally, three hours later our team arrived.  Funny – I thought they would be worn out and tired.  Tired – a bit!  Worn out – not even close.  When this team arrived they were ready and roaring to GO. 

We welcomed them into their new house which is situated in the historical East Village of NYC.  We greeted them with open arms and famous Ray’s pizza.  With a warm welcome and good food we had Juan Galloway with New York City Relief speak to our team and lay the foundation for our week of selflessly serving urban youth, the poor and food insecure.  With 20 years of experience NYC Relief is one of the premier providers of food and service to the poor and needy among in New York City.  One thing our team learned right away from our experience with NYC Relief and Father’s Heart Ministry – it is not just the homeless that are struggling.   With the global recession in full swing the homeless, “rent poor”, and elderly are all requiring assistance from NYC charities.  We realized quickly – there is plenty of work to be done.  

After a great beginning to our week in NYC we took the team to Times Square where we introduced them to the city that never sleeps.  The students had a great time exploring Times Square and the unique culture that encompasses the area.  In addition – they had a great time getting used to riding the subway.  Finally, we returned to Fathers Heart and a short rest before the week begins in earnest. 

Well it started out interesting, we got to the airport and could see our plane from the window; wasn’t that hard to miss; big and green with a clover on the tail. We took off in good weather and there were movies and games and a lot of funny looking food (chicken and rice and cheese cake and water in those little applesauce cases). We were supposed to sleep but of course none of us really did so we stayed up a total of 24 hours.

We landed and immediatly got coffee and hot chocolate.  We loved hearing the Irish accent! We drove to get breakfast where I had a really cool looking black hunk of something (which I found out later was blood sausage). Breakfast was really really good and then we went to the mountain “stroll” for about an hour and a half. We all got good pictures and a good walk. Then we had a long ride back, but most people dozed off in the car. Monica and I had seats in the front (yes there are two seats next to the driver who is on the right side) so we got the best view I think of all the farms and sheep.

We came to our retreat center and saw how nice it was. It used to be stables but the man who owns it, John, fixed it up really nice. It has a cool staircase and a hourglass shaped ceiling where the beds are.

The night was fun, apparently I woke up screaming and Monica pounced from her bed for some reason. Why? None of us are really sure but it was the nightly entertainment in Ireland.  

What an amazing week in Belize! As we sat as a group tonight and shared our week, my heart just kept thanking and praising God.  Three weeks ago we were not even supposed to be here in Belize.  We were scheduled to be in Honduras.  Then everything changed due to the political situation that developed there. Our trip was cancelled. We were not sure if our team would be able to go anywhere.  There were a lot of questions being asked, decisions being made, and details to be worked out to see about going to another location. Time was very short!  Then God opened the door to Belize. 

We stepped off the plane with very few details and no detailed schedule.  All we had was trust in God!As I look back on this adventure, one thing rings out in my soul – God is sovereign!  God is in control. This is where we needed to be!  God took an obstacle and used it for His glory!  What a privilege to be a part of the on-going story of God.We had an amazing week and an amazing team!  God worked in us and through us.  Thanks to our sovereign God for all that He has done!

We spent our final full day in Costa Rica driving from the Arenal volcano, through winding mountain roads back to San Jose. Our final destination of the trip was the Anglican House in the Zapote district to the south of the metropolis. Upon arrival, we settled into our new location and were greeted by Father Hector. We were overwhelmed by the hospitality and attention of the bishop; who welcomed us in, made coffee for us, and spoke to us about his vision for the Episcopal Church in Costa Rica.

After our time of fellowship, we ventured into downtown San Jose for a final meal together, and a time of fellowship. The area presented yet another sot of culture, different from the rural fields of Guanacaste or the richness of Arenal. This week has been one of many new sights, people, experiences and ways of seeing God. St. Bart’s title for this pilgrimage was “Abundant Life,” and it was a fitting one. We lived life this week in a few different ways, all of them as pilgrims.

In some ways being with several different cultures and people groups in such a short time is rather Olympian; but the analogy doesn’t stop there.  Besides a local yet international experience, we ran from place  to place to keep our schedule.  We jumped long over work projects that were hundreds of volunteer hours, yet with 25 people on the job, we were  lightening speed.  We passed the baton of leadership  from Wonder Voyage staff to a group of fledging ministers from IBC.  We swam in an ocean  of school supplies and in Michael Phelps style, bagged gold by assembling over 1000 school supply  bags for needy area kids.  Lastly (i know the analogy is running thin but bear with me for one final thought), we hurled javelins of faith into the future.  The javelins we threw will make a difference!  We threw love to Africa, Latin America, the elderly and the poor…all of who are in our own backyard. 

Thus ends the Dallas blogs…

It was an early morning for the IBC team as they hit the road back to Dallas. The trip to Memphis was challenging, both physically and spiritually. The majority of the service was relational and sometimes that can be more draining than physical labor. Nevertheless as the team loaded the vans for their journey home they couldnt help but remember the need carry with them the message of reconciliation they have learned. Reconciliation with others and with God. This group of new peacemakers are ready to bring Christ’s light to the world.

Today the theme of reconciliation came into sobering reality as the team from IBC spent the morning exploring the National Civil Rights Museum. This historic landmark is also the site of Dr. Martin Luther King’s assassination and it carries on the message of the civil rights movement throughout America. After taking a few hours to watch a documentary and read the exhibits, the team found a dry spot of grass outside and heard the story of the “Brown Eyed Blue Eyed” experiment. Conducted the day after MLK was killed this famous experiment looked at the differences in attitude, ability, and prejudice when a group of brown-eyed and blue-eyed children were given different privileges and opportunities. As our time of reflection came to a close we remembered the parable of the Good Samaritan and Christ’s challenge to “go and do likewise.”

After a few hours of time to shop the team met up at Rendezvous BBQ for a filling celebration meal and then headed over to the local ballpark to catch a minor league Memphis Redbirds game, along with a little dancing on the way out. All in all it was a great day to end with, from the culmination of the Civil Rights Museum to the dancing in the streets.

It was a great week in New Orleans working with the Fellowship Bible Church and Pastor Mike Heinz. Each trip that I make to New Orleans on pilgrimage is filled with a powerful sense that God has something special in His heart for this city. Regardless of how you have encountered New Orleans in the past there seems to be a new thing God is doing in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Ask any one from New Orleans about the recovery process and they will say its the Church and God’s people that has been restoring our city. Wherever you go in New Orleans you will bump into teams of Christ Followers who have gathered to work at healing a city and her people.

Wonder Voyage has been leading teams of pilgrims to New Orleans now for 10 years and with each group we have seen transformation. Our trip was no exception. The change we bring in our service to God is one thing but on a pilgrimage you discover that God is after more of your heart. As the pilgrims from Fellowship Bible huddled together on our last night together following our celebration meal. We sang a few songs of worship and gave thanks to God for all that was accomplished in just a few days. What followed was a time for each pilgrim to share what God had taught them over the week and what they wanted to take home with them to maintain the change that had occurred in them as a result of being in New Orleans. Some shared stories about renewed value placed on family and a new evaluation concerning the value placed on earthly treasure. The pilgrims spoke about ‘minding the gap’ between one another, between the church and pre-believers, and the gap between heaven and earth so that God’s kingdom may come to earth as it is in heaven.

The journey of a pilgrim crosses many unique terrains, across mountain tops and the valleys below, and with each step we learn to rediscover the breath of God and learn more of the mystery that is the fathers love for us. These pilgrims are glad that the road they traveled through New Orleans this week was with a community of followers who now, travel together back home. May the journey never end.

Thus ends the NOLA blogs…

On Saturday we went snorkeling on the second largest Coral Reef in the world.  Some of us were nervous, but by the end of the day the awe of God’s creation was unanimous among us.  The experience was truly unforgettable.

The almost familial affinity among the members of our team showed itself as we all remained closed together in the water and watched out for one another.  Even though some of us were a few sunburns, kicks to the face, or scrapes for the worse by the end, we returned to the base feeling closer than ever.

What seemed to ring most in our minds was the creative genius of God.  What human artist could shape the shimmering technicolor scales of a fish as it darts among the coral?  And who knows how to make great fluorescent blue schools move in total unison?  Could anyone choreograph the graceful dance of the sting rays as they fly beneath the clearest water?  Only God.  And that same Craftsman is the One who made you and me.