Summer 2009

It’s been a while.

The summer months were crazy, and I was not able to keep up a blog. God has taught me a ton, and I wish I could capture it all in few enough words to have people actually read it, so here is my best to capture the highlights.

First, summer camp was amazing. Snowbird Wilderness Outfitters is the most amazing summer camp any youth could attend.

Second, Senior Trip to San Antonio was a blast. I am pretty sure all of them are sold on things being bigger and better in Texas… except for the beaches.

Third, I really felt convicted to help out with areas of ministry outside of my church, especially helping those in need who are in poverty right on our front porch in the Atlanta area. I had a chance to work with a kid named Justin Johnson who was a homeless teen. I bent over backwards for this kid calling shelters, employers, case workers, and anything in between. I found his sister in Waco, TX and had her trying to help him too. Then right when everything seemed to be going right, he went off and stole our children minister’s computer. In his stealing spree he took a few other people’s stuff and got himself locked up because he was already on probation.

I have never felt stabbed in the back like this before. His sister (at first) told me not to help him, other people around me told me to be careful, and this whole thing was just draining… then he goes off and steals from us. He proved everyone right, and added fuel to everyone’s arguments on why these people are hopeless.

However, in the mist of this I was given the most simple piece of wisdom and encouragement by Wayne Morgan. He said, “Jeff, you stick out your hand… sometimes you pull people up, sometimes they pull you down, sometimes you just have to let go… whatever happens, the important thing is that you stick out your hand.”

This situation has left an impression on my heart, and that simple saying will be passed on to a lot of people. Thanks Wayne.

Fourth, Guatemala was a ride. I think a lot of people would go down there and want to change their way of life, but their way of life isn’t broken… it works just fine for them. They do not even know that they are in poverty. However, many of their relationships are broken. There are a lot of fatherless homes, and there are a lot of people who have been burned by the church in the past and have hate towards Christ because of it.

We had the chance to share the good news of Jesus Christ with a lot of people down there, and about 30 people ended up responding to the call.

In Santiago we told the story of David and Goliath, and when we tried to transition to Christ most of the kids turned and started walking away... But one kid stood tall and proud and said, “In the name of Jesus there is power!” This kid was probably in 2nd grade, and his proclaiming this truth brought warmth to my soul. After the translator explained what he said I got down on one knee to be closer to his level, and I asked him to tell everyone what he just told me. I really hope and pray that he raises up as a leader for Christ in his community.

After the rest of the team left for the states, Chad Hambrick and myself stayed back to speak at a youth leadership conference. It was supposed to be in Guatemala City. It wasn’t, it was “3” to 5 hours away in the Central American Jungle where it felt like you were walking through a hot tub that had a deep end. We were supposed to ride down there in a car. We didn’t, we rode in an old school bus on the hump where the tire is. We were supposed to have our own room. We didn’t, we slept in a room fit for about 25 students, but it had about 50 kids crammed in there. This part of the trip was clouded by miscommunication, but I’m sure there was some important lesson that I forgot to learn.

Now summer has gone, and the fall semester is here. I look forward to what God has in store for me, and for First Baptist Covington. I have high hopes with the Student Ministry, and I really think we can rock this county for Christ (does that sound like cheesy youth minister talk? I think it’s wearing on me).

Stay tuned, and I’ll keep the blog more up to date for the months to come.