Carolina Creek – Young Life Camp

by | Jul 24, 2009 | buildingaboat, Uncategorized |

WyldLife Camp at Carolina Creek was a huge success last week, and as we pulled up in our charter buses and braved the registration in 100 plus heat, the anticipation just grew to meet our air conditioned cabins and hit the water.  We started our trip with a round of bus volleyball, and the energy and excitement just grew from there.  As we ran in and claimed our bunk beds and hit our first activity as a cabin, we got off to a great start. One of the best parts about camp are the characters and the amazing program team we had there.  We were first greeted by the Redneck Ninjas at the basketball courts, then were introduced to Hans and Tricky Vicky (the doubledutch trio) and Toni Love (the villain) at dinner;  and finally, Mike and Ike (the football fanatics) at Club.  Club happened every night, and the messages were so relatable and broke through some barriers for some significant cabin time with the kids. Whether we were zip lining, involved in a muck war or building cardboard tanks only to plummet them with water balloons, there was definitely a theme of high energy, and the most fun anyone has ever consumed in one day. Amidst all that, building relationships and watching new ones form while centering everything on the Gospel was the by far the best part.   For kids looking for answers about faith, it was amazing to share the experience with them, and see leaders loving on kids with the unique love only God can place in our hearts.  I met some of the most courageous...

Street Retreat – Reward

by | Mar 30, 2009 | buildingaboat, missions, Uncategorized |

  I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed our journey together and to share with you an experience with God today.   I headed into work just as usual but really needed to drive just by the park so I made the block and drove by but nobody there except Stephen.  Yeah, no thanks on that conversation.  I got in my office was hanging out downstairs and a guy in a rebel hat goes strolling by the window. He was not so nice either. Wow first hour already seen two guys from the weekend.  Almost everyday I grab a sandwich at Jimmy Johns (even though Stephen says they suck) and I usually walk down the alley behind the Driscoll.  Like EVERYDAY.  Except today the alley is closed. No biggie, so I walk out on Congress and as I cross over 7th heading South I see Steve (guy that came to church with us) sitting at the bus stop.  So I go over say Hello and I see he is eating so I say I am going to grab a sandwich and talk to him in a minute.  I walk down towards Pita Pit and this woman asks me if she can have some money to get a pita.  I told her no way those sandwiches “suck” lets go to Jimmy John’s. So we go grab her a sandwich and she is very gracious and says she doesn’t have many friends out on the street. I told her to go to the park and meet my friends. I hope to see Christy on Wednesday on our mobile loaves run. Then I head back up the street and...

Street Retreat – Home Safe

by | Mar 29, 2009 | buildingaboat, missions, Uncategorized |

HOME SAFE Well I am home and laying on my sleep number bed safe and sound. Thanks for your prayers over the past couple of days. What a journey man I have never walked so much in my life. One of the things I really enjoyed was the walking because when you walk with 7 guys for two days you really get to connect. It is funny though we would be walking and talking and we would get to a light and all kind of clump together then the light change and we would start walking but you would be walking next to a different guy and a either a new conversation would start or one from a block or two ago would continue. I really enjoyed getting to know the guys on the trip with me and the people on the street. This morning was COLD it must have been close to freezing when we woke up at 7 or so. That is sleeping in to the homeless they are usually up and rolling before light. We stayed in a park way on the eastside and started walking back it was great we walked along the lake. A guy really should not be by a lake at 7am and not have a fishing pole that is just not right. We walked through Marcus’s hood and by his mom’s house then over to a run down hotel with some of the toughest looking dudes of front. Next thing I know we are just walking over to have a conversation. We gave them some of the socks the guys had...

Street Retreat – Day Two

by | Mar 28, 2009 | buildingaboat, missions, Uncategorized |

DAY TWO I am in a park way out in east Austin. There are 7 of us out here from lake hills. We are camping with a homeless guy named Marcus in his spot.  Guys have there spots some camp alone and some camp with a buddy. Only dumb guys out for 48 hours camp in groups of 7 like us.   We were woken up at 5 am to go and serve in the church we slept behind.  We did that until 1 it was hard work but just fantastic. I met tons of people and want to tell you about a couple of them.  I am pretty beat we have been walking a bunch.  The first guy I want to introduce you to is Jeff we is homeless and walks with crutches. He does not speak well but the man can rock a piano. He played for us this am from heart he does not read music but played some amazing music.    I met a woman this am named carol she ran the kitchen at the church. This woman was about 5 feet tall and around 70. She would kick your tail. She reminded me of my aunt tata who was tough as nails but had a huge heart. I really enjoyed joking around with her this am   Things are really kept simple out on the street wear your clothes.  Get new ones. Find food. Repeat   I will tell many more stories tomorrow but tonight i am just beat I have got a really bad headache and so i am going to turn in. ...

Street Retreat – Day One

by | Mar 27, 2009 | buildingaboat, missions, Uncategorized |

    DAY ONE   Well we are currently safe and sound behind university Methodist on Guadalupe. Laying on the ground next to Darrell and Curtis. We walked up here with Kim and her boyfriend Sean.  Guys are well fed as the guy at the church brought coffee, mac n cheese, cookies. Pizza run failed though.   I am on a retreat called the street retreat. It is put on by mobile loaves and fishes.  It is 48 hours on the street with the nothing. No money. No wallet. It is time spent with God and my fellow man.    Well tonight started out a little slow i just could not settle down. I was very anxious to start having some experiences and i finally have settled down a bit.    We got dropped off at a park at 10th and Colorado. There were about 100 people fed by mobile loaves tonight.  I am with about 6 of our guys.  The other 18 are somewhere downtown.  I really have struggled with bringing this blackberry but i am really glad i did to write you.  We got to the church about 8 and started getting ready to lay down. I had a great talk with Sean earlier. He is very well versed in the bible and has quoted a number of scriptures. He talked about the Trinity and compared that to the family. God is the father.  The mom is the Holy Spirit and kids are the body of Christ.  He discussed  how the Spirit is the comforter of man.  Thought  that was an interesting perspective.   We prayed together...