samwise the brave

amazing.  that one word describes it.  one of the team members who has been on some 28 teams said they hadn’t seen the kind of engagement with a group of juveniles like we experienced today. the gates of hell were literally stormed and it was with amazing energy.  i am at the family table of faithfulness with another great hearted couple and five amazing young men…kind kevin,  jammin josh, nice nic, righteous rod and active alexander.  those were the adjectives they used to describe themselves in our opening ice breaker.  the energy was apparent from the time they all arrived in the conference room at 8:30am.

there were several milestones worth sharing from today.  one was the unveiling of the idea of agape to this young men.  during the third talk of the day entitled “you are not alone” the speaker shares their story of how God has shown up in their story and how ultimately it is  through the means of other folks…doing life together…in one particular way…via a prayer vigil (you can still sign up here).  to nail the point the team reveals a paper chain that is made up of those that have agreed to be in prayer for these boys and the team.  the chain had 1,688 links and it circles the conference room 1.5 times.  the boys just sat amazed at the sight.  its a humbling sight for those on team…but very encouraging.

the second was during the second worship session just prior to dinner.  the music was off the chart.  it has been great all day.  our music leader jeremy shared a song from hillsong united…second chance…  the lyrics are powerful.  So it’s with everything I am
I reach out for Your hand
The hope for change
The second chance I’ve gained

On You I throw my life
Casting all my fears aside
How could greater love than this
Ever possibly exist

Consume my thoughts
As I rest in You
I’m now in love
With a Saviour
Bearing the marks of His love

and put in the context of young men who are incarcerated the idea of “a second chance” yells volumes.  so the reality of 20 of the 25 young men stepping out to mark this day as their day of restoration isn’t really surprising.  all five of our boys at the table and my weekend star, tayrone were part of that 20.  to lead them through the prayer of salvation and then to pray over them as a table was humbling too…and the time of celebration that followed was well…all i can say is my lip sync of tye tribbett was a good practice run because one of my co-assistant spiritual directors is african-american …he played the keyboard and led us to a place that i’ve not been in a while.  our boys were stoked…and i know God was pleased with the sweet sound that filled that correctional facility.

i guess when i saw the sunrise this morning i should have known something was afoot.  the beauty of those colors rocked my drive all the way to the facility.  so tomorrow is day two.  we’ve had to step to another level because the Spirit moved them a day early…imagine.  keeping praying!

for the next three days i’m heading off on another adventure of sorts.  i’ll be serving as a assistant spiritual director on epiphany weekend inside the mohican juvenile corrections facility.  this is  my third time serving on an epiphany, the second in mohican and my first as a spiritual director.

tonite the team gathered at a local campground to be commissioned and sent off on this Kingdom excursion.  the model is an amazing concept and i know has and will provide a major turning point in the lives of the 25 young men who the team of 40 adults will be walking with.

i was reminded tonight during the commissioning service that story from matthew 25:42 where Jesus talks about our serving and loving him by visiting those in prison.  it is so true.

the model for epiphany is centered around the metaphor of a “star”.  the idea being that each star in the heavens is created unique…so are each of us including those that are in jail.   the message for each of our new young friends will be that God has purposed them in to existence and we are there to encourage them to find out what that means.

over the three days will be sitting at tables as new families. since most of these young men come from homes where i’m almost certain there wasn’t a common table where as a family, life can take place.

so pray for our journey…some 25 young men including a new friend tayrone.  pray that we would be faithful to the task…and inspite of our limitations, God will show up and work in their lives…ours too!