When I arrived in Philly two days ago to pick up my co-leader, who I was told was a vet as far as project leaders are concerned, I was a bit intimidated. A seasoned leader with a type-a newbie who is freaking out over details he doesn’t yet have?
I was already dreading this week.
I hadn’t finalized a schedule because I didn’t know what our contacts expected of us. Not to mention the fact that one of our project contacts already fell through AND I wasn’t really sure if all these people had confirmed they were coming OR if Laura and I just didn’t jive or she hated me or….
You get the picture, right? I was nervous.
But after meeting Laura, spending our first day grocery shopping for 45 humans and supply shopping for contacts, laughing at similar stupid jokes that we both enjoy and sharing some wicked good vegan ice cream from a local shop, my mind was put at ease about managing all these people.
My last big ‘what if?’ What if these people get here and they are just awful? What if they are mean? What if they complain about everything and just…
Valid point. Someone might be terrible. These groups might not have the right mindset. They might just hate me! But Laura reminded me of something very important:
“It is not about you or me. It is about what God will do this week.”
So when everyone arrived and we settled in for orientation, I lead with that. And you know what every single one of these participants said?
“Amen.”
During worship, we sang Come to the River, an amazing song by House Fires. The lyrics say,
Come to the water, all who are thirsty, come and drink.
Come to the table, all who are hungry, come and feast.
Those who are weary, those who are needy, come receive.
Come to the river, taste and see…
I felt like Jesus is speaking that out over Philly. He is calling to people who are hungry, thirsty, weary and needy and saying Come and get it.
The best part? These participants are that river. They are the hands and feet of Christ this week and they are going to rock it. Their attitudes have already proven that. Laura and I couldn’t have asked for better participants. We’re so thankful for them.
Ministry starts tomorrow, and we are partnering with two groups:
The Salvation Army Pioneer Corps, working a VBS and academic programs. One of the participants, Sam, has already been incredible, making sure curriculum and supplies are gathered and that all the lead teachers are empowered to make this week awesome. I couldn’t have asked for a better person.
And The Varaso Family, urban missionaries on staff with Adventures in Missions who have been working in the city for the better part of a decade, pouring into the Fishtown neighborhood where we are.
We’re excited to share with you more about what we are doing this week, and you can bet there are going to be some amazing stories coming out.
Please pray for us for favor in the neighborhood, favor with people, and that God will be a river through Philly!
Talk to you soon!
Kevin & Laura
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