7am! Wow what an early morning … see Emelia’s reaction to it while in the car. But once we got on the road it was clear sailing, well, almost. We hit a construction zone just as soon as we got into California and then another once we got closer to San Francisco. But we are here now in Walnut Creek safe and sound and in a beautifully remodeled church – Saint Matthew Lutheran Church.
Along the way though we saw some beautiful sites. This was Mt. Shasta in northern California … We all scampered out of the car for a few minutes to stretch our legs and take a few pictures.
Oh, and I forgot to mention
that last night while the concert was going on Phil and Kathe joined us in Klamath Falls. They drove their Toyota Prius down to chaperone the trip. The added thing that Phil and Kathe brought to the trip (among many others) is connections. Kathe’s niece – Nancy – owns a restaurant in Napa, CA (called Graces Table). So our early morning this am was to be able to have lunch at Graces Table and boy did we lunch!
The girls all ordered various things from the menu – burgers, gnocchi, chicken breast sandwich – but then through Phil and Kathe’s family’s graciousness they each received a dessert of their choice – 3 chocolate mousses and 1 cheesecake. Needless to say chocolate and cake for teenagers goes over well! Thank you Phil and Kathe and thank you Graces Table!
And now we’re just here at Saint Matthew. We just had our first dinner together that any of us have cooked – Danielle and Sidra did a great job with sloppy joes and watermelon. And in a few minutes we’re going to start our evening worship/bible study/devotion time. During this time each evening we’ll be looking at the book of Philippians and studying what good things Paul has to say to us through that book.
Well I think that is about all for now. Tomorrow we’re off to St. Anthony’s to serve hot meals to folks who are homeless. Pray for our safe travel and for our hearts and minds to be open to those we meet.
Blessings to you all!
Pastor Andy
So far, it sounds wonderful! Looks like your weather is as nice as ours was today-71 in Parkdale. My prayers are with each of you, to have a meaningful experience, and most of all in impact some lives, even if in a very small way. Remember to smile!
Love all of you, and I know this trip is special. Sharon
Thanks for the great updates. Have fun and be safe.
We are watching and praying for you along the way. Keep your minds and hearts open to the beauty in the lives of others!!! That’s God smiling back at you!
Love seeing what and how you are doing. Praying you are having a wonderful time and seeing things through new eyes. Can’t wait to hear how the first day of service went and how God touched you through the experience!
So great to follow your ‘journey’ of learning and experience. Thanks for sharing and doing something meaningful. My prayers remain with all of you and those whom you serve.
Dear young Christians,
I appreciated your service and work among people that need not only encouragement in many ways, but also the very tangible demonstration of care and love through food, water and service. Thank you so much.
This Sunday I will be the guest preacher and I am going to preach on the Matthew 10: passage. Here matthew tells the story of the disciples receiving a cold cup of water from the people that were not disciples, and it made me wonder: What would our kids say about what they have received from those who are not disciples right there where they are serving?
I also thought about a time when I was one of the advisors or chaperones that took a confirmation group to Seattle from the Richland, WA. area. We visited the various mission organizations in the lower streets of downtown Seattle, and there our little
protected kids saw the first of poverty, drug additions, people passed out in the street and also prostitution. It opened eyes– it opened hearts and I think that our yooung people appreciated all the more, the importance of their homes and the teachers that God had provided.
Blessings, You are in my prayers, Judith Ann
Hello Young partners in mission,
Thanks so much for what you are doing. It is very encouraging to many of us here to see what you are doing and how you help the kingdom of God reign.
Don’t forget to get good sleep! Judith Ann Richards
How exciting to read on the positive, tho tired, feeling each of you seems to have about your service to the ‘hidden’ people of where we live. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, and you have experienced true discipleship by reaching out to those who need to be friended, fed and loved. I can’t wait to see all of you and hear more about your ‘journey’. Safe travels. Know there were invisible angels at your side-in spirit, guided by the Spirit.