Wasilla Bible Church (Trip 1):

I just returned from an “eight-day” Sea Kayaking trip through the Canadian Jervis inlet. Round trip was 112.8 miles. Magnificent and beautiful doesn’t quite grab and hold the wonderment of the environment I have been in and a part of the last week. It’s most definitely a testimony of who God is and the things He can do and/or has created. It goes to show us the time God spends creating and molding us into glamorous, appealing, gorgeous, loved children. It’s breathtaking to be surrounded my mountains that create an extreme sense of smallness. More importantly, this is a great reminder of the hugeness of God- mountainous!

The leaders/senior pastor I spent the week with had a mountainous love for the kids they brought here. I was blessed to spend this time with the senior pastor of a church from Wasilla Alaska. He was a man after the heart of Jesus and trying to communicate the love of God to his kids- a seemingly impossible task at times. These kids were amazing and the things God did through my willingness to step out and into their lives were beyond my comprehension.

One kid, Matt, had a life changing experience. One thing we do here at Beyond is implement a thing called the “life story”- yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. We share our story from the beginning to the end with all the nitty gritty in between with our participants, and then we ask them to share with us. The first night on the inlet, I decided to set the example for what this would look like.

I started at my birth at a very young age to a great mother and father in, what I think was, Redmond Washington. I talked about my relationships with my brothers and parents. I went in depth; I shared all about who I am and the struggles I’ve had throughout the last 23 years. I talked about having little-to-no friends as a youth, my not- so-hot relationship with my oldest brother, the hurt caused by name calling, the struggle with drugs, sex, partying, my recent deep, deep hurt from a broken relationship, and anything else that popped into my heart at the time. I went there and shared that. I’m not the type to leave out the details. I shared the man God made me to be and the things that have happened to get me to where I am today.

I allowed these leaders and kids feel who I am. I asked them to crawl into my feelings, emotions, experiences, and hurt so they may grasp the seriousness of this life and the things that are often sent in our direction throughout. After sharing our story, anyone can ask any question. It’s an open forum. One aspect of sharing a life story is that the one who has shared is asked to pick another from the crowd the share. I chose Matt.

Matt hasn’t lived much of life yet. He is serious about going into the Marines. And, I honestly believe wants to know Jesus. And, I wouldn’t say this about everyone, but I believe he will find Jesus in his pursuit. He mentioned his early life, where he went to school and all the other little things we do as teenagers. Then Matt got to last year... he quickly brushed over “and then that’s when the bad stuff started happening...” To which my response was, “what exactly is ‘the bad stuff’?”
It took him a few long minutes of beating around the bush before he came out and shared his struggle. With tear filled eyes this young man shared his real heart with our group, knowing he was going out on a limb and lowering his guard. I believe he met and learned grace for the first time during that sharing moment. It sounded like everyone around him wanted to condemn him, blame him, try to get him “better”, or turn him around.

I couldn’t help but lean over to Matt and tell him what the Lord put on my heart, something that has been so heavy to me the last seven months. “Matt, no matter what you do, you can never loose the love of God. God dearly loves you. You are his child.”

From that conversation forward Matt became Matt. I saw a young man go from reserved and/or fearful to let himself out become a man who wanted to share who he was and what he wanted to become. Thank you, Jesus. Continue your work in Matt.

The rest of the week we shared eleven life stories with a lot of emotion and a lot of hope. Weather these kids heard God’s audible voice or not (joking, but leaders did expect this to happen :)), I believe they are seeing the living God through and in us here at Beyond. I don’t think every group from this point forward will be as awesome as this one, but I do believe good things are to come.

We spent every night of the week sleeping on the beaches, leaving the tent in the kayak, seeing all that the stars had to offer- WOW! The entire week the weather has been well over 100 degrees. Teenagers apparently don’t believe in sun screen, so many of them felt the wrath of 100 degree heat and beaming sun. We had a lot of sun burns. One day, in an attempt to cool down, the guide team decided the risk outweighed the gain, so we lead the group through a water fall to cool down. Amazing beauty!

Honestly, I don’t remember many of the physical events that occurred this last week. Things like distance of paddling, food, places, camping areas, not showering for seven days, BIFFs (Bathroom In Forest Floor), etc. don’t really stick with me. What does stick out are the hearts I was allowed into. I was asked to join in someone's life. My position as a guide allowed me to be united with youth in a way I have never experienced, yet I have been longing for for a long time. There is a catchphrase on the back of Young Life: “you were made for this.” I am made for working closely with youth/people. Now what do I do with that?

Another great conversation I was blessed to have was with a student named Chris. He was a very hyper and an attention-getter. I saw so much of me as a youth sitting deep inside of him. I understood what was going on underneath the surface, a heart trying so hard to escape and love others but not knowing how to do it. His heart is good, but he has spent the last eighteen years creating a outer coating that shows a man who has had to protect his heart from years of abuse. Though our experiences in life were not the same, I saw the similarities and had the opportunity to speak. So, I did.

I shared my life with him. I shared my experiences with him. I allowed Chris to see what life looks like where he is and where he is heading. I had real authority and credibility because I have been there. I have experienced it and have come through.

At the end of the trip, he snuck up to me and said: “you helped me.” To many this is a statement to be overlooked. Something expected after a trip like this. To me, knowing what it takes to walk up to a stranger and tell them they made a difference in their life is a BIG deal.

Highlights:

numerous bear sightings (4); deep laceration to one of the participants left ankle requiring serious medical first response; great kids; three sea planes flying ten feet above our heads/landing besides us; night paddle that allowed us to see the sun rise over the mountains; a great conversation with a kid who has ADHD and is hurting;

I want to thank those who have been praying for my back and shoulder. Up to the time I crawled into the Kayak the first day of the trip, both were hurting ever so much. The second I took the first paddle stroke the pain disappeared. I was able to be available for these kids with nothing physical blocking me. I really did believe and rely on God to help, and he did! Please continue to pray for my back and shoulder.

Please be praying for some idea or direction regarding living, working, ministry, and community. I am not clear on so many things. I understand I might not get the answers I want. I am alright with this. What I would love to see is the next step, but sense I have two months before the next step... pray for the next step.

The next trip starts in three days. Thankfully, I am not on this trip. It appears to be a completely female trip, meaning all female guides. Following that is a two part trip. Four days are spent on the water, and six days are spent on a mountaineering trip. It’s a split trip. I think I am one of the guides on this; we’ll see.

Today is what we call the “sabbath”. I have the entire day to relax and catch my breath. I am going to read, eat, write, and maybe go see the new Batman movie in town.