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Day Four:
Wedsday, July 29th
Today's Blog Posted By: Eric Peck, et al
Hello San Diegoans, San Diegans?
We write to you from boiling Phoenix on Wednesday, the halfway point of our trip. We’ll start off where Mia and Marisa finished, with our “fun activity” for the afternoon. We went to Jonathan’s parents’ house for a pool party and some intense pool basketball action where the only rule is no hits below the belt, followed by a big chicken fight (encouraged by Jillian of course) and after that a 40 person game of Marco Polo. People also went upstairs to play ping-pong, which Dillon is way too good at. There was also a foosball table that injured Marisa, and Mia punched the ceiling fan and probably broke it. After we had overstayed our welcome, we went back to the church for some downtime and an amazing dinner: ChaCha’s specialty; carne asada. It would take way too long to describe all the fillings and other burrito foodstuffs available, so we’ll just say it was a nice taste of back home. After that we had an “enlightening small group discussion,” (Dane Jensen) followed by an “intense session of full-throttle worship,” (Alex Tyson) followed by strawberry yogurt pie for dessert. What follows next is a little controversial, and we tell you in top confidence. The men of the group decided it would be a good idea to arrange their sleeping bags in such a position, namely, a circle, so that a certain centerpiece would fit perfectly in the allotted space. Now the events are a little hazy, but it seems to us that after the lights went out there was some talking going on, some talking in Borat voices and Batman voices, along with some finger drumming and hysterical giggling that somehow attracted Mr. Jonathan Garman. Mr. Garman somehow found himself situated as the aforementioned centerpiece. “Jonathan decided to park his heiny in the middle of the circle,” said an anonymous source. After this, the men found a new sense of pride, power, and confidence, and proceeded to continue making noise in the dark, which apparently kept all females present awake. “We weren’t strong, but he led us on,” said Barrett August. Finally some of the female leaders had “enough” and came over to “separate” the group, not knowing the all important centerpiece/youth pastor was part of the group they intended to break up. One leader, Dana, was honestly shocked when she discovered that Jonathan was with the noisemakers. Another leader, Skye, grabbed the sleeping bags of Alex Tyson and Zack Lassek, one hand in each, and with superhuman strength dragged them out of the circle. “It was so dark in there I couldn’t see anything,” said Dana. “I saw that white t-shirt and I saw Jonathan was there. It was the last thing I thought I would find.” Dana proceeded to sit on top of Jonathan, which put an end to the party, so to say. After that the boys decided it was finally time to go to bed.
The next thing they knew, the entire group was awoken by the sound of none other than Jonathan’s rendition of the Books of the Bible song: “Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers,” you get the idea. After devotionals we had a breakfast of French toast and sausage, and headed off to our third day of work. One more group came over to the gardening side, leaving the chisels and wall behind for the appeal of compost and sledgehammers. It was probably only 100 degrees today, which was pretty nice. It was also cool that Pastor Laura came to work with us; their family stopped by to visit us on the way home from their vacation. We finished double digging, and the other crew finished the two shade structures. Almost every garden was fenced in and mixed with compost, making them ready for planting. After the work was done, our group piled into the vans and headed back home for dessert, a shower, and a lunch of salad bags, in that order. For those unfamiliar with the terminology, it’s where every student fills out an official form stating what they would like on their salad, and the next day it is magically in a bag for lunch. While most of the students enjoyed the salad, Barrett August found, or better to say, could not find a bone to pick with the meal. “I don’t consider a bag of yard clippings a meal.” Needless to say, everyone was fed.
After that, we went somewhere very unexpected. People were guessing a scavenger hunt, a movie, but nobody was right. I personally had my eardrum destroyed by Mia when we pulled into the parking lot of “Pump it Up Inflatable Party World,” or something like that. After a safety video featuring nobody of high school age, our group sprinted into the labyrinth of colorful, wonderful inflated objects. There was boxing, jousting, basketball, and a ball pit that of course turned into a battlefield of epic proportions; I'm sure you’ll see pictures of the welts from that battle. I never thought I would get so sweaty in an inflatable bouncy house. After our time had run out, we wearily marched back to the vans and headed back for dinner. And as we write this, it’s time for that dinner: steak and cheesy potatoes. You wouldn’t know it but I’m typing really fast so I can finish this blog and eat. Anyways, stay tuned for future updates. Adios.
Eric, Barrett, Peter, Alex, Dane, and other equally important people that I can’t remember because I'm so hungry. Amen.
Prayers:
Our prayers today include – that we are able to help people with the work we’re doing, that our parents don’t worry too much back home, and that our food continues to be outstanding and nourishing as we spend our mornings in 100 degree weather.
We also pray for Jonathan that he doesn’t get too many gray hairs from dealing with us every day of this week, and for the other leaders (Dennis, Skye, Mary, Julie, Dana, Jillian, Jon, Chacha, Rosanna) that have made everything we’ve done possible
We pray for Pastor Laura and her family that they had a good vacation and aren’t totally crazy for spending a couple days in Arizona with a bunch of kids, and that they have a safe and air-conditioned ride home.
We pray that we do well and finish the work projects and not totally die in the heat of Arizona.
Day Four: Wednesday, July 29th
Unending Forgiveness
This morning’s time, prepare yourself for it by shutting out all distractions. Close your eyes and spend a couple moments asking the Holy Spirit to begin to break through the barriers of your heart and to fill it this day with everything that is Him...
Read John 8: 1-11.
This is a very short story with some strange events. First, why do you think the Pharisees used the adulterous woman to test Jesus?
Put yourself in the position of the woman- what emotions or thoughts would be going through your mind during this exchange of religious leaders?
Why do you think Jesus did not respond immediately and, instead, doodled in the dirt?
What possible questions might have the Pharisees asked to finally spark a response from Jesus?
What made the elders be the first ones to leave?
Why do you think they were so willing to leave?
Take special notice to who was left with Jesus. Why do you think even the crowd left?
What was the point of Jesus’ question to the woman, in your opinion?
Since we don’t know, what do you think the woman’s response was to Christ? What makes you say that?
Read John 13: 1-20.
Why would Simon Peter have such a strong reaction against Jesus washing the dust and dirt off his feet?
What do you make of Jesus’ response? Try rewriting it out below in a way that makes sense to you…
Why do you think Jesus waited until he had finished washing all of their feet to explain what he was doing?
Recast this as an event in present day. Where are Jesus and the disciples?
What action does Jesus choose to make his point?
What does Simon Peter say?
Does your version end the same way? What other changes would you make?
What does it look like for us to receive the one that Christ sends?
The adulterous woman. Simon Peter. You. All three have deep, resonating interactions with Christ. Each one encounters a God that loves and forgives. Each one gets their own opportunity to respond to Christ. Think about what your reaction to God’s unparalleled freedom would look like. Think about that while you go through these questions and journal on the following page…
· How do churches (and Christians themselves) convict individuals just like the Pharisees did to the woman?
· Imagine yourself back in that situation on the Mount of Olives. Who would you have been? A random witness? A Pharisee? The woman? Why do you think that?
· What are some situations that you have been in that individuals were publicly ridiculed for their actions? What was your reaction? What happened? What did you do?
· Put yourself in the place of a disciple at the Last Supper- what would your reaction be to Jesus washing your feet? Why?
· Reread John 13:14. Come up with an explanation of what Jesus meant for you to get from these words.
Simon Peter was desperate to be completely freed by Christ, to be cleansed by him. The adulterous woman was about to be sentenced to death. We don’t have the same physical immediacy but it truly is the same situation. Take this time to express to God what you need from Him. Share thoughts, angers, fears, struggles, prayers, and everything else that comes to mind. This is your time to be real with Him. That intimacy is what comes from a life freed from sin so engage God on his terms– ready to show his love in service…
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