Here's To Less Than Perfect Sabbaths

I have been trying to be really intentional about planning and keeping a day of rest as a family. With changing schedules and little kids, sometimes it feels rather a beautiful illusion, but something that cannot easily be accomplished. So, when yesterday the husband suggested a little hike to the river and a picnic, I got really excited about the idea - what could be better? A hike, time in nature, time as family, rest?

And then, we started getting ready. For the next half hour, I yelled at my kids as I tried to get them to pick up toys and books before we left. I got so angry about noticing the little things that were out of place in my house, and I got frustrated with myself about the fact that I hadn't done this or that before.

Finally, we all got in the car, swimsuits on. The husband thought that we could buy some roasted pork along the way, since that's a Dominican Sunday tradition. Seemed like a great idea to do pork sandwiches, so I packed bread, chips, apples, and water.

And then, we drove and drove. Never found a pork stand along the way. They really are usually every couple of blocks on Sundays, but not a single one to be found. We stopped at a little Colmado (store) along the road, looking for some cheese, and they only had cheese for frying, which the boys won't eat.

Further down the road, it suddenly hit me: I never packed the shoes for the boys. I asked the husband, he didn't either. So, there we were, on our way to a hike, with two barefoot kiddos. As we were driving, I started thinking about all the things that were less than ideal in this situation, but that as frustrated as I was, all these things were not the most important thing - this day was to remember the Lord, and his work, to point each other to Him, and we were together.

I started thinking how this was similar to our life in community as brothers and sisters. Sometimes, being together seems like a very hard task. Sometimes, there is someone who really gets on our nerves, and we cannot do much to avoid their presence. And sometimes, that means we are in this journey with zero excitement, like the toddler here, who got reprimanded for thirty minutes straight before finally being strapped in.

Sometimes, you don't have all the resources you would like to have on your journey together. And it becomes easy to dwell on the things you are missing, and start blaming yourself and others, for lack of planning and foresight, or for someone having been wasteful. But here's the beauty of community - Sometimes, not having all you need, means you get to carry each other.

Although, that may mean that you have to carry the person who drove you crazy all morning, and you have to let the person who was less than patient with you carry you (Note: you don't necessarily have to smile while being carried).

Or, it also means that you have to really do things you dislike, to get to the destination - like my sand-hating kid over here, just taking one step at a time.

And as you continue walking, you may find yourself surprised with the scenery. Something about knowing that you are on your way to fresh river water in the middle of a hot sunny day, helps you keep going. So, no, you don't suddenly find yourself with more things - we still just had bread and chips, but the company and surroundings were more beautiful and fulfilling than what we could have had.

And we found some of our favorite things along the road...

And finally, we got to the long awaited river! We all enjoyed getting in the water and throwing some rocks, and making big splashes.

On the way back, we were surprised by both boys trying to climb a big rock. To us, it seemed something beyond their skill, but the husband only had to spot them and point at places where they could set their feet. They did the work themselves. They cannot do it completely alone, yet. They also would not have had a chance to try out their climbing skills had we not come. And so, it also happens with our journey as followers of the Crucified. We are to strive in the midst of new challenges, and support each other as we do so. If we would choose the easy way of not even trying to go and be together, we would miss these chances of growing together.

Isn't this what we are called to as a body? Are we not to come together as family to the River of Life? Even when it's hard work, even when there is that someone who can get our blood boiling, and we would rather take a time-out from them than go on a hike together, and even when we don't have all the things we may have needed or wanted for the journey. And on our way, let's enjoy the beauty of creation and the beauty of communion and of being together. Because, Christ paid dearly with His life for us to have a chance to become one with each other.

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting each other, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching." - Hebrews 10:24-25

Challenges of Serving in Love

This summer at Pico Escondido was a whirlwind. Summers always are, but this more than most. We completed two major construction projects this spring and summer, including our new pool, which we did in under two months. That, plus lots of work teams and local groups in June and early July meant that by the beginning of outreach camps on July 9th the Pico Escondido team was already worn out. Our local ministry team (Vida Joven) had projected having six camps of about 135 kids and leaders plus 30-35 assigned team and work crew. Sounded great. 

We knew that we would have some new challenges. First, we hosted the first ever Latin America Family Camp for families in the US who wanted to take their kids on an international service experience and learn more about Young Life's ministry in Latin America. This would be sandwiched between two outreach camps, which generally run Thursday to Sunday. We also knew that the sixth outreach camp (one more than last year) instead of occurring at the end of the summer would also be sandwiched between other camps. We had planned for these events. Yet when all was said and done, instead of averaging 135 kids and leaders, we averaged 184. The biggest week we had 260 people in camp. We have 185 permanent beds, so this makes for some operational challenges, especially since we never knew how many kids would show up until a couple of hours before they arrived! And in the end, over 1100 kids and leaders attended camp. This was 60% more than our previous high.

I was generally very proud of how our team took on these challenges. They understand that youth ministry, especially in a culture like the DR, is one of many surprises. More importantly, they understand that we are all part of one body in Christ, striving toward the same goal. That means that Vida Joven's focus is reaching out to and loving kids around the country, regardless of whether the kids are responsible in signing up for camp on time. That means it is very hard to tell a kid he can't go to camp because he is late when you know how badly he needs this camp and to be confronted with the Gospel. It also means that Vida Joven needs people like our camp staff - people who may be less gifted at discipling kids, but who are great at handling the logistics and administrative details of camps. 

In 1 Corinthians 12, it says: "Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body." This is followed up in chapter 13 about different ways we try to serve, recognizing that love is the thing that gives value to all the rest. So for our camp staff, we could have the best camp in the world and we could be amazing organizers and planners, but if we don't bathe it all in love, we are a clanging cymbal. Love never fails. This summer, we were not perfect at loving, but thank you Pico staff and volunteers for having this focus!