Day 1: We’re off!

Our first day starts at 5:45am. There’s excitement.... nerves.....and some pretty quiet buses until we all woke up. We spent the day at Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun in Kansas City.  And FUN was the overall description.  As we spent the day, different people hung out together at different times.  Groups were waving to each other as they passed each other..... many times saying “did you go on this ride yet?”..... or “you’ve gotta check out that water ride!”  We watched out for each other and many people helped Sydney with her scooter (she had foot surgery before the trip).  I’m always so proud of the youth when I see them looking out for each other and seeing the bigger picture.

The small groups met for devotions... they talked about the nerves on a roller coaster and how we seem to conquer this as it so easily turns to excitement. What about the ups and downs in life?  Philippians 4:6 says to not worry about anything.  Not always easy to do. They shared excitements and even worries they may have going into a trip with 2 buses and 62 people!  And then talk about what 30,000 is going to look like. (I’m so excited to see their faces when it all starts!)

In just two more days the real trip starts.....the gathering. We will come together and celebrate how God changes everything....Grace changes everything.....Hope and Love change everything. It’s all about Jesus. The Holy Spirit will be doing amazing things with our youth and adults and I’m always so humbled to watch it happen.

Our heads are excited to hit our pillows. So until  tomorrow.....