Pray

Tonight is our last night in Glenwood Springs. Matt and I are heading back to Texas tomorrow after church. This entire post is some random thoughts that I really couldn't figure out how to word and type into a document. They are just the thoughts that come to my head tonight. Whether or not they make sense?? Who knows. Just some thoughts. Pray.

Please pray for us both, especially me, because I am having a hard time with leaving. It's not that I don't want to leave this PLACE but rather that I hate leaving the youth group. As many of you know, we started off the summer having a lot of struggles getting the youth group together. We couldn't get them to come to things, to speak up in class, to do anything! Just in the last two or three weeks they have really stepped up. We have seen leaders step up, youth who are ready and willing to serve, and a sense of unity that has grown amongst them. Recently, I told Matt, "Now THAT is a youth group!" It seems that it has taken nearly the entire three months of summer to get to this point, and now we are leaving them. I know it is not our fault, and that we did our job and we did our best, but tonight my heart is heavy with a sense of guilt and sadness. There isn't really anyone at the church who is taking over the position of "youth minister". It is not in their plans to hire a full time youth minister, but rather to focus on the "family" aspect of the church, and not a youth group separately. I feel like we are just leaving the youth out to dry. Some of them have even said to us, "We're finally together like a group and now you are leaving us! We're just going to die again..." That is all I can hear in my head tonight. Again, I know its not my fault... but I can't help but take it a little hard. Pray.

I hope and pray that the church leaders will find something for the youth - they deserve it. I also pray that the youth doesn't give up - that they continue to be strong leaders and initiate their own devotionals, hang out times, service projects, etc. I think that praying and encouraging is all I can do at this point.

I want to ask a very specific request tonight. Pray for these youth by name. These are amazing youth and they, and the entire church, need prayers for their future. These are just a few of the youth that are listed - but these are some of the ones that could make the greatest impact on the future of the Glenwood Youth Group.

Neal - Neal is an amazing guy! He is one of the few that you can count on to speak up in class and help start discussions. He is a leader and I am always blown away by the amazing answers, ideas, and thoughts that he shares about his faith. Neal stepped up a few weeks ago and offered to lead a prayer during services. Matt had encouraged him to do it. Afterwards I was amazed when he came up to Matt and said, "I'm glad I did that. I think that could be the next step in my walk of faith. Thanks."

Glenna - Glenna is Neal & Tucker's older sister. She is VERY smart and mature for her age. It shows in her that she loves God. At the beginning of the summer she went on a mission trip with the church and came back on fire for God! She was ready to work out ways to bring back what she had learned to Glenwood. She has talked to us about ways to serve in the community and ways to get involved. She is very open about her faith and is always willing to share it with anyone she meets.

Adam - Adam is a natural leader, but doesn't realize it. He has amazing potential, but hasn't really been given the opportunity to show it. He needs opportunities and guidance and he could be a GREAT leader.

Zack - Zack first comes off as kind of quiet and shy, but we know better. He has an awesome personality and, when you get to know him, is such an awesome person! He is just a great friend and a great person and could really draw people in to the youth group.

Alex - Alex is Zack's older sister. She just graduated, but will be going to a college nearby. Although "technically" she will be out of the youth group, there is still SO much that she can do. She has also approached us and asked about ways to help in the community. She is great at calling people up and inviting them to things and encouraging people to be involved. She is a huge asset to the youth group.

Taylor - Taylor hasn't come to much this summer, really just a few classes. However, just from that, it is CLEAR that he is an awesome leader! When he IS in class he speaks up and gives awesome answers, encourages other people, makes people laugh and is just an all around great leader. Pray that he sees his potential and uses it for God and to help the youth group.

John - John has absolutely blown us away the past few weeks! Him and his brother, Jhonny, have been such a huge gift to the youth group. They don't care what anybody thinks or says about them. They are so honest and down to earth and they have such caring and serving hearts. We have been encouraging the youth a lot to get involved with a homeless program here called "Feed My Sheep". We have tried collecting cans, having them bring donations... things like that. We just last night at the Rockies game, we passed a homeless man on the street. John, without hesitating, stopped and talked to the guy for a minute then gave him every bit of money he had left in his pocket. This is even more amazing because John and his family don't have much as it is. Later, when I asked John about it, he just shrugged and told me what he did like it was something EVERYONE should do.... because it is. I tried to tell him how awesome it was that he did that, but he just realized it was the RIGHT thing to do. John and his family are so giving and so REAL, that they are also a huge asset to the church and the youth group.

Please pray for all of the youth here - they need your prayers. Please pray for Matt and me. We both have a hard time leaving the youth group not knowing what the future holds for them. Give us faith and patience that we will see the fruits of our labor. Pray.

Besides just the youth, we have built many other relationships that will be hard to leave. I told June "Goodnight" tonight then realized it is my last night to stay here with her in her house. She has been such a blessing to me and has been so hospitable. I could never thank her enough or explain to her how much I appreciate her - so pray that she can somehow know. We have made many other close friends in our time here, and I pray that we can keep in touch with them all.

I feel like this entire post is rambling and random stories and thoughts. In case you haven't noticed though, "pray" has showed up a few times. I'm having a tough time tonight... I'm VERY excited to go home, but I'm also very sad to leave this youth group. So to rephrase again - PRAY.