I'm ready for take off!

Tomorrow is the big day! After six months of planning, fundraising, and anticipation, I finally arrive in New York City. I'm sure most of you already know, but incase you don't, I am going to live and work as a missionary intern in the Bronx for ten weeks this summer. I'll be working with Jared Looney and some other cool cats, and the Bronx Fellowship. The Bronx Fellowship is a simple church network, otherwise known as house churches. It's a totally awesome ministry. You can check them out at www.bronxfellowship.org.

I'm so excited about this opportunity. I've been blessed to be part of a house church here in Abilene this past semester, and have developed some meaningful relationships with people through it. Our church often met at the house I live in with three other girls, who were also part of the church, and our time together consistently entailed dinner and communion. We would sit around the table together and share with each other what God had been doing in our lives as of late, pray for each other, or share our creativity with each other. And we almost always ended up watching a movie. That was a typical Sunday at church.

The great thing about doing church the simple way was that we didn't just show up once a week and sit next to each other while we sang. We shared life together as we helped each other to walk in the way of the Lord. I know that sounds kind of heavy, and those of you who are reading this who were a part of church with me this past semester may be wondering why I say that, but that is how I view what we did. Because not only did we meet on Sundays, but we saw each other almost every day of the week. A few of us literally lived together, and a few others were over so often that they practically lived with us, which we loved. We were in each others lives in such a natural and pleasant way that we were able to be there for each other through good times and bad, to hold each other accountable in a way that wasn't forced by the familiar title of "accountability partner," and to share what we had with one another.

Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying it was a utopia. There were facets of church that we were lacking in. However, it gave me a glimpse into another way to be the church, a way that is as ancient as the very faith we participate in. This is the kind of church I will be a part of this summer, the kind of church that I will have the chance to learn about living and working in. The network of house churches in the Bronx has been around for some years now, and I am so psyched to see it in action.

I know that God has so much for me to learn this summer, and I plan on "taking notes with my eyes" (name that movie!). There is a great possibility that I may be doing what I learn this summer with some dear friends, Mark and Katrina Willis, in Chicago after I graduate. Check them out at http://godgrown.net. They're awesome.

So if you have a chance, please pray for my team and I. I will be there with four other college students: Heath, Katie, Jordan, and Clarissa. We will be living and working together all summer, so pray for our team, that we would work well together. Pray for our safety. But most of all, pray that God stretches and grows us in our faith, and that we learn what He has to teach us. Thanks for all your love and support!

PS: The movie was "Almost Famous." Go figure, right?!