Report 9

Record of Ministry Activities:
Youth Scavenger Hunt 2.5 hours
Coffee Ministry: 30 minutes
Sunday School: 1 hour
Sunday Services: 1.5 hours
Evening Service: 1 hour

Total: 6.5 hours

Personal Reflection:
So I forgot to post last week. (Oooops) But last week (11/22) my Sunday school classs started our coffee ministry. I only got one negative comment ("Are we trying to be like those people across the street now??" The church across the street has a whole cafe in their church. They sell their product). I simply responded that we were just trying to serve people and Christ through coffee. This woman did not have much to say to that, and I simply shrugged off the comment.

Everyone was really cool about the whole thing. Some people donated money (which will be used to buy more supplies) and others just took their coffee and went. This past week, people came in almost expecting it, and others did not realize it was a weekly deal. It will be interesting to see where this ministry goes in the next couple of weeks. The only problem is that my class starts late now and I have to wash the dishes afterwards. Other than this, there is no downside.

Wednesday was our annual scavenger hunt for the teenagers. The youth leaders put this together for the first time when I was in 8th grade (8 years ago). It has been tradition ever since. We send the kids all over town (with an adult leader) to find clues to lead them to one central location (which is always Pizza Hut). We then fellowship and eat and talk about the adventures we had. The worst part about it this year was that inly kids showed up. I can remember when we had to have parents drive in order to have enough seats for all the kids. Aside from this, we had a really good time. It is always noce to reconnect with the kids on a more personal level.

During church on Sunday, our most recent youth pastor came to church )he no longer works for our church, making the situation very awkward. He is also my boyfriend's cousin, thickening the plot of the whole thing. I moved over so he could sit with my friend and I, but really tried to ignore the whole situation. I honestly am not sure he feels the tension rise when he walks in the room, but everyone else feels it. I understand our church is where he feels comfortable worshipping, but it just is not a really good situation.

Other than this, church was great. The pastor did an excellent job and everyone left satisfied. That evening, we did not have our usual hanging of the greens service because there will be a wedding in our church in 2 weeks. Instead, there was a play put on by 6 women and the psator's wife directed it. It was about women who were meeting by the well and discussing what was happening to Mary and Joseph as the baby Jesus was highly anticipated. It really makes one stop and think how we would have reacted in that same situation. Would we have believed it was the coming Messiah or simply laughed it off like the women in the play? It was interesting, funny, and thought-provoking all at the same time.

Spiritual Reflection:
This week (even though it was Thanksgiving) I felt like I was running on empty. I had a really great time with my friends and family, but did not take any time for myself. Sunday's have become more hectic with my coffee ministry and my own Christmas play practice for 2 hours every week. I feel like I have no time for myself and God, but I know it will get better after the semester is over. I loved that we got devotional books today in chapel. I am going to be sure to keep up with them in order to get back where I need to be. It is also nice to think that so many people in such close proximity are going to be having the same devotions every day. It will be amazing to see God move on this campus! I am ready for what He has in store for my life!

Have a great week!