my mandatory WMS post

This is probably my favorite moment in the movie Castaway. Chuck Nolan has spent the last four years surviving alone on an island after his plane crashes in the ocean. One of the most agonizing scenes occurs early into the movie as the desperate, inexperienced man tries to start a fire. After hours of failed attempts and frustration, Chuck finally succeeds at igniting the wood, leading to one of the few triumphant moments on the island as he dances joyfully around it, caveman style.

This photo is from after Chuck is rescued and has returned home to Tennessee. His friends and co-workers have thrown him a huge party at his house and have now left him alone for the first time. Chuck walks over to the buffet table literally spilling over with food and picks up one of the giant crab claws. Then he picks up the lighter and flicks the switch. He stares at the flame.

At their worst, Christian conferences such as the World Missions Summit can encourage people to substitute emotional highs for the still, quiet voice of the Lord and come home with unrealistic expectations for what their life will be like after the sound system is packed up and the worship band has left the building. At their best, though, I believe they offer us a chance to experience something very rare--a true change of perspective. A chance to live, even if only for a few days, without the constant bombardment of the world and all its expectations, deceptions, temptations, trivialities, and distractions. A chance to make even a momentary path for God to reach us, like when you have to kick all the dirty clothes on your floor out of the way just to make it to the bed. When we retreat, especially in the fellowship of other believers, we are able to toss our own paradigms and agendas aside in order to get a glimpse of the Kingdom. And when we get back, we start looking at a lot of things differently.

That was my experience in Cincinnati this past week. Turning my survival callousness off in order to soak in stories of immense suffering and pain, hearing the testimonies of so many missionaries who have sacrificed all for the glory of God and the love of people, worshipping next to so many other young people who are at that point of decision, who are listening for instructions...it was amazing. Out of 3,700 students, at least 800 (it may have been more, that's just the last number I remember hearing) made commitments to 'give a year and pray about a lifetime' in missions. And guess who was in that mix? =)

At this point, I feel like God has confirmed to me that I am supposed to be involved in ministry to homeless youth in New Orleans. It's something I've been praying about for years now, and a desire that only got stronger after the time I spent at Sox Place this summer. At first, I thought the obvious choice would be to open a drop-in center similar to Sox Place in the French Quarter, but since then I've done some more research and found that a drop-in center (underwritten by Tulane, partnered with Covenant House - http://www.tulane.edu/~dropin/) already exists on Rampart St. So now I am praying about whether God wants me to work with this center, or to minister in some other way. Either way, I know that moving to the Quarter will be part of the deal, as I don't want this to be a ministry that I commute to--I want to live close enough to be involved in the community and to establish relationships. I'm taking my time with it all, though, as I still have at least until the summer when my commitments to Chi Alpha and my internship with the Tennessee Williams Festival are up. But that's the direction I'm going and that's the desire of my heart. The river's been parted and I'm taking my first step onto dry ground.

Here are a few of the extremely memorable pictures from the trip. I've emphasized the seriousness of the conference, but make no mistake that we had a blast. My cheeks literally hurt from laughing so much over a period of four days, and I don't think I've ever used the word "whoremonger" so much in my life.

Until next time, blogosphere...

me about to break it down in the post-midnight New Year's Eve dance circle

(left to right) Kelsey, Ashley, and Jen demonstrating the "gimpy" scout's honor

Chi Alpha New Orleans representin' at the exhibit hall

New Orleans girls about to tackle the ice skating rink

me likey coffee