A couple weeks in Pensacola

One of a few walks with old friends

So...one of the reasons I'm on this trip is that I'm two years overdue to stop off in Pensacola.  I had even thought I might spend a period of time working there, until I met Anton in Klaipeda and moved to Kyrgyzstan.  

My adopted grandparents went on various missions trips in their 60s and 70s

Pensacola has always kinda haunted me.  Growing up there, surrounded by churches on every street corner, just mentioning God was enough to get most people tense.  I hated it.  My particular circle of friends also seemed to be trapped in apathetic, nihilistic, destructive behavior and thought patterns.  Whereas in other places people would party to have fun, in Pensacola people partied to flip a middle finger to God, their parents, or whatever else they were angry at.   One reason I wanted to go to the mission field was that it was the only thing I could think to do that could maybe break the mental boxes my friends' religion had been stuffed into.  Or to put it into other words, I felt like the best way for me to serve Pensacola was by leaving it (perhaps before it ate me alive), and to try to live in such a way that would show my friends there that God's not dead and that his work is far from over.  
 

It doesn't help that the "where are they now?" of my youth group is not a pretty picture.  Quite literally, many of the friends with whom I debated the merits of various theologies (like Calvinism) and ministries became more interested in sex, drugs, and rock and roll, or seemed stuck in apathy and hopelessness.  It's often felt like "well, I'm still here, where did you guys go?" 

When Kendall Faust puts out his album, it's gonna be a good one.

So going to Pensacola was intense emotionally.   I haven't really been around for almost four years either, and with many people, out of sight is out of mind.   But I was able to meet with a bunch of old friends and have some great conversations and share some great times.  One of my California buddies and one of my Russian friends both came and we visited New Orleans for two days.  One girl from high school I know has four kids and we had a really exciting talk about mission and life with her and her husband.  The guy who put me in front of people to lead worship for the first time ten years ago took me out to a Brazilian steakhouse.   Some of my friends shared about the hymn singing they do.  One of my high school acquaintances just got a pastorship (after 200+ applications) and another one works for her church and is dreaming of mission.  Another friend and I shared our original songs on the beach.  I also had great talks with some people who I taught or lead during VBS or Sunday School back when I was a teenager, who are now adults or graduating!

Some New Orleans Graffiti

The big events of my time there, however, were sharing at the youth group lock-in, and putting on a concert. 

At the lock-in I shared my story and songs as usual.  It was received very well and I had some great talks afterward.  I went to youth group twice while I was there and the first time, even though they didn't expect me at all, and I didn't recognize the leader at first, they had me lead worship.  :)   But at any rate, I connected well to a bunch of the young people and a lot of them are really cool people.  The youth group is pushing 50, which was also a big surprise for me.  I had a lot of fun playing the games, acting like a teenager, and just getting to know these young people.  Like young people everywhere, they're hungry for people to get involved, come alongside them and be champions for them in their lives, but so few people feel confident to listen or ask questions.  I was encouraged to talk to both the leaders and share vision with them though.  But when there are 50 people to see to, you're doing well just to get "hi" in to all of them.  
 

I went a little long at the concert.  I was confused because I wanted to share my songs, they wanted me to lead worship, and I wanted to share my stories.  It was a little scattered and long, but I think it really inspired and encouraged the people who came, about 25. 

A handful of the people who did come were people from the missions committee.  I had completely forgotten that they had, when I had made a small request for funds four years ago, rejected the request and sent me a long letter explaining that they just kinda thought I was all over the place.  Which, I was, as a part of my "master's" degree and trying to vision for where exactly in the world I should end up.  They all affirmed me, gave me some support, and expressed a willingness to formalize the support role in the future. 

My old buddy Mikey very generously made sure I had wheels and a place to say. (not his kid)

I expected to have to steel myself in order to survive my time there.  But all in all, it was great being with old friends, having exciting conversations about what God has done and is doing, praying over young people, and sharing my music.  I also got a lot of book recommendations for the next segment of my education (church history), some of which I've been able to purchase on Kindle already.   Also got to have a lots of conversations with elder and experienced ministers, got a lot of good perspective and advice from them.  :)   So...God is good, and going to Pensacola felt like coming home, with all the expectations, nerves, and eventually all the blessings of being accepted, loved, and encouraged by old friends who've known you a long time.  :)