In Romantic Enchanting Atlantic City...

A long overdue return to home #7(?) in New Jersey was a welcome rest and lovely chance to reconnect with  a church and some young people very dear to my heart.   When they were sending me off, Brigantine Bible supported pretty much my entire time in Mexico financially; they were also my main friends and community outside of the Faith Community house during my 9 months in Jersey.   

YG

It was such a blessing to not only see that the youth group I helped start four years ago still going strong!  Most groups that I lead end up falling apart...but these 7th and 8th graders were not juniors and seniors in high school, for the most part still seeking God and what He wants for their lives.  So I shared about calling like I do, and challenged them to seek to do the mission in front of them in a very unchurched and hedonistic part of New Jersey.  We also got to play some mafia and go out for some lunch, and have a couple check-in/what's God doing in your life sessions.  We all struggle, but these young people are a big inspiration for me, and it was so good to get to talk and pray with them, and hopefully send them some books to encourage them when I get the chance financially.

This guy kinda made me start the group.

I also visited with some of my old co-workers at Covenant House, and although I didn't get to see any of the formerly homeless (!) youth I had worked with, most of them were working, some had kids, and although a few had been through some rough patches or gotten into some trouble, all in all they seemed to be doing pretty well.  That was really good to know and to try to get a fuller picture of what we were doing there. 

One time our Sunday School discussion with this girl and another guy got so intense we went all the way through church...

And then on Sunday I shared about what I've been doing these last two years and what I've learned from the church and what God's been teaching me.  I think it was encouraging for the church--it was definitely encouraging for me, as people got really engaged asking about this country they'd never heard of before, and were just interested in and supportive of me in a lot of different ways.  Met a couple different musicians who were excited about my music and offered to help me record (I'm not sure how I feel about the fact that I have two albums pretty much ready to record but I didn't plan it into this trip.)   And a couple of the young people expressed interest in doing a short-term trip to come visit and minister on the other side of the world!  So I'm really excited about that; I've got a short-list of about 15 people from the trip so far.  :)  So all in all, this is pretty much what I came to the US to do, and Jersey always kinda surprises me with its directness that it is kinda like friendliness--and its hospitality.   So thanks for blessing me ya'll!