I have been asked to write about my trip to San Diego. I just returned yesterday, so this is all very fresh.
The trip was very positive and I felt so blessed to be there.
The flight was great there, although I still have trouble sitting for an extensive time in a place so small that it is even difficult to reach in my pocket to get my chapstick!
Lunch with Doug Clark was a treat. Doug is the Director of Field Ministries for NNYM (National Network of Youth Ministries) and he works with Network coordinators from all over the US. He is so good and personable, he even asked me about my former boss and co-worker, John Butler. There are about 658 networks across the USA and I would guess that Doug knows most of us network leaders. Lunch with Doug was a treat on so many levels. First the opportunity to visit with him is a treat. Then the opportunity to eat lunch with another youth ministry professional is a treat. (Many youth ministers in this area will not sit down and eat a meal with me because of my gender.) So, when someone of that caliber (and closer to my age!) will, it is a treat and blessing and I recognize it as such! Doug listened to my story of what has happened to me in Pearland and was almost speechless. He affirmed my value in ministry: The Great Commission is too important to eliminate ½ the work force! He bought my lunch and he treated me as a person of respect who had something to contribute.
Doug has suggested that I write up my story for the Communities 4 Hope facebook page. It is a closed group and see what kind of suggestions I get. He thinks it will be a valuable case study.
After lunch, Doug and I picked up Keith Krueger from the Airport, Keith is the Regional Coordinator for the Great Lakes Area from Cincinnati. Once again, a Godly brother and ministry partner who treated me with respect, dignity and appreciation. The conversation with Doug, Keith and I was animated, professional, intriguing, thoughtful, challenging – as most of my interactions with these guys were. There was always something to share and something to learn or reflect on.
Working with the Communities 4 Hope group was a joy. They are Godly men from all over the USA, all involved with networking, some for NNYM and some were from YFC and other para-church groups. I was the only woman. The lines for the ladies room were non exsistent. However, Wednesday, the local Moms in Prayer group was meeting in the room across the hall. Their food looked really good. I figured I was the only one who could sneak in and check it out, maybe sample it without causing any notice!
I actively participated in all the conversations, especially once I felt accepted and welcomed. My contribution was small, but I did notice that several people picked up on it. Communities 4 Hope is NNYM's term for a particular kind of network that involves not only youth pastors and pastors, but other key leaders from the community: teachers, probation officers, business leaders, ministry leaders, volunteers and students. This network is interested in the spiritual welfare of the youth, particularly in the schools.
There was a discussion about whether C4H groups were a different kind of network. I came up the phrase: Continuum of Networks – the idea that C4H groups were not a different kind of Network, but a different place on the network continuum. It is not a huge thing, however, I did notice that several people (including Doug Clark) started using that wording and concept after I threw it out there. I was encourage by that and I hope that you can read between the lines that this simple contribution and seeing it embraced, encouraged me to understand, I do have something to contribute!
After a full day of working on C4H Wednesday, Kevin Boer took Jim Snead, Stan Elder and myself to eat and See San Diego. It was a fun time that concluded with a meal at an outdoor Mexican café. It was a fun time of fellowship. A big thank you to Kevin.
Thursday morning was a time of worship and prayer with NNYM's ministry Council. I took the only empty seat I saw and sat with 2 dear brothers. Because of what I want to share, I want them to be anonymous. We sang and then were challenge to pray together or separately over various issues. It was well done. We were reminded to give thanks in everything and Diana Brask(Rural Affinity Network coordinator) ask us to give thanks for a hard situation. My plan was to give thanks for the division in youth ministry in Pearland, however the young man before me shared that he would have to be thankful for this season with his wife. He went on to explain that his wife had been diagnosis bipolar about 6 months ago. He explained that when he got there, he spoke to his wife and realized she was having a manic episode. From 6 states away, he had arranged for the care of his 3 children (9, 2 and 1) and arranged for a friend to take his wife to the hospital. After hearing that, I gave thanks for Taylor, my hostile, bipolar step daughter. I praise him for sharing and reminded him of how difficult it is to talk about mental health issues. At the break, he and I talked further. It was one of those God moments – where you knew – exactly why you were there. I was thankful to be able to minister to him, cry with him, hold his hand and encouraging him: that God would be able to use everything he was learning and going thru. I reminded him that God often has us take extensive training in areas we would never choose.
You might relook at my wording: I took the only empty seat I saw. Do you think God "blinded me" so I only saw what HE wanted me to see to get me where HE wanted me to be?
The next session was listening to Daryl Nuss, the new Executive Director/CEO communicate the vision and the current assessment of NNYM. Probably mainly for the Ministry Council, but the C4H team was invited. Very good, very insightful. Very challenging.
At noon, his wife, Donna Nuss, drove me to the airport. We had a delightful time of sharing in the car.
I think it is also important to communicate that I was really beaten down before I took this trip. I would love to say that I was trusting God to direct me thru this trip. I am afraid it was almost more of an ultimatum: Either direct me or I'm out. I cannot continue to be the Pearland personal whipping boy for Satan for $2.89 an hour! It is too painful to me and my family for me to sacrifice so much for so little - both in terms of monetary and missional gains.
I hate to even mention the QUIT or DONE words, but I think I was there, at the brink. I don't think I realized how bad off I was, until I started seeing hope and direction and then I started randomly crying like a baby off and on, anytime, I reflect on where I had been and where I am going.. Just to think, God was willing to pick me up, restore and put me back on track.
Obviously, God met me there. I feel affirmed as a professional youth worker. I have several things I think I can try in Pearland. I also like to try starting some youth ministry networks in maybe in the Alvin, Manvel, Sagemont or Angleton areas. Let's see what God opens up. Since HE has called me, HE will surely guide me.
The expenses for this trip were mostly covered. If God moves to you give, you can either get an envelope from me or mail your check to Cross in the City, 320 Scott st., Pasadena, TX 77506
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