eXchange

There are no more words and no more tears.  We had another great day at the babies’ home in the morning, and we spent the afternoon with the Buckner transitional homes.  It was a much better environment for the children there, and it was delightful to see them in such a peaceful and safe place.  We hosted a pizza party for the kids (once again, we raised money by selling pizza so that we can buy pizza in Guatemala), and we had a lovely afternoon.  Our debriefing time was powerful and filled with the presence of God, and it was another amazing encounter with the community we’ve developed while we’re here.  The alarm will ring too soon…

-Jody

Today was our day trip to Antigua, which was a welcome relief from the high emotion of yesterday.  We took the bus to the city, stopping in the jade factory for a tour, lunch with a lovely view of a volcano, and shopping in the market.  I made friends with Florinda, a woman with a business in the market.  One of our translators (Edwin) helped me get a bargain, and I brought as many of my amigos over to visit Florinda as I could muster.  There was much laughing on the bus and concern over who was getting the better bargain.

Community was deepened today, and we talked about that at supper a bit.  Amy mentioned that she knew who Ezra was from eXchange, but may not have ever developed a friendship with him if not for this trip.  She talked about how thankful she was for that opportunity to know him.  And Jennifer recalled that she and I had met Ezra for the first time about a year ago at a Habitat for Humanity Crash in West Terre Haute.  Now we know one another much better, more truly, and can see this as a wonderful fruit of this experience.  I’m so thankful for the chance to have met Joanna, and I don’t think we’d have connected if not for this trip.  She has brought such blessing to my week, on top of the other blessings poured out.  New friendships have been made and are deeply rooted in a shared experience and a common passion.  This is what we talk about when we say that community happens on the way to cause. 

-Jody

Today is the most difficult day of the week.  We’ve spent 3 days with the boys at San Gabriel, and we’ve watched them go from fighting with each other and posturing for status in the group to softening with us and opening up to receive our love.  We knew that this day would be our last with them and that the good-byes would be hard.  We didn’t know how challenging it would be.

We woke to find out that a couple of our team had been sick all night, and several others of us were various stages of queasy.  The sickest stayed in for the morning to rest with the hope that they’d feel well enough to join us mid-day.  The rest went to the boys’ home to repair chairs and tables and help in the kitchen and laundry.  We gave gifts to the staff, the ladies who work so hard for these boys.  The ladies in the laundry offered to sing us a song as thanks for our gifts.  Jay and Dave had "help" from Ambrosio and Isaias in using the tools to fix the chairs.  In the meantime, our prayers had been answered in that those who felt ill were well enough to join us for the afternoon.

Joanna prayed a strong prayer, claiming this day and this orphanage for the Lord, praying against Satan and the sickness we had been feeling.  We entered boldly to share more of God’s love with them.  We prayed with them, talked about forgiveness, sang songs, and pour as much love and attention as we possibly could in the time we had left.  We each met at least one boy who captured our hearts.  For me, it was the trouble-maker from the first moment in our group.  Humberto was mouthy and disrespectful, cutting off the other boys, and acting like he was the ruler of this particular kingdom.  Somewhere in the week, I invited him to play frisbee, and by the end of the day today, I had my arms around him and tears in my eyes.  Part of our team passed out gifts to the boys in assembly line fashion, and Humberto said that he wanted it to be me who handed him the gift.  And my heart broke.

We all left today with broken hearts; hearts broken for the things God loves.  We are transformed by our experiences this week, and we don’t quite know what we’ll look like when we fully understand and integrate the magnitude of it all.  What we do know is that God highly values the care of orphans (James 1:27), and that it is a beautiful thing to be in the midst of His presence when we do that which He is so passionate about.

-Jody

Easter blew up Sunday with nearly 2000 people in the building!  We celebrated the fact that we were salvaged.  In grand style, the team pulled it together.  Some highlights:

• Hundreds of pieces of junk
• Crazy scaffolding used as band risers and stage props
• Dancing to "Glory of it All"
• You are My Joy with cello and surdos
• Live painting with a beautiful twist
• Solid message on the resurrection of God in our lives
• Guitar Hero
• Tons of visitors
• Media off the chain (center screen, a dozen TV’s, and other eye candy).

We had a large hard working crew who went crazy with their time, creativity, and energy. It was a pleasure to serve with them.

This coming Sunday at 6PM, we kick off our "Unleashed" series.  We will explore how life was REALLY designed to be lived.  See you Sunday!!!

- Scot  

Bam!  I wish I could tell you all that was happening for Easter Sunday.  Let’s just say that it will be off-the-chain.  If I told you all the details, you wouldn’t believe me.  You have to see it to believe it.  Even after you see it, you might not believe it.

Check it.  We were once salvage.  No more.  Why?  We were rescued by a God who is not far away.  He is close, and (the best part), he is alive.  Forget visiting the tomb of Jesus.  He is not there. 

If the last week of final preparation has taught me anything, it has taught me this:  the crew at MCC knows how to rock a party.

So, see you at the party on Sunday.  Don’t come alone.  A party is always better with a friend!

–Scot

Many people are a week into the 30 day challenge, where we are giving up porn for Life Journaling.  With that in mind, Exchanger Chuck Guess just kicked me an email.  Chuck tells me of a podcast with Joe Dallas.  Joe addresses "A Man’s Strategy for Defeating Sexual Addiction.  I have not listened to it yet, but looks like some solid stuff.  Check it out here.

photo by procsilas

Here’s a quick look at what’s going on at MCC this week:

MISSING ANYTHING? Your Bible, coat, watch, cell phone, toys, lunch from last Tuesday? We’ve cleaned out the Lost & Found at the Welcome Center and will be moving it all onto tables located at the entrance to the Mall Hallway. Stop and take a look beginning Sunday, February 24th. Items will remain on those table through Sunday, March 2nd. Anything left worth keeping will be delivered to one of the missions in town.

LADIES UNITY NIGHT: Gals, MCC has acquired 250 tickets for this year’s event, which will held on Friday night, April 4th at 7 p.m. at the ISU Hulman Center on the campus of Indiana State University. Christian Comedienne, Songwriter, Author & a Women of Faith Conference Speaker, Anita Renfroe, will be the program for the evening, along with a time of praise & worship led by local Christian musicians. You may learn more of her ministry at www.anitarenfroe.com. Tickets are still FREE, but seating will be assigned this year. We have tickets in three different areas: on the floor, some handicap accessible and a large group of seats up in the higher regions. Tickets will be available for pickup in the Atrium on Sunday, March 2nd! There will be three different tables for the three different areas in Hulman Center.

I’m a little in the shock zone right now.

Last night. Porn Sunday. Tons of people made a commitment to avoid porn for 30 days AND invest in Life Journaling (daily devotions). I get lit up when I see this stuff!!

As icing on the cake, we had 702 people in the exchange gathering last night. Add in the youth and we were at 897 people in the building. A new record. Never has exchange been this large.

“Oh, I see,” says Mr. Sarcastic, “you are all about the numbers.”

You know what? Yes. Yes I am. There, I said it. I am about numbers because numbers represent people. The kingdom is about people. It is about more people living in genuine community. It is about more people coming to know Christ. It is about more people finding their place in his cause.

Let me encourage you to keep investing in relationships. Keep inviting people into your small groups, your place of service, and into the exchange gathering. Our prayer is to see 1000 people living in genuine community. 1000 people coming closer to Christ. 1000 people finding their place in his cause.

To those who made a commitment to Life Journal last night - AWESOME!!!! Keep up the great work and may God form you as you meet him very day in his Word!

Blessings!!!

- Scot

On January 27, we start a series called "Mating Season" where we look at relationships and love.  If you have some great dating stories, we would love to hear them.

What is your dream date?

What was your best date?

What was your worse date?

Send a note to longyear@mccth.org.  Thanks!!

photo by dailyinvention

We talk about it all the time.  You hear it from the stage, see it in print, and eavesdrop on it in the atrium.  It’s who we are.  It’s what we do.

Community.  Christ.  Cause.

On January 13, I will be sharing a teaching called "The Soul of Exchange."  We will talk about where we came from, where we are, and where we are going.  I’m stoked.  It’s going to be a great night. 

What’s that you you ask? "How can I help?"

So nice of you to offer.  If you have any stories of how your life has been effected by finding community or growing deeper to Christ, or an experience you had in finding your place in his cause, drop me a note and let me know.  I can’t promise to use every story, but I would love to hear from you.  You can email me at longyear@mccth.org.

Thanks!!

—- Scot

Photo 1 by fotologic.  Photo 2 by ark.  Photo 3 by procsilas