I've got the blues!

Welcome back to the blog!

Today, just a week after our successful Jr. High Mission Trip to Bryan, TX, our Sr. High group left off for Memphis, TN. If time and internet allows I will be updating this sight each day with some basic information and pictures (none today, but check back tomorrow).

After our blessing/commissioning/sending forth provided for us in the 8:15 service we finished loading up and got on the road. We had a great time making a couple pit stops and stopping for lunch in Texarkana.

The number one mission trip is be flexible and we were tested right off the bat. Due to a scheduling mix up we were not going to have access to the gym where we are staying and having our meals until 9 pm. We were supposed to arrive at 6 and eat right away. But a big thanks to Cindy Ellis and Linda Jennings for thinking on their feet and preparing for us last minute. Cindy and Linda are our cooks for this trip, and they had planned a great meal and even came down a day early to prepare it. When they figured out the scheduling snafu they changed plans for us, provided pizza and salad in the hallway (instead of chicken fried steak) and even found us an extra room to meet in when we first got there.

We ended up having worship outside tonight. We started out in the parking lot before we found a park on church property that had a gazebo and picnic tables spread around. It worked perfectly for the small groups we use during our mission trip worship.

We are using the well known Memphis music scene as a backdrop for our worship. We are primarily focusing on the blues and relating the blues with biblical laments. Tonight we listened to B.B. King's "Why I Sing the Blues" and learned the importance being honest with God and sharing with him all of our emotions, including when we are down or in distress.

We were comforted to know thanks to Psalm 40:1 (our theme verse) that God cares about us and hears our cries. The rest of the week we will be talking about issues in our society that deserve a lament or two. We will see how these issues affect our lives and those we serve in the Beltline neighborhood this week.

Tomorrow we get to work. I will tell you all about our projects as we continue in the week, but until then, I am very tired and need my sleep!

Blessings to you and Good Night!