This week I am in Estes Park, Colorado, as part of the planning team for the 2008 National American Baptist Youth Gathering called "More Than a Week." I am currently sitting in my room in one of the lodges, staring out the window at the majestic, snow covered mountains that surround this site. There is a herd of elk that live on the campus here - they are huge! There were four of them standing in the parking lot to greet us when we first arrived. I wish that you were here - it is an incredible place.
There are a couple of things that I have been learning in the last couple of days at Estes Park. First, I am constantly reminded of the awesomeness of God. I think of the second verse of the hymn, "How Great Thou Art," the part about praising God from lofty mountains grandeur - and get a sense of what the hymn writer was feeling when he wrote those lyrics. There is something about coming out into nature that draws me closer to God through the wonder of His Creation.
Secondly, I am reminded about being part of the family of God. I am at this planning meeting with people from all over the United States: people of different ages and ethnicities, races and cultures. Some of the people I have known for years and others I met for the very first time this week. From early on in the meeting, I have known that I am part of a family of God that stretches across the United States and Puerto Rico. It is so easy at times to get so caught up in the circles that we live in and forget about the larger story that is being played out in the world. It is wonderful to be connected to brothers and sisters from Indiana, Los Angeles, Detroit, Orlando and other places, and to hear how God is working and moving in those corners of the world. It helps me to remember how big the God is that we serve!
Thirdly, I am learning about the blessing of being part of the family of God. On Monday night, I thought I would be a little adventurous at dinner. There was some sort of fried soy dish called tempei. I took a couple of pieces of it - it was terrible! When I got back to my room after dinner, my eyes started to get dry and scratchy. As the group meeting started, I started to feel like someone punched me in the lip, and I started to itch all over my body. I pulled aside someone from the helping and first aid team, and talked with her about what was going on. A couple of minutes later I went back to my room and saw that hives had broken out all over my stomach, back and legs - I was having an allergic reaction to the tempei. By that point, we decided I should go to the medical center. So, I went up to my room to grab my wallet and coat. By the time that I got back down to the car, all 30 people at the meeting stopped the session and gathered around me, laying hands on me to pray. Then two ladies who I had not met prior to that day took me in the van to the medical center, and sat in the waiting room with me for 2.5 hours while I waited. They were more upset that I about waiting so long. Long story shod, I was given some Benedryl, steroids for the hives and an epi-pen to carry around and as I was sent home, When I got back, every single person in the conference came up to me to see how I was making out. I was overwhelmed by the love that was poured out on me from the group, and how they were God’s hands of caring, protection and health for me.
I praise God for this opportunity to be here this week planning "More Than a Week." I am getting more and more excited about the conference next summer - dreaming about the youth from PBC who are going to be here in the summer experiencing what I am experiencing now. You are going to hear more information soon about MTW. Keep your eyes open for the opportunity to experience God in a majestic way!
Pastor Tim,
Updated November 7, 2007.
