Contrasts.

A city with the highest concentration of millionaires versus a high number of homeless, including many teens. A large "church" building that holds "The Center for Spiritual Living" that is inclusive to all spiritual beliefs versus a small "House" that is home to a small group of Christ followers trying to love others as the one true God wants us to love. A small coffee shop called the "Green Bean" that is operated by a church, and provides a place for community between Christians and people walking by on the street versus businesses that exist for profit. A church back home that functions out of a building versus various church plants in Seattle that have no building, but function in neighborhoods, on the street, in community centers, in parks, in a coffee shop, in a teen homeless shelter, and wherever there are people. The concept of church involvement versus community involvement. 16 individual students, with some as friends leaving Michigan versus 1 group in Seattle, interacting, laughing, experiencing, listening, praying, and playing crazy games of kick ball. June, the rainy season of Seattle versus day 5 and counting, not a cloud in the sky, sunny and beautiful, for an experience that is 90 percent outside.

God is good.......

This is not your typical mission trip. This is an trip where we are experiencing, walking, seeing, listening, questioning, and discussing. Yesterday was a great experience of listening to 3 people explain to us their worldview and belief in each person having their own spiritual belief, and there being no one true way or one true God. We listened, asked questions, and struggled with their beliefs versus our beliefs. Last night, we were led by Brian and Betsy, first in an overview of beliefs, and then in the topic of how we love others, how we share what we know of the one true God with others, and how we love others as Christ loves them. God really blessed this day and the discussions that we had.

Today we did some volunteer work for some local businesses and the local Boys and Girls Club. We then had an afternoon of relaxing time at a beautiful park overlooking the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. In the late afternoon, we met with the pastor of the Emmaus Road church plant and served food at the homeless teen building. A great day of experiences.

I can't tell you enough what a great group of kids we are blessed to be a part of on this trip. Each person on this trip has a personality that adds to this group, and we are privileged to be able to experience this trip with each of them, and watch God work within this group. Thank you for allowing us to spend the week with your kids and to experience God in a different way with them. Thank you for praying for all of us.

Keith