Welcome to Pittsburgh/Ambridge, Pennslyvania.
Last Saturday my parents and I took the trek up to Pittsburgh with probably almost everything I own in order to move into the Josiah Project house in Ambridge. Suffice to say, after the stress of getting settled and finding our way through the steel city, God was good. The house is awesome :) It's small, and humble--a perfect place for sleeping and eating (which is about the only thing I've done in it so far).
Saturday I was welcomed by the Rock the World guys--Whis and some other kids showed me around the surrounding area and then I was welcomed at a really sweet get-together. A group of us ate some burgers, and celebrated the safe journey, the beginning of summer and the fellowship that God has given us. We worshipped too--that was probably my favorite part. I really felt like part of a body. People I didn't even know were welcoming and enjoyed having me take part in such an intimate worship session. Such a blessing :).
Sunday, I went to St. Phillip's church in Moon. Great people, and I was invited to come sing with their worship band on Saturdays and Sundays :) God is soo goood!
I've been doing some orientation talks, just to get acquainted with ministry life and learning the lay of the land. Super insightful, lots of Jesus--not so much like a classroom talk. I'm not a big fan of lectures, but this is more of a "one-on-one" conversation where the Holy Spirit has begun to move.
Interruption: Just as an aside: I've felt a strong move of the Spirit since I've moved in. Rachel and I (my housemate) have decided that we really want to change one of the rooms into a prayer room. It actually might end up being this huge closet that connects to my room. I think it would be sweet. I have yet to snag photos of Ambridge and the house, but I'll try to take enough pictures in order to give you all a virtual tour. Anyway, the people here really have a heart for the Lord and have discerned what it is He wants. It's refreshing and encouraging.
Sunday is also "home church" day. Basically our house is the location for a bunch of other college-age kids to come and have fellowship on Sunday nights. We do an East African Bible Study (if you want to know how it works/what it is just comment), and some worship. It's pretty cool.
As I've gone through the past couple of days I'm realizing how much Christ has really been absent from my daily life. This internship has already changed how I interact with my Savior. Of course prior to arriving I had daily/weekly devotionals and I go to a Christian school which doesn't hinder my fellowship, but this is different. I'm constantly surrounded and have had an influx of the Lord's love (or at least, I'm more aware of it). I find myself constantly praying even if it's not for food or for someone else, but the other day I was in a grocery store and I looked down the aisle and just ended up praying for the person looking for bread. I'm not sure why. I just silently said a prayer for them. Maybe the next stage is to engage. Crazy, right?
Anyway. Yesterday we watched a Memorial Day parade in the Sewickly area which was great. I love that community. Everyone is so invovled! It was actually more like a throwback to a sort of "I Love Lucy" scene. Yay for 1950s? Also, Mary and Whis continue to bless us with providing brunch and lunch and dinner and all kinds of great fellowship. God is truly working through them to reach the younger generation. (Just an FYI, Whis is the current director for Rock the World and Mary is his wife). Also, Whis, Rachel, Cesiah (another RTW-er), and I traveled to Annapolis, MD for sailing school. We're learning a lot about each other, working as a team and of course about boats.
Last Saturday my parents and I took the trek up to Pittsburgh with probably almost everything I own in order to move into the Josiah Project house in Ambridge. Suffice to say, after the stress of getting settled and finding our way through the steel city, God was good. The house is awesome :) It's small, and humble--a perfect place for sleeping and eating (which is about the only thing I've done in it so far).
Saturday I was welcomed by the Rock the World guys--Whis and some other kids showed me around the surrounding area and then I was welcomed at a really sweet get-together. A group of us ate some burgers, and celebrated the safe journey, the beginning of summer and the fellowship that God has given us. We worshipped too--that was probably my favorite part. I really felt like part of a body. People I didn't even know were welcoming and enjoyed having me take part in such an intimate worship session. Such a blessing :).
Sunday, I went to St. Phillip's church in Moon. Great people, and I was invited to come sing with their worship band on Saturdays and Sundays :) God is soo goood!
I've been doing some orientation talks, just to get acquainted with ministry life and learning the lay of the land. Super insightful, lots of Jesus--not so much like a classroom talk. I'm not a big fan of lectures, but this is more of a "one-on-one" conversation where the Holy Spirit has begun to move.
Interruption: Just as an aside: I've felt a strong move of the Spirit since I've moved in. Rachel and I (my housemate) have decided that we really want to change one of the rooms into a prayer room. It actually might end up being this huge closet that connects to my room. I think it would be sweet. I have yet to snag photos of Ambridge and the house, but I'll try to take enough pictures in order to give you all a virtual tour. Anyway, the people here really have a heart for the Lord and have discerned what it is He wants. It's refreshing and encouraging.
Sunday is also "home church" day. Basically our house is the location for a bunch of other college-age kids to come and have fellowship on Sunday nights. We do an East African Bible Study (if you want to know how it works/what it is just comment), and some worship. It's pretty cool.
As I've gone through the past couple of days I'm realizing how much Christ has really been absent from my daily life. This internship has already changed how I interact with my Savior. Of course prior to arriving I had daily/weekly devotionals and I go to a Christian school which doesn't hinder my fellowship, but this is different. I'm constantly surrounded and have had an influx of the Lord's love (or at least, I'm more aware of it). I find myself constantly praying even if it's not for food or for someone else, but the other day I was in a grocery store and I looked down the aisle and just ended up praying for the person looking for bread. I'm not sure why. I just silently said a prayer for them. Maybe the next stage is to engage. Crazy, right?
Anyway. Yesterday we watched a Memorial Day parade in the Sewickly area which was great. I love that community. Everyone is so invovled! It was actually more like a throwback to a sort of "I Love Lucy" scene. Yay for 1950s? Also, Mary and Whis continue to bless us with providing brunch and lunch and dinner and all kinds of great fellowship. God is truly working through them to reach the younger generation. (Just an FYI, Whis is the current director for Rock the World and Mary is his wife). Also, Whis, Rachel, Cesiah (another RTW-er), and I traveled to Annapolis, MD for sailing school. We're learning a lot about each other, working as a team and of course about boats.
Today was our first sailing adventure. After about 30 mins of a basic explaination of sailing terms and one demonstration of a knot we were off in a sail boat. I was actually sort of shocked that we went out so fast. The weather was gorgeous for the first sail--sun, no clouds, perfect temperature and of course good wind. We learned to tack, and gybe and steer the tiller. I'm not sure that any of those terms mean anything to you but I can tell you that sailing for the first time is both an exhilarating but nerve-racking experience. Even though I'm somewhat proficient in swimming, the thought of capsizing (which I was assured could never happen because whatever was under the boat weighed 310920958230 pounds) freaked me out nonetheless. When we first got going and figured out where the sails were supposed to go in reference to the wind one side of the boat nearly grazed the water. Of course, my first reaction is to stand up, give a little squeal and run to the other side of the boat. Somehow the instructor didn't quite share in my reaction.
Overall though, once we got the hang of it, it was pretty sweet. We spent most of the day on the water. Missed a few thunderstorms and ran into a couple (not on the water of course).
I would have to say that my high point for the week would be that I'm experiencing all of these new things in a different way than I thought possible. My reaction and attitude towards new attractions and some old ones have definitely changed. I'm thankful that God is bringing my heart back to a place of praise and thanksgiving.
Yahweh, holy is Your name.
Your love is strong
I will exalt Your name forever
You always amaze me.
Matthew 18:21-35--God is teaching me how to love those as He loves them, not as how I might find a way around their imperfections to "put up" with them.
God is good, and His plan is perfect. It should amaze us that He has so many different things in mind that all happen at the same time. What a guy!
Overall though, once we got the hang of it, it was pretty sweet. We spent most of the day on the water. Missed a few thunderstorms and ran into a couple (not on the water of course).
I would have to say that my high point for the week would be that I'm experiencing all of these new things in a different way than I thought possible. My reaction and attitude towards new attractions and some old ones have definitely changed. I'm thankful that God is bringing my heart back to a place of praise and thanksgiving.
Yahweh, holy is Your name.
Your love is strong
I will exalt Your name forever
You always amaze me.
Matthew 18:21-35--God is teaching me how to love those as He loves them, not as how I might find a way around their imperfections to "put up" with them.
God is good, and His plan is perfect. It should amaze us that He has so many different things in mind that all happen at the same time. What a guy!
Yay! I have been waiting for this!! Seriously, I think I check like 3-4 times a day to see if you've updated anything. :) Amy this sounds awesome. I am so excited to hear that God working in you and using you. And I would love to know what the East African Bible Study thing is. Love you!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Can't you upload a video and give us a real tour?! That would be sweet. :)
Yes, what is an East African Bible Study?
ReplyDeleteEast African Bible Study is basically looking at a passage of the gospels--we looked at Mark 8--with a group of followers. You read the passage once and then everyone in the group says what struck them the most about the passage. Next, someone else in the group reads the passage again. The group reflects for a couple of minutes on the passage and then each person identifies where this passage fits into their life today, or in the next week. Finally, another person will read the same passage for a third time. After that, there is another silence so that each group member may reflect on what this passage is speaking to your heart, and what God might be trying to say or speak in your life. The group shares and then the study closes with prayer for the person on your right/left (whichever way you choose to move in a circle). The group prayer ends with the Lord's prayer.
ReplyDeleteOur group decided to have communion with each other and did a little worship before and after the Bible Study. You can cater to the before and after part for whatever you want to do. It's a sweet way to see each other grow and to encourage and bless what God is doing in our Christian brothers and sisters.
Hope this helps!