Birthday Girl and Promise with a capital "P"

Hi all,

We are continuing a great time here at Wheaton College as we learn about the story of our great God. We began early again today around 7:15 am as the group headed to breakfast to fill our bellies before filling our minds with Christ. In the opening session we listened to the stories of the tower of Babel, Abram and the Covenant, and the judges, priest and prophets. In other words, we summarized the Old Testament from Abraham to Christ. It was an information packed day. Lots of great learning took place as we entered our daily routine. Some of the best lessons of the day came at lunch time once again. It's amazing what happens when you deprive teenagers of food!!!

At lunch time they were instructed to not eat their lunches but carry them to an undisclosed location. We were told to walk about 15 minutes up the road to a local park. There we would remember how the Israelites were forced to walk in the wilderness for 40 years because of disobedience. It was easy to see the lightbulbs turn on above the students heads as they understood their minor sacrifice of patience before eating their boxed lunch. Most of the complaining was hushed at that point.

Our other opportunity for learning was the highlight of the day. The crew here at Merge re-created the Tabernacle in two of the dorm buildings. Our group split in two and was able to walk through a tour with descriptions of what the tabernacle was like and how it was used in the Old Testament. What was so great about the experience was that it was not simply words from a book but something tangible that they could see, feel, smell and interact with. It brought their knowledge screaming to life in front of them. Almost all of them said they were very moved by it and that it helped them understand more significance of who Jesus was and what he did for them on the cross. They also concluded during our debriefing time that they wanted to do more research about the Tabernacle in order to use that information to reach out to the large Jewish population in Boca!!!

There were also some funny moments in the last 24 hours. Last night there was a sound coming from the guys closet. As they tried to figure out what it was they asked me (James) to come over and check it out. At that time of night I was tired and didn't feel like moving, so they convinced another guy to walk up the closet and open the door up top. Out popped Caleb Lee who had been hiding in there for about 20 minutes waiting for an unsuspecting person to get curious about the noises. It scared that kid to death (no names to protect the innocent). Needless to say it was a great laugh at 11:55 pm yesterday.

Some other funny things that happened today were Carolina smushing both Meredith and I's faces with vanilla ice cream to celebrate Meredith's 16th birthday, surprising Meredith with cake and ice cream when we went to see a Chicago basement (at a home near the school, friends of Ashley Ross), and many of us falling asleep in the morning session during the closing prayer time. NOT OUR FAULT, the lights were very dim and it was a VERY LONG PRAYER!!! In any case, those were some funny notes.

In the afternoon the group was able to take a free time break to place basketball, volleyball and just hang out. Good times. We also had this evening from 9:30 pm on to do some acoustic worship with other youth groups, walk, read, play cards, journal and talk. Thanks to those who have commented with encouraging words and greetings. Keep it coming. Tomorrow we look forward to begin examining the New Covenant through Christ and do a service project in the afternoon.

Keep the prayers coming and talk to you tomorrow.

Many thanks.............Pastor James

P.S. - Promise with a capital "P" are the Promises that God makes himself which are guaranteed never to be broken. It represents His covenant with His people.