Journey to the Cross and Seder

It is 10:30 pm our time and we just came back from a great night of taking part in a Passover Seder and having awesome worship. Many of the students joined a crowd in the center of the group jumping and singing to our great God in victory of His salvation.

But back to the beginning of the day. Another good start with a hot breakfast, praise the Lord for food, and then off to our first session. Today's theme was death to life. We studied about the last week in the life of Jesus and his death and resurrection. We also were able to tie in the whole story of God's redemption from the creation as we discussed what Christ means to us and why it is so important we tell the "whole story" and not just the Jesus part. After lunch the students had the opportunity to walk through an interactive experience called "Journey to the Cross." There were 13 stations in the experience all marking significant pieces of the final week of Christ. Each spot was a moment of scripture reading, quiet reflection and some sort of visual and/or action the students would participate in. This deeply moved the students as they shared this evening.

After dinner we had our last time of sharing where students told what they had learned the most from our week here at Merge. It was a very open time of sharing what God was doing in their lives. At the end of our time each student wrote a letter to themselves about the changes they would like to see in their lives as they leave this mission and return home. In a couple months after the students settle in to their comfort zones and routines they will receive that letter in the mail. It will serve as a reminder to self about the changes they should be working on as they have tracked back to their daily lifestyle.

After our final sharing time the students began the Passover Seder by examining their hearts and tossing a piece of leavened bread (oyster cracker) into a fire pit. This represented giving to God any sin they may have in their life or be continually struggling with. As the students entered into the meeting place there was a center table with all the Passover elements on it. The Passover Seder was a process of scripture readings, prayers, songs and taking of elements that reminded the students of the Exodus and this festival that the Jews celebrate each year. What was truly remarkable though was all the symbolism that is presents pointing to Christ through the holiday feast. Our time concluded with the worship I mentioned in the beginning. So much fun, rejoicing and singing we could hardly stop. I had to ask the students to calm down after we left the meeting place. When we got back to the van they turned up the worship music on full blast, rolled down the windows and sang at the top of their lungs all the way back to the dorm. Yikes, I think we scared some people!! but it was worship :)

Besides the spiritual lessons that were observed today the students had a chance to shop at the Wheaton bookstore and visit a Culvers frozen custard store. The Culvers visit is a whole story in itself so you will have to ask them to tell you about it when they get home. It is such a great time seeing the students grow and really be challenged by interacting with the grand scheme of God's Story and how they are a part of the mission of Christ. We look forward to touring Chicago tomorrow and using some of this new found understanding to shine brightly in the city. We will be seeking opportunity to pray with others, share our testimony and be good witnesses through our joyful spirits. Keep us in your prayers and thoughts.

Note to parents: Please do not forget to check the Southwest airlines flight status website before picking up your students on Saturday night. We will be returning into Ft. Lauderdale at 10:45 pm on Southwest flight 1111. See you there.

The Southwest website is: www.southwest.com/cgi-bin/selectFlight?hps=b2.

Pastor James