LEAAP of faith

This morning, myself and 21 other eXchangers Crashed the LEAAP center in Brazil (it was wild, because my parents were there, along with my daughter, so three generations of Crashers… crazy!). LEAAP stands for Linking Education to Adults, Adolescents and Perschoolers. Here’s a quick bit that’ll explain what the LEAAP center is all about:

Our Mission:

To improve reading skills, communication skills and employment opportunities which will give every citizen the chance to better their lives and realize their full potential.

Our Vision:

To strengthen existing programs.

We showed up around 9 a.m. this morning, ate a couple donuts, then went to work. Overall, we did some medium to light cleaning, and while there were no kids there, and I’m not really sure how many kids will notice how clean their rugs and chairs are Monday and say, “Wow, these are clean; I want to follow Jesus!” I don’t think today’s Crash was really about that.

To me, today was really about community. Sure, we helped make the LEAAP center a little cleaner, but for me, the real value today was meeting a couple people I didn’t know, and getting to know those around me a little better.

My Dad, Ezra (whom I witnessed go nuts cleaning the bathroom at a local bar in the middle of the night on another Crash) and myself were tasked with cleaning the trikes and bikes that the kids ride. Needless to say, it only took a few moments before our little shindig became a full-on detailing shop, complete with shiny trike rims and squeeky clean STOP and U-TURN signs. While we wiped down, the three of us discussed a myriad of subjects, from art to video games to kids, and everything in between. I also got to meet Elizabeth’s husband, Kurt (the same Elizabeth that also went with us to clean toilets), and Michelle, whom my wife has Crashed with before. We have a saying in eXchange; Community happens on the way to cause. Today was a shining example of that.

Of course, the day wouldn’t be complete without some adults mounting our freshly cleaned trikes for some hot laps around the indoor race track (sure, it’s some tape layed down to mark off some faux lanes, with arrows pointing which way to pedal, but it works), of which I’ll post some pics later.

The cleaning we did today is actually the duties of one person to do in five hours, and it took 22 of us a solid three hours to get it done, so needless to say, the LEAAP center needs Crashed again with more cleaning help. If you’re interested in helping next time, leave a comment, or hit up my Contact page and send me an e-mail, and we can get things coordinated with you next time.

If you’ve yet to take part in a Crash, I highly recommend you do so. Sometimes we’re right in the middle of God’s plan, feeling him close, and other times we’re just shoring up relationships between each other, learning about those who love God like we do, and are choosing to show that love in a practical way.

leaap center, clay county, indiana, brazil, exchangemcc, crash, shawnw

Are your prayers informal?

Saw an article today over at ChristianityToday that discusses conversational prayer vs. informal prayer. Here’s a quick hit:

So I work amid younger Christians who, on one hand, appreciate the informality with which they can speak to God. But we also get it when Kevin Smith, in his hilarious (and outrageous and filthy) film Dogma mocks that image of Jesus with his “Buddy Christ,” a life-sized statue of a smiling, thumbs-up Jesus meant to replace the wholly depressing Catholic crucifix.

How do you pray? Are your prayers informal, or do you try to instill a reverant awe, a more formal approach, in your discussions with God? Do you think God cares how we come to him in prayer?

prayer, dogma, kevin smith, catholic, shawnw

Lean not…

Today’s reading is from 1 Corinthians 10.

11-12These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.

13No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.

Verse 13 reminds me of “there’s nothing new under the sun.” Often times it can feel as if we’re the only ones who ever went through what we’re going through, and it’s easy to forget that this hardly the case. Christ has endured it all, and much harder to boot, I’m sure.

It’s in times like these where we need to stop looking at ourselves, and relying on ourselves. “How am I going to get out of this?” or “What will I do if this or that happens?” We should take all things… ALL THINGS… to Christ, who strengthens us. It requires a rewiring of our minds, so to speak, so our reaction to hardship is a look to the heavens, then a fall to our knees in prayer and supplication.

Lord, thank you for the reminder that you are my all in all. I often look to my own understanding, which is so limited. May today’s words rest in my heart, Lord, so that I may remember them, and use them, and lean on you and your living Word when times are rough.

jesus, hardship, paul, apostles, the message, self reliance, shawnw

Ninja Kid vs. Rooster

Your comedy injection for today. Have a great weekend!

ninja kid vs rooster, shawnw

Scot’s Office

My pal, Scot, and Eric Louk, video genius extraordinaire, put together a video detailing Scot’s upcoming Sabbatical. You have to see this:

scot longyear, sabbatical, lilly renewal grant, eric louk, shawnw, myjourn3y