Prestonwood Young Singles

Boston Mission Trip
July 3-8
Prayer Guide/Daily Blog

Team:
AJ Brooks, Alison Cash, Allyson Livengood, Amanda Johnson, Amber Caldwell, Angela Gameson, Ashley Pittman, Bo Patterson, Bryan Gibbs, Chuck An, Cory Cardwell, Dara Griffin, David Chadbourne, Jaime Friesenhahn, Jeff Halloran, Jennifer Brown, Joe Hudson, Joel Blackstone, Katie Lea, Meg McCord, Melinda McGough, Melissa Beach, Mike DeWitt, Ray Detwiler, Rob Lowe, Sarah Henze, Steven Chapman, Tiffany Hurd, Zac McGuire

Thursday, July 3

I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and that he may encourage your hearts. -Paul to the church in Ephesus in Ephesians 6:22

We made it! God has blessed us with safe travel, and arrived baggage! I am so excited about the wonderful group of people that God has called to serve this week in Boston. I hope that the blog this week serves as Ephesians 6:22.

Although today has been just an arrival day, our group has already gotten the opportunity to share Christ with the people of Boston, like in Philippians 2:13 "for it is God who works in you both to will and to work for His good pleasure." Please continue to pray for us throughout the week as we serve the Hope Fellowship church, and surrounding community.

-Melissa Beach

Check out the video blog (it may take a few minutes to load) to get a glimpse of our arrival, tour of Harvard and experience in Davis Square.

Friday, July 4

In the beginning the Word already existed. He was with God, and he was God. He was in the beginning with God. He created everything there is. Nothing exists that he didn't make. Life itself was in him, and this life gives light to everyone. The light shines through the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. -John speaking of Christ in John 1:1-5

Today reminded me of the simplicity of the Gospel. In my first experience of servant evangelism, I encountered a man who wanted to make conversation about Hope Fellowship. His first question, after inquiring whether the granola bar really was free, was "What is the difference between Catholics and Baptists?"

Many thoughts ran through my head. My main thought was that I am not adequate to answer this question. But then, God impressed on my heart the simple message that Jesus is central and God is love. So I said to the man, "Sir, both Catholics and Baptists believe Jesus is God's only Son who died for us and that God loves you." I gave him the granola bar and wished him a happy Fourth of July.

Throughout the rest of today, God has reminded me of how, regardless of the differences between denominations, the MOST important thing is that we believe He sent His Son for us and loves us all. My goal for the rest of the trip is to keep it simple.

-Allyson Livengood

Check out the video blog (it may take a few minutes to load) to see us prepare, train and try out servant evangelism for the first time.

Saturday, July 5
I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.- A Psalm of David in Psalms 34:1

Today was the first day that we did two sessions of servant evangelism, and we passed out gum both in the morning and afternoon.  My experiences in the morning and afternoon were night and day in comparison.  This morning it took almost twice as long as the afternoon to hand out the gum and cards.  Part of this difference was due to location and amount of people, and part of it was due to the attitude of the people.  This morning I was ignored and rejected more than anyone should hope to be, and this afternoon I was given attention and acceptance by the people passing by.  

The verse above has been in the forefront of my mind throughout the past few months of ups and downs and trust and doubt in the Lord.  No matter the situation or circumstance, we are to bless the name of our Lord and hold him in Holy reverence.  So today, with the time of feast and the time of famine, we are to bless the Lord at all times and hold his praise continually on our lips.  

-Dara Griffin

Check out the video blog (it may take a few minutes to load) to see how Christ is drawing us closer together through fellowship and community.

Sunday, July 6
Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. -The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:16

This morning we passed out granola bars and went to the church service here at Hope. After Curtis' sermon the group spent the rest of the day being tourists around the city. As I encountered different people throughout the day I was reminded of the verse above. God wants us to be a light in the darkness. I might be the only smile or the only "hello" someone gets all day.

Colossians 4:5-6 says, Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. We get so busy with life and so caught up with ourselves that we forget to take time to talk to people, listen to people, and make the most of every opportunity. I want people to see something different in me. Each day I want to strive to make my actions and my words glorify God so that others may come to know Him and praise His name.

-Meg McCord

Check out the video blog (it may take a few mintues to load) to see Hope's worship service, personal interviews with our team and an exhilarating night at Sacco's bowling alley.

Monday, July 7
Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the Nations, I will be exalted in the Earth.         Psalm 46:10

Today was our last day doing servant evangelism.  Our feet hurt, some of us are sportin' bandaids and all of us feel hot and sweaty!  Throughout this trip I feel like God has challenged me to step out of my comfort zone by inviting others to check out Hope Fellowship Church.  Prior to this mission trip I was nervous about interacting with strangers.  I anticipated that they would ask me challenging questions about Christianity that I may not be able to answer.  After spending much time in prayer and doing servant evangelism God continously reminded me that being here in Boston is not about me but instead it's about seving Him and fulfilling His desires for the people of Boston. 

Today especially required me to step out of my comfort zone.  We woke up super early in order to spread out around the city of Boston and participate in a prayer walk .  As we walked past venues, colleges, churches, the people of Boston, etc. we prayed for the work God is doing or will do in their lives.  I may feel tired, sore and dirty at the end of the day but God's continoulsy shown me on this trip that we're here to serve Him and to set all other insecurities aside.

-Jennifer Brown

Check out the video blog (to be posted soon) and see us prayer walk around Coolidge Corner, share the love of Christ through a free water bottle and help the Red Sox's get a W.

Tuesday, July 8
I am the Vine, and you are the branches.  He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.- Jesus to his disciples in John 15:5

This is it -- day six -- the last day of our trip in Boston!  It has been an amazing experience.  I am leaving this trip with a changed perspective on the city of Boston.  I have hope for this community.  God is present and He has people here that are looking for something that only He can provide.  He is working,through Hope Fellowship and its other brothers and sisters in Boston, and I am thankful to be a part in it.

As some in our group were packing up and saying their good-byes this morning, I kept thinking how we are all in this together. We have all been working to further the kingdom of God and Dallas needs our sevant hearts just as much as Boston.  As a group, I believe we are anxious to get back to Dallas and continue the work that God has brought us to do up here. 

~Tiffany Hurd