Thursday already??

Our team took 2nd in our flight of the basketball tourney. Great job, guys!

We toured "Temple Square."

Did you know we set a world record for kazoo choir? 5,500 kazooers. We played "Amazing Grace."

Tomorrow we fly home. We've all got mixed emotions--enjoying what God is doing but longing to come home. Don't forget to put Sunday evening, August 3rd on your calendar! That night we'll be sharing, singing and praising God for His mighty works. Here are some pictures!

Wednesday Update

This is the first time that I've had to actually write a blog entry. Thanks for your continued prayers for us!

I will list a few highlights because it's quick and there are people waiting for this computer:

• As you already know, our travel was unbelievably flawless--praise God. Please be in prayer for the crucial part of our travel: Friday morning's travel to the airport.
• Spiritually speaking, God is AT WORK. He's working in so many ways that I hesitate to even make sweeping generalities. I am most thankful to see the way he is transforming the hearts of those who are resistant to emotional ploys. Woooo.
• We not only paid for tons of meals to send to needy people, we also assembled those meals. That was a BLAST! Your students worked so HARD. Pray for those who will receive these meals to find the GIVER of the daily Bread.
• Today we tour the Mormon Temple Square at 2:30 your time. Pray for understanding and deepening passion for Christ.

Everyone is healthy.

Praising God with you!

Jon

More pics!

Recent Pictures from Challenge 2008

Tuesday Update

I (Nikki) spoke with Jon again this morning, and the message he most wished to convey to you parents is this: Your kids are a joy! Their attitudes have been fantastic; the way they love one another is motivating and encouraging. Unfortunately, it's not like this in every youth group. We count it a joy and privilege to get to love them and your families!

Prior to Challenge, students were asked to give up discretionary funds to buy a million meals in order to feed hungry people, both physically and spiritually. Partnering with EFCA TouchGlobal, the meals will be distributed through the Evangelical Free Church of Congo.

This afternoon is our kids' ministry opportunity to assemble these meals. Please pray for them as they serve. In order to give the students a greater understanding of the world's hunger and need, all conference attendees will be served Red Beans & Rice for dinner tonight. Please pray for continued good attitudes and humility.

On a less serious note, our crew is supposed to pick up kazoos today so that they will be ready for tomorrow's attempt at setting a world record. Evidently all 6,000 or so will play their kazoos in unison to a song yet to be unveiled.

This may be the first time I'm glad I'm NOT there.... ;)

Thanks for your ongoing faithful prayers!

Monday Update

Guest Poster here...Unfortunately, Jon does not have internet access at this time, so he asked me (Nikki) to fill in a few details for you, our praying parents and friends...

The flights out to Salt Lake City could not have gone any smoother. Likewise, the check-in at the hotel went like clockwork. When you consider a group of their size, that's really quite remarkable! Thanks for praying them through!

By last night, even before the first rally, everyone was understandably exhausted. Francis Chan (one of our all-time favorite speakers) gave a tremendous message on the holiness of God. It will be exciting to hear from our kids how God used that message to challenge and stir their hearts...

Jon imposed an earlier-than-normal bedtime on our kids and staff last night. He said they all awoke feeling refreshed and much, much better this morning.

As a reminder, visit the official conference blog for additional news and updates: "Sojourn ~ Challenge '08" Also make special note that tonight is the first of two rallies to which we will be given live access! The rally, featuring speaker, Jimmy Dorrell, and worship band, Starfield will begin around 9pm Central time. If you have broadband access, this is your opportunity for an inside look into what your loved one is hearing and experiencing in Salt Lake City! The second of these live video streams will be held tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

Please continue to pray for...
* transformation of our kids' wills
* an understanding of how our kids' gifts build the kingdom
* a complete disdain for all things common as our kids pursue heavenly things

Thanks for your ongoing prayers, encouragement, and loving support!

Challenge Conference 2008

Okay, so Nationals is taking over my blog for a week or two. I'll put all these posts under one label for ease and reference. We leave in 15 hours and I'm praying about our time away. I'm thinking about previous conferences. Thoughts from Challenge Conferences compared with Jesus' transfiguration:

1. Everyone doesn't get it. Remember Peter? This great emotional experience at the transfiguration and he was like, "let's stay here forever," and "let's honor Jesus as much as we we honor Elijah." Jesus rebuked them. Some of our students are actually bracing themselves AGAINST the emotion they know will be at Challenge. They are so tired of up-and-down spirituality that they see another person crying and they get cynical and sometime even angry. EVERY NATIONALS I've attended has had people of this ilk doubting the validity--especially 11th and 12th grade boys who are growing up. So pray for the SPIRIT to be at work, not simply heart-warming speakers to convince the heart. These students need a knowledge of GOD and His Word, not simply inspiration (yes, there's a place for both!).

2. Expect trouble when we get back. After the transfiguration, the disciples came down from the mountain with Jesus to find the other disciples engaged in a defeated and powerless experience with an evil spirit. They began to argue amongst themselves and Jesus rebuked them for their lack of faith. After the mountain tops comes the valleys. Please prayerfully prepare for this valley. When the disciples asked Jesus why they were powerless to effect the evil spirit he said that kind of work could only be done through PRAYER and FASTING.

So if you are tracking with us, please PRAY and FAST! Don't just pray for safe travel and a good time. God's will could be accomplished through unsafe travel and tons of turmoil. But that God would set His Kingdom in the hearts of our students! That they would see Christ crucified, risen the third day for the forgiveness of sins and live each of their days from now to the end for Him! Pray with us!!

We leave at 3:15 a.m., Sunday June 29.