Lunes

Monday we were introduced to three people who would be a major part of our week. At breakfast we met Javier. Javi drove us everywhere all week long. More than being a driver, he was a good friend and watched over us at all times. We enjoyed getting to know him over many meals and shared the physical humor of two people who are separated by language, but united in service. By the end of the week, he was a friend for life. When we arrived at the school for sound check, we met Winston and Raul. Winston was the head sound engineer and Raul was his assistant. These guys had brought in a truckload of electronic equipment. Ray Zirkel (our missionary host) said, “Well it really shows a strong commitment to the kids.” To which I replied, “Yeah, but they are going to think U2 is here!” Seriously, it was BIG and LOUD!

Our sound techs really knew their business. On Sunday during a sound check with the band, the sound board started billowing smoke. Never a good sign. They just opened it up, did some work and everything was back in business. Really it was like that all week. They hustled and worked like madmen for us and for the kids to have a great experience.

While the team did a sound check and began to get going, Vicki and I began to prayer walk the room. The kids were on these enormous concrete bleachers running the length of a large covered gym – where all our events save one took place. VP (Vicki) and I walked slowly over every row, praying for God’s hand to be on each young person in the room. It’s been a while since VP and I prayed the sanctuary together. It was a good reminder of those early days in University Praise before things really took off.

About 30 minutes before the service started, our team gathered together in an upper loft of the space for prayer. We try to do this before every service, but sometimes the technology works against us and the time gets shortened a bit. It was important time in prayer together as we settled into God’s sovereignty for what was about to happen.

Soon the kids came streaming into the building – all 550 high school kids (7-11 grade) and it was time to begin. My topic for the week was: Revolution: The Movement. On Monday, I spoke on, “What is the Revolution?” I started out by talking about the goodness of God’s creation – the plan and purpose with which all things were created. I discussed the intricacy of creation and the care with which God ordered all things. From examples in nature to the creation of the students of collegio metodista, God has a plan. Those plans have been frustrated for some time, though. Human sin has distorted God’s purposes. This will not be the case forever. Rather, God has a particular purpose for his earth and it shall come to pass – of this, you can be certain. God has begun a worldwide revolution to right what has gone wrong and bring perfection back into creation. I ended by challenging the kids to open their hearts to the notion that God has a bigger plan and purpose for their lives than to just exist. I suggested that just perhaps he has as many plans for their lives as he does for the birds of the air and flowers in the fields.

The kids laughed a lot and I think enjoyed themselves, but it was hard to know for sure. They were certainly restless throughout and talking amongst themselves. Honestly, I sensed a great deal of skepticism in the room about the whole service!

After it was over, we went up with the kids to lunch. They eat in the outdoor corridors, so we just hung out and each talked to a few students. I was encouraged by a number of the students who remarked, “I liked your presentation,” or “good speech in there.”

That night our team had our evening meeting to discuss the events of the day and find out what needs they had for Tuesday. We then moved into a time of worship which quickly became a night of intercession. Alison let rip with “Revelation Song” and we began to pray for hearts to be moved. As things were winding down, I found myself standing at the back door looking out into the city. Mark came over and put his arm around me. He quietly asked what I was thinking. I whispered, “The kids. They are like a restless herd. I can feel that they are going to break and run. There is going to be a stampede, I just can’t tell yet which way they will go. Either to the Lord or off a cliff.” Those were perilous moments.