My team and I were able to help for two days at Teen Challenge, an organization I've worked with in the states. My mime team actually performed a few times at Teen Challenge over the years and I really enjoy being with this organization I've respected for years. I have always admired Don Wilkerson, the founder of Teen Challenge, since I read his book "The Cross and the Switchblade," when I was about 15. So, it was neat for me to see this organization running well in another country and to be a part of it's ministry to teens coming from hard backgrounds. This teen challenge in particular serves many of the youth from the Roma, or Gypsy, community. These kids have experienced drugs, hard family life, abuse, and some crime-all this with being part of a community (Gypsy people) that is looked down upon and ignored by the culture in general.
We played games with the teens, ate snacks, acted out the story of the Prodigal Son, sang worship songs, gave testimonies, and just hung out with them. One of my favorite times with the group was when I got to sing and do some dance movements, while another member of the team played guitar. Most of the teens did the dance moves with me and it was so enjoyable to worship God together with them. Later we did the same thing, but this time I taught them the signs to a song. They sang the song in Czech, we sang in English, and we all signed together in American Sign Language. Worshiping God in three different languages! I so enjoy leading worship and find that my joy in the Lord comes most often when I am worshiping through music, especially when I'm a part of leading others into worship and into God's presence. It is such a privilege to serve in this way. Here is a picture of one of the worship times we had with the youth there. The two girls in the picture were precious gems, who just stared into my eyes as I sang-it was intense and connected me to God's love for them in a new way. I hope they saw Jesus looking back at them.
Another adventure with Jesus we went on in Prague was some street evangelism. This means we just went out on the streets at night, armed with coffee, origami hearts with a Bible verse on them, candy, and (for me at least) some tingling nerves. We went in two groups, and fortunately we went with people who are experienced in loving people on the streets and doing it with a right heart. Though I'm used to a bit different of an approach in telling people about Jesus on the streets-it was good to experience something different than was done well and I could depend on God more in my lack-of-knowledge of what was going on. Our group ended up just stopping and talking to a guy standing on the corner, who told us his name was Kenny. We were pretty sure he was a pimp, with his fancy gold studded shoes. Roger, a Jesus-lovin' father in our group looked at Kenny and said, "Kenny, Jesus loves you." Kenny nodded and said, "Yeah, yeah man, I know." :o)
We ended up praying for Kenny then and there and he was so open to our words of love and the words from the Lord that we prayed. In the middle of us giving Kenny some coffee, his friend came up to us. I could tell he was totally searching for purpose and was hungry for what we had. (The Holy Spirit) I went up and introduced myself. His name was "John" and we ended up praying for him as well. In the middle of prayer I felt we should sing over John, and I told him I was reminded of a song I knew and I would like to sing it--he was pretty happy about this, and I sang, "Jesus, Jesus, risen and exalted one, Jesus! Your name is like honey on my lips, Your Spirit's like water to my soul, Your word is a lamp unto my feet. Jesus I love you, I love you." The others in the group joined in-and then Kenny did! He hummed along and laid hands on his friend! I could see John receiving the peace of God that passes all understanding right there on the street. We gave Kenny and John some flyers for an international church they could attend (both were from Nigeria). As we left Kenny said, "This is cool. I'm going to tell my friends about Jesus."
So many more stories of God's grace and power, but I'll save those for when I get back. ;o) I'll leave this post with more pictures of our time in Prague.
great stuff
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