Debriefing and send-off:
I was able to share a room last night with Pastor Francisco from Matamoros MX.  We were able to communicate pretty well despite the language barrier.  We started talking about our families and showing pictures and before we knew it, it was 1:30 in the morning and we felt the need to try to get some sleep.  As I share this little tidbit, I realize that pastors like Francisco play a huge role in Power ministries.  The reason for this is that these trips are about much more than construction projects.  They are about building God’s kingdom and facilitating relational connections of all kinds.  They are about stretching our faith and our stomachs too a little bit, and broadening our horizons.  They are about developing men of godly character who truly know what it means to give of themselves.

We close the trip with a chance for everyone to share one or two highlights from the week.  This time can get a little emotional and personal.  It is just amazing to hear what some guys had to say about their week.  There were a couple things that had happened during the week that I wasn’t even aware of until I heard about it as a highlight of someones week.  Anyhow, a great way to wrap it all up.

By the way, if you happen to be reading this and you are part of week 3, my advice to you would be to write things down so you don’t forget them at the last minute like I did.  It’s not really a specific highlight, but just something that I think is cool about the way things are done on a Power trip.

This thing is the reading of van/job assignments or basically our marching orders.  Every moring and afternoon, and sometimes a third time later in the day, Loren Vanderscaff would read down a list starting with the van #'(s) the project lead(s) the driver(s), the shotgun(s), and who would be assigned to what van.  I guess for me, it was the anticipation combined with the fear of going somewhere or doing something that was out of my comfort zone.  We were required to be quiet so that everyone could hear their specific assignments and for the most part I would say our group showed great restraint and respect in this area.   I can still hear Kyle Leduc’s booming voice from two years ago when he was the personnel manager.  I think part of the reason this sticks out as a highlight for me is because it was like a football team hudling up to hear the play.  Who doesn’t get a thrill out of being part of a team huddle?

After everyone shared their highlighs, we had one last chance to say goodbye and hug or handshake with each guy in the debriefing room.  After this we ate lunch and started dispersing.  A few of us, myself included had some time to spare, so we grabbed some food and water and headed downtown San Antonio.  Ben Sullivan was our fearless leader, and counting me there were seven of us in the van.  Ben was looking and praying that we would miraculously find a certain young man on the streets named Dwayne. He, Dave Johnson and some others had showed him the love of Christ and given him a hand up a week earlier.  Actually it was a real modern day Good Samaritan story.  They had bought him some food and supplies at the store and ointment for a wound on his neck.  They took him to a place where he could stay safe and warm with the hope of getting his life back together.  They also gave him the opportunity to talk to his mom, who incidentally had been praying for him.

Well as we meanderred around, trying to find the same location where the guys had stopped a week ago, God led us to a place in town where some homeless people were gathered and sure enough Dwayne was there too even though it was quite a few blocks from where they had left him a week before.  The six of us lined up and started handing out hot dogs and water to the homeless while Ben spent some time talking with Dwayne.  We fed around 30 people and ran out.  We also talked with and prayed for asome of the others.  We spent some additional time with Dwayne and took him back to his apartment.  He showed some signs of improvement and seemed to be in a better state of mind than the week before, but he still needs much prayer.  The street life is pretty ugly, and with drugs involved, Dwayne is going to need deliverance from a whole lot of evil.  I realize Dave and Ben wouldn’t want to be singled out here, but these are the caliber of men we work with on these trips.  I am so glad I had a couple hours to spare on this final day.

I hope you enjoyed my perspective on the week 2 trip.  GO POWER MEN OF WEEK 3!!!

“Our father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”.

Matt. 6:9b-10