thoughts from the common man....

DEEP

Julie and I work with a small group bible study called DEEP (with Redeemer Lutheran Church). It started out a couple years ago as an in"dep"th Bible study for juniors and seniors. It didn't turn out that way. What developed (a year before we came to Redeemer) was more of a fellowship time for freshman. Sure there was bible study, but it seemed to be more of a time for these students to recharge and feel safe in an environment where they could talk, laugh, and discuss Christ with those of the same faith.

Enter year two, and our involvement into DEEP...

We inherited the group after the groundwork had been set...these guys loved it! Their leaders ended up not being able to carry through to year two, and so Max, John and the gang decided to host it on their own (over the summer). There was a core group of 5 or so that would come week in and week out. We were astounded at their dedication.

It was a bit overwhelming at first. We didn't know who the "regulars" were, where they were all at in their faith walk and knowledge of the Christian faith, who was their just to meet chicks, who was there to learn, recharge, etc. It probably took 4-5 months just to figure this type of stuff out.

We learned in a number of different environments about them. We went to our first choir (or was it band) concert, and were floored by how thrilled they were to see us, and how much we learned by being there. Who their friends were, where they went afterwards, what a "section" was (same instrument....who knew), etc. It really is fascinating...it's like a different world. There are special rules, a language, culture... (I'm 26, and man do I not know Emo from Goth sometimes :)

As we closed that first year is really was exciting. The growth was tremendous (and I haven't even told you about the kids yet). They really have allowed us to become apart of their families. They allow us to meet their friends and families, tell us about struggles in school, ask us to go to the doctor with them, scold them, keep us up on slag/teenage speak/im/texting (is that what <3 means :) What a blessing.

As far as the kids go...wow. We have been asked about symbolism and theology as it relates to The Passion of the Christ (over text message), seen someone get to know Christ as their Savior (and contemplate Church work as a career), seen student go through the tremendous loss of a friend and mentor....It really has been an experience.

Why am I thinking about all of this? I really am not sure. I guess I really just feel blessed. Julie and I get to be apart of their lives in ways few people do. Part parent, part mentor, part friend, part immigrant. It helps me in my work, in my education and possible future career. I have seen and experienced a ministry that is much different than my past at camp (some describe it as a marathon as opposed to a sprint), a ministry that is much different than that of a camp. It took us 6 months to a year to really feel like we were trusted and invited into their lives. Would we be able to have an impact if we decided to hang it up after just a year (or six months)?

The phrase/cliché "It takes a village to raise a child" has never been so real to me. I can see it in my own life. No single person (parent, counselor, teacher, pastor, etc) made me the person that I am today. It was the fingerprints of so many people, through the power of Christ, that made me who I am today. What a blessing to have a part in impacting someone else’s life in that way!

Well I am rambling a bit, but I just wanted to digest some of the last year and a half. I am looking forward to another year and a half with (most) of these kiddos, and I only hope this time will be half as fun/educational/exhausting/etc. as the first year and a half.

I hope that you have enjoyed my ramblings (and my photos of the some of the DEEPsters)!

Posted by Lee at December 21, 2005 09:37 PM