Summer Fun

Last week I was with a group of youth from our church on a wonderful experience in southern California. This is a mission trip I have attended every year that I have lived in Las Vegas. It is a wonderful opportunity for our kids to serve others and build relationships with one another. 

We primarily served a nonprofit called Christian Outreach in Action. This organization feeds hundreds of people everyday, and it provides all kinds of supplies for people in need. We spent most of our time at two different locations. One location was a warehouse that stored all kinds of donations. Our team from CLC was there to organize the space so that a yard sale could take place. We moved couches, tables, chairs, and a little bit of everything else! It took a lot of work, but the people were very grateful. I was also super impressed with the youth. Hauling supplies back and forth on a hot day is not easy. Our second service location was at their food bank. We organized and handed out food to people who were struggling. This is always one of my favorite service projects. We had the opportunity to talk to people who were dealing with all kinds of difficulties, and we were able to get to know them as brothers and sisters in Christ. 

In the moments we were not serving, we went to Mission San Juan Capistrano, a Holocaust Museum, and we also took a lot of time at the beach. I think these trips are so important. We learned how valuable it is to serve, and we had a chance to bond as a community. There is something about getting away from "normal routine" and experiencing a new way of looking at the world. We are all children of God and we each have a place.

This week at CLC we are looking deep inside ourselves. Are we controlled by fear or anger? Are we stuck in a rut? Are we only looking out for ourselves? 

I think we all need moments to step back and realize that God is calling us to something so much more. We are called to love and serve others, and this doesn't have to be a burden. In fact, loving our neighbors can help us to a deeper understanding of our true nature. It can make us feel completely alive!

Today, we can all experience the joy of God's Love through service. We certainly don't have to be on a mission trip, God is already here. As we celebrate our freedoms on the 4th of July, I hope we are all able to open our hearts in new ways and share the blessings around us.

In Christ,

Brian Ward