Across the country teens and preteens have begun their two-and-half-month adventure called "Summer Vacation." Many will spend their days in front of a television, computer or some hand-held electronic device, but others will face various rites of passage that generations before have them faced on their way to becoming young adults.
Thrill-seeking leapers will cling to a thick rope or simply jump from rocky ledges into infamous lakes and rivers. The industrious will smuggle scraps of lumber into an unnamed stand of trees in order to build tree houses, forts or would be castles.
There will be those who like Danny and Sandy of Grease fame will find their Summer Love. First paychecks will be issued by grocery stores, fast food restaurants, neighborhood swimming pools and the like. Abandoned railroad tracks will be walked, and abandoned buildings will be explored. Parents will endure a seemingly infinite number of sleepovers, and counselors will console numerous home-sick campers.
High school graduates will begrudgingly join their family for yet another family reunion or summer sojourn across the country, while younger teens will anticipate or dread being shipped off to grandma and grandpa's.
Then there will be those like the nine 12 - 18 year olds I'm hanging out with this week who will take a week or more to fly, bus or caravan to unfamiliar places hoping to make a difference in the lives of others. The summer mission trip is a rite of passage for many who are part of a church, para-church or some faith-based youth group. And while many of them head off to 'help the less fortunate,' it will be the youth who will often have life-changing experiences.That's my hope this morning.
As I write this, the nine youth are beginning to rise for our first day of 'work.' We'll mix with youth from two other United Methodist Churches and head off to four different locations around Eugene, Oregon.
I'll be posting updates through the week, and hopefully some of the youth will be willing to share some of their experiences next Sunday in our weekly worship service at LWUMC.
Stay tuned...
- Pastor Kelly