Global Urban Treks

I've now served in a full range of the roles available on InterVarsity's Global Urban Trek.  I was a student in 2005, staff in 2007, assistant director in 2008, co-director in 2009, and this past week assisted as a coordinator for Trek orientation.

Many of you have seen that the Trek nurtures me and gives me life, and this week was no exception.  I watched as students, staff and directors came together, met one another, and were formed into teams for the summer.  I led times of training and teaching and prayer.  I listened to fears and hopes and questions.  I experienced anew the hope and the promise of Isaiah 58:8---

"Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard."

Against all kinds of odds, God insists on His kingdom breaking into the world.  And God does it through these bright-eyed, hopeful young people.  God does it through unpretentious, hopeful people without money.  God does it through hope in what is unseen, hope that is absurd, hope that does not disappoint, hope that keeps on growing and giving and leavening the dough.  Just how far will that hope spread in one summer?  Join me in following students through the next six weeks among the urban poor: they'll be blogging about it here.