Seeing the Holy Spirit - Scott Friedrich

So, This was my fourth mission trip and it was very different from my first three experiences. First. It was my first one without my older son Zack and also my first with my younger son Lucas.

Secondly, it was the first time I really didn't care for the city we were serving in. My impression of San Francisco was underwhelming. It was too big, too  crowded and the traffic was easily the worst I have ever encountered. It was dirty, loud and intimidating. The bay itself was pretty enough but honestly, no big deal in my opinion.

However, the experience itself was my favorite. The people I met and served, those I served with and those who served me made the trip incredibly meaningful for me. I have never felt the Hoy Spirit so fully as I did on this trip.

I felt It in the children and staff we interacted with in the Tenderloin Boys and Girls Club.

I felt It in the Youthworks staff, who were easily the most flexible and engaging staff I have worked with.

I felt It at work in my own personal relationship with Jesus during the trip. Many prayers were answered, many concerns and petty, potential conflicts averted by God's grace. 

But most of all I felt the Holy Spirit working in the amazing young people I was privileged to have spent a week in the Upside down Kingdom with. Their enthusiasm for the work they did and the people they served and served with was inspirational.

The time our GSL group spent each night before bed, discussing the events of the day and how we were seeing God at work, was my favorite (even though I lost valuable sleep time). Many, very personal revelations were openly shared and discussed. Something I have not experienced much of with our group.

I feel very honored to have been trusted to share in so many personal, honest, and sometimes very emotional  shared feelings and experiences.

It's good to be home now. But I actually did leave a little piece of my heart in San Francisco. I will ponder and treasure the experiences I had and the people I met and I will strive to hold onto that closer relationship I feel to my Lord and, as Max would say, "my fam"  i.e. the leaders and youth group of St. Matthew.