Real life, prayer walks and walkabouts

Guess what it finally stopped raining around noon today!  It is possible all the rainfall broke a record of 6.8 inches (but I have not heard the final word!).  Don't get me wrong- those who know me know I LOVE the rain, but when you are suppose to be walking the city for the day- being cold and wet doesn't sound like much fun.

Josh and I spent the day with two youth groups from small towns in Oregon.  Both the groups were doing the 3 day Transformation Trip through Bridgetown.  Today we joined up with them at a museum type display called "Real. Life."

This exhibit is put on by Medical Teams International.  This organization goes in an provides relief in devastating situations.  We learned about Katrina, the tsunamis, child soliders/Kony, mexican dump, burn victims in Moldova, AIDS and more.  It was a very sobering exhibit that reminded you of the struggles and terror people have faced all around the world.

We continued our day with the teams and did a prayer walk through downtown Portland.  This is something that Bridgetown does on a regular basis.  They have the city divided into sections (one group goes out per section) and specific things to pray for as you walk each block.  Josh and I really enjoyed this time because we got to get more familiar with the city, see it in a new light and speak life into troubled areas.  Prayer walks are something we definitely want to bring back with us to our Twin Cities.

After the prayer walk we went back to get supplies to do a "walkabout".  A walkabout is simply going out into the city with sandwiches, coffee and this time new socks to hand out to anyone who wants them.  We used these items as tools in hopes of starting conversations that would lead to developing a relationship.  Our group talked with a handful of homeless men all at very different stages of life.  Our favorite was Prophet Powell who was overjoyed to see us.  He "knew who we were" and came over to us wanting prayer and a chance to share with us how good God is.  He made us smile and laugh.  He said he thinks Josh has a twin walking around Portland because he thought he had seen him before!

We ended the night having dinner and debriefing with the youth groups.  We really enjoyed hanging out with the leaders and the students.  They have some students with pretty awesome hearts and of course it was just plain fun to watch a youth group of teens!

Tomorrow we will join them again for there last little bit of their trip- then I believe Josh and I will have time on our own to explore the city and hopefully check out one of their famous food carts.

well Josh is already asleep so I think its time I say good night! oh and it started raining again- ha!