Backyard Blast

Hi.

The Backyard Blast is starting in just 3 days. Let me describe for you how I feel right now:

My favorite roller coaster in the world is the Millennium Force at Cedar Point in Ohio. To the best of my knowledge, it is the tallest roller coaster in the world. I am terrified of high places, but there's no greater thrill for me than to go down that first hill. When I last rode it a few weeks ago, I remember being so scared going up that first hill that I had to close my eyes so that I couldn't see how far my plunge to death could be. But when it was time to go over the hill, my eyes were open and I smiled as big as I could ( I don't scream on coasters. I don't really know why. I guess it's the same reason I don't dance at concerts. I'm just not that excitable).

That's how I feel right now. I have never been a part of an event that has so much potential for being the thrill of a lifetime and so much potential for being a disaster, all at the same time. I am terribly worried and frightened that it will rain, kids won't show up, I won't have enough volunteers, or something I think is cool and innovative will just be blah to the kids.

While I am worried and stressed, and I am excited because I know kids are going to give their lives to Jesus, our hosts are going to become Christ's representatives to their neighbors, people who have never ministered to kids before are going to experience what it is like to see a kid's life changed, and I am going to dump a bucket of slime on someone at each of the seven events.

So, pray for me. We've never done a summer kids outreach at Horizons. I've never done an event like this one. Pray for the volunteers and the kids as well. If only one life is changed next week, it will be worth the time and energy we have invested. I'm pretty confident that we can exceed that goal.