It has definitely been a bumpy road since I first confirmed
the Ireland trip and put together the Team that I felt was from God. From
Team Changes to Last minute Itinerary Changes we have had to definitely lean on
God for this trip to come together. With some details still not
completely ironed out 2 days from leaving we have trusted this trip in God’s
hands and know that He will allow what He wants to happen!
Team Rubicon Changes: First, Woody Viveros was not
able to go due to several issues. Second, Brandolyn found out that she
had to be here in Chattanooga those weeks as she is a teacher changing
schools. Third, Chris found out that he would not be able to go for
issues with school. So what was 6 has now turned into 3 but originally I
was going by myself so I look at it as 3 times the manpower. I use the
term “manpower” loosely as it turns out to be my two closest sisters in Christ
and I now going. Meet Paige and Stacy!
Paige Daniels: I have known this 21 year old literally since she was
born. I used to carry her around when she was in diapers. I was
working with the youth when she first came into the you group and was only 48
pounds and almost didn’t get to go WhiteWater Rafting because of it (her first
trip). I have had the privilege of seeing her grow up as I’m very close
to her family. In fact I spent Thanksgiving with her family after my
parents moved to Chicago. We refer to each other as brother and sister,
even when we introduce the other to friends. Paige was in the Sign Worship
Drama Team “RUSH: Rising Up Serving Him!” that we had during my Youth Pastor
Years. She led the team of between 4 and 8 people, at different points,
to learn or even direct original choreographed movements to songs. This
brings life to songs and led to them performing for other churches and even
some larger Youth Events. After I resigned as Youth Pastor they stayed
together and we traveled for 8 months until God moved one member and another
got married. Ever since then Paige has had a desire to start over and
this will be the fire that will ignite great things, I believe. She has
been practicing and will be performing (2) different Sign Worship Dramas at
various points on this trip along with skits that we will do different
places. She is very excited for this opportunity but is already excited
about coming back to Chattanooga and starting RUSH back up with new people from
around Chattanooga. Please pray that God uses Paige Daniels and her heart
for Drama across Europe.
Stacy Rosenbaum: I have known this 23 year old for over a decade. She grew up around the church where I was Youth Pastor. One
of my earliest memories of Stacy was when she was barely old enough to be in
the Youth and she went to a Lock-In that I put on at the downtown YMCA.
Though I didn’t know her well we totally hit it off and she quickly became like
a little sister even that night. She was so outgoing and participated in
everything without question. She actually won the MVP award which was a
Cross Necklace, that she still has today 10 years later. My most fond
memory though of Stacy was in 2007 when 28 of us from the Youth went to Myrtle
Beach, SC for a Student Life Camp featuring Chris Tomlin and Louie
Giglio. One of the nights Louie Giglio was preaching about sin and the
penalty of it, which is death. Louie did not leave it there though, he
offered Hope! Hope that Stacy had heard of before but had never
considered before that point. That night she gave her heart to Jesus and
was from that day to this, Radically changed. Stacy wanted to be involved
in any and every aspect but found her place in ministry with Drama.
Quickly she became my go-to Drama star and even helped come up with Dramas over
the years. For the last year plus she has had the opportunity to get out
of her comfort zone and live in Hawaii but this week moved back to Chattanooga
just in time to fulfill her dream for years now of serving God as a missionary
but even moreso as she will be using her gifts to do so.
I am very proud to know both of these women and their hearts
for God and His work. Their gifts and talents but more their willingness
to use them for Christ is what makes me most proud. It has been my
pleasure to have been a part of their lives as Big Brother, Mentor, Pastor, and
Friend.
Together the three of us make up Team Rubicon and together
we have submitted to God our time, talents, and treasures as we embark on this
glorious journey across Europe in an effort to use Creative Arts to share
Christ with whomever He brings into our path. Please pray that God will
protect us and provide for us in the 2 weeks to come! We look forward to
sharing with you all the wonderful stories and pictures upon our arrival back
in the US on August 5th. Pray4us!
In Christ,
Kyle Hawkins
Team Rubicon
Ireland 2012
No comments:
Post a Comment