Saturday Night in the City

The RULES to Musical Chairs of Death explained.

Nothing like a game of Musical Chairs of Death to break down the barriers between countries, cultures and kids. Perhaps the United Nations should be advised of this foreign affairs technique developed by the NBYG. Christians, Muslims, Russians, Americans, Europeans, South Americans, Africans, Asians all dancing around a circle of chairs while others wait to fire dodge balls at them. Sorry, amusing thought. Or maybe the secret is in having the heart of a child, who seems to just inherently understand the importance of relationships. Which brings us to our lesson.

This week we'll be teaching and learning about the difference between discipleship and obedience. The difference is relationship. In our Saturday night joint devotional between Mexicans and Americans, Skid taught that obedience to rules without relationship ends up in rebellion. This is a teaching every parent is painfully aware of. As is our Father.

Please be praying about the relationships of the teens here at the home. Especially their relationship with the Father. Being a teen is a challenge in all cultures. The staff here does their very best to give the teens the spiritual and parental support they need to navigate this challenging time in life. Skid emphasized that we come here to be with them not because we're perfect but to learn with them about the Father, that it's easier for us to focus here on what's important, away from the distractions of the world at home.

Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your commitment to teens.

Billboard seen on our way to the border, our Elder David Garman said "Maybe it's a sign...."

Musical Chairs of Death...feel the anticipation?

The barriers between countries is dissolving.

Our friend Mario seems way into this....

Devotional Time under the eyes of Jesus -- Sawyer, who is working for the home this summer, translates for Skid. (Sorry, proud papa moment. I'll keep this to a minimum.)

Oh, and here's a random shot of a 43-year-old seen in San Diego getting a balloon animal at Seaport Village... It's, ok, we have 5 elders on the trip with us.