Watch and Learn

I survived my first week and a half here in Arizona!!! Just kidding, it's been such a joy.

(I'm already falling behind on blogging once a week, so this post will be a long one, I'll do better next time!!)

From the moment I arrived in the Phoenix airport, to dinner this evening, I have been surrounded by so much love, support, and understanding. The Amadeo community is even greater than I remembered from two years ago.

I knew there were a ton of new things I'd have to learn, but I honestly had no idea how much. I am working at Third Place Cup, the coffee shop that is (literally) attached to Amadeo church. I rarely drink coffee, and never imagined I would know the difference between a latte, cappuccino, frappe, pour over... the list goes on and on. So I had the privilege to be trained by the amazing Shelly Kohler who has patiently and graciously dealt with my mistakes and lack of confidence in this new job. I heard that this week we had more sales in the coffee shop than ever before, and I'm thankful (as well as nervous) I get to jump right in and support the growth!

I also have the joy of serving alongside a diligent group of people who devote 4+ hours every Tuesday afternoon/evening to work extremely hard to pack and distribute 120 boxes of incredible food to the local homeless community. Every Tuesday. Wow, am I right?

Wednesday evening I got to meet the energetic, lively youth who gather every week to love each other and learn more about the Lord. This week, we went to a park nearby and provided dinner for the community and anyone willing to hang out. It was cool to see middle and high-schoolers being bold and starting conversations with strangers, with a motive of love for Jesus.

Friday I got to serve the community through the coffee shop at open mic night that Third Place Cup hosts every Friday and spend the night worshiping and praying at an all night prayer held in the sanctuary. At the prayer service, a man who had terrible back pain that prevented him from walking was healed. I kid you not, he was sitting in a chair, many prayed over him, he stood up and did a back bend I wouldn't be able to do. That is just one of the many healings I have witnessed this week.

Saturday I got to go to a new community to feed people and talk to them. I met this really cool guy who gave me such wise advice and although he was much older, he treated me as an equal. He shared that he had a heart attack, and his son who was 7 years old visited him in the hospital for a short time before the doctors rushed him out after his dad flat lined. He died, and came back to life with no explanation from the doctors. Needless to say his thankful heart (pun intended) and respect for who God is in his life was something I can't forget.

Sunday was a wonderful day where I got to pray for an hour for the church with some prayer warriors before service started. The love and joy in the sanctuary was indescribable and the unity was obvious.

The crazy thing is, this is only a fraction of what the church does. They host groups of suicide survivors, offer free pregnancy tests, deep prayers, men's breakfast, women's bible study... Their service just never stops!

I have been fortunate enough to watch the Amadeo community love each other and Queen Creek community through all these activities and more. Not only did I observe the obvious necessary training, but I saw God perform miracles before my eyes. That really showed me my lack of faith. It's easy to read the Bible and all the ailments Jesus healed, but to see it is a whole new story. It is possible to trust God to do mighty things, and He will.
I also learned that members of the congregation are faithful to the callings on their heart and have enough trust and support in the church that they confidently share their ideas with the church, trusting they will gather and stretch themselves to make the idea reality. That is what happened with re-store, the food pantry on Tuesdays, that started out of Shelly's house years ago, and now fills the church.

I could go on and on, but if you made it to this point on my long post... I'll sum up what I've learned here.

1. Prayer is everything, It is powerful and purposeful.

2. This congregation willing serves A LOT, and don't feel like they "have to" do anything. Shelly, who I work with at the coffee shop told me just today that she volunteers with no pay because running that coffee shop brings her joy and she doesn't feel stuck into serving, but she is delighted to.
(that says something about how Amadeo treats their members, and about the members who are so faithful to the church and to God.)

3. Everything Amadeo has been blessed with they use to bless others. None of their resources are reserved for themselves. What they have in the moment, they will give to you. (I feel comfortable saying they when I refer to the church because they truly are unified.)

4. Rest is necessary and valued here. With everyone giving of themselves, it's important to take a break and not feel burdened. When Pastor Ben gave me my schedule my first response was, "I don't think there's enough for me to do!" But I was wrong. He was right. He put in break periods that I so need, and haven't allowed myself to have. There is just as much meaning in giving as their is in receiving and being filled by the right things. Naps have become my best friend, and have helped me serve because I want to, not because I have to.

Honestly, this is just a snapshot of everything, so I will definitely blog more often so this isn't so long..

Last thing, I just am constantly reminded of the early church while I'm here and this Scripture nails all that Amadeo is:

"They devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signed performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved." Acts 2:42-47