It's Fun To Stay At The YMCA. No really...

Will Bryant and I finally arrived home in Asheville yesterday after two days of traveling from New York City and the YASC training in Stony Point, NY. We received early practice in using the f word of missionary work. Flexibility came in handy after a delayed flight from LaGuardia led to an extra night for us in the Big Apple.

We stayed at the YMCA in the middle of Manhattan, something I never thought one could do. It is fun to stay at the YMCA... in Manhattan.

Anyway, in this first post about the YASC training, I'll share two things from training that to me capture both the work we will be doing and how we are preparing to do it.


First is a reflection written by another YASC volunteer, Paul Daniels. He read this during one of our morning worships the first week of training. I encourage you to read it:
http://episcoglobal.wordpress.com/2013/06/25/hallelujah-anyhow/

Paul, from the Diocese of North Carolina, is going to Grahamstown, South Africa, to work as a youth minister at the Anglican Cathedral. You can read more about his mission year at his blog here: http://undiscoveredbrother.blogspot.com/

Second, I want to share a video that the staff showed us at training. It's a video that is sure to make you smile, and maybe tear up with happiness. To me, the video captures the power of presence, no matter where you are in the world. Presence, relationship, and love define the Episcopal perspective on being a missionary.

You can find out where the hell Matt is right now and explore his other videos at his website.

Be on the look out for more posts about YASC Training 2013 from Stony Point, New York.