Our team is having a blast on the road. Despite the heat and hard stories, the Lord is giving them the strength each day to continue running the race. They've spoken to so many teens and young adults this summer and like I mentioned last week, we've received many messages online from them. Below are just a few of the sweet things teens have said to us.One of our favorite ways to share how the road is going, is by sharing stories from each of the volunteers. So check them out below!"One of my favorite conversations these past few days was with a 19-year-old guy in New York. On his card, he wrote about his cocaine addiction. I knew there was something that had to conjure up this dark habit. He then told me that he was lacking self-worth which led to his addiction. I was so angry with the enemy when I heard those words come out of his mouth. I immediately was speaking life into this guy and rebuking all of the lies that we're going on in his head. This guy had such a sweet spirit and it broke my heart that he had this heavy chain holding him down. I told him that if he remembers one thing when he leaves the tent, to remember that he is worth it. He is worth living life abundantly and free from the darkness because that's what Jesus promised us. We ended our conversation in prayer which was incredible. He said that I uplifted him so much that day, and I praise God for that. This guy heard the gospel at the tent and he heard what Jesus can do for us. He hugged me like four times before he left and I grew such a big heart for this guy. It burdens me to hear what he had to say but I'm filled joy knowing that the Holy Spirit was moving in the tent. "- Arthur Yepez-Outreach Volunteer "Sometimes we have kids that walk into the tent, hear what we are about and walk out. This last week this happened to us, but a little later these two girls came back. One of the girls asked to fill out an index card. As she started to fill it out I began praying for the right words to give to her. She allowed me to read the card and it said she wanted to die, she was done with life, it wasn't worth it to live, she's 15. As I spoke with her, poured into her life and spoke of God's love for her, I finally asked her what some of her hobbies and passions were. She told me she loved to draw, so I decided to introduce her to the co-owner of Choonimals (like Blake had done before) and told her about the story of how they came to be with their drawings, etc. I encouraged her to know she could use something she loved to do to give her some push to get through this time in her life, to make goals and dreams come true through hard work and time! After all was said and done I finally got her to smile and gave her a big hug. Her friend had still been following the whole time and watched and listened to everything. I stopped and introduced myself and asked what her friends name was, the girl stopped and said oh this is my mom. I was confused as to why she didn't input much while we talked. It left me feeling slightly unsettled but I stayed in prayer the rest of the day. The story really stayed with me and I'll continue to pray for her and her mother and that God shows up in a miraculous way. In the end, God is in control. "- Avery Whitsett-Outreach Volunteer "These past 12 days have been one heck of an experience. 12 cities in 12 days, non-stop, no off days until yesterday. Thousands of faces walking around all telling a different story but at that current moment all their stories have brought them to that one place, Warped Tour. Is it the music that brings the kids to the pain? Or is it the pain that brings the kids to the music? Is it the brutally honest and raw content that corrupts their lives? Or is it the brutally honest and raw content what brings them comfort? Questions similar to these surface from time to time from the parents that come through the tent. I'm not sure what it is that draws the parents in, for some it's the scripture "John 10:10" on the tent or maybe it's the "radical movement to wake a generation" that entices them to come talk to us. I value the conversations with parents just as much as I do with the kids. Why? Because an impactful conversation with mom or dad can create a new mindset that can carry over into their home which can have a longer lasting and a daily impact on these kids. We see card after card about kids with parents who pick on them for appearance and music taste and make them feel less than because of those choices and it breaks my heart. There's 2 kinds of parents we see at warped tour. The parents who are there and support their kids but would be more at ease being there since the kids are so young or the parent who is at warped in vain and is bitter and judgmental about the whole day. Either parent I welcome gladly into the tent. The 1st kind of parent needs to be thanked. They need to know that what they are doing has a huge impact on their kid. More than they probably hear from their kid. That kind of love and support seems to be a lost art in this scene. The second parent just needs a different outlook. I get it, you don't like the music. Understandable. They don't need to put their stamp of approval on the music, but they need to put their stamp of approval on their kid. Their kid needs to know that they are still loved and supported by their parents despite minor choices in life that they make such as music taste or wardrobe. All it takes is a simple perspective change. Many parents say, "well this music makes my kid so dark." It's not the music that makes a kid this way. In my personal opinion, the music is what helps the kid feel okay for feeling the way they do. They turn to this music because they feel something, they can relate, it's honest, it's real, and it's relevant. Radio music isn't gonna cut it for a hurting teen. These kids don't wake up feeling like P- Diddy, everyday isn't a party, and love doesn't always happen the way it seems to happen in songs. It's when the parents begin to understand that, then the understanding of their child comes easier. To me, that's a conversation I'm ready and willing to have because it gets taken home with that family. Those kids will feel the love and acceptance of their parents in a very real way. Some for the first time. "- Blake Gederberg-Outreach Volunteer "When I read this card I instantly felt like I was holding something so fragile. A cry for help, like seeing a flare gun spark at sea. And also the preciousness of her haunting darkness being brought to light, that opportunity being so seldom for her and girls alike. She wrote it and expressed it like it was no big deal, because this had been a fact of life for her for so long. I wondered why she hadn't gotten out of her situation and the answer came to light when she told me about her nieces. She didn't want what has been her darkness to be theirs too. She's afraid of him. She felt trapped and settled with that fact.I don't know if my words and advice resonated with her. I hope she remembers how strong she is, and brave. Brave enough to end the cycle that more than likely wouldn't end with her. I hope she remembers her worth and what truly defines her. I know I'll remember all of those things about her above anything else. Girls like her are why I'm out here, why I do what I do."- Carrie Miller-Outreach Volunteer These stories are so important because they give you an idea of the depth of conversations that our team has daily-on the road and locally during our weekly meetings. We could give you numbers all day long, but these stories are like precious gems, that need to be treasured and prayed over, thought about, and our desire is to give these young people a voice. Our job is to advocate for these kids and share their stories to the world because so many people are in a little bubble and do not think these kinds of things are going on, but they are. This could be your niece, your nephew, your cousin, your neighbor, that 'punk kid' with weird hair you see at Starbucks daily, the captain of the cheerleading squad, the valedictorian, the student council president, your grandchildren, or even your child. Hurt and pain is not limited to 'troubled' looking teens. We live in a fallen world and it's bound to happen, but what can we do as a ministry to help those who are willing to confess some of the deepest, darkest, brokenness in their hearts? We can allow the Lord to use us to love them well, speak into their hearts, pray with them, and share their stories to hopefully inspire others to reach out and pour into those around you. Lastly, we still need your help to cover the cost of the rest of the tour. We need a little over $11,000, so please consider giving towards that. With your help, we will be able to continue to be a listening ear to young people, a message of hope to those in need, a safe place of community, and solace for the weary heart.Thanks to everyone who has already made a donation. We honestly could not continue doing this without you. You guys are incredible!Donate now
