Michael Christopher Yoder

Rare

2011-12-01T09:34:00.001-08:00

Something that describes a way to cook a steak.

Also, a way to describe something that doesn't happen a lot.

This is one of those moments, the rare kind.

I am sitting at the office, staring at a blank word document, trying to write my PSL (personal support letter) and I have nothing to say.

I feel numb.

All I see is this little line flashing in front of my eyes (I don't know the proper name for it) and my heart and mind are thinking of about 1,000 things to say and none of them, seem, relevant or worth talking about.

Rare /re(ə)r/

I'm not hopeless, in fact, I would say I am hopeful. I am very hopeful for the future.

I guess I didn't know hope could hurt like hell.

I knew times would get tough.

Let me take that back. I was warned times would get tough.

I hate those nice little sayings, that people say when they try to explain a situation
that doesn't make sense.

Let me give you an example: "You can't see the forest for the trees"

Well actually, you can see the forest, because you are in the middle of it.
Looks like a forest, smells like a forest, probably is a forest.

My point, actually, is this: One of those "little nice sayings I hate" is actually helping
me a lot right now....

I will end with this, with that:

"The Shadow Proves The Sunshine....."

Text From A Student

2011-11-01T09:05:00.001-07:00

"Everytime you talk i always hear you say that you believe big things are happening in this school and community. ive never really believed it before but i have a gut feeling that tonight could be a start to something big! I think that we should heal drew because then everybody will see a real life example of how great god really is. I just thought i should tell you that."

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

7 Month Journey for the Rest of Our Lives

2011-06-01T19:54:00.000-07:00

Today is the start of something special.
It's the start of a change.
Yes, a change you and I can believe in.

Today is the start of a new lifestyle for 3 young (and 1 not so young) men.
Today is the start of healthy eating habits...
Today is the start of no more 2 McDoubles and 2 McChicken in 1 meal...(add a sweet tea)
Today is the start of life change ...

Grant Moser, Steve Surbaugh, Eric Lehman and I are embarking a 7 months weight loss challenge. After just stepping on the scale, I am excited to start effectively immediately.

Here Are The Details

Grant Moser

Current: 251.8

Goal: 221.8

Steve Surbaugh

Current: 223.4

Goal: 193.4

Eric Lehman

Current: 263.2

Goal: 233.2

Michael Yoder

Current: 264.8

Goal: 234.8

We each have 4 months to lose 30lbs - Starting June 1, 2011 and ending October 1, 2011. Then they must proceed to keep the weight off for at least 3 more months.

It doesn't matter if we lose 30, 40, or 80 lbs... 30 lbs or under counts...the more we lose only benefits the individual person.

Monthly/weekly weigh ins will occur during the first 4 months of the weight loss... I will try my best to give weekly updates of the total lbs. lost for each person (if there is any)

After that, there will be weekly weigh ins for the last 3 months of having to keep off the weight. The rules go as follows:

Steve gets a 5lb grace for the first 11 weigh ins. On the 12th weigh in he has to be 193.4 lbs
Grant gets a 2lb grace for the first 11 weigh ins. On the 12th in has to be 221.8 lbs
Eric gets a no grace and always has to be under 233.2 lbs.
I get no grace as well and always have to be under 234.8 lbs.

Personal Side Note
I'll have to admit, I had no idea I weighed even over 250....
My personal goal is to get down to 215lbs ... that might take the full 7 months, but it will be a journey I am willing to take.

I have lost this kind of weight before, but the key this time is life change. It's not about losing the weight in unhealthy ways or extreme weird ways that aren't going to stick with me for a life time, the goal is to develop and establish life long traits that will be with me forever.

Please encourage us and keep us accountable. We are only as good as the people we surround ourselves with. If you see one of us, ask us how we are doing.....don't let us not lose this weight!

So here's to do something big, as everything I do, I do it big.

Roll Tide I Guess

2011-05-05T13:14:00.000-07:00

Over the last coupe days, I have gone on about zero sleep. Sometimes people say this and are exaggerating, but this would not be one of these times. I just recently had the unique opportunity to go down to Alabama to serve on a very short-term missions trip, Monday night through Thursday morning.

As you are probably aware, Alabama was struck with several tornados, with the most serve being in Tuscaloosa. This F5 (the largest tornado class) was a mile wide and was on the ground for around 200 miles. To give you an idea of how long that is, Indiana is only 140 miles wide. The destruction and devastation that the team encountered was unbearable for me at times.

The first day we were down there, we drove through the town of Holt. The best way I can describe what it looked like would be a lumber junkyard. The entire town was destroyed. We drove through blocks and blocks of homes that had trees through them, homes were all that was left was the foundation, and empty lots where a home once stood. I was honestly left speechless standing in front of a house were a few short days ago, this was a home to a family, and we didn’t know if they were even alive anymore.

We were able to be the hands of feet of Jesus to these people in Alabama, to love and serve them in anyway possible. We cut down trees from people’s houses, unloaded water, folded clothes, delivered food, and jumped in wherever we could. Today we set a date in staff meeting when we are heading back to help out this summer. I was able to take one student with me this last time, and I’m hoping to take a number more when school is out.

Speaking of school being out, we are wrapping up the school year, which is hard for me to believe. It seems like it was last week I was gearing up for the beginning of the school year kick off. Time really does get away from you if you aren’t careful. This month we are ending our regular school year clubs, as we had our end of the year bash last week. We had a BigJaws Campus Life School vs School challenge, and I am so very proud to say that South Adams came away with first place. I told my students before the event, if we won I would buy them all DQ. It’s not that I don’t believe in my students, I just didn’t think they were going to take first place, and boy did I ever eat my words (and so did my pocket book)

This month is also very special for my wife and I as we celebrate our 1 year anniversary, and our first year together as a married couple in the big city of Berne. We have been blessed so much this year in ministry and in life, and a lot of that has to do with you. Thanks so much for your continued support of YFC and the ministry that is happening.

Keep praying for us on a daily basis as we strive to be the hands and feet of Jesus, not just in Alabama, but in the hallways of South Adams as well.

Be Blessed,
Michael Yoder

Matthew 28:19-20

James 3:13-18

2011-04-28T10:28:00.001-07:00

The Wisdom from Above

¹³ Who is wise and understanding among you? He should show his works by good conduct with wisdom's gentleness. ¹⁴ But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't brag and lie in defiance of the truth. ¹⁵ Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.¹⁶ For where envy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every kind of evil. ¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without favoritism and hypocrisy. ¹⁸ And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

Fun in the Sun

2011-04-08T08:29:00.000-07:00

For those of you that did not know, I just got back from our Campus Life Spring Break trip about two weeks ago. I honestly can’t believe its been that long, as it just seems like yesterday I was basking in the sun, catching up all of the Florida rays I could before I had to come back to this Indiana weather. And I will say this, everything time I go to Florida, I like it a lot more and like Indiana a little less. Not that I would move there, but I would take their sunshine over our snow 364 days of the year (got to have snow on Christmas).

This was my second year now going to Florida with Campus Life, and it keeps getting better and better every year. Not only was the weather amazing (high 70’s everyday, getting into the 80s), but also God showed up in powerful ways. We took a record number of kids this year, reaching just under 250 high school students. That in and of itself is a huge miracle. We had to turn kids away because we didn’t have enough room.

There is something awesome that happens when you get to live life with students for 8 strait days. When I say live, I literally mean eat, sleep, and everything in-between. I got to stay in a condo with 6 other amazing young men and get to know each one of them on a deeper level. It was a humbling experience to see each student slowly open up as the week went on. It was such a blessing to deepen our relationship with one another, something I truly cherish and love as part of my job.

My highlight defiantly came on Wednesday night. Every night at 7:17, we had a Campus Life meeting with games and a speaker. It was a lot like our typical every Monday nights for Campus Life, expect with 250 students. On Wednesday night, our speaker present the Gospel, and it was just amazing to see God move throughout the room. After Brad (the speaker) was done, we met one on one with each of our students. When it was my time to meet with one of the girls that came with South Adams, I could tell something wasn’t exactly right. I asked her if she accepted Christ into her life, and she said she did not do it in the session, and she got quiet. I felt like God was telling me to pursue it, and I asked if she’d like to do it right now. With a big smile, she said she’d love to. I was able to pray with her and lead her to Jesus on a metal chair under the stars in Florida. It was truly a thing of beauty.

If that doesn’t put a big smile on your face, then you need to check your pulse. That’s the thing I live for, to bring students to Jesus. After talking to the rest of the students, it was so clear that God had gotten a hold of everyone’s heart. We had “team time” after the session, where the students could open up and share what was going on in their lives, and it was a great time of restoration and encouragement. God was and is moving.

After being back for a couple weeks, it’s apparent that there is still so much work to be done. Students are still struggling, and need the freedom that Christ brings. Thanks for all the support that you are already giving, but remember to please keep us in prayer as much as possible. Thanks for everything you are doing to help us continue to change the schools one kid at a time.

Be Blessed,
Michael Yoder

Matthew 28:19-20

GO M.A.D......

2010-11-17T20:20:00.000-08:00

Albert Einstein said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” I must be insane because I continue to work with and pray for students and don’t always expect God to move, and yet, every time He does. I don’t know why I am so surprised every time I see God work. You would think I would get accustomed to Him showing up and rocking my world. It seems time and time again, I am astonished when God moves.

This last weekend at Go Mad was a prime example of this exact thing. There were over 900 students that attended Go Mad and over 900 students had their lives impacted by what happened there. Throughout the weekend, I was disappointed because I felt as if my students were disconnected from what was going on during the sessions and overall activities. I was discouraged because I felt the weekend was a failure. I didn’t care if we students had fun, if the programming was perfect, or if the hotel was nice. I just wanted my students to connect with God and have a life changing experience.

Like always, God showed up and did amazing things. Saturday night came and the Holy Spirit did work in the student’s lives and mine. There were over 60 first time commitments and over 140 recommitments! This is amazing! From South Adams, I had had two students accept Christ for the first time and had a number of recommitments. Even when I didn’t think God was going to move in my students, He showed up and did amazing things.

After the session we went and had team time with our school. It was a thing of beauty to see the raw passion and honesty of our students. Each student shared where they where in their walk with God. Some of the students gave themselves a letter grade, others explained how they were walking hand and hand with God, while others explained they really didn’t have a relationship at all. There was a lot of hurt in the room, as students got really honest and open with everyone.

There are many students that my leaders and I need to follow up with. So many lives that where impacted, so many issues that need to be resolved, so many broken hearts that need mended. Please spend time in prayer for the students, as well as the ministry team at South Adams, as we try to continue to reach out to these students that are hungry for a God that will keep impacting and changing their lives.

Thanks for all your continued support. I’ve said it a lot, but this ministry couldn’t be happening without you!

Michael Yoder

Matthew 28:19-20

LIfe In Perspective...

2010-10-18T08:54:00.000-07:00

Life is moving fast right now and we here at Campus Life are we are entering our busiest season of the year. It’s crazy to think it’s already October, which means snow is just around the corner and Christmas is going to be knocking on our doors before we know it. I am seeing Christmas decor out in stores already, but my mind is telling me I should be enjoying summer still.

I was recently talking to a teacher that was having a rough day and he proceeded to explain how blessed he was regardless of his current circumstances. It made me realize how much bigger life is than I realize sometimes and how blessed we truly are. It got me thinking about the ways I see God working all around me, even when I don’t expect it.

Sometimes in life you are lucky enough to be apart of something that is bigger than yourself. That was the case for me this last weekend. We had a cookout/fundraiser at a small town community church in New Corydon, Indiana. Knowing to whom this letter goes out to, many of you probably haven’t even heard of New Corydon, but let me reassure you, it is alive and well. My coworker and I previously had several meetings with the church and their staff, and they were dreaming big. They wanted to have over 100 people attend the cookout. That might not seem like a lot, but when your church’s regular attendance doesn’t even hit ¼ of that number, that’s a lot of people.

I have to admit; I had my doubts going into the day as I woke up to cold temperatures and pouring down rain. All I could think about was how it was going to be a major let down. What I didn’t do was stop and think about what God was doing. The day turned out to be a huge success with well over 100 people that came through the doors of this church.

What this church did was nothing short of amazing. I’m not talking about getting all those people there, making all the delicious food, or grilling some tasty burgers; I’m talking about listening, hearing, and following God’s voice. They were willing to try something to reach out to a community in need. They saw a need and pursued it relentlessly.

As I walk into the doors of South Adams, I see the need for a Savior to so many hurting students. So many students are looking and yearning for something deeper than they already know. I see a need and I’m recklessly pursuing to help fill that void. Sometimes it seems like it’s raining on my cookout, but I know and have faith that God is still moving in the lives of these students.

Sometimes it takes a small reminder from a small town in New Corydon, Indiana to remind us that God is moving and wants us to be apart of that movement.

Thanks for your continued support and prayer. I couldn’t be doing what I’m doing without you.

Michael Yoder – Matthew 28:19-20

Webster Me

2010-09-27T14:44:00.000-07:00

Who I am, does not define what I am not.

I am Christian, and with those words comes a whole slew of negative terms and thoughts from across the world.

It was recently brought to my attention that a local restaurant in town is going to get their liquor license. It was also brought to my attention that this was going to be protested by Christian leaders in the community.

So in order to be a Christian, or at least a good one, you need to protest alcohol. Because everyone knows that Christians are against drinking, and there really isn't a difference between people that drink on occasion, and people that get drunk.

On the same lines, it's come to my knowledge that Christians are anti-gay.

Let's be real honest, you can't be a Christian and love gays or support gay rights. That just doesn't make sense, it clearly says in scripture that being gay is wrong, so why should I, as a Christian, care if they have rights?

-Insert Sarcasm-

Maybe I'm way off, but maybe I'm hitting this a lot closer to home you'd want to admit.

I thought as Christians we are supposed to be defined by our love, but why is it that all I see is this:
-Not gay friendly
-Not drinkers
-Not democrat
-Not smokers
-Not loving......

Then I tend to see us hating on people that are these things, like they have some kind of ungodly disease, and it makes me cringe.

I was moving my yard (which doesn't happen a lot) and I couldn't shake this thought. We have to be defined by our love as Christians, and if we aren't, we have so badly missed the mark.

I pray that I am never defined by what I am not, but solely on what I am striving to be.

The Beatles said it best......

All we need is love.....

Our Deepest Fear

2010-09-10T11:40:00.001-07:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that
other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same.
As we're liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

Marianne Williamson

Living Life ...

2010-09-08T13:05:00.000-07:00

School is here ladies and gentlemen, and it’s in full swing. The classrooms are full, the lunchroom is hopping, and the bleachers are bursting with cheering fans. It’s an awesome atmosphere to be in, as the energy is so high. Every time I get ready to walk into the school I have to smile because I know I am going to be greeted with a school full of cheerful students (for the most part) and awesome teachers.

One of my joys in the last couple weeks has been sitting in on classrooms and hanging out with students in their own domain. This has opened up doors to not only get to know students that I previously didn’t know, but also get to know the teachers. That has really started to pay off. I was given the opportunity in the next couple weeks to sit down with every freshman in the high school and interview them for a class. This is such a blessing, as I will get to know the names and faces of every 9th grader in the entire school. The teacher is letting me take an entire day of her class to spend time with students that I don’t know. To me, that’s a total blessing and unheard of in most schools.

Just last night I was able to spend the entire evening with students, as I was part of the homecoming events. I announced the guy’s volleyball game with the principal of the high school and was the referee for the girls powder-puff football game. This might not sound like a big deal to some of you, but I was able to spend the whole night with students on their turf. I got to live life with student’s right where they are. At the end of the night, I got a text from a student that said, “Love you Yoder!” This, and many other relationships would have never developed to where they are, if I wouldn’t have been able to live life with these students. Through the start of this school year I have been welcomed into the school by the administration, staff, and students.

This has been an amazing start to my second year here at South Adams. Below is a list of things that I would love for you to pray for as I continue to do ministry with the community:

• Campus Life Kickoff – September 15
• Student Leader Breakfast – Every Friday
• Leadership Team Development
• Go Mad - October 29-31
• Banquet – November 9th

Some of the things on the list (Go Mad, Banquet) seem to be far in the future, but these things need prayer now. The year is started, and it’s going to be over before we know it. Please drench this ministry with your prayer support as we continue to see lives changed and affected on a daily basis.

John Piper and the Prosperity Gospel

2010-05-04T10:58:00.000-07:00

Spring Break (A Month Late)

2010-05-04T08:22:00.000-07:00

Sometimes it feels like life has me going in a hundred different directions all at once. This last week was no expectation to that. Last week was Spring Break, and Campus Life took around 200 students to sunny Destin, Florida to have fun filled week of the sun, pools, the beach, and the bitter cold ocean. This week was full of all of that and more. The kids came to experience the weather and the culture, but they left being impacted by God.

This was my first year on staff, ipso facto, this was my first spring break on staff as well. I really didn’t know what to expect going into the week. I knew we started the week out with about a 20hr bus ride. That itself was an experience I could write a whole letter about. Traveling through the night and day with a bunch of high school students was an experience I won’t forget and something I got to experience a week later as we traveled home. I can just tell you that the students were in a better mood on the way to Florida then they were on the way back to Indiana.

Every day we had a number of activities for students to partake in. We started the morning with small groups. This was a small group of students (around 8) that answered a number of questions ranging from their favorite superhero to doubts about God. The morning ended with a short devotion from our speaker to start the day off. From there the kids had free time, which led to beach games. We did tug of war and several other games. The afternoon was full of sun, relaxing and team competition.

Every night we had our session, which opened up with games, and ended with our speaker sharing a message. The topics ranged from forgiveness to the gospel being presented. After the message, South Adams all met back in my condo and we had our team time. It was amazing to hear the kids open up and share what was happening in their lives and help guide and shepherd them through their issues. I had students share how they struggle with forgiving themselves, for not leading the “perfect” life. It was such a blessing to help them understand that being a Christian isn’t about being perfect but living in God’s grace knowing that we aren’t perfect.

God was moving on the trip in big ways. There were around 16 students that committed their lives to Christ for the first time and countless recommitments. One of my favorite stories was a white student that struggled with racism, committed his life to Christ. The very next night he was sitting beside a black student. We talk about living a changed life when we come into a relationship with Christ, and its amazing to see students grasp hold of that concept.

Thanks once again for your prayers and support. You are just as much apart of this ministry as I am. God continues to work and move in big ways. Hope you all had a great Easter, and remember, He Is Risen!

Be Blessed,

Michael Yoder

From that day on, if I was going somewhere....I WAS RUNNING!!

2010-03-16T07:27:00.001-07:00

Have you ever done something or committed to something and almost immediately regretted doing so? That’s kind of the boat I am in right now. A couple months ago I committed to running the Indy Mini-Marathon. To be honest, there really isn’t anything mini about this thing, as its 13.1 miles. I don’t like to drive that far, yet alone run it. Even as I write this, I know I need to be out running, because I missed today. Yesterday I struggled to run 3 miles….I have a long way to go.

When I first started to train for the mini, I thought I needed to go out and get me a good pair of running shoes, some running gear, and some good insoles. If was going to run in this marathon, I was going to do it right. Of course, I got all that stuff and ran the first couple of times, and then it just sat there for a while. The more I put off the running, the easier it was not keep running.

I realized that something awful was happening to me. I had bought the right shoes to run in, I had all the right training schedules, and I was even talking a good game. I was telling people that I was training for a marathon coming up, and they believed me, and worst of all, I believed myself. The truth of the matter was, and is, that unless I put my shoes on and got out and ran, I wasn’t really a runner. I can have all the right gear, and it really doesn’t matter. I need to get out there and run if I am going to be able to participate this coming May.

So that’s where I am at now, I have started my training and it’s going to get intense. I am supposed to run 5 miles this weekend, and I don’t think I’ve ever run that far in my life.

With all that being said, I need to raise support for this adventure. I am in charge of raising $100 for every mile I run. I am running (hopefully and God willing) 13.1 miles, so that comes out to around $1,300. I am asking you to partner with me. I can use any kind of encouragement I can get, whether that is finically, or through prayers, or a gracious email just telling me to get out there and keep running.

Thanks in advance for kind of running this race with me. Be praying for me, for motivation, strength, and in any other way you can think of. To be honest, I am getting nervous. 13 miles is a long way to run, and May is creeping up on us. It’s going to be here before we know it.

Feel free, every time you see me, to ask me how my training is going. If you are really feeling courageous, ask me to go running with you sometime, I’d love to join you on a nice jog.

Thanks again for all your continued support. It doesn’t go unnoticed. You guys are the reason this ministry is as strong as it is. I couldn’t be doing this without your help!

Be Blessed,

Michael Yoder

Matthew 28:19-20

Suffering Lions

2010-02-08T20:46:00.000-08:00

I am in the middle of our Mid-Winter conference in Orlando Florida as I write this. I know, you’re probably feeling bits of jealously, and maybe even some rage. I urge you to fight against those feelings and continue to reading. If it helps any, it’s been rainy for the majority of the week, and I haven’t even got a tan.

This week, I have been through sessions, breakouts, more sessions, and more breakouts. I have been trained, taught, and reenergized (even though I haven’t got a lot of sleep). I feel more equipped now than I did before, to go out and reach students. There is something special that happens when over 500 people in ministry get together and worship, learn, and grow together.

What I want to share with you comes from last night’s message. The speaker shared a story about African lions. He told us how it was custom in Africa, if you wanted to enter into marriage; you had to kill a lion, by yourself, with your bare hands. I’ve never really killed anything with my bare hands, let alone a lion. I really couldn’t understand where he was going with his point, and honestly I was still scheming to myself how I could trap a lion and then kill one (I kind of want to try it sometime). Then he hit us right between the eyes. He said, “Unless you’re willing to lay down your life, you aren’t ready for marriage. The same goes for ministry!” Now that grabbed my attention, and I stopped thinking about my caged lion and realized what he was saying made a whole lot of sense.

Pastor went on to explain that when people struggle together, it binds them together. When we are willing to die for the shake of the gospel, we will suffer, but when we suffer with likeminded people, it creates a bond for life. He explained that nothing gets stronger without strain, and that survival is dependent on getting back up and running towards the goal.

What I took most out of the session is that suffering is God’s plan “A.” We are called to enter into a life of ministry (no matter what your occupation), whatever that looks like. We can come to expect suffering and trials, but when you are in those trials with likeminded people, you become stronger together.

I want to thank you all for entering into ministry with me and entering into suffering with me as well. Thanks for the support and prayers you engulf my ministry with. Without you, I would be running a race by myself, but through you, I am becoming stronger. I appreciate all you do, more than you will ever know. Keep doing ministry where you are each at individually, and lets keep encouraging one another one towards our goal of reaching the world.

Be Blessed,

Michael Yoder

Matthew 28:19-20

Mr. Brett Dennen

2010-01-26T11:20:00.000-08:00

There ain't no reasons things are this way
It's how they've always been and they intend to stay
I can't explain why we live this way
We do it everyday

Preachers on the podiums speaking to saints
Prophets on the sidewalks begging for change
Old ladies laughing from the fire escape, cursing my name

I got a basket full of lemons and they all taste the same
A window and a pigeon with a broken wing
You can spend your whole life working for something
Just to have it taken away

People walk around pushing back their desks
Wearing pay checks like necklaces and bracelets
Talking 'bout nothing, not thinking about death
Every little heart beat, every little breath

People walk a tight rope on a razor's edge
Carrying their hurt and hatred and weapons
It could be a bomb or a bullet or a pin
Or a thought or a word or a sentence

There ain't no reasons things are this way
It's how they've always been and they intend to stay
I don't know why I say the things I say,
But I say them anyway

But love will come set me free
Love will come set me free
I do believe
Love will come set me free
I know it will
Love will come set me free
Yes

Prison walls still standing tall
Some things never change at all
Keep on building prisons,
Gonna fill them all
Keep on building bombs
Gonna drop them all

Working your fingers bare to the bone
Breaking your back, make you sell your soul
Like a lung is filled with coal,
Suffocating slow

The wind blows wild and I may move
But politicians lie and I am not fooled
You don't need no reason or a 3 piece suit
To argue the truth

The air on my skin and the world under my toes
Labor is stitched into the fabric of my clothes
Chaos and commotion wherever I go
Love, I try to follow

But love will come set me free
Love will come set me free
I do believe
Love will come set me free
I know it will
Love will come set me free
Yes

There ain't no reasons things are this way
It's how they've always been and they intend to stay
I can't explain why we live this way
We do it everyday

Christmas Is Almost Here (just a little over 350 days!!)

2010-01-11T10:11:00.000-08:00

Just as fast as it came, the holiday season seemed to fly by and be over with the blink of an eye. For many, the holiday season is a time of joy and celebration, while for others it’s a time of reflection, or stress for those last minute shoppers. Many kids anxiety await Christmas morning and the opening of gifts. I was once again disappointed Christmas morning. I have always wanted a pony for Christmas, and for 23 years now, Santa has failed to deliver. I am starting to get used to it, but every year I get my hopes us. I guess there is always next year.

Over Christmas break, we had our annual ski trip for high school and junior high. This was my first time going on the ski trip, so I was really excited. I know how to ski, but it had been a couple years since I had hit the slopes, so I was kind of nervous to be honest. Needless to say, skiing to me was like riding a bike. I was able to hop on a take off. For some of my students that went, it wasn’t so easy. I had the opportunity to ride the ski lift and hang out with a particular student for the majority of the day and get to know him better than I had previously prior to the trip. The ski trip was going great, and I was having a blast. We ended skiing on the first day and headed back to the resort lodge to wrap up the night. I had no idea what was in store for me a few hours down the road.

As the night started to wind down, I was informed that one of my students had been throwing up earlier in the night and was night feeling good. I didn’t think much of it at the time, and went on getting ready for bed. As the night went on, the student continued to throw up. Now, when I say he continued throwing up, I mean every five to ten minutes he would “toss his cookies.” I pulled him out of the room, and sat him in the lounge. We called the nurse and tried to give him medicine and sprite to calm his stomach, but five minutes after taking all of that, he threw it up again. My fear was he was getting dehydrated, since he couldn’t keep any fluids in his body, so I ended up taking her to the ER.

We ended up being in the ER the entire night, which meant I didn’t sleep at all. After being on an IV, he was able to finally keep water down and we were able to go back to the lodge. What sounds like a crazy and unexpected night turned out to be one that neither the student nor I will forget for along time. Even though this wasn’t the ideal or planned evening, there was a deeper relationship built and memories made with a student that won’t be forgotten.

This was my first experience realizing that ministry isn’t always going to be fun or easy. I realized that sometimes the most important things are not the most fun things to do. I really wish I could have slept through the night, but I realize the importance of staying up and battling the sickness with my student. The student knows without a doubt that I would fight for him and with him. Hopefully this has opened up the door for a deeper and more meaningful relationship in the future.

Remember this new year that sometimes the right thing to do is the hard thing to do. Keep working to spread the love of Jesus to those around you and please keep me in your prayers and I continue to share the good news to those I come in contact with, from the ER room in Michigan to the schools at South Adams.

Be Blessed,

Michael Yoder

Go Mad (or on my way!)

2009-12-08T07:22:00.000-08:00

Sometimes I am short for words. Those who know me well, know this is a rarity. This is not one of those times, in fact I feel like I have too much to say. This last month has been nothing short of amazing. I feel time flying by me, and I find it hard sometimes to just sit down and smell the roses. The more I work with students, the more I find myself not really wanting to take a break. I took a day off the other day and found myself bored out of my mind. I just wanted to be hanging out these kids I have grown to love.

This last month we had a retreat called Go Mad. To give you an idea of what it’s like, we had around 1,000 students in hotels downtown Ft. Wayne. There were students from Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois. We basically took over the downtown for 2 days. The retreat was a huge event that consisted of an awesome band, incredible mc, and a powerful speaker. This year was the first year our staff was in charge of everything. So it was awesome to see something so big pulled off by the people I work with. We rented out the semiprofessional baseball stadium and had kids playing football, ultimate Frisbee, and every other kind of game on the field and throughout the stadium. We ended the night with a fireworks show. It really was as cool as it sounds!

More important that all the fireworks and the programming were the commitments that were made. There were around 200 recommitments to Christ and around 80 first time commitments. It brought tears to my eyes to see so many kids come forward and profess their love for Christ and more importantly expect his love for them.

After one of the sessions, we had a group meeting with just the students that I had brought. I challenged each student to sit in a chair, in the middle of the circle that we had formed. I encouraged each student to share from their heart what God had been teaching them throughout the weekend. It was one of the most incredible things I have ever witnessed. I had over 40 students bear their hearts and souls to this new family around them. I had kids dealing with hurt and pain, and I watched as it was healed and relieved right in front of my eyes. I watched kids ask for accountability from their peers about their relationships with the opposite sex, about alcohol, about drugs, about contentment, and just about everything else I forgot to say. I have never been more proud of any group of students then I was that night. For a moment in time, these kids cared about nothing more than serving Christ and loving him.

I believe that everyone that went to Go Mad was impacted deeply, but now comes the hard part. I have gotten reports of kids falling back into the same habits they had before they went, the same students doing the things they vowed to change. Following Christ isn’t a walk in a park, and I am looking forward to walking along side these kids to help mold and shape them. I am looking forward to seeing these students mature in their faith as they trip and stumble ahead like the rest of us.

Keep praying the students at South Adams. The harvest truly is plentiful right now. God is moving, and big things are happening.

Be Blessed,

Michael Yoder

Matthew 28:19-20

Sludge, Cats, and Friendships

2009-11-17T14:50:00.000-08:00

There are a few things in life that I don’t like. Tomatoes, cats, shots, and sludge (the mixture between rain and snow) are at the top of that list. Another thing that really bugs me is surface level friendships. I am not a huge fan of the all to familiar greeting, “Hey, how ya doing? I’m doing great, thanks for asking,” and just moving on to the next person I see. I feel like there is something missing every time I leave one of those conversations. There is no depth, no substance, and it leaves me unsatisfied.

For the first couple months on the job, I was surrounded by surface level friendships with my students. I would walk from student to student just saying “hey” and not really getting much more in than a, “how are you doing?” The conversation would dwindle, and I would move on to the next group. Don’t get me wrong, these conversations are still important, and I do cherish them. They are all apart in the relationship building process, but they aren’t what I’m aiming for. I long for something much deeper.

A relationship can’t grow if it just stays at “hey’s and hello’s.” That’s true across the board, whether you are ten or ninety. So naturally, I wanted to take my relationships to the next level. I have developed plenty of surface level friendships and have started to turn the corner with a number of my students, and it’s been an extremely rewarding. Instead of just talking about the vegetable soup they ate for lunch, I have been able to have in-depth conversations. These conversations have consisted of love, religion, life, war, sports, relationships, and Jesus. I’ve been able to ask students tough questions about their faith, and listen when they share with me their doubts about their own walk.

There is something I love about a heart-felt conversation with someone. It really enables you to see and understand them in an entirely new way. There is a deeper bond that happens when you share with someone from the heart, and that is exactly what’s been happening the last month. I have quickly found out when people know you care, they feel comfortable to tell you things they normally wouldn’t tell share. This is precisely what I has been happening with students and I can credit nothing more than those surface level friendships I detest so much

I have promptly come to find that ministry doesn’t happen without relationships, and relationships really don’t start without some kind of surface level friendship. The thing I usually don’t like is slowly becoming the thing I depended on.

If I had one prayer request at the moment, it would be this: that God would continue to allow me to develop relationships with students, and that these relations would with continue to blossom into a heart felt friendship.

Thanks so much for your continued support. Without you, none of these relationships, conversations, or ministry opportunities would have any chance of happening. Please keep my school and students in your prayers, and thanks again for all you do!

Be Blessed,

Michael Yoder

Peace (with a side of hate)

2009-10-13T11:13:00.000-07:00

So I have come to the understanding that President Obama recently won the Nobel Peace prize.

When I heard this, I didn’t think twice about it, because honestly I don’t care about the Nobel Peace prize. Maybe I should, maybe I shouldn’t.

All I know is that there are apparently a lot more people interested in the Nobel Peace prize then I realized. It seems that a ton of people are really passionate about how the President should not have gotten it.

I have a few questions to those people:

What other candidates that were running should have gotten it over him?

a. –I couldn’t answer that because I would have no clue who else was up for the award. If you know the candidates and have a legit reason why they should have won over the President, I respect that.

Who has won the prize the last 3 years?

b. –I couldn’t tell you the answer because I never followed the event. I couldn’t even tell you who won last year. In my opinion, if I don’t follow the event, I can’t be mad at the outcome. It’s like not voting in an election and being mad at who get elected. Just doesn’t make a lot of sense to me…

Have you ever even watched the ceremony on TV?

c. I’m not talking about flipping through the channels and stumbling across it and watching it for 5 mins. I’m talking about calling your friends over, making popcorn, and making a night of it. I will be the first to tell you that I have never done such a thing.

So what’s my point? What does this have to do with anything?

Here it is:

Are people complaining to just complain?

Are people concerned just because they don’t like the president?

Is it ok to be happy for a guy that got the award, or do we have to criticize and say he didn't deserve it?

It seems to me that people will use any situation to bad mouth the current administration. I don’t agree with everything that is going on, but when is enough, enough?

Why does everyone have to be so cynical. I feel sometimes that the President could turn the country around half of America would still hate him...it's almost as they want him to fail...

I could be wrong...but I just don't think that's right...

Surely we don't "hate" him......

"So, This Is The Start Of Something Good"

2009-10-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Typically I would say that September is one of my favorite months of the year. Fall starts to creep in, the weather slowly changes, and every September 16th I turn a year older. This September lived up to all the expectations and surpassed them. My very first Campus Life kick-off was held a few short weeks ago and in my humble opinion, it was a thing of sheer beauty. I say that, not because everything worked out according to plan, not because we had a perfect night, not because we had the largest turn out ever, but because it was a ton of fun and relationships were built.

The kick-off was held at fellowship point, out in the country where we had freedom to be as loud and crazy as we wanted to be. The evening started out with pizza, pop, and a few short games. That all led up the worlds largest food fight. The group of students was divided into two groups, freshman and seniors vs. sophomores and juniors. The food fight consisted of about six rounds of kids throwing everything from ketchup, mustard, mash potatoes, 720 eggs, and whip cream. If it sounds gross, it smelled even worse. Kids were covered head to toe with the grossest smelling substance that I have ever smelled, and they loved it.

After the food fight, we transitioned to a 200ft long by 9ft wide slip and slide that was spread out down the side of a hill. They proceeded to smother themselves with lard and slide down the hill for the next 40 minutes. There was a fire hose propelling water down the hill, so the kids were flying down it. It looked like so much fun, I couldn’t just sit back and let the kids do it, and so I had to jump in myself. I can honestly say, it was the best slip and slide I have ever been on!

After the night was coming to a close, I heard a number of comments that really moved me. One of the students I over heard said, “this was my first time to campus life and I am so glad I came. I can’t wait to come back next week!” That’s exactly what I am looking and praying for. A student that was never involved is going to start coming and bringing other students to club. Another student came up to me after she won half off Go Mad (our weekend retreat) and said, “I can’t believe I won this, I have never won anything in my life.” This might be hard for some of us to believe, but some kids have never won anything in their lives, and I was so honored to be apart of a student feeling included for what might have been the first time ever.

Everywhere I go and everyone I engage with, I keep seeing how God has prepared the way for this ministry. It is really incredible how well kids are responding and how excited they seem to be about reaching the school and the community. It’s really encouraging to even have adults coming up to me now complimenting the ministry and seeing them get excited about what is going on.

Thank you guys so much for the prayers and support. The kick-off happened because of yours prayers. The kids are coming to club because of your prayers. Kids are opening up because of your prayers. This ministry is able to work because all you are willing to support in whatever way you can. Please continue to do what you are doing, and we can all watch God move together.

Be Blessed,
Michael Yoder
Matthew 28:16-20

I Made TV! (3 weeks in a row!)

2009-10-02T21:19:00.001-07:00

4 Year Old High School Lunch

2009-09-08T10:08:00.000-07:00

There is nothing quite like walking back into the school you grew up in, seeing all the teachers that taught you as a student, going to eat lunch in the cafeteria, and talking with new students you don’t even know. I can understand how this can be scary for some, but I must be weird because I get some kind of rush out of the experience. I guess what fuels me is my goal of reaching every student in the school. When I walk into the school and see the hundreds of kids, I am struck with how big my goal is, but also how big my God is.

Some might think these goals are way out of reach, or that I’m setting myself up for failure. A wise man in Nappanee, Indiana is known for saying, “a surrendered life is an empowered life, and an empowered life expects the miraculous.” I have come to realize that if I have my life surrendered to God, I have no reason to expect nothing less than the miraculous. If God wants to reach the entire student body of South Adams, it’s going to happen. I am just thankful that I can be along for the ride.

Over the last three weeks, I have had the privilege of leading devotions for the football team. This has been such a blessing. I have gotten to know a lot of student leaders through this whole process and have seen my relationships with the student’s develop as a result. Last week after the devotion had ended and it was just me and another student in the room, he came up to me and put his arm around me and said, “Michael, I am super excited that you are our campus life director this year. I am looking forward to going through my senior year with you.” This student made my entire week and didn’t even know it.

This is the way my entire experience has been like so far at the school. I have been welcomed with open arms from the administration, faculty, and the students. When I walk into the school, I am always greeted by different sets of teachers and students who want me to come and talk to them. I really never expected it to be such an easy transition. I can’t credit myself, even though I would like to, but it really had nothing to do with me. I know that God has prepared a way for me, and as a result of your prayers, things are flowing really smoothly. I am just trying to be a surrendered life and I am talking great assurance that an empowered life expects the miraculous

Thank you so much your continued support of the ministry. I wish you could be there when I get to laugh, live, and love for the students. There is really nothing like it. Keep the school and the students in your prayers, and if you remember, I would really appreciate your prayers as well. Thanks again.

Blurred Vision

2009-08-26T09:57:00.001-07:00

I am in the middle of our Midwest Conference retreat, all the way in Michigan somewhere. We are at a place called Camp Geneva. I must say, so far it's been awesome. I have been able to focus and refocus.

This morning we talked about our focus for our ministry, and I am excited to get back and

1. Find leaders

2. Meet with leaders

3. Cast vision to the leaders

This morning I was able to sit and brainstorm about what I feel God is telling me my mission and vision statement should be. I don't know if that is exactly what we were supposed to be doing, but that is what I got out of the session and what I did.

So, here we go.

Vision Statement: (what I want to see happen)

Reach the reached, unreached, and the unreachable

Reached are the kids that already know the gospel, but are lukewarm.

Unreached are the kids that have heard the gospel, but haven't made a life commitment

Unreachable are the kids that are viewed as hopeless. They are the outcasts and misfits.

Mission Statement: (how we are going to do it)

Reproduce leaders who reproduce leaders

This is what biblical leadership looks like. Taking the words of Paul as he says, "follow me, as I follow Christ." We are to make disciples that will make disciples. This will (in theory) result in a multitude of disciples being made.

I'm super excited...I'm pumped...

Now I just need some more leaders......

Sisters & Green Eyes

2009-08-23T09:29:00.000-07:00

Today I was confronted with something that I have put on the back burner for the last couple of weeks/months...all thanks to my friend/boss John Wanner -->

Our church just recently went to a 3 service schedule, with the last one starting at 10:45. This is a thing of sheer beauty, as many of you know I love to sleep in as long as I can. So this morning I got up @ 10 and headed to church.

When I got there, I was about ready to walk into the service when I was convinced by a number of my fellow peers that I should go to Sunday School with them. Easy persuaded to do about anything that is random and against my normal plans, I made my way to the old gym where class was being held.

I have to admit, I have wrestled with the idea of Sunday School for the last several years. I think the church (as a whole) has done a pretty good job at ruining what could be a great thing. I can say with about 100% sincerity that First Missionary Church in Berne has impressed me time and time again with their Sunday School, and today was no expectation.

Today John walked us through Luke 10...the story on Martha and Mary. I've heard the story about 1000 times and I almost checked out. I was thinking, "here we go, another typical Sunday School story, another 40 mins of time that I will never get back :)" To my present surprise God tugged at my heart for about entire time I was sitting in class...

You see, for the last month or so I have been a Martha. I have been so busy busy doing work, and getting things together of Jesus, that I have forgot to actually just sit and spend time with Him. What a tragic mistake. What I was doing wasn't wrong, or for the wrong reasons, but I was missing the must important aspect of it all.

I guess its my prayer that my "ministry" never comes in the way of my "relationship." My ministry needs to flow out of the relationship with Jesus on a daily basis. I'm getting there again, slowing but surely.

These lyrics from Coldplay spoke to me when I got home from church and sat down at my computer.....I leave you with this:

That green eyes
Youre the one that I wanted to find
And anyone who tried to deny you
Must be out of their mind

Because I came here with a load
And it feels so much lighter
Since I met you
And honey you should know
That I could never go on without you

So Long Sweet Summer

2009-08-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

Well, summer is officially starting to wrap up. Two a day practices are in full swing, the school is starting to have a familiar buzz, and parking lots are starting to fill up with cars. It’s crazy, the older I get, the faster the summers seem to go. I can remember being in high school and thinking the summer lasted forever. Things are going to start moving really fast for me in the next couple of weeks, and I am very anxious to say the least.

This last weekend we had our annual summer student leader retreat, and there were over 120 students that attended. The students were engaged with teaching, worship, prayer, and of course lots of fun. Each of these students would be considered the leaders of their schools, the ones that are going to help bring a change about to their fellow students. Being the student leaders we challenged them to step out in their faith and make their faith “personal.”

During the last session we had the students step forward and take an envelope from the front of the stage. Inside each envelope was a challenge for the student to complete during the next couple weeks, months, or year. For example, one of the challenges was to organize a prayer team that prays before school. Another one was to organize community service throughout the community. Sharing Christ with 5 friends was another challenge. I sat down with the students from South Adams after they got their challenges and had them read them aloud to the group. Not a single student said their challenge was to hard or they didn’t think they would be able to achieve it. In fact, I had a number of students say that they didn’t think it would be a problem at all.

As the weekend unfolded and finally came to a close, I was left with a couple thoughts and impressions. I am fairly certain there are students that are not currently leading, but want to be. A number of my students told me they wanted to be pushed in their faith, they wanted to stand up for what they believe in, and they wanted to start caring about things they haven’t been. They all wanted to lead, but needed someone to help push them along the way.

That’s exactly what I want to be doing, I want to help push and guide these students along in their faith. I can say that as I begin doing precisely that, it already is rewarding to see students opening up and being challenged. These students have such a heart for Christ and seeing their schools come to know his saving grace. I can’t even begin to express how excited I am to work with these students.

As the school year starts, things are getting crazy busy, and I appreciate all your prayers. Thanks for all your support. Hope you enjoy the last couple weeks of summer!

Engaged-European Cruise

2009-06-17T14:08:00.000-07:00

June 9^th 2009 was a very special day for me. Well, not just for me, but also for many people. It was one of the best days of my life to be honest. Here’s what happened…

Lindsay was here (in Berne) visiting for a couple days and I had told her previously that we were going to go out to eat with Caleb and his fiancé Allison in Ft. Wayne. I told her we were going some place fancy, so she needed to dress up.

We went to pick up Caleb at his grandpa’s (which was really a family friends house). When we got there, I jumped out of the car and went to get him from inside. I came out a minute later and told Lindsay to come inside because it was going to be awhile yet, as Caleb was still in the shower.

What Lindsay didn’t know is that I had set up a restaurant inside the house. So, when we walked into the door, we were greeted by our hostess for the evening (which was Allison). She took us to our table. The table had a dozen roses and two candles as a centerpiece. She handed us our menus for the night (which I had made), and we proceeded to have a 4-course meal. This consisted of bread and oil, an appetizer selection, a main entrée selection (choice between steak, lobster, or chicken), and dessert options. Sidenote-Caleb was the chief for the entire night, and he did an amazing job….I taught him everything he knows :-)

When we were ready for dessert, we were escorted outside the house to a table by the pond. At the pond, we were brought the best chocolate mousse cheesecake I have ever had (thanks Abbey) and enjoyed sometime by the lake. After we finished up with dessert, Caleb and Allison brought out a covered casserole dish, and handed it to Lindsay and told her it was hers. Inside was a puppy (now named Chai) with a ring around her neck. I got on a knee and proceeded to ask her to marry me.

She loved it, she loves me, and she said yes :-D

So, for the last week, we have been loving life and living on cloud 9. Tonight in about 30 mins I leave for Europe. My family (Grandparents, kids, grandkids) are going on a 2.5 week mediterranean cruise. Hopefully I will be able to update along the trip.

That’s all for now….

Yoder

LA-San Diego-Vegas

2009-05-25T10:17:00.000-07:00

Since I wrote last, we have been a ton of places.

LA/San Diego

Our longest stopped was in SoCal with Ben Knisley. He lives in a sweet apartment (with two of the coolest roommates ever) that is walking distance from the beach. We were there for 3 nights (maybe 4, I really can't remember). He lives @ Huntington Beach, which is so much more chill than L.A. The pace of life is a lot different, which I appreciate a lot.

We went surfing, which I instantly fell in love with. Even though I was not good at all, I could be out on the water all day trying to catch a wave. It probably sounds cliche, but it's so amazing out there. I feel close to God out on the water, and surfing was no different. Mark caught a wave and rode it all the way back to shore, he was probably riding for like 20-30 secs. It was beautiful.

We ate at a number of sweet places, such as In and Out Burger, which is always good. I experienced my first fish taco from Chronic Taco. It was really really good. The downtown of Huntington is really cool. Main St. is about perfect size. I

t's not to big, and its defiantly not to small. There is always something going on, somewhere to eat, or someone to meet. Huntington Beach is probably 2nd on my favorite places (could be tied for 1st with Seattle).

We also went to the San Diego Wildlife Park followed by a Padres baseball game. Both were equally sweet. At the Wildlife Zoo Park, all the animals where kind of roaming about, going where they wanted to go. It was amazing. My favorite animal was defiantly the male Lion. The thing was huge and it was chilling eating a bone from some other animal. I could have just stood there and stared for hours. The game was a blast too. We sat by about 8 awesome people. One of the guys was a chief that had traveled the world 3 times...another person was from Holland...we all had a great night, and the Padres won!!

Vegas

Well, let's just say experienced Vegas. We rolled into town @ 2:00 a.m. and we stayed up all night playing poker. When I say all night, I literally mean all night. It was a ton of fun, we were hopped up on free Red Bull and Coffee. Mark ended up winning $290.....I was up $70 bucks within the first 5 mins, and ended up losing $60, along with Cam. We didn't have a place to stay the first afternoon, so Cam and I snuck into one of the resort pools and tried to sleep in the 105 degree heat while Mark still was playing Poker.

That night we met up with Mark and Lori (Lindsays Cousins) and they put us up for two nights. The next day, Mark took us on a private plane ride over the Grand Canyon and Hoover Dam. It was legit!

Mark actually got to fly the plane a bit, as he was sitting Co-Pilot. We were going to get to do some nose dives and pull some G's...but Mark was feeling a little sick (coward).

That night we went out to Vegas again and saw the fountain show. It was breathtaking.

We are now in Denver, Colorado...our last stop...

That's all for now....

Yoder

Portland-San Fran-LA

2009-05-20T11:48:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone,

Sorry it's been so long since I updated. We have been extremely busy of the last week. The trip keeps getting better and better. I am going write a brief update on each city we spent time in.

Portland, Oregon

We spent 1 day, two nights, in Portland. We were able to stay with the Pauls family, and they were super nice (we went to Bethel with their son and daughter). We had our own room, and it was nice to sleep in a bed once again. Portland was a cool town, with

a lot of "hipsters." Hard to explain what the are, so just google it if you are curious. We started the morning by trying to eat "Mancakes." They are huge pancakes that we saw on Man vs. Food. We failed....

We spent the day on hawthorn st. going to crazy shops and talking with random people. We went into Coney Island because we saw a ton of camera and tv crew vechiles. Evidently, there was a rally to impeach the mayor of Portland, and we were in the middle of the first one. So we hung our the Coney Island for a couple of hours, listening to people talk. We got loud when they did, ate the free Coney Island that was being given away, and we left after we had enough. It was a fun time.

That night we went to a show at a local music scene. Portland is known for their music and shows. So, we got a $9 concert ticket and watched about 3 hrs of live music. It was fun and really good. The main act was Loney, dear, who actually opens up for Andrew Bird a lot. He was legit.

Travel Day

On our way to Portland to San Fran, we traveled through the Redwoods. It was cool to see all the huge trees. We saw Paul Bunyan and Babe, so we took our pictures with them. That night, we camped out on the beach off of Highway 1, and I saw more stars in the sky than I had literally ever seen before. It was crazy, we saw around 8 shooting stars within 30 mins of laying our backs.

San Francisco

San Francisco was an awesome city. We spent the first 1/2 day touring all around, by foot. We walked around 10 miles, in flip flops. Let's just say my feet were killing me. We saw the majority of the highlights, like China Town, Fisherman's Worth, Lombard St, and the sun set @ the Golden Gate Bridge. It was a super packed day, but we did it.

The next day we had to get up super early to go see a race that had over 60,000 people. There were all kinds of crazy costumes and people dressed up like morons. It was funny and stupid at the same time. After the race, we went and took a tour of Alcatraz. It was really neat to see, we had an audio tour that explained everything. After that, it was around 2, and we embarked on our way to LA where we are now.

LA/Huntington Beach

We have spent the last 3 days with my boy Ben Knisely and his awesome roommates. I will update what we've been doing either tonight or later on this week!

Seattle & Olympic National Park

2009-05-13T21:39:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Seattle around 3:45 on Monday and checked into our hostel. The hostel was a pretty sweet experience in and of itself. It was called the Green Tortoise, and it was located right downtown, in the middle of everything. Each room had 6-8 bunks for random people to sleep in. In our "room" we had the 3 of us and a random other dude. We really didn't talk to him much, or at all actually. We saw him for like 2 mins in the morning, and he was just staring @ Cam when he woke up. Kinda creepy and funny at the same time.

After getting checked into our rooms, we embarked on our journey of Seattle, with the Space Needle as our destination. We found the Needle, took sweet pics of and by it then explored the city some more.

That night we ate at The Crab Pot on the dock. It was awesome. We ordered this feast of sea food that was full of crab legs, shrimp, muscles, clam, and other things. They gave us each bibs and a wooden mallets to crack open the crabs. When they

brought the food to us, it was in a bowl and they just dump it on the table and told us to have at it. We also got a salmon steak, which Mark loved. It was really good though. The whole experience was delicious and fun. I love seafood, and I love lots of food, so I would defiantly go back.

After dinner, we went out on the town and experienced Seattle night life. We went from place to place listening to live music and meeting random people. We heard everything from Irish folk music, salsa jazz music, to random Japanese music. It was a good night, and a good taste of what Seattle has to offer. The entire city is just really chill. It doesn't have the big city feel like you would expect. Everyone is really laid back and it's really just a cool place. I could see myself living in Seattle, not saying its going to happen, but I could just see it.

The next morning we got up and went to the fish market, that was literally right across the street. It was full of interesting things and fresh foods, such as crabs, fish, lobster, honey, jam, and all sorts of random other things.

Here are some pics of random fresh sea food. Pretty interesting.

Famous to Pikes Fish Market is the fish throwing. Whenever someone buys a fish, they throw it. It's hard to explain, so here's a video I took of it. It's exciting!

Right by the market is also the very first Starbucks, so naturally we had to get some coffee and get our picture by this historic landmark.

That afternoon, we left for Olympic National Park. Long story short, it took us a long time to get there. We had some minor detours, and minor setbacks, but it was well worth it. We ended up getting to our camp site around 11:00 p.m., which was on the Pacific Ocean. We woke up, and headed into the Rain Forest. It is the only rain forest in the US. Let's just say, it was worth the long drive to get there. It was beautiful and like nothing I have ever seen. We went through the Hall of Moss, and everything is covered with Moss. Here is a picture of Mark on the trail. I felt like we had entered South America. The forest was crazy.

Towards the end of our hike, we came with in 10 ft. of an Olympic Elk. I kid you not, the thing was just eating and not caring that we were there, taking pictures. It's antlers were budding and just starting to come in. I didn't know that they shed, but apparently they do. The thing was huge. Here's a pic!

Tonight we arrived in Portland, and we are staying @ Janelle Pauls house. She isn't here, but here family is, and they have been extremely nice. Tonight we are catching up on Lost and waking up to explore the city.

That's all for now....

Yoder

Day #5

2009-05-10T22:15:00.000-07:00

Day 5 brings us to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. We spent the first 7 hrs of the morning driving until we arrived at the vacation house (click on the link to see pictures) we are staying at. Yup, Cam's professor's parents @ Bethel have a house here, and it just so happens that they are here durning this week, so we were able to stay with them for a night.

Ed and Julie have been super nice. Ed

took us on a hike around the lake in town, which has 150 miles of shoreline. It's a huge lake....we didn't hike the whole thing. This is a picture of us by the lake.

We got back from the 2 mile hike to a huge homemade dinner of spaghetti and bread with salad and tea. It was so good.

After dinner, since they live on a golf course, we hit the links for some free golf. It was one of the nicer golf courses I have ever been on. As you can see from the picture, the mountains were in

the background We put a friendly wager on each hole $2.00...and of course, I lost each hole. Mark won 2 and Cam won 1...but whatever, it was still a lot of fun.

We ended the night by eating ice cream and playing Apples to Apples...overall, a very successfully, relaxing, inbetween day. This was a break in the driving from Yellowstone to our next stop.

Tomorrow, we wake up and head to Seattle, Washington where we have reserved a hostel in middle of the city. I really can't wait to see what Seattle has in store for us, I heard it was an amazing city.

Well, thats all for now....

Yoder

Day #3-4

2009-05-09T16:56:00.000-07:00

Well, to pick up where I last left off, we were chilling in the lobby of some 4-star hotel, waiting for Pam to let us stay with her @ her apartment....long story short--that didn't happen and we slept in our car. No big deal, we stayed for free!

That morning, we got up to tour and hike around the Grand Tetons. This is a picture of us on a lake that was in front of the mountains. It was so peaceful. We were the only people on the lake, or around it from I could tell. The Grand Tetons were the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. They were a thing of sheer beauty. After messing around @ the lake, we went on our first day hike.

Because it is the beginning of May, most of the trails were closed because they were covered with snow. That didn't stop us. We took a hike that took us around Jenny Lake, and we started to climb the mountain that was covered with snow. The snow at some points was over 7ft deep, and it made the hike a little rough.

No worries though, we hiked a good 2 miles up the mountain. And just in case you doubted the snow, here is a picture of Mark with his leg down in the snow. It was beginning to melt, so we would fall through at different places, making it pretty hard to walk.

This is a picture of Cam displaying where we had come from. I'm not going to lie, the hike was harder than I expected, but it was well worth it.

After a day of hiking, we proceeded to the north to Yellow National Park. We drove through the park to the north side, which took about 2.5 hrs. We camped out @ Mammoth Hot Springs. When we got to the campsite,

it was full, but we asked a couple in their RV if we could use their tent site, and of course they said yes. When we woke up, our tent was covered in ice and snow. Let's just say, it wasn't hot outside, but we stayed warm in the tent. We are doing the same thing tonight. Total, we have spent a total of $0.00 on lodging the entire way. It's been a blessing.

The coolest thing about Yellowstone has defiantly been the wildlife. Around every conner, there has been buffalo and elk. We have also been fortunate enough to see 2 Grizzly Bears and a Bald Eagle. We were literally were 50 ft from one of the bears. It was amazing. The video is of us passing Buffalo on the side of the road. Cam thought they were going to "goar" his car, so he got scared and drove away (coward).

That's about it for now. We are in a small town outside of Yellowstone, in a hotel lobby "borrowing" internet again. We are going to go eat dinner, and head back to our campsite. Tomorrow we wake up and start our travels to Idaho, which is on our way to Seattle.

That's all for now,

Yoder

Day #2

2009-05-08T01:55:00.001-07:00

Well today was an interesting day to say the least. It started off with all you can eat pancakes @ a KOA (the one right beside our free camp site). It was only $2.50....

From there we went to Jewl Caves (2nd longest caves in world....NBD). We had a pretty sweet tour guide, her name was Lydia. Because we are VIP status (National Park Card Holders) we got to go on a 20 min tour for free. We then went on the 1.5 hr tour.

We then left for the Grand Tetons, and guess what ?! We are here!! Well...kind of.

We are sitting in the lobby of a 4 star resort called the Snake River Resort & Spa.

Cost = $100 a night.....for us. Regularly = $3-400. We still can't afford it.....

We are trying to make friends with this Lobby Lady Pam...she works here and is going to let us stay @ her apartment for free....when she gets off work. She lives with 3 other people....sounds awesome and free....We are all crossing our fingers......it's 3:00 a.m.

We were going to camp out but it was snowing and below freezing. Who would have thought that it snows in Wyoming?!

Thats all for now.......

Yoder

Day #.5

2009-05-07T10:13:00.001-07:00

We were in a rush last night because we were "borrowing" WiFi from a KOA. NBD. We camped last night for free in Black Hills National Park. NBD. We all couldn't imagine a better way to start the trip. Everything seems to be falling into place. It really is a blessing.

So, to finish up the last

blog, after the Badlands, we arrived at Wall Drug. It is one of the oldest/largest drug stores in US. It's huge and has random things to eat, take pictures of, and laugh at. I had a homemade doughnut and ice-cream, as well as Cam. Mark couldn't believe how good the doughnuts were, so he had two of those instead of any ice-cream....they weren't as good as he made them out to be :) Here is a picture of Mark riding a Giant Jackolope @ Wall Drug.

We then made our way to Mt. Rushmore. It was pretty cool. So much better than Crazy Horse that we saw later, which was a huge let down.....they tried to charge us $27 to get in.....we weren't having it.

We packed up the tent this morning, and we are heading to explore some caves this afternoon. After that, we are on our way to the Grand Tetons.

Thanks for all your prayers. We have truly been blessed on this trip, and it's only been a day and 1/2. I don't know how much I will be able to update the blog, but I will try as much as possible. Miss you all!

Thats all for now,

Yoder

Map......

2009-05-06T18:57:00.001-07:00

This is our trip so far....it should update automatically throughout the trip!

Day #1.5

2009-05-06T18:39:00.001-07:00

Today we successfully did a lot of traveling. Our very first stop of the trip took us to the Corn Palace. It really is as dumb as it sounds, but it was interesting enough. The entire building was made out of corn as pictured below.

After the Corn Palace, we attempted to go into a Ghost Town off of I-90, but it cost $9.00 to go in, so we took pictures of the outside instead. There was a 0% chance Mark was paying a dime to get into the town......

The Giant Prairie Dog was next on the list as we entered Badlands National Park. The statue was the only prairie dog we saw all day, but it was still awesome.

The Badlands was my highlight of the day. It was gorgeous, and we all had a blast jumping around on the rocks, climbing, and just chilling in creation. NBD. This stop wasn't planned, but it was definatly worth the 2 hr stay in the park. We took a sceinic drive around the park, and it seem to just go on forever.

2009-05-06T07:29:00.001-07:00

We just got done with the gay corn palace. Were all going strong after 800 miles everyone has drove and slept so that's a good thing. I'm exited for my rushmore. So for now cya later -cam

2009-05-06T03:18:00.001-07:00

Correction. We aren't in Sioux Falls yet. And I'm still not sleeping.

2009-05-06T02:46:00.001-07:00

Well, it's 4:30 in the morning and I'm starting to feel it. My eyes are getting heavy. Marsh (the GPS) says our eta is 11:07, so we have a ways to go. I think I'm going to wake cam up soon and take a nap. I'm the only one not to sleep yet.

We are in Sioux Falls, Iowa. Been on the road for 8 hrs. Nbd.

Until next time,
Yoder

Trip of a Lifeime (Lifetime)!

2009-05-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

After just graduating two days ago and I am now leaving for my 3 week road trip with Cam and Mark. Cam is the one without the beard (scared to grow it) and Mark is the one who forgot his cap and gown (always the irresponsible one).

First stop is South Bend to meet the gang then driving through the night to Mt. Rushmore. I will be updating this blog throughout the trip with pictures and random entries. Pray that God's will will be done on this trip and that we are a blessing to the ppl we come in contact with.

Real World: I Got A Job

2009-04-13T11:00:00.000-07:00

So, I have been getting comments about me not blogging. For those of you who feel neglected, I am sorry. I really am :) This post is for you!

For those who are unaware, I have been hired on with Youth for Christ as the South Adams Campus Life Director. This post is dedicated to that. I am simply going to post my first letter. Hope you enjoy!

Dear [Recipient]:

In a few short weeks, I will be graduating from Bethel College. What seems like a long four years has flown by in the blink of an eye. When I leave South Bend I will be leaving a close-nit community, best friends, a church ministry I’ve been involved with for the last two years, and a school that has impacted and changed my life. I would not change these last four years for anything, as they have shaped me and molded me into the man I have become today. But, with every new beginning comes some other beginning’s end.

I am excited to tell you that my new beginning brings me back to the town that I grew up in. Berne has been on my heart ever since I was in high school and has continued to be a part of my passion throughout my college years. I believe that God has big things in store for this town, for believers and nonbelievers alike. It is my desire to see this town continue to grow and ignite with the love and zeal that can only come from a relationship with Christ.

As some of you have heard, I have recently accepted the position of the South Adams High School Director for Youth for Christ. This will enable me to impact the lives of the students in the community through leading club meetings, small groups, discipleship, and one-on-one mentor relationships. It is a complete joy to begin my full-time ministry career with Youth for Christ as they had such a major influence on my life growing up and going through South Adams. I desire nothing more than to see students make a serious, life-long commitment to follow Christ. Youth for Christ enables me to have the platform to make young disciples of Jesus.

Like any lasting and effective ministry, it takes the help of many to be successful. This is where you come into play. I believe that everyone has a role in furthering the Kingdom. First and foremost, I am asking that some of you be Prayer Warriors with me, that you will pour your time and energy into praying for the students, the school, and for me as I dive headfirst into this ministry. The other way you can help out is financially. Working with Youth for Christ, I need to raise a portion of my salary. This is going to stretch me, as I am going to be completely dependent on God to provide for my financial needs on a daily basis. With the help of family, friends, and lifetime ministry partners like you, I have faith that God will provide. All contributions are handled by YFC and are tax deductible.

Thank you in advance for your prayers and financial support. May God continue to move in mighty and powerful ways in your life as well as the lives of others you come into contact with.

Sincerely,

Michael Yoder

Matthew 28:19-20

I Know Who I Want To Take Me Home

2009-03-18T19:23:00.000-07:00

What seemed to be one of the longest two days in my life, flew by in a flash.

On Monday, I traveled to Branson, Missouri to watch the Bethel Basketball team in the NAIA National Tournament. It was a long drive, around 10 hrs, give or take, depending on fast Geoff decided to drive. Lets just say, I didn't feel safe at times....

The entire game seemed to be going in slow motion. I watched my best friends run up and down the court, pouring their everything into the game, and before I knew it, the game was over. We were defeated. Tears were shed, hugs were given, and there was a brokeness over so many of us. It was a mixture of the defeat and the ending of a career @ Bethel that moved so many of us. I couldn't believe this was my last time I would see some of my closest friends and roommates play. The whole experience was so surreal. I wouldn't trade being there for the world. I love the guys so much and I would do anything for them...sappy but so very true. I couldn't imaigine what these last 4 yrs would have been like without them.

I guess the game parallels the last 4 yrs here at Bethel. What has seemed to be a long 4 yrs has gone by in a flash. It seems as if it was just yesterday I was moving into Oakwood and meeting my roommate, Kory Lantz, for the first time. Wow, has time has flown by. To think I only have 6 weeks of school left. Thinking back on the last 4 yrs, I can say they have been some of the best in my life. From all the realtionships I have gained, including the best one of all, my girlfriend and future wifey :) To see where I came from to where I am now, it's crazy

It's sad, exciting, and scary to know this chapter of my life is coming to an end very soon. I guess my dependence on God is going to grow a ton in about 3 months when I am faced with the real world, the paying of bills, insurance, and all that jazz. It's going to come soon....so very soon.

Through the tears, one of my friends looked at me said, "it's not over yet...we still have 6 weeks left." 6 weeks to have as much fun, make as many memories, love, laugh, and cry together. I don't know what I am going to do without all my friends when I move away this summer, but I am so happy to have had them for the last 4 yrs.....

So this post goes out to you...

Thanks all of you that made my experiance @ Bethel one of the best in my life. Thanks for growing with me, living with me, and doing life with me. Thanks for all the minsitry moments, the prayer, and worhsip. You have shaped my life, and as a result of that, I will never be the same.

So gather up your jackets, move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

I'd Fight For You....

2009-03-12T16:18:00.000-07:00

I need to start this section of blogging with a confession. I have to admit, I have yet to crack open Piper since I have last blogged. Not to fear though (even though I'm almost positive you aren't), I have every intention to dive back into it later on this evening. I can say I am anticipating my alone time tonight, even though every night has been a quiet around here as my floor is barren. That is the repercussions of living with the basketball team I suppose. Out of 16 people on the floor, there is a total of 3 still left here. They are busy taking care of business at Nationals. Best of luck to you guys, I love you. Moving on...

Last night was an awesome night @ United, as we had over 140 students. That in and of itself is a blessing. We are continuing to grow in numbers and spiritually. I had the privilege of leading worship with a dear friend, Mike Lee. He is so gifted in what he does, and it was a complete honor to lead students into the presence of God with him. I can honestly say one the best things in ministry is seeing kids grow in their walk with Christ. I have seen a number of kids go from just chilling in the back talking to their friends durning worship, to coming to the front and raising their hands, singing and crying out to God. It's hard to explain, but it is one of the best feelings in the world. I was moved to tears last night...as it was a thing of beauty.

Moving in chronological order, last night brings us to today, which brings me to Five Guys.

If you have never been to 5 Guys, I highly suggest you go. Anyways, today I had lunch with Mike Lee to discuss worship, life, and the joy that 5 guys brings us every time we eat there. We shared stories, ideas, and life together for about 2 hrs. One of his stories really stuck with me, and even thinking about it now, really moves me. Mike shared with me a story about him sticking up for one of his friends, to the point of having to wrestling another guy. Later that night, his friend thanked him and said, "it's nice to know I have a friend that would fight for me..." His friend was kind of joking, but Mike shared how much truth was in short sarcastic comment.

I guess that's what everyone really craves. People want someone to fight for them when they are unable to fight for themselves. We need this. We crave this. It's standing up for the oppressed, the people that can't defend themselves. What moved me so much about this is the fact that this is at the core of the Christian faith. Christ called us to care for the naked, the poor, the widowed. We are supposed to enter into their pain with them, and walk beside them. Fight for them. Give them clothes, food, love...I guess it moved me because it brought me back to the cross. Back to the sacrifice that Chris made for me. Christ fought for me. The entire Gospel is full of Christ fighting for people that have no one else to fight for them. Christ came for the sick, not the healthy.

I guess I don't understand why it's so hard to see. When Christ calls us to fight for people, he means we need to lay down our lives for them. We need to be willing to take their suffering and make it our own, just like Christ did. Mikes story is all of our stories really. When we see a homeless man on the side of the road, are we willing to stop and fight for him? Maybe it means more than buying them a meal, but getting to know them. Every person has a story, so why not take time and get to know them. Why not... When we see our friends reaching out for someone to save them, are we going to be the one to reach out and help them back on their feet again?

I guess my prayer tonight is that the Lord will continue to make me a fighter. Not the kind that uses guns and ninja moves, but the kind that uses love and affection. I pray that God will continue to break my heart with what breaks his, that I will never stop having a heart for people. Lord, keep changing me....

Chris Martin, Starbucks, and John Piper

2009-03-10T10:36:00.000-07:00

I think I have made an unwritten rule, which is now written, about my blogging. I will either be enjoying Chris Martin coming from my speakers, if you don't know who that is I highly suggest you climb out of your hole in the ground and listen to music, or I will be enjoying a nice cup of a coffee, preferably from Starbucks. On the best of days, like today, I will be enjoy both at the same time.

Well for me this is the 2nd day of the Jesus experiment. I wasn't for sure how I was going to go about doing this, but there has been a number of things come to my mind since last night (which seems only mere hours ago). The first of which I like the most, and I think that is how I will be doing most of the experiment. I have decided to read through What Jesus Demands from the World by John Piper. This book consist of 50 commands from the life of Jesus, and each chapter focuses on a different command. For example, the first two chapters where: "Demand #1: You Must Be Born Again" and "Demand #2: Repent." Piper has gone through all 4 gospels and complied a list of every single command that Jesus gave, and broke them down into 50 sections. I really like Piper, and even though he is Calvinist, I really tend to agree with a lot of things he has to say.

Todays Chapter was titled: Demand #3: Come to Me

In order for someone to come to Christ, they must first experience being born again and must go through the repentance that the first two chapters talked about. Piper explains the experience like this:

Before the new birth happens and repentance occurs, a hundred other things seem more important and more attractive: health, family, job, friends, sports, music, food, sex, hobbies, retirement. But when God gives the radical change of new birth and repentance, Jesus himself becomes our supreme treasure.

This very concept is something that I have been wrestling with for the better part of the year. If we truly come to Christ, and are a fully reliant on him, our world is going to dramatically change. Things such as health, jobs, and even our retirement are dwarfed in comparison to how much our relationship with Christ means.

I have been called an idealist, way to radical, and to young over the last year. I used to take offense to those things, but now I take them with a grain of salt. For what if God really does want us to be completely sold out for him in every aspect of our lives? What if God does not want us to stock pile wealth here on Earth, but rather give it to the hungry and the naked? What if God wants us to love him more than we love our families? What if God really meant all those things he said in scripture? What if he really meant, "Blessed are the peacemakers."

I guess once someone comes to Jesus, the whole way they look at life changes, it has to. And it doesn't stop at that one conversion, it is an on going process. Each day we can be transformed by the renewing of our minds. It is my prayer that God will continue to speak to me and make me wiser every day.

"God grants the gift of new birth and repentance, which opens the eyes of the spiritually blind to the truth and beauty of Jesus." - J. Piper

May God continue to open our eyes so we can see, love, and live as he would.

Rebirth & Jesus Experiment

2009-03-09T22:08:00.000-07:00

Against my better judgment, after a 4-year absence, I have fallen back into the blog world. Call it weakness, lack of will power, or whatever you wish. Nevertheless, I am posting on the internet for the world to see.

I blog not to impress, but to rather type the innermost thoughts of my soul. I know that sounds cliché maybe odd at best, but it is the truth. I find myself longing to be able to express myself through writing and I hate to actually write by means of pen in hand. My only other alliterative would be to compile a list of word documents, but that is way to unorganized for me. That brings me to blogspot and the rebirth of my blogging...

This is always about that… (Thanks R. Bell)

That brings me to the Jesus Experiment. The experiment is simple really. The aim is to spend 30 days in a row reading, devouring, praying, walking, and living a life with Jesus that has been far to uncommon to me before.

I will be the first to acknowledge I waste my time aimlessly (like working on this blog) rather than focusing on the health of my soul. I think this goes a lot deeper than one might like to suggest or admit. If I truly believe in the power of prayer, why is my prayer life so weak? If I truly believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, why do I struggle to read it daily?

Theses next 30 days, I will be embarking on an adventure of the soul. I will set out to experience wisdom, prayer, and love on a whole new level. The purpose of these next 30 days will be to grow in love with my creator more as He teaches me what it looks like to be a Christ Follower.

May God bless these efforts.

Help me grow, learn, laugh, cry, love, and experience You on a whole new level this next month.