My name is Anna, and this is my story.

One Sunday, Pastor Chris unexpectedly announced a mission trip to Uganda with three weeks’ notice. It immediately sparked my interest, but like most other times when I’ve heard that still small voice, I procrastinated. It wasn’t until a friend asked me point-blank if I was going to Uganda that I realized this was something I had to explore.

Excuses, questions, and self-doubt flooded my mind. Wouldn’t it make more sense to wait until next year, when I would have more time to prepare? Shouldn’t I pay off outstanding debts from my long unemployment period before I buy a plane ticket to Africa? Would it look bad to take vacation days after just being hired a few months ago? There were too many required vaccinations to schedule. I couldn’t find my passport.

[![](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/20150910_154910-e1445520414608-1024x819.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/20150910%5F154910-e1445520414608.jpg)

Once I let these fears and doubts take hold, there was no stopping them, and the excuses became more and more absurd.

I don’t own a safari hat. I’ve seen _Taken_ and I know it’s never wise to venture into a new country unless Liam Neeson is your father. Nor have I been trained to fight off giant killing mosquitoes. What if I see things that make me depressed? The screen on my phone is shattered; what’s the point of going to Africa if I can’t even take good pictures? I don’t want to miss my fantasy football draft. My apartment is too messy. If only I didn’t tithe I would have more money to go on a mission trip. Even if I get there, I won’t even know what to say or do to help these people.

And then some people in my life started adding their voices to all the voices already in my head. I was told I was being reckless, and over-confident, and foolish for committing to something I couldn’t afford. Another person called me arrogant for proceeding as if I already had the funds. Were they right? Had I let pride and stubbornness get the best of me?

But there were also voices of truth and encouragement. Six months prior, I had heard a podcast from Saddleback Church, titled “Seizing Spiritual Opportunities,” that said “if you have the time, commit to a missions trip and God will provide the funds. A claim as bold as that is hard to forget.

I was also reading the book _Love Does,_ which was only fanning the fire with crazy ideas. A couple of days after I put that book down, I was listening to a random podcast on my phone and I heard the speaker quote a line from _Love Does_:

“God asks what it is He’s made us to love, what it is that captures our attention, what feeds that deep indescribable need of our souls to experience the richness of the world He made. And then leaning over us, He whispers, ‘Let’s go do that together.'”

![20150911_101400](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/20150911_101400-1024x576.jpg)

It wasn’t until I went back to reading _Love Does_ that I saw that same quote staring back at me — right where I had left off. (Till this day I still don’t remember downloading that podcast to my phone.) The chapter was about how you don’t need prerequisites or a plan; just an idea, an invitation without a lot of details, and “a willingness to go into a storm with a Father who’s kicking footholds into the steep sides of our problems while we kick a couple in ourselves too.”

I didn’t know why I wanted to go, I just had a feeling there was something that I would see, something that God could show me, something amazing that would re-awaken passions within me.

“You can get further guidance from what comes together or not. Maybe God wants to see if you are willing,” my mom advised.

Once I committed to the trip, everything seemed to fall into place. My parents, who I half-hoped would dissuade me, supported my trip, despite other loans I have yet to pay them back for. My bosses contributed financially and also equipped me with a phone with a phenomenal camera. I found my passport in a drawer that I swear I looked in a thousand times and had its renewal expedited in a matter of days. Hoboken Grace bought me time to launch my fundraising campaign, and in a single week my financial goal became a reality. Four days before my trip, I had managed to raise $3,500!

![20150912_144314](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/20150912_144314-300x300.jpg)

I received support from the most unpredictable sources. And it was even more incredible to find out how God had been working in other people’s hearts and using my need as their opportunity to love and take that new step of faith. God was never absent, apathetic or angry. He was busy moving mountains that flew right over my head.

“If you want to boast, boast only about the LORD,” (1Corinthians 1:31).

“For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die,” (Philippians 1:20).

I was all in whether it meant I was to die or go bankrupt. In the midst of external opposition, if I had continued looking at my circumstances realistically, sensibly, logically, I would have missed my miracle. I think this is what is meant when the Bible says we are to hold onto God’s promises.

I RSVP’d yes, and found myself on an adventure I’m still trying to put into words.

_Do you feel called to serve abroad? This Sunday is Missions Sunday. Come learn about the exciting and challenging mission trips we have planned for 2016\. God may have a miracle planned for you. You just need to say “yes.” [ ](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/20150910%5F154910.jpg)_


How I Almost Missed My Miracle


Anthony came to know Christ one night in a hotel room while watching an old Billy Graham message on television. No, this story doesn’t include any special lighting or a dramatic setting, but that’s not what it’s about. “I share it because I know that not everyone’s story of how they came to Christ is dramatic or full of spark, and I can relate to them,” says Anthony. “They don’t have to feel alone.”

Many people believe that they can’t share their story because it won’t have any impact, because they have made mistakes along the way, because they are scared of being judged. Anthony wants to encourage us all to share our stories, and he is so passionate about this that he is teaching the “Stories” class at Hoboken Grace’s Amplify conference this Saturday.

Anthony believes that the hesitation to share our story comes down to three main reasons. First, many people don’t think they have a story to tell. They think that their story won’t make a difference and that God isn’t finished with their story, so it’s too soon to share. Lastly, they struggle with not being the hero of their story. Anthony compares this to people’s hesitation with taking the step of baptism. He advises us to keep it simple and share what God is doing in our lives. What did you struggle with before you knew Christ? How has He changed you?

“The last thing a non-believer wants to see is a Christian who thinks they have it all together,” explains Anthony. “Authenticity is more valuable.”

People can argue scripture and historical proof, but they can’t argue with your experience. In fact, Anthony says that most people are impacted more on the “heart level” than they ever are on the “head level.”

Everyone’s story is impactful, because when Christ is involved, it becomes His story of pursuit. And He calls us to be His witnesses and go out and make disciples. “This should be an immediate response to coming to Christ,” says Anthony. “When we see something that changes us, we need to tell people.”

If we are scared or nervous to share our story, we should ask Christ to give us the strength. Anthony reminds us that “God isn’t nervous or scared or hesitant. Remember who your Father is and who He says you are.” God will do the work and He can use pretty much anything to pursue us and tug at our heartstrings. You just need to be willing to show up.

God can use your past and turn it into a blessing. If you still aren’t convinced, read about Peter and Paul in the storybook that changed the world – the Bible. Peter and Paul wrestled with God, but God used their story for His glory and he can do the same for yours.

_Want to learn more about how to tell your story? Attend our Story class at [Amplify this Saturday.](http://%28http://hobokengrace.com/amplify/)_


Hear Anthony’s Story This Saturday At Amplify

Have you ever felt like you’re just talking to a wall? Have you ever felt like it really didn’t matter if you prayed or not? You’re not alone. Join us for a two-week conversation, beginning next Sunday, on one of the most important and misunderstood aspects of following Christ.


Prayer

This Saturday, October 17 marks True Mentors’ fourth annual Hoboken Scavenger Hunt, a fun and frantic event that invites local residents to scour the four corners of Hoboken in a test of physical and mental determination. Teams will have just two hours to solve clues that will send them scrambling across Hoboken to hunt down challenges and win prizes.

The Hoboken Scavenger Hunt is True Mentors’ annual fundraiser that benefits both the community and the organization. It provides friends and families the opportunity to explore the city together and promotes local businesses. All proceeds directly benefit True Mentors and allows them to continue offering their programs for free to all children ages 7 – 17.

Teams will start to gather for the event at noon in Church Square Park in Hoboken. The scavenger hunt kicks off at 1 p.m. and is split up into two divisions — one for families, and another for adults. Each group receives clue sheets at the start of the hunt. After that, each team darts off on their own to rack up as many points as possible before time runs out.

Besides helping the community, the scavenger hunt helps showcase different areas of town that residents may not have considered visiting. It also celebrates Hoboken’s unique culture — last year’s teams were asked to take a picture with any of the local Hoboken “superheroes.”

Event planner Erin Sproule warns teams that they should plan wisely for this year’s event.

“This year’s hunt will have more clues than ever before,” she says. “Teams will have to strategize and work together to solve as many riddles and clues as possible before time runs out.”

Participants can expect to see brand-new challenge lists, which will include both mental and physical obstacles. True Mentors Executive Director James Sproule says the new clue list is “more challenging than ever.”

“The clues mix trivia with challenges,” he says. “Participants will also need to strategize in order to finish in the allotted time and maximize their points.”

John Carluccio has participated for the past several years. He’s attended the event twice with his dinner group, and even won with them one year.

“It was four of us guys and we sure had a lot of fun, especially trying to get some of the more challenging clues,” he says. “I remember asking a complete stranger to put on a Hoboken Grace T-shirt and take a picture with us and she gladly agreed!”

Following the hunt, teams will meet up to unwind at an after party at Willie McBride’s. There, the names of the winners will be announced, and prizes will be awarded for the first- and second-place teams in both divisions.

Teams can register for the event at the True Mentors [website](http://truementors.org/media/scavenger-hunt-2015/). Registration will also be open from noon to 1 p.m. at the central gazebo in Church Square Park. Erin hopes that this year’s scavenger hunt will be the biggest yet.


Calling All Sleuths

_Teams is a monthly series that celebrates the talent and impact of various groups at Hoboken Grace._

Peer into the Little Steps classroom on any Sunday morning and you’ll find toddlers molding Play-Doh into pyramids, tracing handprints and coloring scenes from the Bible. Patient teachers kneel alongside them, teaching them about Jesus, praising their work, sharing stickers and catching runaway crayons.

[![teams2](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/teams2-300x300.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/teams2.jpg)

The Little Steps teachers got their own craft time Friday night, assembling the Play-Doh costumes they’ll wear to the Grace Kids costume party on Sunday, Oct. 25 (pick out the kids costumes and mark your calendar parents, it’s an amazingly fun Sunday!).

“We were throwing ideas around and a few of us had gone as crayons in the past, so we wanted something fun like that that the kids would enjoy, ” says Sheena, one of the four teachers who made the costumes.

With fabric, ribbons, paint and food plates strewn across the floor of a Hoboken living room, they snipped, stitched, stenciled and snacked for hours.

“The process seemed pretty simple in theory — make containers out of yellow fabric, using Stitch Witchery to iron the seams instead of sewing, add straps and paint on a label,” says Courtney, another teacher. “In practice, it took us three hours with a few additional snack breaks.”

They worked into the night, draping themselves in neon yellow fabric and assembling all the pieces with the help of an iron and a hair dryer.

“It seemed like the four of us shared a love of crafting, so the time flew by and we had a lot of fun!” Courtney says.

Having fun, after all, is one of the Little Steps teachers’ goals each week. They work year-round to organize lesson plans, games, crafts and music to create an atmosphere where every child — and parent — feels comfortable. Each week, they hope everyone leaves with a greater sense of God’s love. And the teachers say they get something out of it too.

“The most rewarding part is the unconditional joy that the kids show in nearly everything they do,” says Courtney. “And since our activities are so Christ-centered, that transfers to an enthusiastic joy in God that inspires me every week.”

[![teams5](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/teams5-300x300.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/teams5.jpg)

**The Little Steps team**

**Vision:** Our teachers seek to create a safe environment where children can experience, learn about, respond to and grow in the truth and love of Jesus Christ.

**Age group:** 18 months to 3 years

**The commitment:** Serving Sunday mornings and attending a monthly team meeting

**How you can join:** Email rachel@hobokengrace.com

_Want to learn more about serving on a team at Hoboken Grace? Attend [Intro to Impact](https://hobokengrace.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/9294) after service on the first Sunday of every month._

[![teams3](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/teams3.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/teams3.jpg)


TEAMS: Crafting Fun with the Little Steps Teachers


At Hoboken Grace, we recognize that faith is about a journey, not a destination.

Regardless of where you’re headed, journeys require constant movement — putting one foot in front of the other. They involve a charge forward toward the next mile marker, then the mile marker after that.

Journeying with God requires constant advancement, too. And now it’s easier than ever to track your growth at Hoboken Grace. Check out our [new Next Steps page](http://hobokengrace.com/nextsteps/), where you’ll find our monthly class schedule and information about membership, Amplify and much more. You can also download tools like the Growth Plan, Experience Plan and Circles chart.

Whether you’ve been thinking about baptism, joining an impact team or starting a Bible study class, start here. Think about it as your “you are here” marker. Where are you, and where are you going next?


What’s Your Next Step?

When I moved to this city five years ago, I was newly engaged, diving into my fiance’s existing network of friends and church family in Hoboken. Seven hundred miles away, I left behind an amazing community of friends and a church I loved. As an extrovert, I have always enjoyed meeting new people and building new friendships, but starting from scratch was still hard.

As I started attending Hoboken Grace, I was encouraged to join a Dinner Group. I was wary. I was worried that I wouldn’t fit in or find “my” kind of people — women who were not afraid to let their guards down and get real. I wanted a guarantee that I would make friends and build deep connections, but of course, you can not know that until you are willing to first risk trying.

Finally, a few months later, someone I thought I could be friends with personally invited me to join her group. I decided to give it a chance and committed to go every week. Some weeks I walked away encouraged and inspired in my faith. Other times I was disappointed by my own expectations of what the group should be.

The most profoundly impactful question someone asked as I tested the waters of Dinner Group was this: _“What if it is not about you? What if you making a weekly commitment to show up to Dinner Group is more about how you can love others than what you get out of it?”_

I have thought about Dinner Group differently ever since. Slowly but surely, I learned how to show up and ask meaningful questions. I learned how to pray for these women who were opening up and sharing their lives. We shared laughter and tears and life milestones together.

By the next fall, I was asked to lead my own group. I was nervous about leading, but I kept returning to this thought — it is not about me, it is about loving others. There was no guarantee that it would go well, but I trusted God with the group. I knew that whatever good came out of it was only His doing and not my own.

Now I have been leading a group for the last three years, and it is one of the most joyful and humbling roles in my life. The fact that I get to show up each week and offer a space for people to come as they are, whether they are celebrating or struggling, and wrestle through life’s questions together is a privilege. In such a fast-pasted, stressful city life, Dinner Group should be a respite. It offers us a safe place to slow down, consider where we are really headed, and leave refreshed and refueled to go back out into our everyday lives to impact others.

Whether you are on the fence about giving this Dinner Group thing a try or have been disappointed in the past, I would encourage you to try it. Dinner Group is not about your needs, your schedule, or your agenda. Instead, it is an opportunity to model, in a small way, what Christ did for us — to lay down our lives for our friends.

_Erika is a Dinner Group Leader at Hoboken Grace and you can read more about faith, relationships, and life lessons on her blog [Married in Mile Square City](http://marriedinmilesquarecity.com)._


Creating Real Community


A few years ago, Barbara went to Jackie Cruz’s salon for a nail appointment and felt like there was something different about Jackie. A few years later, she returned to the salon and learned what made Jackie so strong and exuberant: Christ. She will never forget that day. Jackie told her about Hoboken Grace, where Barbara would eventually get baptized, along with her son.

“I had been praying for a community that would help me with my relationship with God,” she says. “By the end of my hair appointment, Jackie invited me to come to Hoboken Grace to check it out. I went in April, and haven’t missed a Sunday to this day.”

[![11947490_1029509197073139_4754510699734349940_n (1)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/11947490_1029509197073139_4754510699734349940_n-1.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/11947490%5F1029509197073139%5F4754510699734349940%5Fn-1.jpg)Barbara is a single mother of two, and Jordan, her youngest, has decided to follow in his mom’s footsteps. “Jordan and I are very close and are extremely similar,” explains Barbara. “He is in the high honors class and gifted and talented program in school. He wants to be a lawyer when he gets older.”

It was Barbara’s desire for a constant and everlasting relationship that drove her to get closer to God. The world just wasn’t fulfilling that desire. She wanted better for herself and for her family.

“I felt God tell me that He will take care of me and that He will love me like no other,” says Barbara. “He has my best interest at heart.” No other human is capable of loving the way God does, she says. Barbara got baptized to give her life to God and go wherever He leads her.

One day, after a service that had a baptism, Jordan went up to Pastor Chris and told him that he felt very moved and inspired, and wanted to give his life to Christ. Impressed with his determination, Pastor Chris gave him the information he needed and Jordan was baptized during the following series. Jordan reflects on how important it is to have his mom be on the same journey as him and says that now, they “can work together to get closer to Christ.”

[![DSC_3542](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/DSC_3542-300x300.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/10/DSC%5F3542.jpg)Barbara is excited to grow in Christ and to regain her confidence and sense of self-worth. She wants to leave a powerful legacy behind. She is also excited to have a community of people who care for her at Hoboken Grace and is appreciative that this community is asking how they can pray for her and her goals. “It brings me to tears,” she says.

If someone is hesitant about getting baptized, Barbara says the best piece of advice she can give is “Jump out of the boat!” Just do it. If it feels right in your heart and soul, don’t hesitate. You will never have it all together, and if you did, then what would you need Jesus for? Trust God in everything you do, and He will not forsake you.

_To learn more about taking the step of baptism, attend Hoboken Grace’s class [What Is Baptism](https://hobokengrace.churchcenteronline.com/registrations/events/9320) after service this Sunday._


Baptized: A Mother and Son’s Journey

Thanks to the initiative of one teenager, more than 14,000 hospitalized kids in over 150 countries have received handmade cards filled with words of encouragement, support and love.

Last month, our Clubhouse kids became part of the movement to spread hope as they crafted cards and learned about taking the initiative to care for others. It’s all part of our lesson about identifying a need and fulfilling it.

Cards for Hospitalized Kids was founded by Jen Rubino, who spent much of her childhood in and out of the hospital, battling a rare illness. When Jen was 16 and recovering from surgery, she received a handmade card from a complete stranger. Realizing that someone who didn’t even know her took the time to reach out and comfort her lifted her spirits. When she got out of the hospital, she recruited several of her friends and they started making cards.

It’s an inspirational story of seeing a need and filling it, without being asked, that really had an impact on our kids.

During Clubhouse, the kids discussed what it must be like to be in the hospital and not be able to go to school or see friends every day – no sleepovers, no sports.

As the kids wrote messages such as “be brave” and “I’m thinking of you,” several of them were disappointed that they couldn’t say anything about Jesus in the cards.

“It was a great teaching moment,” one of the teachers said afterwards.

“I mentioned how, as Christians, it’s important to reach out to others who are going through tough times no matter what they believe. We can first get to know people, and then we can let them know how great Jesus is.”

What impressed the Clubhouse teachers most was how diligently and carefully the kids worked on decorating and writing the cards, and how excited they were to show their parents.

Great job, kids! Thanks for showing all of us how to take the initiative in loving others.


Taking the Initiative to Care

Simple Service connects people to people in a natural, easy and low-risk way. Who doesn’t like being handed an ice-cold bottle of water on a swelteringly hot day? Or getting a free granola bar on those mornings when there is no time for breakfast? It’s one of the most powerful ways we can love our city. And it allows us to touch the hearts of our community long before we can start opening minds. A small act of kindness can nudge a person closer to God.

In October of 2012, much of the East Coast was ravaged by the destruction of Superstorm Sandy. For nearly four months after the storm, the PATH was shut down, and tens of thousands of Hoboken residents scrambled to find other ways to commute into the city.

On January 30, 2013, the morning the Hoboken PATH station re-opened, Hoboken Grace members and staff loaded up Metro cards and swiped through thousands of commuters to celebrate the community’s recovery. The reactions were priceless.

“Really?!”

“Why are you doing this?!”

“Thank you so much!”

“This is amazing.”

After the free swipe, commuters were given a small card explaining why we do what we do and how it all comes down to showing a little bit of the love that Christ gave to us. People can take the card, they can leave the card, or they can throw it away or stuff it in a pocket for later. It’s not up to us to decide what they do with the card or how they react to receiving a free gift. We just show up and act out love.

A great definition of Simple Service is “showing God’s love in practical ways.” It focuses on taking the love of Jesus to the community by doing acts of kindness with absolutely no strings attached.

Every week, we’re reaching out to our city. In the past, Hoboken Grace has engaged in Simple Service projects like:

* Handing out free granola bars and cookies to commuters at the PATH, ferry and Light Rail.
* Handing out free waters on hot days to basketball players in Church Square Park.

What does it take to be a part of Simple Service? All you need is 30 minutes and a willingness to let God use you to put a smile on someone else’s face.

Want to learn more about getting involved in our weekly Simple Service events, and how you can begin to make a difference? Come to our Simple Service get-together session on Sunday, October 18th at 2 p.m. at 301 Garden Street. There will be free snacks and opportunities to see some of the exciting things we have planned for this fall and winter!


Simply Serving

_Portraits is an occasional series that captures stories across our community, one photo at a time._

When the bus pulled up in front of the huge gates, no one on board knew quite what to expect. Everyone was tired and anxious. And then it happened. Nearly 80 children came streaming through the gates to welcome the bus and the dozen travel-weary visitors. The children were laughing and squealing with excitement as they tapped on the bus windows and tried to peak inside. As people started to get off the bus, the children held up their arms to these complete strangers, just wanting to be picked up, held and loved.

That is Karen Varela’s favorite memory from the mission trip she took with her three sisters to Mexico. It was their introduction to Casa Hogar Alegre orphanage and the beginning of an unforgettable week of sharing God’s infinite and unchanging love with the children who call the orphanage home.

But none of it would have happened for the Varela sisters if they hadn’t trusted God to provide financially for their trip and relied on their community for support.

[![varelas7](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/varelas7-1024x683.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/varelas7.jpg)

Diana and Liz are both in nursing school and work at the Olive Garden to pay their bills. Cristina and Karen are just starting their first jobs after college. The total cost for the two sets of twins to go to Mexico was around $5,000 — well beyond what their budgets allowed.

So the Varela sisters did what any good millennial would. They went on Facebook.

“We set up a Facebook page explaining what the orphanage does and why we wanted to go on the trip and asked everyone we knew to give whatever they could,” said Cristina. “We were constantly posting updates to let everyone know our fundraising progress.”

The sisters also held informal get-togethers with friends and family to talk about the mission trip and ask for support. Diana and Liz even asked their coworkers at Olive Garden.

[![varelas9](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/varelas9-683x1024.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/varelas9.jpg)

“I was definitely nervous about asking people I worked with who weren’t even Christians to support my mission trip,” said Liz. “But I was actually shocked by how open and encouraging everyone was. I got to see a whole different side of the people I work with, and people I don’t even know very well were so generous with their support.”

Two weeks before the Mexico mission team was scheduled to fly out, the Varela sisters were still $1,000 short. They posted on Facebook, got together to pray and, within an hour, the last $1,000 poured in.

“That was how the whole fundraising process went for us,” said Cristina. “Every time we were discouraged, we prayed for the trip together and someone stepped up to support us.”

For the Varela sisters, not asking for support wasn’t really a financial option. But they say that even if they could have done it alone, they are so glad they included their friends, family, coworkers and sometimes people they barely knew in the process.

“Not everyone is able to go on a mission trip,” explained Liz. “Sometimes it’s a scheduling thing, or a health issue. But by giving people the opportunity to support our mission trip, they became part of the trip.”

“We also got to talk a little bit about God with coworkers and friends who aren’t believers,” said Karen. “I even talked to my manager at work. She’s not a Christian, but she wanted to hear about my trip. I never dreamed I would have that conversation with her. Making other people a part of this trip just opened the door for people to see who God is, even if they don’t really know Him.”

It has been months since the sisters got back from Mexico, but they say they’re still having conversations about the trip.

“There’s a picture of the kids on my phone,” said Liz. “People are always asking me if they are mine! And then I get to explain and share my story with one more person.”

[![varelas10](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/varelas10-1024x683.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/varelas10.jpg)

[![varelas11](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/varelas11-1024x576.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/varelas11.jpg)


PORTRAITS:  How Four Sisters Crowdsourced the Trip of a Lifetime

This month, our conversation has been centered around community. One of the best ways to meet people at Hoboken Grace is by joining one of our teams. From photography and finance, to writing and worship, our more than two dozen teams connect people with similar interests and passions.

Serving together allows us to use our talents to build relationships while loving others. Our teams are also a great foundation on which to establish the pillars of healthy community: sacrifice, risk and investment.

God has blessed each one of us with a special gift to help carry out his mission.

So what’s yours?

Music? Audition for our worship team, which is [holding auditions Sunday, Oct. 4](https://www.facebook.com/events/398679750328235/).

Teaching? Join our kids ministry, which is looking for new volunteers.

Creativity? Try our writing, video, social media or photography teams.

See the full list of all our teams [here](https://www.churchteams.com/m/GroupBrowseNew.asp?filter=x&q28363=127486&Title=Browse%20Teams&NoLogin=y&NoMap=y&FilterCollapse=y&InfoPrint=n).


Making Meaningful Connections

“I can’t wait to see what God does,” my mom said a few weeks before my 10-day trip to Uganda.

Dinner group members and other friends were just as excited, predicting that I’d see him work in new ways on my first mission trip.

“This could be a life-changing experience,” one friend said.

I was ready for change, or, at the very least, clarity and direction in a few areas of my life. But 10 days later, replaying a highlight reel of sunrises, safaris and stargazing during a layover to Newark, it didn’t feel as if my life had jolted in a different direction. While I’d barely had time to process the past week and a half, the ground never shook and the sky never opened with answers about my future or my relationship with God.

And while I couldn’t see immediate shifts in my own life, another question kept surfacing during the trip: Was God using us to change other people’s lives?

[![uganda13](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/uganda131-300x300.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/uganda131.jpg)

Once I stopped looking so hard, God was everywhere: in the strokes of orange, yellow, lavender and fuchsia in Uganda’s sunrises, in the elephant’s slow strut, in the milk-white splotches of stars that dazzled the sky each night.

God’s work was evident at Restore Leadership Academy, where hundreds of children whose lives were shaped by a 20-year civil war are studying to become lawyers, doctors, pastors, teachers and entrepreneurs. You could see his work in the dozen campus buildings that have sprung up in the past two years 一 including a massive Main Hall that opened last week 一 after dreams, passions and talents aligned. Those buildings are in addition to a new farm and soccer field 一 one of the largest in northern Uganda 一 where the school’s teams trained to compete on the national level this year.

You could see God’s hand at the 300-bed Gulu prison, where some of the more than 1,000 prisoners housed there, amid a sluggish criminal justice system, have formed a soccer team that plays “for the glory of God.” Last week they faced the kids from Restore, whose teachers are now leading night classes for the prisoners. You could see it at St. Monica’s, where Sister Rosemary oversees the well-being of women who were raped by rebels, and their children. And it’s evident at the various NGOs we toured that support each other while individually supporting Uganda.

And perhaps God’s work was most obvious in the way our four-person team from Hoboken Grace was able to make the trip. The dates changed twice, with only a few weeks’ notice, challenging tight work schedules and calendars filled with other commitments. But in that short time frame, God moved several pieces into place, providing the inspiration and resources for us to spend nearly two weeks across the world.

[![uganda9](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/uganda91-300x300.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/uganda91.jpg)

One of our team members, Anna, was hesitant about the trip’s cost. She was reading “Love Does,” Bob Goff’s book about starting Restore Leadership Academy and his efforts to bring education and criminal justice reform to Uganda. She left off one night on a passage about God’s desires to take us on the adventure of a lifetime. God’s trips don’t require prerequisites, the book says, He just wants you to say yes. The next day, she started listening to a podcast on her phone that she didn’t remember downloading. It was about taking adventures with God, and quoted the same passage from “Love Does.” Knowing she had to take this adventure, she got her passport expedited in a number of days and began fundraising less than two weeks before the trip. Contributions and encouragement flowed in from people who she knew were under tight budgets, and other unexpected sources. It was almost unbelievable, Anna says. She reached her $3,500 goal in a week after a friend, who had been working on tithing, paid the balance. “It was amazing to see God working in her, too,” Anna says.

But like me, Anna also wondered if this trip changed her life in any way, and what kind of impact, if any, we had on the people we met. After God had taken us halfway around the world, it was only natural to search for deeper meaning, and to buy into the hype of all that a mission trip can accomplish.

We might not have changed the world in 10 days, and we might not have seen tectonic shifts in our own lives. But we went to Uganda to see what God’s love can do. And we found out between each sunrise and sunset, hearing story after story about how the tides are shifting in Uganda. Land once used for warfare is being used to restore lives; children who grew up wanting to become soldiers are studying to become lawyers; and all over, people are working together to accomplish these things. We might not see immediate change in ourselves, or the people we met, but the change we did see, and God’s hand in it, was more than enough.

[![ugandda2](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/ugandda2-1024x768.jpg)](https://res.cloudinary.com/dzs7qxusf/image/upload/v1/archive/2015/09/ugandda2.jpg)


Watching God at Work in Uganda

This month, it’s time to visit the We Care Pet Shop where we care for your pets and your kiddos! Our team has had so much fun planning this month. It’s full of dogs and frogs and birds and mice! Oh my! Your kids are sure to have fun, but more importantly, they are sure to learn about caring and that God cares about them.

That’s what we want our kids to walk away with this month, the knowledge that “God will take care of me.” What a powerful thing for our littlest friends to know. No matter what, God will take care of them.

God will take care of them when they are in a new place just like He took care of Esther when she went to a new city to become queen. God will give them people to protect them just like He used Rahab to protect the spies and the spies to protect Rahab. God will put people in their lives to help them just like He introduced Elijah to the widow and her son, and God helped them never run out of oil and flour. Finally, God will provide for them just as He showed a well to Hagar when she and her son were so very thirsty.

Basic Truth: God Loves Me

Key Question: Who will take care of me?

Bottom Line: God will take care of me.

Memory Verse: My God will meet all your needs. Philippians 4:19 NIV

Please be praying with us this Fall as our preschoolers get a “first look” at the God who loves them, made them, and wants to be their friend forever.

The reThink Group


God Will Take Care Of Me!

When you walk into a room and you look around, do you notice what you need to notice? Have you ever wondered why there are some people who can see things that other people just don’t see? It seems like some people just have this knack for looking around a room and noticing things that others don’t. Maybe they notice that there are three crooked pictures on the wall or three people are wearing orange shirts. Sometimes they might even notice that there’s a job to be done—like cleaning up a spilled glass of soda or emptying an overflowing trashcan. Now, what if this ability to notice things has more to do with being trained to open your eyes instead of a simple natural ability? Because when it comes down to it, seeing what needs to be done is not just about training yourself to see what’s around you; rather, it should be more about doing something about what you’ve seen.

But let’s be honest for a second, sometimes what you end up seeing are jobs that are pretty dirty, huh? Not many people like taking out the trash, cleaning up the yard after the dog has been out there, or those bathrooms that just never seem to clean themselves. But somebody’s gotta do those jobs. If they don’t, life will get pretty messy, pretty fast.

But dirty jobs aren’t just about cleaning the house. Sometimes, we see a relationship that needs to get fixed or someone that needs some encouragement. Are we really aware of what’s happening around us to take notice and take action?

The same goes for our kids. Shouldn’t we train our children to open their eyes, to be aware of their surroundings and get involved? What would happen if we started teaching our kids how to really look at the world around them and actually do something about what they see? What would it be like if our children could begin to notice things that need to be done and do them without being asked? What could happen if they look at the people in their life that need help and take the initiative to help them?

Or what about when it comes to their own life? What if they saw things that needed to be changed and changed them? These don’t have to be huge. It could be something simple like brushing their teeth or taking a bath or keeping their room clean. That’s why we’re taking this whole month to discover more about initiative.

Initiative is seeing what needs to be done and doing it. Initiative isn’t just some practical principle; it’s really a spiritual principle that starts with God. Initiative is part of God’s character. God took initiative on our behalf. When God saw our broken relationship with Him, He sent Jesus to make it right. When we show initiative, we are reflecting God’s image that is hardwired in us.

Help your kids see life in a different way. Start asking the question, “What do you see?” When you walk into a room, when you walk by someone and when you’re trying to teach children to see themselves from a different perspective, train your kids to notice things they would not ordinarily notice and encourage them to do something about what they see.

In fact, we all might pay attention a little more when we realize that we aren’t just working for our parents or our bosses but we are actually working for God. That’s why we chose Colossians 3:23a (NIrV) as our memory verse for the month. “Work at everything you do with all your heart. Work as if you were working for the Lord.”

To dive deeper into initiative, we’re heading back to the Old Testament to talk more about one of the greatest examples of someone taking initiative—a man by the name of Nehemiah. This month, we’ll break down the story of Nehemiah into four segments that will give kids insight into this idea of initiative.

Our bottom line this month is you can trust God to help you do what needs to be done. Often when we take initiative on something big, we can’t do it on our own. We need God’s help. We want kids to know that if they do what they can do to help, God will do the rest.

The reThink Group


Clubhouse Update!

There are so many ways to get connected at Hoboken Grace – dinner groups, teams, classes and connection events. Often, the best way to find out about these opportunities is through our blog, newsletter and social media accounts.

**1). The blog and newsletter:** Guess what? We launched a blog earlier this year to help us tell the story of our church family as we grow and build relationships. On the blog you’ll find [conversations about missions trips](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/thumb-wars-and-mr-giggles-kenya-mission-trip-memories/), [first-person accounts about journeying with God](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/choosing-joy/), [details about events like 1Day](http://hobokengrace.com/blog/1day-is-in-2-days/) and much more. Those blog posts are collected each week into a newsletter that you can subscribe to at the bottom of [hobokengrace.com](http://hobokengrace.com). (Gmail users, make sure you remove us from your Promotions tab to ensure you receive the email each week.)

**2). Facebook:** We’re constantly updating our [Facebook page](https://www.facebook.com/hobokengrace), keeping you up-to-date on all events and celebrating all that God is doing in our community. We even feature a volunteer of the week! Did you know you can also subscribe to our events page? [Sign up](https://www.facebook.com/hobokengrace/events), and you’ll be the first to hear about everything we have going on.

**3). Twitter:** Looking for a way to supplement Sunday’s message with Bible passages and other relevant reading material? Follow us at [@hobokengrace](https://twitter.com/hobokengrace), where each day you’ll find quotes, interesting blogs and information about upcoming events.

**4). Instagram:** Did you know Hoboken Grace has an Instagram account, where we highlight the work of our incredibly talented photo team? Follow us at [@hobokengrace](https://instagram.com/hobokengrace/).

**5). YouTube:** Watch our [Weekly Update](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA35UzWJbgHAzeVWRf8zRrQ-WeHPrpnX5), [past messages](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA35UzWJbgHD-Ne7eP9FKLbv%5FZlTWgFil) and the [stories](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA35UzWJbgHARJv3dbdrJTa7TWTmF7gXV) of how other people have found their way back to God. You can find all of that [here](https://www.youtube.com/user/hobokengrace).


Five Ways To Get More Plugged In

This Fall we are launching 10 week dinner groups. These groups are specifically designed for people who are interested in experiencing a dinner group for the first time. If that sounds like you, and you’re interested in deepening your relationships at Hoboken Grace — give short-term dinner groups a try. The new groups will be available to sign up for beginning this Sunday, September 13th! We will have four new couples groups, three new women’s groups and two new men’s groups.

The new dinner groups will then start meeting on Sept 20th. You can sign up this Sunday at a Connection Point!


Short Term Dinner Group Launch

As a teacher in Grace Kids, I’m always mentally juggling all the big and small things I want kids to learn. We have our monthly themes, our monthly bible verses and our bottom lines. But the Sunday school lessons are just part of what the kids are learning. We are also working to teach them the life lessons that God has shown us.

Two years ago, our staff went on a retreat to Algonquin Park, Canada. I’m not really sure that “retreat” accurately depicts the trip. While there was some relaxation, group discussion, laughter and contemplation, we spent most of our time in canoes, paddling hard, digging deep for strength and trying to reach our next campsite without tipping over, killing each other or quitting.

It was an extremely challenging trip for me. I was in the middle of a massive lake that covered as far as I could see with no way out for six days. I was pushed to my mental, spiritual and physical limits. If you know me, you know I’m competitive and quitting is not an option. So, when I was asked to carry a 50 lb canoe on my shoulders, along with my 40 lb backpack, across a mile of uneven ground, after rowing for four hours and still having three more hours to go, I did it. When I was at my lowest point, mentally and physically drained, and I was out voted by the team to keep going and not rest, I did it. When it was my day to lead and I knew that any mistake could add hours to the day, I did it. I never quit.

Even though I refused to give up, I realized that my attitude was holding me back, not my ability to complete a task. I was angry, sad and entitled. My attitude said, “I hate you for making me do this, but I’m going to show you and do it, so there!”

I didn’t think I had a choice about how I felt. I just followed my emotions. However, what I learned on that trip to the middle of nowhere Canada, was that I have the power to choose joy in every situation. It felt completely and utterly impossible to choose joy in the midst of tears, frustration, loneliness, anger and pain. But once I started to practice choosing joy, it got a little easier each time. Once I chose joy, my emotions would soon follow and that was then reflected in my attitude. I believe that this is how God wants me to respond to life. Not only to choose him daily but to choose joy in the midst of the unknown and in the middle of struggle. It just makes life better!

To me, this lesson is priceless. I use it every day and it makes life better. I wish I had started practicing this earlier in life, but my hope now is that I can share this bit of wisdom in Grace Kids! I want to help the kids practice choosing joy in order to build character. We don’t have to be slaves to our emotions. We have a choice. We always have the freedom to choose how to respond to life, even when we are stuck in a canoe.


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