strawberry tea

WOW! what a day! Today was so great. Let me start from the very beginning so I don't miss anything. This morning was the kids club and it really was great. The theme this week for the club is...ready for this?? The Olympics! I know. Very clever. We split the leaders up into teams: red, white, blue (think england colors not US.) The team with the most balls (aka points) in their bag at the end of the three days gets a prize. I'm on the white team and I'm very excited. We have a great team =)

We began the morning with a warm up. Yes, jogging, push-ups, lunges, the whole nine yards. I was not prepared for this. It was hilarious. The man leading the games is Jonny, he is one of the sons of our host home. We had a blast doing that. The story was next and it was about Gideon. Matt, our host dad, told the story about how Gideon trusted God and hid their torches under pots, smashed the pots, blew their horns and then watched the camp destroy itself. At the end of the story he tied it in by saying that Jesus is the light of world and He shines through all and we should too. Their craft was a mini olympic torch.

We ate lunch and then went for Strawberry Tea with the senior adults. They were precious! They had several craft stations set up. I learned to cross stitch, knit and I even painted! It actually turned out quite nice. A few of us ladies sang for them as well. It was a lot of fun, but more than that, God moved and spoke through the music. Rachel and I gave our testimonies. I spoke of how I was saved at a young age, but never matured spiritually and ran from God for a long time until He finally completely broke me and drew me right back to Him. I realized what a joy it was to live fully IN Christ and be in the center of His will. And that His will was for me to go wherever He sent me to preach the news of the Gospel. That there is nothing we can do to be saved, to be with God and get into heaven. It is the mercy and grace of the Lord, who died on the cross for our sins that picks us up out of the nasty, grimy sin we're in and sets us on solid rock, the Rock of Ages, our cornerstone. Rachel spoke of how she thought she was saved for a long time and realized on Good Friday that she was not IN Christ, and had to change that. So she surrendered to Him and all her burdens were lifted and she was saved, and now she has a burden to tell all about God. Several ladies came up to us afterward and thanked us for our testimonies. One lady commented to me about one of the songs we sang. "It is Well" was played at her son's funeral. He was diagnosed with lukemia at 18 and died at 19. She said the nurses always asked him why he was always smiling and he said it was because he knew God and knew where he was going when he died so he couldn't help but smile. When he died they played that song. Afterwards the ladies she worked with wanted to know why she wasn't wearing grey or black since she lost her son. She said she hadn't lost him, she knew exactly where he was and that it was because of God that she could trust and remain joyful. This story brought me to tears. She smiled the whole time she was telling it too because it was her testimony of God's faithfulness and sovereignty.

After Strawberry Tea we went to Betty's to eat, and then went to have a girls night of nails and chocolate fondue while the guys had their sport night with the men in the community. Apparently it went really well. Thank you for your prayers and thanks to God for the men He brought! There were about 30 or 40 from what I was told, which is great! I'll know more about that tomorrow.

I have a few prayer requests that are on my heart. First I ask that you continue to pray for the rest of this week. Pray for the speakers as they present the Gospel to children. Pray for the leaders as we interact with the kids. Pray for the kids too as they hear and see and learn. I also ask that you pray for one family in particular. I don't want to name names, but there's a family at the church with a child that has some anger and behavioral issues. She will be fine one minute, and the next a switch will just flip and she will be in a fit of anger. It isn't just a temper tantrum either. Pray for this child. Also please pray for the parents, particularly the mom. I can tell it's quite stressful and hurtful. When I saw it today, my heart ached for her. I could see the hurt in her eyes and it grabbed me. The last thing I want you to pray for is souls to be saved. Pray specifically for that. May God pierce the hearts of the people. Pray for salvation!!!

This is such a beautiful country. The people are so polite. It's not just being nice either. They are kind and love of God just radiates through them. I feel so at home. Don't worry I'm coming back...at least for a little while. Please don't underestimate the power of prayer, and please be faithful in praying for us. God is answering these prayers!

Till next blog!