Fight to be Free – the theme

We fight To Be Free ~   George Washington

First, I want to say thank you to those that sent a scripture for the class.  It was really cool how they really all tied together.

Eph. 6: 10-18 (Elaine Martin) Armor of God – fighting the fight against evil and darkness

Eph. 2:10 (David Tripple) Their lives matter, everything they do matters.  “For we are God’s masterpiece.” He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.”

These scriptures bring to mind SCA’s verse for the year…. “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take old of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12

Spending the day at Mount Vernon is inspirational and exhausting. What a statesman he was. His statement, “We fight to be free” in his war council talk with his officers is a lesson/sermon in itself. He was preparing for the famous crossing of the Delaware. He knew there were great risks but the greater risk was to not fight. I believe George Washington understood his life mattered. Everything he did mattered.  So his decisions, followed by his actions were carefully calculated and selfless.

We want these students to know, in their hearts – their lives matter. To do those good things we were created to do, we (I) will need to be equipped and understand there is a bigger picture than just us (me).  Their life decisions matter.  Their actions matter. G

• Okay… side note… the girls just knocked on my door (connecting door between our rooms) Oh My Word. I do have not words… we just laughed a lot!  I told them I would put that in the blog!  You’ll have to ask them. That’s all I’m going to say!

To be successful in living a life that matters … we need a relationship with our Creator God, his word, and that armor. We need to be willing and prepared to fight the good fight  in our day to day, in our relationships with each other, in our relationship with Almighty God.

Debrief:    A few thoughts from the students

“Being in Washington’s house, it inspires you to want to be like that to make a difference, to be someone others look up to.”

I am so grateful for those that helped me get here. This is a big deal to me. I never thought I would be here to see all of this.

Seeing the slave quarters and seeing all they dealt with and had to do. It makes me think about how they must have felt. What was it really like?

 

The students are having a great time. They are now believers that this is an extreme walking trip.

Tomorrow is the Holocaust Museum and Prayer Walking Embassy Row. At the Museum we will get to hear a Holocaust survivor speak. It is always an honor to experience this. Soon there will be no more survivors of the Holocaust. So we are excited to have this privilege. After that we will spend 3-4 hours in the museum.  It will be a big emotional day! Tomorrow will be very impacting!

Thank you for your prayers!

Mrs. g

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prayer … for all people … This is good and pleases God!

1 Timothy 2  1: 5     I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people

 

It’s been a long day and it’s only 9:34 ET… however the day started at the Bergstrom Airport at 5:30 am.  After depositing our luggage immediately at the hotel we headed straight to Congressman Carter’s office for a personal tour of the Capitol. It was fun to see Laura Vitolina’s artwork in the tunnel on the walk over to the Capitol Visitor Center.  It’s her second year to win and have her work displayed for a year.

The tour of the Capitol just never gets old.  All the history, the statues, the first Supreme Court Room and the first Senate Chambers.  Almost all the original furniture. Amazing! The Rotunda was full of scaffolding for all the repairs so the students did miss some beautiful artwork and architecture, but it was still amazing none the less.

We came back, changed, and had dinner then headed back to the National Mall to begin our prayer focus for the week.

Thomas Moye (former SCA student) joined us this evening. He was on SCA’s first D.C. trip 10 years ago. This trip inspired him to come back and do an internship here and now he lives and works here. He shared with the students about what the trip meant to him and the potential it has to change them forever if they will let it.   We prayed for our nation and for our week and then headed back to the hotel.

In 1 Timothy 2-5   it says, I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. ⁵ For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all people.

 

Pray for our team and your student. This trip is a very physical trip… and has the potential to really impact them in ways that are hard to explain, because it touches each one differently.  It’s about service, sacrifice, integrity, speaking up, speaking out, being informed, learning new things, and being challenged with everything they are experiencing.

I am praying that each student will realize, what they do … matters. And when they step out of their own world and see that they can make a difference for others, they will want to ‘say yes’ when God speaks to their heart about what is on his heart! Prayer … it is good … it is for ALL people and it pleases God! May we get that, this week.

 

Thank you for your prayers.  Keep them coming.  If you have a scripture or encouragement you want to share with the team in the evening debriefing, text or email me and I’ll share with the team.

(text is easier because I don’t have to wade through many daily emails – however, I will get an email … and please identify yourself if it’s your first time to text me )

glambert@summiteagles.org    email

5126587041   cell

 

We can make an Impact

Mrs g

Pray they will sleep … J      nite!

Trust in the Lord – Because … You can … Down to the sponges!

Trust in the Lord – Because … You can!

It is amazing to see what God was doing behind the scenes to have you in the right place at the right time, with the right things, to get the job done right!

We finished our housing projects early and Ron Reece (Hugo Lake Park Manager) really needed helping cleaning 10 cabins.  Long story short –

• From summer 2015 to December 2015 the lake flooded twice ( it’s a huge lake – so this is crazy)
• Cabins 11 – 20 were under 3 ft to 5 ft of water – one time for 45 days
• A team of 5 people have been renovating and are overwhelmed with the project
• They had to tear out the bottom 1/3 to 1/5 of the walls – the cabinets – the appliances
• They have a deadline of completion – April 22
• This week they were ready to start the cleaning behind the construction work
  • It took 12 of us 7 hours
    • Cleaning the windows inside and out
    • Cleaning and the floors
      • Sweeping
      • Scrubbing
      • Mopping
    • Cleaning the tub and the toilet (no words for this)
    • Cleaning the kitchen cabinets and the sinks
    • Cleaning and polishing the wood walks (cleaning the paint overspray/tile clean up

Needless to say, Ron and his team are further ahead than what they thought they would be.

Ron had shared with me that this had been such a difficult year for him. Ron has been challenged physically, mentally and spiritually with the floods and the stress of it all. He talked about how God had really stretched him this year.  When we finished we prayed for Ron and his team. That God would bless them, restore back to the Hugo Lake Park all the losses they incurred from the flooding and that they would finish ahead of time.

I thought of Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not into your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and He will direct your path.  I’m going to come back to this later in the blog.

After we finished up we headed BACK to the Doaksville ruins, with our lantern and our rope. We wanted to figure out just how deep those wells were.  I really don’t have words for the experience.  We laughed so hard.  Screamed so loud. Laughed some more.  Your student will have to share the story.

We headed to Los Compadres for our last evening meal together and then back for some ‘chill time’ before debrief.

This class has truly been a blessing to me. I have loved being with them and getting to know more about them. See how they have grown in their relationships with each other and God.  It is fun to just see how their personalities are developing.  Listening to them share what they loved about the trip, or what touched them.  Listening to them say kind things to each other.  Laughing together. For each one of them I felt like God had given me one word that described what I saw in them.  It was a moment I think I will treasure always because it just meant so much to be able to affirm the incredible qualities in each person on this team.  I challenged them to take Proverbs 3:5-6 to heart. God really can be trusted and he knows ahead of time what we will be going through, what we will need … Even down to the sponges. (you’ll have to ask them – if they remember what I said 😀 )

My leaders have been amazing – a big heartfelt shout out to them!

Shelby Hollier – student leader. I think she is amazing and makes my job easier. It’s been like having a mini me on the trip! No words.  Love her.

Sean Miller – Brandon Marks  –  I love these guys. They love serving the Lord. They love serving the kids. They love to laugh. They are scared of snakes!  LOL

We are leaving early in the morning.  We are ready to come home. (Good Friday and School’s Out)

We will load and leave by 5 am.

Depending on the traffic (we will not rush) we should be home between 11a – 12noon.

We’ll keep you updated – I’ll have the kids call or text you!

Thank you so much for allowing your student to come to Summit and to come to Oklahoma with me!

What an amazing time we’ve had!

We’ll see you tomorrow!

Isn’t it the BEST NEWS EVER ???  The tomb is empty –  Jesus is Alive!

 

See you soon!

Mrs. G  and her amazing 10^th grade team

 

 

Go & Do – Small but Mighty!

We finished the Lewis home insulation project today.  This class is small but mighty!

EVERYONE worked diligently!  As leaders we were so proud of them.  They never slacked and when they were done with their area/project, they came looking for something else to do!  The young man Brian, who we cleaned his property yesterday afternoon was so amazed how much the kids had done for him in only 3 hours.  What a blessing to BE a blessing!

We finished our just soon after lunch ,  then headed to the Mt. Olivet Cemetery.  Now, I know that might sound weird, but it is actually a tourist stop. There are three circuses that ‘winter’ here in Hugo, so there is a special section in the cemetery for their loved ones that have passed away. It is something else. Also there are other famous people that are buried there. Freckles Brown and Lane Frost (rodeo bronc riders) The original Marlboro Man (has his headstone ready – he lives in Hugo)  The first Buster Brown.

After that we were able to have some nice ‘chill – down time’ before we rehearsed one more time for our Wednesday ministry with the kids at New Life Church in Boswell, Oklahoma. We had a fun time and the team really did a great job! Getting to visit with these children and knowing that many of them live in very difficult situations made our time with them so precious. God was entrusting to us, the opportunity to encourage, speak life and share the gospel with these little ones that are so precious to him. We gave the Easter message through games and skits and interactive story telling. Then many of the children responded to the invitation at the end to want to trust and believe in Jesus. Very sweet time.

We put together Easter fun bags for each child (wrist slap band, ball, stickers, gospel track, snack and a rubber wrist band) Each child also got ‘The Beginner’s Bible Easter Story Book’.  They were so appreciative.

New Life Church feels God has called them to minister to these ‘at risk’ children in their small town of Boswell. Most of them do not have a hot meal in the evening. So New Life brings them in, gives them a time of fellowship, good food and the gospel message – God’s Love For Them.

We prayed with Pastor Rick and the ladies that run Wednesday night and headed back to ‘home base’.

In debrief many shared how much they enjoyed finishing the insulation. They just felt so comfortable and confident.  They did an incredible job. For this young mom, we did in two – half days, what would take her over a week to do. They loved the ministry time tonight and the time of fellowshipping with the kids while they did the Easter cross craft.  Watching the little ones be so excited about the hot meal that had been prepared for them… just got me. I have the ability to choose every evening – a hot meal? Take out? Go out to eat?  These little ones look forward to that once a week, guaranteed hot meal.

Please pray for Pastor Rick and his family AND his church family as they carry out this ministry of love to these children in Boswell!  Pray that they will continue to have the resources to feed and minister to these children. Pray that the children will hear and RECEIVE the message of hope and eternal life!

Tomorrow we will work here at the park.  They got significant flood damage this past year. I love it when we are able to help out here at the park. These people here have become friends of Summit!

Until tomorrow!

Mrs. G

 

 

Another Great Day in Oklahoma!

Today was another great day.

We traveled to Antler, Oklahoma and began the day cleaning the project sight and then started insulating a home.  After lunch we headed about 5 miles down the road and cleaned another project sight.  There might be rain tomorrow, which would make it impossible to be able to do the massive clean up after the sheet rock, shingles, paint, and brick contractors had all come. Brian’s (homeowner) property was a mess.  Our team moved 2 partial and 1 full pallet of bricks to another spot in the yard.  The trash pick up included 5,000 pieces of brick (okay, maybe not that many but at least 4, 976 pieces)

Our kids ROCKED IT!  They worked so well together today. As leaders, we are so proud of them. We are a small but mighty team here in Oklahoma! And the neighborhood dog, “Impact” (that’s what Will named him) hung out with us and got much lovin’ today !

We came back to the cabin in the afternoon and rehearsed and rehearsed for tomorrow night! After dinner we headed into Hugo and had desert at Braum’s!  Just sayin’! We came back and had another great rehearsal  a fun time of debriefing. We then talked about Galatians 5:22-26.  I challenged the team to make a list of the fruits of the spirit… out to the side of each one, write is it a strength or a weakness to them.  Then if we are really brave, ask a friend … do you see me the same way? Then, we are to spend time in prayer asking the Holy Spirit to help us to desire to grow in love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  It’s a big list.  I for one need the Holy Spirit’s nudging to react in kindness, to have self-control, to walk in the joy of the Lord … you see where I’m going with this.

We spent time in prayer for the children we are going to have the honor of being with tomorrow night. We finished the evening packing 65+ bags to hand out tomorrow night!

Please pray for our ministry time tomorrow night.  Pray that the children will enjoy the fun songs and skits. Pray that they will listen and their hearts will be open to receive the truth when we tell the Easter story and when we share the plan of salvation.  Many of these children do not hear words of encouragement. In fact, the meal that we share with them tomorrow night will be the only hot meal they will have for dinner all week! These children need to experience God’s love and acceptance. How awesome that we get to partner with God to share His great love with them.

It’s been a GREAT day!  Talk to you tomorrow!

Be blessed and highly flavored …. You ARE the salt of the earth!

Mrs. G

Indian ruins … Kum ba ya … S’mores … Mark 10:44-45

Indian ruins … Kum ba ya … S’mores … Mark 10:44-45

It has already been a great trip! We arrived at Hugo Lake State Park 4:20pm,  got settled in and then instead of doing our regular ‘Walmart’ trip we turned left, drove to Townsen and visited Doaksville.  At first I think the kids thought “what are we doing, walking through a cemetery, over a wall and down a gravel path?”  But soon we were laughing and experiencing a great journey/memory together…. We’re going back with more flashlights and a better plan for finding out what is at the bottom of the well …. In the water … moving!

We got our groceries at the Hugo Walmart and Mr. Miller started up the fire pit. While it was getting hot, we talked through our Wednesday night ministry time. We roasted hot dogs and then ended dinner with s’mores! It Was Great fun. (We did have a little Kum ba ya time as well) Then we laughed and grew closer as a team just sharing funny stories.

Our campfire devotional was about the story of the two brothers in the book of Mark chapter 10, James and John.  They wanted places of recognition by Jesus in glory.  Their hearts weren’t after the right thing.  Even Jesus did not come to be served but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.  Verse 44 says, “Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.”

Service doesn’t always equal a servant’s heart.  That is what God desires from us, a heart that desires to serve without recognition, but serves from the sheer joy of serving God by serving others.

Tomorrow we will have the opportunity to serve each other, Little Dixie, and the homeowner. What a great opportunity God has placed before us.

Thank you for allowing your student to come to Oklahoma. It is going to be a great trip!

Please pray for our service opportunity tomorrow:

That we will be a blessing to each other and to those we work for and meet

Pray for safety in travel and in our work

Pray for our practice times for our Wednesday night Easter service

Pray that this class grows closer in their relationship with Christ and each other

 

Bless you  – Until tomorrow

Serving Him Together

Mrs. G

 

 

Epic!

I don’t think there are words adequate for today.  I’m going to try!

Ambitious, adventure, challenging, messy, fun, crazy, sweet, moving, inspiring, AMAZING, yummy, heartbreaking, blessed, yummy again, impressive, divine moments, EPIC!

We started the morning with our devotional and then each student received a piece of paper with another team member’s name on it.  Their job was to take note of that person and tonight, bless them by telling them what they see in them and giving them a scripture.  It is a very encouraging time.

We went back to the Loving Hearts ministry to finish painting the last office floor. We were also asked to work in the food pantry, clean out a storage area and the clothes closet area.  The people that are running the food pantry are small in number so many chores were just not getting done and the areas needed help.

We began the task and quickly realized … we needed rubber gloves and masks. I like to take great precaution when cleaning the ‘unknown’.  Soon we began to realize, they had might need an exterminator. A group of our kids were cautious and carefully were removing the items.  Long story short – if you’ve ever seen The Princess Bride, ROUS showed up…. Screaming, running, laughing, more screaming! The ROUS’s left the building…  we threw many things away that were inviting unwelcomed guests.  Needless to say, we have relived the moment over and over all day and it was a good part of debriefing tonight! To put your mind at ease, I have a process that they all went through when we finished! Actually what previous classes have experienced from gutting houses after Katrina was much worse … however … today was EPIC!   I am sure you will hear the story – it has many versions… !

Another great lunch provided by Brenda who was so blessed by the kindness of our students.

After lunch we came back and very quickly finished up our prep for the Kids Club.  Usually we have a few hours to finalize and practice but today we had about 45 minutes.  But God showed up, and it was amazing ministry.

Even from the testimony of YWAM workers, no one can get the kids to be calm and quiet when it comes time for the Kids Club ministry. Last week through prayer God gave us the idea of using these foam bracelets. We put them on the children and told them, as long as you follow all the directions and be respectful we have a prize for you at the end.  It really was amazing.

Two of the YWAM workers told me, “I have never seen the kids be quiet and listen and respond like that” “I had to fight crying:”  In the 9 years I’ve come, it has never been like this.  The Holy Spirit showed up. All our kids were involved and were amazing!   Amber, Bailey and Nickoli gave testimonies of God’s faithfulness and that He has a purpose for each of us and that we can have hope that He will be faithful to it.  Our scripture was Psalm 147:11 The Lord takes delight in those who have respect for him, they put their hope in his faithful love.  After each testimony we prayed for the kids who had things in their life that were similar to the testimony. You want your heart to be full?  See your students sitting on the grass with precious little ones surrounding them, sharing with them and praying with them.  Yeah … that’s what it is all about!

Oh and by the way … the kids were even very orderly getting in line for their prize!

Dinner was New Orleans Seafood and Hamburgers, one last meal with Steve and Bronwen. Then back to the base house for our final debrief and blessing time. Then the final clean up.

We are all packed up ready to load up in the morning. I don’t rush the final debrief because they each have so much to share.

It’s been a great trip.  We have mixed emotions.  Many want to stay one more day. (me included) Others want to stay and go home to their bed. (oh yes)

We will leave about 6:30 in the morning. We should arrive back at the campus between 4 – 6. This depends on our stops and the traffic.  We will stay in touch with the office who will keep you updated with Iris alerts.

 

Thank you so much for allowing your student to come on this trip!  If it weren’t so late, I would write about each student.  My heart is full and I am so proud of these young men and women. They are so uniquely different yet I believe they want to be one in spirit – to Impact their World for Christ!

 

 

Never Give Up!

 

Never Give Up!

We’ve had an amazing day today! We started our day with Mark 12:29-31

Am I a friend or frenemy?  Do I speak words of life or am I a whisperer that separates close friends? Proverbs 16:28

As a homeroom teacher I have the privilege of greeting your child every school morning. I am enjoying getting to know each student. Homeroom is 10 minutes long and it’s just not enough time for me.  I feel like we just get going and then it’s time to send them off for the day. Many times our topic for the morning is on relationships. How are we watching out for one another? Are we encouraging one another?  Are we looking for the best is each other?  We have gotten many compliments on how kind the students are, especially to each other and how well behaved they are… Nice!

After our morning worship time and devotional we headed to YWAM’s Pregnancy Care Center. We have been going there many times to prayer walk. The Center is next door to an abortion clinic.  Bronwen is one of the volunteer workers and helps work the 24 hour hotline.  We have always just prayed, standing/walking on the sidewalk or on the property of the YWAM Care Center, asking God to intervene. We have prayed:

God please save the moms and the babies

God give YWAM the resources they need to help those in a crisis

God send the volunteers needed to run a 24 hour hotline

God please shut down the abortion clinic

 

Today, every one of those prayers has been answered.  As I talked to Bronwen one last time this past  Friday morning she said, “Ginger, listen to this good news! The Causeway Medical Clinic lost their license, this week. They can no longer open to take in clients and they cannot open another clinic someplace else. They LOST their license”.  It’s over for them. The Clinic had been open for 40 years.  YWAM has been praying for 30. Summit students have been praying for 9 years.  This class got to witness the fruit of all of those prayers.  I was overwhelmed. We all were overwhelmed.

How many times have Summit students and others stood on the Center’s side of a 9 foot fence praying for God to intervene? I believed God could do it but I did not think I would ever get to personally see it happen.

Today we stood in the empty parking lot and sang a worship song that was so fitting.

“THIS IS AMAZING GRACE”

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness

Whose love is mighty and so much stronger

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

 

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder

And leaves us breathless in awe and wonder

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

 

This is amazing grace

This is unfailing love

That You would take my place

That You would bear my cross

You lay down Your life

That I would be set free

Oh, Jesus, I sing for

All that You’ve done for me

 

Who brings our chaos back into order

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter

The King of Glory, the King of Glory

Who rules the nations with truth and justice

Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance

The King of Glory, the King above all kings

 

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grace

 

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grace

 

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy is the King who conquered the grace

 

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain

Worthy, worthy, worthy

 

 

We went to the 9^th Ward to see where much of the devastation of Katrina had happened.  They were working on the bridge over the causeway and one bridge shut down so we had to take a ‘back way’ and ride a ferry we’ve never ridden before.  The traffic jam caused us to miss our afternoon ministry. HOWEVER, God had another plan.  I do love it when students get to see God work like this.

We went to lunch at Chick-filet and the manager there loved our kids and wanted to know who we were and what we were doing.  Long story short, she used to work with YWAM and has also worked with the Fisher project kids like we are going to do tomorrow.  She had also adopted a young man from there and is now a grandmother. She thanked us and told us, those kids need love, they need Jesus. Thank you for coming here. Thank you for serving us. Thank you for going to those kids tomorrow and loving on them. You don’t understand just how much they need it. She was pretty weepy. It confirmed how important tomorrow afternoon is, but it also helped the team realize, this really is important. Important enough to change our schedule today even down to where we would eat lunch so he could let us know.  “You are going to love on my children.” “What you are doing is very important. Do not take it lightly!”

 

I have three students that are willing to share tomorrow.  Please pray for them.  As they sat with me tonight sharing what they felt that had to share, we all four wept! This crowd of children we will be with tomorrow can be intimidating.  Please pray for peace, courage and clear thoughts.

The three testimonies are:  Amber, Bailey & Nickoli

As they each shared they were amazed at what they didn’t know about each other. Isn’t that the case many times?  We think we know all about a person and then they share a part of their life testimony and we are like … whaaaat?  That’s amazing!

Please pray for the boys and girls that will be coming tomorrow afternoon. Pray that we can share the hope we have in Christ, and that the boys and girls will go home tomorrow night understanding that God has a plan for each one of them.  They can trust God with their lives!

Tomorrow morning we will head back to the church. Paint some more concrete and organize the storage room and serve in the food pantry. Then after school lets out we will head to the Fisher kids and play and share God’s word!

Thank you for your prayers …  Be encouraged … We are … And … Never Give Up!

Mrs. G

 

 

We Need To Find A Way To Listen

We Need To Find A Way To Listen
I have a question for you. Think through your life and recall that one person that made such a difference in your life that after meeting him/her, watching him/her and following him/her you will never be the same.

That is Steve Niles! As Steve just walk the streets of the French Quarter and gives a history lesson you are also schooled in the art of caring, listening and sharing. The ease at which he lives his ‘love story with Jesus’ out in front of you compels you to want to follow in his steps. As we learn a brief lesson about one of Louisiana’s governors, followed by the horrific landmark where slaves were auctioned off, we turn the corner and there’s a homeless man and woman. The man has his guitar in his lap sitting on the dirty sidewalk with his case open hoping for small change to find its way into it. Steve stops, asks him how he’s doing and would he sing these kids from Texas a song.  The man does, it grabs your heart at the passion at which he performs for us.  A few from the team drop change and dollar bills into the case.  Then Steve does what Steve does best. He asks, “Can these kids pray for you?”  “Yes.”  Four of our students gather around and bless him. The woman refuses prayer and that’s okay, we can still pray for her later. It was simple, yet it profoundly touched your student’s hearts.

Debriefing – when we sit in a large circle and EVERYONE shares their thoughts about the day. Each student shares what fun thing happened and what impacted them and why. It is a powerful time.

Tonight as we debriefed the past two days, about half the students mentioned Steve and the homeless guy!  (Steve – Director of YWAM New Orleans) The one statement that sums up all of them that spoke about it is this, “How many people around us are in need?  We walk by and ignore them and we miss their life story. We need to find a way to listen”.

Yes … yes we do!

This is what these trips are about …

Being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Being challenged by simple gestures of love straight from our Father God’s heart.

Being inspired by each other’s testimony of what God showed them

Here’s another statement by one of our students:

When Steve walked up to the man and asked him how was his day  and could he sing for us, it reminded me of when Jesus walked up to the woman at the well. He asked her a normal question. That’s what Steve did. I realized, you can do that every day once you are connecting to the gospel.

We are reading through Romans 12. Asking God to show us those areas of our live that we haven’t totally given to him.  Pray for your student to allow the Holy Spirit to show them where he wants them to grow. Pray they will be encouraged in those areas where they are really doing well. Pray that we will desire to be more like Jesus. Pray that each of these students will encourage their fellow students to authentically live their faith … unashamed.

Our work this morning at the Church/Feeding Center was great.

We painted the concrete floors of 2 offices and a couple of our students helped with handing out food to those that survive because of this ministry.  Those that worked in the offices did more than paint.  We removed desks, filing cabinets, MANY knick knacks, equipment, etc. etc. before we could clean the floors to paint them.  These kids ROCKED it.

After we had a FANTASTIC lunch prepared by precious ‘Brenda’ we headed down to do a little French Market shopping.

Miss Swanson and I headed to the airport to pick up a surprise package. Kalan was able to join us and the kids were so excited to see him.

Tomorrow morning we will go to the Pregnancy Care Center and pray over it.  It is the center run by YWAM to give moms and at risk babies hope for their future.  We might have time to go to the 9^th Ward and where the major devastation was from Katrina.  After lunch we will head to the nursing home and sing and visit.

Pray for our day tomorrow. I always want the students to understand that each thing on our itinerary deserves our best because we are here ‘on mission’.   Pray we will find a way to listen tomorrow and that God will give us words of encouragement to the men and women in the nursing home. (workers included)

I wanna be like Jesus … and Steve

Mrs. G