Oh my, we can't believe Day 3 is over and we only have 1 more day on the work site. I've head a lot of "I don't want to go home yet" and "Can we please stay?" The students' hearts are becoming wrapped up in the lives of those they're spending time with.
The church site was busy as usual and God was speaking loud and clear. We spent the morning running VBS while some of the guys started laying cement. We took an early lunch thinking we could get about 2.5 hours of solid work in the afternoon, but God had other plans. We finished lunch, the guys started to look at their materials and realized they were running out of everything. The girls started to paint the outside of the church when they were told "Stop! This is the wrong color!" It was then determined they had no paint that was the right color. So everything was put on halt and we went to Plan B ... and plan B is always "Spend time with kids!" In those moments, our students got to sing praise and worship with the kids and it became a very sacred moment ... a thin place ... and a little piece of Heaven.
All Saints team had a very adventurous and blessed day. They were all part of filming a movie that was written by an ASC resident 10-year old named Daniel (the one they paid for summer camp). They had an absolute blast filming and filming will continue tomorrow. Students also spent a lot of time today with Arthur singing hymns. Arthur is in the picture of all the girls below. He is in a wheelchair, loves to talk about sports, music, and how much he loves Jesus. And he has an amazing voice that he uses with all his might ... another slice of Heaven. Some students also got to spend a little but of time with Miss Moxie. They had a dance party, read Scripture together, and Miss Moxie gave the girls some good dating advice. Also, the team sat with Feliicia and discovered she's a Cleveland Browns fan ... and after some heavy trash talking, they sat down and prayed for Haiti because she saw on the news a hurricane could potentially hit. As they left they shouted "Go Steelers!!!" :)
Our evening was fantastic because we did "MAIL CALL!!!" They loved reading their letters and walked away with a heck of a lot of encouragement! And our evening program was led by Pastor Bazille (one of the worksites' Pastors) and some of their church family. They sang a couple songs (absolutely beautiful!) and then Pastor Baz shared the gospel with our kids. It was a good night with a late bedtime (pray for tomorrow ... haha!)
A couple things:
- Shirley and Matt: Bethany and Sarah were so glad to hear about grandpa!!! We read it to them as soon as we got it! I meant to write that yesterday.
- John G. - got your letter for your son and he was grateful ... thank you!
- Stacie & Steph: the boys opened up your letters today and put their bracelets on automatically. :)
- Jan: Peter won the Conch Challenge with a wicked game of Musical Chairs ... it was epic.
- currently Brad has his guitar outside and pretty much all the campers are outside singing How He Loves Us ... ANOTHER slice of Heaven :)
We love you all. We miss you. We're tired. One more day of energy needed. Our God is good.
~L
Bethany,
ReplyDeleteSo good to see your smiling face with Miss Moxie and Arthur. What an amazing opportunity for you! Can't wait to hear about your dance party with Miss Moxie and about her advice to all of you girls! We'll be praying for you and all of your team members, that you will rest well tonight and that God will give you the stamina and all that you need to complete the work He has called you to do. We love you and miss you! Mom, Dad, Daniel & Joel
To see the smiles of joy that you have put on the faces of those who you are there to serve is worth more than a thousand words. And I can see that you guys truly are making a HUGE difference in their lives. It is such a beautiful sight.
ReplyDeleteOnce again, Leanne, you put a smile on my face with the update. I can hardly believe how much you all have accomplished in three days! It's amazing! I love you all oodles and can't wait to see you Sunday!
-Stace
....Honey, can you refresh my umbrella drink....a few more ice-cubes this time please.....Oh hi kids!
ReplyDelete"Baseball is 90% mental and the other half is physical"- Yogi Bera
"The mind is its own place and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven."-John Milton
"Thoughts lead on to purposes; purposes go forth in actions; actions form habits; habits decide character; and character fixes our destiny."-Tyron Edwards
What these rookies were really trying to say is what Paul already said in Phil. 4:8 look it up.
....Muffy, is the blender almost done frappaying.....I'm parched. PEACE. Mark Wrigley
I will live to carry your compassion
ReplyDeleteto love a world that's broken
to be your hands and feet
I will give
with the life that I've been given
and go beyond religion
to see the world be changed
by the Power of Your Name (refrain from 'The Power of Your Name,' Lincoln Brewster)
You have passionately lived out the words to this song . . . The Power of His Name has totally equipped you and will enable you to complete your work tomorrow and then finally say good-bye. The Power of His Name remains with you always to do whatever He calls you to do. Never lose sight of that!!!
YOU ARE AWESOME!!! And we can't wait to hear more about the incredible work you have done for His Name's sake!!!!
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the deleted comments...Blogspot was having an issue for a couple minutes.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, Day three sounded amazing! It appears God did some truly powerful things through the students and the people of Nassau. I love how God just takes plans and throws them out the window, showing us what truly needs to be accomplished in His name. I'm so thankful that lives were touched today and God's love was shown among all. May the fourth day bring the same blessings.
Our hearts are overwhelmed when looking at the pictures and reading the comments. LeAnne you do a wonderful job writing the blog!
ReplyDeleteHere is a promise from Isaiah 58: 10-11 for every member of the team:
" If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness and your night will become like the noonday. The Lord will guide you always; He will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. What a great promise! Claim it!
Bethany and Sarah - We will have our signs ready for you at the airport:) We miss you lots!
All our love and prayers..Matt and Shirley
Thanks to the leaders and students for representing us so well on the mission field."How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!"
ReplyDeleteI have a ridiculous quiz for Steph and anyone else. Find the movie quote that doesn't belong with the rest.
1. I have a brilliant beyond brilliant idea.
2. You're nervous? An 11 year old is cutting my hair.
3. T-H-E-M, Them. Get the picture?
4.Oof, Ice woman! Proud of it babe!
5.Who would have thought? My nanny, your butler.
6. Who are you, Robert DeNiro? Yes I'm talking to you.
7.You're good James, but not good enough. In your honor, a royal flush.
8. Leave the gun. Take the cannoli.
Can't wait to see you at the airport.
Love- Phil and Bridget
Hi Jamie,
ReplyDeleteWE LOVE YOU!!! We are all missing you a ton today, but we are so proud of you and the work you are doing in Nassau. We love your heart for the students you work with, the people you meet on a regular basis, and those around the world! I know it's hard to be away from us for a little bit, but the example you set for Brandon and Rebecca (and me) in your ministry and service is so awesome. We can't wait to see you Saturday! We will continue praying for everyone there to have energy to finish up strong and for your safety and health! Love you lots!
Michelle, Brandon, and Rebecca :)
Hi Julia,
ReplyDeleteDoin' VBS without props, eh? Looks like all those other babysitting "adventures" will come in handy after all!
Grandma Stone was discharged from the hospital this morning, staying with us now, planning on driving home tomorrow. Her recovery is going pretty well. God is good!
Looking forward to seeing you soon! Praying for you and all the team.
Nathan & Kathy