First Day

So yesterday was our first day.

And it was absolutely

incredible.

God worked in amazing and crazy ways.

Like for real.

Let me tell you all about it.

The day started out with our normal drive.

We have to drive about 30 minutes to get to the beach,

which really isn't that bad.

But we were driving,

and the entire time I was mentally preparing:

preparing for what was about to happen,

preparing for what God was going to to,

and preparing for how God was going to use us in the morning.

We got to the beach,

and we prayed before we headed out to talk to the lifeguards.

We were told that not much would really happen today.

Because they didn't know who we were,

we weren't sure if they would talk to us all that much.

But God was already at work.

Grace and I paired up and went one direction,

and MG, Courtney, and Erica went the other.

Grace and I got to talk to:

Cameron,

Hillary,

Audrey,

Melinda,

Nicole,

Brett/Taylor, (I can't remember his name....I think it's one of those, but I'm not sure)

Elise,

and

Kristen.

Each of them were friendly,

and we were able to talk to each of them for at least five minutes.

A few of them knew that we were working for LCM

and they knew that we offer free dinners for them.

And they were SO excited to see that we were back this summer!

They were all super excited about the popsicles that we gave them,

and they were all glad to have a break from just watching the beach.

Grace and I got to talk to Kristen the longest.

We carried on a conversation with her for like 30 minutes,

and she's a sweetheart.

She's from Canada,

and she loves to bike and have fun.

I am so excited to get to know these guards more as the summer goes on.

The other group met quite a few guards as well,

but I don't really remember their names.

I really only remember one:

Dakota.

Dakota is a Christian,

but he is really struggling in his faith right now.

He's surrounded by a lot of other guards who are not Christians

and who love to party.

He wants to learn more

and grow more in his faith,

but so far he has not found a church that offers night services.

Because of this,

we were thinking that we might want to start a worship service for lifeguards.

We're still praying about this though.

After the beach,

we went to Caligny Plaza,

where we'll be performing in two weeks.

We wanted to see what it looked like,

and we wanted to pray over it and over the people we'll be singing to.

It was a good time of prayer,

and a good time of preparation.

After we finished our lunch,

we went to Sandlewood Terrace Apartments

for our first Day camp (Backyard Bible Club)

of the summer.

And it was incredible.

Just incredible.

We got there and found out where we'd be working.

And then after we got our stuff in the community center,

we started going door to door telling the kids about the camp.

We ended up starting at 3.

And we played with them outside on the playground.

After that, we came inside

and had snack (which consisted of goldfish and fruit punch)

and started working on our craft for the day.

We made bracelets to remind them that we would be back the next Tuesday at 2.

After they finished making their bracelets,

we told them a Bible Story: David and Goliath.

We ended up acting it out.

Erica was David,

and Mary Grace was Goliath,

and I was the narrator.

It was a lot of fun,

and all the kids really enjoyed the story.

We were able to impart the truth to them.

All the kids were so sweet,

and I can't wait till next week to go back to them!

And that was the end of our first day of ministry.

It was amazing.

And I know that God is going to continue to do great things!

Today has been my day off....sorta.

I worked for Week of Champions this morning.

So I got to meet some former

Basketball Coaches and players,

which was cool.

But I mostly just passed out gatorade to the kids who needed it.

The rest of the day has been rather relaxing.

I'm still hoping to take a nap,

but I don't know if that's going to happen.

Maybe I'll just go to bed early...

Tomorrow we're working at Week of Champions in different areas.

And then after Week of Champions,

we're going to a different apartment complex,

where we'll get to do another Backyard Bible Club.

I'm really excited about that.

Friday we'll be back on the beaches

serving the lifeguards.

Excitement is building!

I love them so much!

And I just want to serve them!

Even if it's only by handing out popsicles!

God is moving and changing my heart and my life!

I wish I could fully explain it right now.

But I can't.

I don't even fully understand what He's showing me right now.

So I am just seeking after Him,

and I know one day I will understand.

Prayer Requests:

-the lifeguards- Cameron, Hillary, Audrey, Melinda, Nichole, Brett/Taylor, Elise, Kristen, and Dakota. Be praying that God would be working in their lives and that He would open doors for us to share the Gospel with them and that we would be able to build great relationships with them.

-the Day Camps- that God would use the one day we have with these kids to make a difference in their lives for eternity. that we would build great relationships with them. and that we would pour out as much love on them as possible.

-team unity- our team is becoming more unified day by day. but it is still something that needs to happen.

-guidance about a new worship service- we would be taking on the worship service ourselves, so that would be something extra we would have to do. BUT if it is what God wants us to do, then we will.

-the youth at North Island Baptist Church- there has not been any kind of youth program there for at least 3 months, and the kids are hurting. they need guidance and nourishment. and we're there to help them with that. but we need someone in the church to step up to the plate, so that when we leave, there will be someone to continue what is started this summer.

-our team- strength and endurance and energy. being out in the sun for long periods of time is rather draining. and we have a lot going on.

Thank you for your prayers!

Love to all!