Grace Gathering Trip Blog

Thursday July 29

Today we began our day with recounting in story form the experience of Christ when betrayed and handed over. We listened intently as the story narrated a brutal yet beautiful picture of a man (God in flesh) as He so selflessly gave Himself up unto death, that we may live. You could have heard a pin drop. The team took time to reflect on God's goodness, love and power. To BE before their King to thank Him and worship Him, to confess and seek His transforming power.

We later took off to Warfield Ky, across the river, to do a free carwash...many were surprised..for real, you don't want a donation? No, we are just giving out free car washes. One team member even took time to stop and pray w/one of the people who stopped by.

We had our last day of camp and it was extremely hard to say goodbye. The MIME team performed the song they had been learning all week, Taylor read the account of Jesus to the cross and then we broke up in small groups..most one on one w/campers to recount the Salvation message using 'silly bands' detailing all the colors that represent Christ blood, sin and more. Many were praying and encouraged. One young man said when he gets home he is going to be baptized by his choosing and is rededicating his life to Christ. The real deal is that he accepted Christ as a child and now is choosing to own his faith as his own, not his families and he is seeking prayer from one of our team members who has pursued him and loved him. Please join us all in praying for him and the others of this community.

Tonight was - I am just not sure I have the right words for it - a very sweet, precious time of worship and prayer! The team laid themselves down, approached the throne and spent time praising God...not asking for anything...just praising Him. We had a time of singing praises and took communion together and prayed some more! One young man remained on his knees w/his face on the ground in prayer for nearly an hour - praise be the Lord! This week God has become so much more real to this team...He is lavishing on us and I can't wait for you to hear from your children how sweetly He has met them here.

We don't just want this to be 'an experience' but a life change, they are determined, excited and perhaps a bit nervous about how that will look in their lives when they return home to the comfortable surroundings and the 'normal' things they are used to doing. The distractions that come w/every day activities, TV, video games, music...here most of that has been taken away. I encourage you all to make your homes a place where they can and you can, stop and make time to just BE with the Father!

I am not sure if I will be able to update tomorrow or the weekend as we are planning on taking off this afternoon for our whitewater rafting adventure. But as soon as I am able I will share as I can. I will be posting notes from the team so be sure to check back; even if it is after we are home!

Thanks for your prayers - it is such a blessing to be a part of the body of Christ. It has been amazing to be a part of this team...they are no longer the same..to God be the glory and praise!!

Continue reading...

Monday July 27

Today's devotion (Know Fear) defined fear Biblically. The team was out having their quiet time for an hour today and then in small groups for a short time to talk through some of what they were learning.

Yesterday I asked the team to come see me and let me know if they would be willing to share their testimony. I know they all are and if I asked them, they would agree, but I wanted to give them an opportunity to step out and do it on their own. Several did, one particular person came up and fearfully asked if she could give her testimony...I said yes of course. Well she did today during teen camp. Her testimony not only spoke to us, but deeply spoke to the teens living here, as she tearfully recounted her life story and God's saving grace in her life. The testimonies have been some of the most powerful I have encountered in youth ministry, but to have so many examples of God's rescuing is such big ways those who have rejected Him is an amazing thing for such a small group. Another testified to being so consumed w/how she looked and wanting people to like her that she was not walking in the Lord. She attended a camp where the Lord met her in a big way and major changes are taking place in her life as she seeks Him first and desires to please Him. We are witnessing as a team how God has transformed her heart even in the past few weeks!!

Teen camp had 17 kids today and it was full of energy and excitement and joy as our team of students jumped in and led clinics ( MIME, crocheting, crafts & sports) All but one of our clinics are student led. By the end of the first day of camp, new friendships are being formed and there were lots of hugs and lots of laughter!!

In our time tonight..the energy was quite high and the Spirit of the Lord was powerful in this place! God is meeting us all in such a precious way this week and it is only Monday!!! Each team member has an Encouragement Book w/their name on it. I ask the team to go before the Lord and pray - asking the Holy Spirit to lead them in prayer for the person whose Encouragement Book I had given them (in a way that they couldn't see or know whose book it was). They silently went to God in prayer and then began to write and write and write! I then collected the books and handed them to the person they belonged to. We each read our prayers and then we watched as God became more alive to so many of them! So many said they were amazed because what that person prayed was exactly what they were struggling with, seeking prayer themselves in, needed encouragement in etc. One said "it was like they knew my heart"...OH how I LOVE teachable moments like these!! They were reminded that God is so intimately involved in their lives that someone who doesn't know who you are can be led by the Spirit of God to pray and intercede for you in big and beautiful ways! It was a chance to stop and listen to the Lord...we are so quick to just do it ourselves instead of waiting on the voice of God. When we revealed who wrote in whose book it was a joyous time, filled w/laughter, tears and lots of conversation and thank you's! God using His people to speak truth, encourage and spur us on in this journey together! So full of love, so full of grace! All of things to the glory of God! What must tomorrow bring? Who knows but God? But this humbled woman is blessed beyond measure to be in this place at this moment and be grateful and full of praises for our Heavenly Father who is over & in ALL things!!

Tuesday July 27

WOW! I have never experienced a team so hungry for God's Word and teachings! They want more time to be alone w/God and are loving each moment of it! Today we covered the Fear of Man and it hit home in a big way w/this team! Idols were recognized and confessed and laid down today! Have you thought lately about what it might be that would stand in the way...divide your heart from God's? What idols do have that need to be confessed and laid down?

We had a few less campers today, but boy did this team love on the ones who came! The team turned our lesson into a skit and made it work very well! The smiles can be seen all over camp as they love on each camper! All are being so mindful to make sure that no one is left out. The love truly just oozes out of these young people. I am most impressed by there willing hearts, really, to do absolutely anything, including sharing their testimonies. Before this trip is over, every single team member will have shared their story!

Tonight was prayer meeting at Jenny's Creek and again we had a couple share testimonies and one share scripture. Jacob chose Ephesians 6:10 The Full Armor of God and shared why this was a special verse to him. Following him was Pastor Reeves, who said, he did not know this, but that very verse was the one Pastor had prepared his message on - both (as well as all of us) were richly blessed to see God's hand in the preparation of what He wanted us to learn together on that day! Two of our girls shared their testimonies - they shared of the huge sufferings in their lives and how God not only saw them through, but how they knew He was there in it and how He has been molding them since! One was not going to share many details about her story, but it was obvious that the Spirit was moving in her...we watched as she, trembling and afraid, spoke w/clarity and confidence as she shared what God was doing in her life. Afterwards I asked her why she decided after all to share the 'details'...her simple answer.."because I knew that is what God wanted me to do...so I did!" Praise the Lord! Can we all learn from this young woman's example!!

Our time in Debriefing tonight was so rich and so intimate! We shared, encouraged and praised God for what all took place today . I then had them close their eyes (so as to not be distracted) and read them 'The Father's Love Letter'...this is a beautiful compilation of God's Word and only His Word taken from various parts of the Bible and put into the form of a letter..it is truly a love letter from God, our Father, to His child. They listened so intently and we were all so deeply moved for the great love of our Heavenly Father. We joined in dancing and singing God's praises and ended our evening w/a beautiful song called "Lead Me to the Cross"...the student's all wanted to gather together for this time, so right away, they all got in a circle, arms wrapped around each other and we sang together a pray to our Father to lead us to the cross. Our desire is to glorify and magnify our King as we lay our lives down for Him!

West Virginia 2010
Grace Gathering Team

Saturday July 24

Our team set out on our way to WV. We were packed to the rim; having 3 vehicles with 16 people, all our luggage, snacks, water and ministry supplies! We got it all it!! :) The trip went quite smooth, we made good time to our first stop (lunch) at about the half way point. The temperatures were rising as we went. The air conditioning in one of the vehicles just could not keep up w/the heat, so the passengers began to put down their windows just to get some relief from the sweltering heat. At least this way they had some wind blowing. Along the way we saw an oversized load trailer that had a flat tire pulled off the road. Because of the prompting from the Holy Spirit we were able to stop back by and give them a couple of bottles of water. Two of our guys ran it to them and was able to talk w/them for a few minutes.

We arrived in Kermit to eat dinner before going to the church. When the students from the 'hot vehicle' got out, there faces were flushed from the heat and they were visibly tired....no complaining! I found out later that not only did they not complain, but they would trade seats at each stop in order to make each other more comfortable ( the back was the hottest and most cramped area). I thought to myself ...if they begin this trip w/that kind of attitude and selflessness...wow...I can't wait to see what this week brings!!

We appreciate your prayers!

Sunday July 25

Following breaksfast breakfast we the team sets out for their quiet time (time to be w/God), we will do this each morning following breakfast. This morning I had our team praying scripture. Our theme verse for the week is Psalm 86:11 "Teach me Your way O Lord and I will walk in Your truth; give me an undivided heart that I may fear Your name. Only one person had ever prayed scripture before. So off they went w/no talking and spread out in some of the rooms here, some on the gazebo and some on the wrap around porch to our dorms. They were out doing this for 45 minutes. Once gathered back as a team we talked about our time praying scripture...how was it to spend 45 min. alone and quiet w/God? This team was so excited! I literally had to ask them to talk one at a time. Most felt it wasn't long enough..they weren't finished and wanted more time. Many were moved by the praying of God's Word and how it not only made it stick in there hearts, but was brought to life for them in the process!

We would attend 3 church services in all today. Pastor Reeves pastors two churches (Jenny's Creek and Stepptown) and we would attend both morning services and one evening service. Several shared their testimonies between all the services; powerful, honest testimonies of how they wanted to be popluar, liked by others and even lusted after girls for their own selfish wants seeing them as objects not as creations of God and sisters in Christ. But God showed them love, forgiveness and the power of His Word to where their desires are now to please and live for Him! One girl shared a heartbreaking and joyous story of how her cousin came to live w/her family for 40dys and 40nts. He was hugely addicted to drugs and was there to get help overcoming it..he would, after 40 dys/nts accidently overdose on drugs and die. This broke her and made her angry and hurt and she turned away from God..asking WHY? Why would you take him? Why would you bring him hear and not help him? And so much more. She completely rebelled against the Lord and His ways. Sometime later she would attend WinterJam, a 'concert' of many Christian artists and speakers who come in for a big event for youth, and heard words from someone there that God used to penetrate her heart and she immediately recognized the forgiving, loving, power of God and returned to Him beginning to change her life and live for Him! Pastor Reeves' sermons would make a big impact on this team as well.

As we debriefed the day we could see the hand of God all over! First day out (for a team where only one person has ever been on a mission trip) and they are recognizing and overcoming fears - as they shared, it became evident that God was teaching them new things..deep and meaningful truths - God was answering their prayers from the morning in big ways (Teach me Your way O Lord and I will walk in Your truth). Indeed He did! From the time out in the heat distributing invitations and praying w/strangers, to Pastor's sermons on what it will be like when God returns for His people and what the Word says about hell. One team member was so moved by the sermon about hell that he shared he had never heard or known that about hell. "It makes it so real" he said. You can see that this young man is being awakened. The team is becoming so unified already and believe me this is a movement of God stirring in the hearts of these young ones to open up and not only be vulnerable but allowing others to be as well and it be a safe place!