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!