Lets start by filling you in our last few days in Weaverville. We gained kids every night at Bible school. Pastor Job was so excited be cause we had kids coming that had never came to church before. He is hoping that through this VBS he will get there families to start coming. His mission is not in the number but to just see people saved... He has a true heart for that area. We got to hear the kids sing songs in Spanish and in English. It is so awesome how God knows all languages and can reach people in something as small as a VBS three nights a week. The last night we had three pinatas for the kids... they really enjoyed that (praise God no one got hit with the large piece of wood we were using!).
Wednesday we went to the "Welcome Table" in Swannanowa near Weaverville. This is a community lunch where anyone is welcome to eat for free. There were homeless and wealthy people there. We sang a lot of songs for them and got to meet some cool people. We also got to meet one of the boys that has been in the Juvenile Center for about 6 months. He was there to help out in whatever way he could... he got to come as a privilege. It was really nice to be able to talk to him and kind of get to know him because we were going to the Juvenile Center the next day.
The Juvenile Center was an interesting worship experience but I think it was one of our favorite places the whole summer thus far. This was an all mall facility so we got a few laughs while we were there. the boys were excited to see us because this was considered a special event... however a lot of them were excited to see girls close to there own age because they don't see many. Just to give a few highlights the boys enjoyed the service and were very attentive... they even participated in one of the dramas... haha. One of our dramas is about Hosea and Gomer and there is a fake auction to buy "Gomer" at one point and a few of the boys raised their hands... it was funny... but we knew they were paying attention. They really enjoyed "Forever Love" the all girl interpretive movement... haha. But on a more serious note... we saw a few boys sing along during our songs, which was very encouraging and hopeful for us. Please pray for the one boy we got to meet and spend time with at the Welcome Table and the other boys. There was also one boy who sat with his head down the whole time... we were not sure if he was praying or crying... please pray for him. As the boys were leaving the area we were in they said good bye and thank you from afar. I feel like God was working in that Center... I will continue to pray for them throughout the summer I hope you will too.
We left Weaverville on Friday and traveled to Lexington, Kristen's home town. That night we had a hang out with the youth where we ate and played some get to know you games. It was a lot of fun and we ended the right with some praise and worship. Pastor Ray told us about a girl that was ready to make a commitment to God but hasn't let everyone know yet, he was hoping that we could encourage her to do so on Sunday. So we prayed about it and talked with her some this weekend. On Saturday we had an all day youth event where we played beach volleyball (we weren't at the beach... it was a sand court), played lots of games had Bible study and had a chance to tell them about what we do over the summer and what other summer missionaries are doing this summer. they had a lot of fun, it was a good day to hang out with them. This morning we led the service and the girl Pastor Ray mentioned came up and let everyone know Jesus was Lord of her life now... she came up with her Dad and they will be Baptized together (How special is that?!?). After the service we had a good-bye supper with the youth. I sat beside a boy that hadn't come to the events this weekend. I talked with him a while... he is 19, into drinking and stuff and is going to joint the army in about a month. I told you this in hope that you will also join me in praying for God to make Himself known in his life... it sounded like he has lived a rough life.
Lexington treated us all very well and we hated to say good-bye to the youth. However, after lunch it was time to move on once again. It was a hard weekend for some of us on a personal level but it was a great one with youth... we can tell God is at work in our lives. Now we are in Roseboro (Mike's home town). We are ready for another week (One more week until CANADA!)! We are so excited!
Some things you can be praying for to recap... all the boys at the Juvenile Center, especially the boy we got to spend time with. the ministry Pastor Job has at the trailer park in Weaverville. The youth of First Baptist Lexington. the boy I got a chance to talk with at lunch. the girl who joined the church and her father. And please pray for our team for personal things going on in our lives... pray that we would not let them affect our ministry. And for us to continue showing the love God has given us to the people around us! By the way I know all of these people's names I just don't feel comfortable sharing them on the internet... Anyway Thanks so much for reading ALL of this and for your prayers... the team really appreciates your work as prayer warriors!
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