Early Mornings and Late Nights

It is almost 11 Saturday morning, and we just finished cleaning up the house from the slumber party last night. I am still exhausted, but I could not stay asleep any longer; Mr. Sunshine was shining in my eyes and the smell of homemade cinnamon rolls was floating into the living room. The slumber party marked the last night of VBS. I only have one more week here in Pooler. This week I have spent so much time with the kids, and the fact that I only have one more week left with them has broken my heart on more than one occasion.

This week has been so busy. We have gotten up early (early being before 9) more than once this week and have gotten in bed after 12 more than twice.

Monday night was the first night of VBS. Georgianna taught the lesson from the front of the church bus using a combination of her boisterous voice and the bus's speaker system. She fell around a little as we went around curves and lost of few people to sleep (as it was almost 11), but over all it was a great lesson on Mary and Joseph. We had to do the lesson on the bus because we were on our way to the Ichetucknee River, home of the coldest water that I have ever felt! The river flows from springs that originate in Lake City, Florida, and it flows into the Gulf of Mexico. So, we went to Lake City on Monday night and got a hotel room.

At eight o'clock Tuesday morning (early) we went to Cracker Barrel and then headed to the river. I tried to gently acclimate myself to the frigid water, but Adam had other plans. He pushed me in and then proceeded to Baptize me, three times (or maybe it was four)--"In the name of the Father (dunk), the Son (dunk), and the Holy Spirit (dunk), Amen (dunk). After the slightly sac-religious ceremony, we got our tubes and headed down the river. It takes about four hours or more to float down the river. There are some trees that you can climb up and jump off of into the water, but I would not suggest it. I ended up bear hugging a tree for what felt like fifteen minutes because when I tried to go up the tree my foot slipped and I was not about to go down--for one it would be embarrassing to not make it (2) there were people behind me and (3) there was a snake close by on the ground. Three good reasons to keep climbing. After much pushing from behind, I made it to the top and jumped off as fast as my legs would take me; I did not want to be on that tree any longer.

Tuesday night's lesson was short and sweet because everyone who did not go home to sleep was half-asleep. The lesson was about John the Baptist; the point--Jesus is already here around us, performing miracles and showing Himself to be real, our job, like John's is to point Him out to those who cannot see.

Thursday night I had the privilege of teaching the VBS lesson on the early church. As God molds my definition of church and fellowhsip, I have begun to see the need to discuss God's word and spend time praying together. So, I shortened the portion of the lesson where I talk and people listen. When that boredom was over, we split into groups and prayed for one another, we prayed for our youth group, and we shared our concerns about Rothwell and the community of Pooler. It was so amazing to see people's hearts. One of my main prayer concerns this past few weeks has been honesty in our youth group and our church. I have been asking God to help people open up there hearts and be honest with themselves first, then with God, and lastly with someone trustworthy in the church. When we are not honest our problems only fester; true healing comes when we admit that there is a sore there and begin to medicate it with the Word and Godly counsel.

After this brief time of prayer and discussion, we headed to the beach. All the way to the beach, a group of us sat in the front of the bus and talked about ourselves and our church. This was the first time that we have had these sorts of conversations on "fun outings". Kaitlyn had shared earlier that this was her desire, that we begin to carry church into our activities. She was with us during the conversation Thursday, and I think that God is going to use her as a force of change at Rothwell, someone who will redirect the focus of conversations to the One who matters most.

After games at the beach, we joined again for a time of prayer. Many of the kids shared their appreciation for this summer's youth group--the opportunities for service, the fellowship, the worship. We had a few minutes of alone time before we left, and I just stared up at the moon and thought about how God had used me this summer to be a reflection of His glory, just as the moon reflects the sun. What an awesome privilege! So much of me does not want to leave. I asked God, "So this is why you brought me here, to build relationships and then leave?". But I am reminded over and over that God's work is eternal. My leaving does not cancel out the ministry that I have done this summer, it only gives someone else a chance to water these beautiful and fruitful flowers so that they can produce seeds for the Kingdom.

I know this is a long post, but so much has happened this week, and I could not wait to share. Perhaps the most entertaining portion of the week was last night's slumber party. The theme was second-hand. All the girls were asked to wear something from the thrift store or their mom's closet. Leslie and I bought our dresses together and they were fabulous. Mine had cool shoulder pads and lots of beading. It was so tight that after 15 minutes of wear I had to put on some shorts under it; I had split it up the back so far! There are some pics below.



Thank you so much for your prayers this week. It has truly been a week of answered prayers and GROWTH. Continue to pray for this upcoming week. Pray that God will give me the strength to say goodbye. I cannot wait to see y'all. I love you!

Busy bee!

I have not posted in a really long time, but thank you for continuing to pray for me and for the ministry here at Rothwell Baptist Church. It has been a crazy two weeks, filled with lots of fun activities and ministry experiences. Mom and Dad just left yesterday. I guess I should start with last Monday, even though that seems like an eternity ago.

From July 9-12, the youth hosted Vacation Bible School at the Baptist Center downtown (Savannah). The Baptist center is located adjacent to Hitch Village, a large housing project. Most of the 35 kids that attended VBS came from these projects. I volunteered to teach Bible study because this is what I did at the previous VBS. However, the approach that we used at Rothwell did not work as well at the Baptist Center. They did not enjoy the games that we played nor were they entertained by the same things. I found that these kids really liked to talk more than play. They craved the attention that they got from gentle conversation. This was a hard adjustment for me because my teaching style usually consists of me talking and people listening, or me hoping that people are listening (not a teaching style that I would suggest to anyone). Some, however, knew how to make this adjustment well. Like Ms. Payne. She came on the last day to help us, and somehow, she got the kids (even the high schoolers) to color shoes for 25 minutes. After 25 minutes, most of them did not want to leave. How cool! God definitely used her, and all those who worked at the Baptist Center, to show those children the patience and the love of Christ.

Mom and Dad arrived here on Saturday, to my glee! We hung out at the beach house most of the week. On Sunday we went to Paula Dean’s. Corey and Blake came to the boys’ Bible study on Sunday night while I went to HisGirl. Jody said that they “fit in like a glove.”


Monday we hung out the beach and went kayaking with our guide, Mr. Jon. While kayaking, I overheard a conversation between Mr. Jon and Dad about church and whether or not Mr. Jon was a Christian. Mr. Jon shared with Dad that he was; it was so great for me to hear Dad talk to our kayak guide about Jesus. I have been labeled a missionary, but, if you really want to see one, just look at my dad. He reaches so many people each day at his shop and does not stop sharing, even when he is on vacation!



On Wednesday night we had a special “dinner and dialogue” service. I am not sure where Jody got the idea, but it is one of the best services we have had so far (in my opinion). The idea is to engage the youth in conversation about the Word of God over dinner. The older ladies of the church purchased us pizza and dessert; we ate that and talked about finding God’s will for our lives. I had 5 kids at my table and all of them were about my age. They answered the questions honestly, and we were able to converse openly about our lives, where God is working, and the things that we need to change. While we were talking, I really felt like God was approving of this form of worship. It reminded me of the early church and really caused me to rethink my definition of fellowship. This dinner and dialogue exercise is something that I would suggest for any small group (or any large group, just break up into tables of no more than 6). All you need is an agenda, a set of questions or verses to discuss (ours came for Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado) and a table leader to keep everyone on track.

On Thursday, the youth traveled to the beach house where we played baseball and swam until dinner time. Mom made her famous punch, which we had with hotdogs, chips, and dip. After dinner, Brent and Brad led a worship service. I really wanted to have it on the beach, where the majesty of God is so obvious, but the Lord had other plans. He showed us His majesty and the power of fear as lightin’ flashed across the sky and we flashed back to the room, just missing a thunder shower. In Brad’s lesson, he challenged all of us to get out of the boat. We can compare ourselves to the “pew sitters” and say that we are out of the boat, but let’s compare ourselves to Jesus and see that we are no where near the water.

This week is youth VBS! Each day holds an adventure that will be, I’m sure, more than we could plan. Tomorrow we are traveling to the Ichetucknee River (Lake City, Florida). On Tuesday we will tube the length of the river before heading home. Wednesday is a lesson and bowling at the local army base (cheaper there). Thursday is late night games and a video scavenger hunt. Friday holds the finale—Second-hand Sleepover (girl’s only). The girl’s are required to wear something second-hand, either from their mom’s closet or the thrift store. My thrift store outfit is going to blow everyone away, just get ready for some funny pictures.

In two weeks I will be home to share with you all that I have done. I will try to post once or twice more before then. Continue to pray that God will use this week at VBS for His glory, and that it will be much more than just a barrel of fun!

If the Son sets you free, you shall be free indeed.
John 8:36

Do you ever think about being free? It is not something that I ponder very often—freedom to write this blog and use the word God (something that is not allowed in China), freedom from the shame of sin, freedom from the bondage of rules and regulations, FREEDOM! I do not really think about it very much, but this week caused me to ponder many of the freedoms and blessings that I have because of my citizenship in America and in the kingdom that is not of this world.

On Tuesday, the youth delivered water to migrant workers and to people on the beach. The migrant workers smiled as they grabbed the water out of the cooler and enthusiastically drank each bottle dry. The people at the beach gave a completely different response; we had to convince them to take the water. When they did they only took a few sips of it before setting it aside to warm in the scorching sun. Why are Americans so ungrateful? I hate to stereotype all Americans, but “if the shoe fits”? Our way of life has made us so calloused that we never take the time to appreciate the little things in life, things that people like migrant workers see as life’s greatest treasures.

On Wednesday, the Fourth of July, Jody’s parents invited me to spend the holiday with them. Before dinner and after the blessing, Jody’s mom suggested that we say the pledge. Who has ever heard of saying the pledge at a family gathering, right? Well, I had not either, but it was such a pleasant reminder that the pledge is not just for elementary school, but it is a way to show our thanks for the great things this country provides for us. It is also a reminder that our forefathers intended this to be “one nation under God”. God with a capital G, not the god Buddha or the god of rain or the god of apple pie, but the One and Only, the Alpha and Omega who wrote the first chapter of American history and may be left out of the last.

Wednesday night was for fireworks, of course. We had the awesome privilege of watching the Savannah firework show from the nearby wildlife refuge. We were the only people in the whole, 3-mile refuge, which houses deer, alligators, wild boar, turkey, and lots of birds. Because we were a little scared of the alligators, we climbed on top of the church van (don’t tell anyone ) and sat. As the fireworks went off, I looked around me a saw something even more spectacular—a golden sunset behind a forest of trees. As the night progressed I looked up to see the greatest firework show ever, I sky full of stars. How many people drive downtown through traffic and sit in a big crowd to watch fire in the sky? Yet, we never take the time to marvel at the sunset or lie beneath the stars—and just say “WOW!” and “Thank you!”



Climbing on the top of the van.

Waiting on fireworks.

The Bible study that I am doing is teaching me a lot about freedom from sin and shame. I never realized how much shame runs my life and the life of so many others. It tells us that we should pay for our sins by feeling sorry about them for a certain length of time. It tells us that we are bound to make the same mistake again; that it is part of who we are. It tells us that we can never really change. But what does God say? He says that He has forgiven us for our sins, that we are not bound to sin, and that we were created to be holy, therefore sin does not hold us in. I have said so many times that “so-and-so will never change—old habits die hard”. It is true that so-and-so will never change themselves, but God can change people, and He can change me too. That is why He has given us His word—to reveal to us what areas of our lives need to change and give us the power to do so. This has been one of the greatest lessons of the week:
God’s word is intended to change us, not to educate us.
I often use God’s word as a source of knowledge, thinking that the more I know about it, the closer I will be to God. This week I read Hebrew 4:12:
For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as to divide soul, spirit, joints, and marrow; it is a judge of the thoughts and ideas of the heart.
I asked myself, “When is the last time that God’s word convicted me of the folly of my ideas or convicted me for sinful thoughts?” I had read my Bible that morning, and it had certainly not happened then. Had God’s word lost it’s power? Well, of course not! The sword of God’s word had not been cutting into my soul because I had been using it to playfully fence with knowledge when I should have been preparing for battle.

As you can see, this week overflowed with ministry opportunities and God-granted insight, and it is not over yet! Tomorrow we are going to Honey Island to paint faces. Sunday brings an opportunity to worship and learn. Pray for me as I lead Sunday School this Sunday as well as a portion of the HisGirl Bible study Sunday night (this week’s topic is purity). Next week the youth will be hosting VBS at the Baptist Center, an inner-city ministry in the heart of Savannah’s low-income housing. We have not had many people volunteer to help, so please pray that God will send workers and effectively use the staffers for His glory.

Thank you so much for your prayers and kindness. The Godly counsel that I have received has helped alleviate my homesickness week after week. Thank you!