And so it begins…

 

We have a group from Illinois and another from Washington DC serving together this week. It has been a pleasure to meet them and serve them thus far. In a surprise twist we actually have more guys than gals on this trip!!!

 

Since we are staying in a homeless shelter we thought it would be a good idea to have a “homeless person experience.” Each participant was given a plastic grocery bag and told that they could fill it with personal items but they must include their Bible, journals, writing utensils and closed toe shoes. The rest was up to them but this would be their only personal stuff until tomorrow night. In addition we are all sleeping on the floor. No air mattresses!!  Leadership is included!!! (All leaders from participating churches agreed to this before hand!) Kim and I have only our plastic bags as well. As a team we want to experience some of what the people we will be ministering to this week experience on a daily basis. We will be worshipping with the homeless tomorrow and have made Father’s Day Cards for any father’s in attendance.

 

The two groups are meshing together nicely. After dinner and our formal worship time we gave them free time for 45 minutes and they chose to use thier free time with more worship!!! How aweome is that???? I put down all of my work and went back in to the sanctuary to soak it all up.  We even spent extra time in “free time” since God’s hand was clearly at work.

 

Pray for Kim and I this week as we are leading this team on our own. Pray that we stay focused and make sure to refuel our own spiritual tanks as we go throughout our days. The enemy isn’t pleased that our last trip went so well. In the midst of all the spiritual warfare God prevailed and we are expecting the same on this trip. We want each participant to be touched by the hand of the Lord and leave a different person.

 

Blessings to all of you!