Resting

The past couple of weeks have been slower than the rest of the summer. During this time I have spent too much time resting, but it has been wonderful. Over the pest several weeks, the Lord has been teaching me just how wonderful it is to rest in Him. I rest in Him, because He knows my uprisings and my down sittings. I rest in Him because He knows my future, before I know it. I rest in Him because even though my plans have been altered, His stay the same. I rest in Him because He knows what is best for me even when I do not understand. I rest in Him because He is faithful to fulfill His promises. I rest in Him because He has answers when all I can do is question. I rest in Him because I am eternally secure in Him...and the list goes on. Oh how quickly I forget. The following verse sum it up. "I have set the Lord always before me: because He is my right hand, I will not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope." Psalms 16:8-9

VBS-Dearborn

This past week we helped out at a Vacation Bible School in Dearborn Michigan. The theme was "Solar Express: Empowered by the Son". The chapel is in the middle of a neighborhood and many kids came out from there for the week. In fact, there were more kids from the neighborhood than from the chapel. The kids went around to different stations for different for their different activities. I helped with the youngest group and in the memory verse station. There were trains everywhere and the kids had passports as they went around to different places. On Sunday, there is going to be one more closing ceremony after the meeting where the winners for the week will be announced and prizes will be awarded. It was a great time of fellowship and ministry. I pray Heaven's population increased as a result of the efforts put out this week at Dearborn.

BTS & ATS- Kansas City

Students from the ATS participating in an advance technique workshop.

After a long drive from Camp Hope, we rolled into Kansas City and met up with the other part of our group from Detroit. All the saints there were very hospitable and warm-hearted. After being there for two weeks it was very hard to leave because it was as if we were leaving life-long friends. Both weeks were very profitable and full of discussion. I believed I learned more than anyone. One Friday of the first week, we went into the open air. In between meetings, I was passing out gospel literature and got into one of the most interesting conversations I have ever been in on the streets. The lady, who said her name was Righteousness, told me some very unique things. She believes that the church today as we know it was started by the Nazis and the Mafia, therefore it is her job to bring about the real church. She also told me that she had never sinned sinned since she was four and the Bible was made up by a group of men to lead people astray. As we talked, I was struck by how confused people are. Even though she is loopy, she is a soul from who Christ died and one who He loves. The Lord used her in my life to remind me of the urgency and needfulness of the gospel. I hope this is a lesson I never forget.

BTS-Atlanta

The Basic Training Seminar in Atlanta, GA went very well. We had ten students, one of whom was my sister, Ashlyn. It was so neat to see her passion for evangelism and to be able to spend time with her. Days in the open-air were spent in Five Points in downtown Atlanta. This is a poor section of the city with many people just sitting around, with no purpose for the day. It was, as it were, a "captive audience". Many good discussion were had as the gospel was preached. The students in Atlanta were on the younger side, many being twenty or under. They were an encouragement to me and my prayer for them is that the Lord will use them all to serve Him for many more decades. Several of them will be going to New York for the Advance Training Seminar, one of them being Ashlyn. I am looking forward to seeing them all again! God is good.

Camp

Today I am leaving to spend three weeks at Camp Hope. Starting Monday, we will be having a Basic Training Seminar based out of Camp. It is a great place to work frojm becaue we can easily get into Atlanta to preach on the streets there. The next two weeks after that I will be working at Junior camp. It will be great to see many of my friends and meet new ones. Please be in prayer for the seminar and also for the many kids that will be coming to camp this simmer. Pray too, that the people who are working will not only be a blessing, but that they will be blessed and many people will be come to and understanding of what Jesus Christ did for them.

Last Minute Trip

Today, Becca, Brandon, and I got up before light and came to Georgia. After kicking Brandon to the curb in Atlanta, Becca and I ended up in Augusta. We have a few days before we are due to be at the balloon festival in Anderson, SC, so we decided to come early and spend some time with our families. None of my family knew I was coming, so I enjoyed surprising them!

Chariots of Fire

On Sunday, after meeting, all the youth went to the Schroeders' for pizza and a movie. The movie of choice was Chariots of Fire. The flick is a true story featuring a runner who raced in the 1924 olympics and stuck to his convictions through it all. Latter, he died as a missionary in China. We had a great time. I know I am going to miss being with them this summer. I am excited about starting up in the fall.

BTS- Chicago

Class Photo

Craig preaching on the Magnificent Mile

Greg preaching near the Daly Plaza

Tom doing the three rope trick for about 100 teens

This past week we held the first basic training seminar (BTS) of the summer. The one student, Craig, was eager to learn and such an encouragement to me. As I was sitting in on and participating in the lectures, I realized that I still have so much to learn. It also opened my wider to the plight of the lost. One thing that I appreciate about being in the open-air is hearing the gospel over and over again. We can never appreciate enough what Christ's has done for us. May we never get over it!