Incredible week of ministry

I just wanted to send you a ministry update from our week with the team from North Carolina. To sum up the past week in one word is impossible but I will use the word incredible.
I saw the Lord do some incredible things in the lives of the team that came as well as the native children that attended VBS.

Our first day started out slow with only 12 kids attending. That was pretty low for a group of 26 if it was a normal VBS. But with native kids it was all they could handle. I had prepped the team the night before for what they might have to endure on Day 1, including that they could expect to be punched, kicked, bit, called names, not listened to and sworn at. I also told them the kids would want to be one person’s friend and would become jealous if that were not the case. I challenged them to love the kids unconditionally, and told them that after the first day things would change if they would just love the kids, as it was a test to see if they would love them after seeing their very worst.

Day 2 came - what a change! We also had 17 kids. The kids were kind, respectful,caring and became friends with the North Carolinans. We had one of the older kids at VBS give her heart to Christ that morning. It was very genuine as the tears streamed down her face as she accepted Christ into her life. Also that morning a teen from the reserve I have been working at gave her heart to Christ. I had invited her and her sister to VBS so that they could hear the gospel from a foundational perspective. I wanted them to hear the basics again. That morning Shania accepted Christ into her life. There were no tears involved this time. Shania shared that she had been unable to cry for a long time. She began to share some of her deep hurts that prevented her from crying. We told her we would pray that before the week was over the tears would come.

One of the toughest kids that came to VBS was Izzy. Izzy is 12 and comes from a very tough family situation. She does not let people get close to her. Izzy was our biggest trouble maker on day 1. She refused to listen and tried to intimidate some of the other kids. On day 2 we saw Izzy begin to have a softened heart. She really connected with a girl named Holly from North Carolina. Izzy listened the second day which was incredible in itself.

Day 3 of VBS saw our numbers go up to 28 kids. One of the older boys gave his heart to Christ. He was the brother of the girl that gave her heart to Christ the day before. He had really connected with a girl named Lauren from the group. She had the privilege of leading Devin to Christ.

The afternoon of day 3 was incredible as well. One of the leaders, Anne, of the NC team had been spending quality time with Shania and her sister Mariah. She told Shania and Mariah how beautiful the girls were and how much she loved them and God loved them. Then the miracle happened as the tears began to flow down Shania’s cheeks. Anne came and got me and there standing before me was a young lady whom the Lord had set free. She said she couldn't believe that God would allow her to cry. Powerful.

Day 4 came and this was our last day of VBS. This day we had 35 kids. God was continuing to move. He was especially speaking to Izzy, and halfway through the morning Izzy asked Holly to get pastor Jim. They came and got me as well. Izzy wanted to pray and accept Christ into her life.
In the sanctuary of our church with Jim, Holly, her best friend Kala and myself gathered around her, Izzy gave her life to Christ. It was beautiful.

We then drove all of the kids back to the reserve in the bus, along with many from NC. There were very few dry eyes on the bus. One of the most powerful images I have is of Izzy, with her head pressed into Holly's shoulder and both of them weeping and embracing each other. Izzy told Holly that she had never felt loved before this week. Incredible. This team truly loved the kids they met in a way I have rarely seen before. They went out and bought new shoes for every kid that attended VBS. They went the extra mile for so many of the children. They were broken for the things they saw: abuse, poverty,lack of food, and lack of love – things these kids experience everyday.

I know we shouldn't compare ministry weeksbut I believe that this was the most impacting week of ministry I have been a part of with COI for a very long time. Incredible!!!!”

Update from camp

Well First Nations youth camp has come to a close and what a week it was. There were 30 teenagers at camp and it was such a blessing to get to know many of them and be reminded of the many challenges they face on a daily basis.
I had the privilege of being the speaker for the evening chapel services. The first night I spoke on risk from the story of Zaccheaus. The second night I spoke on the parable of the prodigal son with a focus on the heart of the father. The third night I spoke on the making of a mighty warrior and the story of Gideon from Judges 6. The final night I spoke on the battle being won by God through His servant Gideon.
One of the most special things for me personally was the new vision God gave me for the First Nation communities. I met teens from a number of new reserves and heard from them. I was moved in my spirit to get more involved in making a difference. I also got to spend some quality time with the new director of the camp and we have many of the same passions and views of ministry.
Lord willing in September Kevin, the new director, and I will be visiting all of the reserves that came to camp and planning some youth events for these teens. We also hope to be able to have a native youth rally to bring these teens and their friends back together again.
There is so much more I could say about this week but I wont take the time here. God was with us, we saw God move in the lives of many teens and wonderful new relationships were built. It was one of the most rewarding weeks I have had in ministry.
This coming week I have a mission team in from North Carolina. Their main focus is on doing a VBS program for children from two of our local reserves. There are still some logistics to finalize and I would appreciate your prayers.

Quick update

Let me say first I really am going to get back to my teaching on Gideon. It has been put on the back burner as it seems life has been very busy lately. Good but busy!!!

An update on my pain. The trigger point therapy proved unsuccessful this time around. After five weeks of therapy my therapist told me that he was unable to help me as I should have seen tangible results by that point. I continue to be in much pain and I am unsure where to go next for help. It is very frustrating!!!

Ministry wise the youth group I lead has been going very well. Four teens have made a decision to invite Christ into their lives over the last few weeks. Our numbers continue to increase and we are begining to go deeper with God. It is such a blessing to serve Christ in this manner.

Today I am off to native teen camp. I am one of two speakers. I consider this to be a great opportunity to build relationships with a number of new native teens in the province and in the bordering provinces. I speak each night this week Monday thru Thursday at 7:00 ATL. time, so if you think to pray for me then I would appreciate that. Four of the teens from a local reserve are traveling with me to camp so I hope to be able to get to know them better as well.

Next week I have a mission team in from North Carolina. We are focusing on our local reserves as well and doing a VBS for the children. Pray that the final logistics can be worked out.

Thanks for praying and caring.