After three years, I finally got to drive the jeep!!! YAY JEEPS!! I love the time to talk with the people in my jeep, dance and sing to random songs, and just feel the breeze and think about life. The scenery is amazing everywhere we go. It has been so much cooler than other years and I have had way more energy so far. Also, the boys set up extension cords from the bathhouse at the camp group so that we could all have big fans in our tent. YAY for air conditioning. The first day of VBS went fabulous. We had 21 kids and even walked around and knocked on a few doors to invite some of them. I was a little pushed out of my comfort zone doing this, but it was good for me! I was extremely impressed by the way Allie and Jared stepped up to lead the two groups and how Kyle and Stephanie taught the lessons for the two groups on the first day even though this is the first trip! Kyle acted as Outback Steve, and in his Australian accent, told the entire story and kept us all laughing and the kids interested the whole time! I know it is only Monday, but I do not want this week to ever come to and end. It is so refreshing to be away from so much and have everything so focused on things not natural for this world...real friendship, loving on children, teamwork, and stillness. Everywhere I look I see God at work. I see Him especially in the people of our group and the beauty of the island. Each person in this group has something special to add to the dynamics of things. I love seeing everyone going out of their way to serve each other. Amazing things happen when we put the good of others before ourselves. We didn’t get to paint today, but thankfully, we all got time at the beach to enjoy each other and the relaxation. I got to go snorkeling with Kyle, Jared, Allie, Troy, Julie, and Steph. We saw a sting ray, turtle, and nurse shark!! I got a little freaked out about the shark..but it was awesome! In honor of John’s 40th birthday—Happy Birthday, John—we put 40 black balloons in his tent, all dressed in black to dinner, and read him epitaphs. We had a great time and I hope he realized how much he has been a part of all of our lives. After an enjoyable dinner at Lime Inn, we had our group meeting on the beach. I think the moon tonight was brighter than even the sun. It lit up the whole beach.
Favorite moments of Day 3
Leading VBS songs with Anna
When Tristan, one of the 4 year olds in my group, said “I could hurt you,” when I was trying to get him to play with us…haha kids are awesome
Watching Jeff lead all the sounds in “JOY”
Sand fight with Anna, Doug, Kyle, and Hunter
Driving the jeep!!! YAY JEEPS!!
Group meeting on the beach
Late night beach talk with Anna- she has been such a blessing to my life
Hey Holly,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you are going on this trip! I've seen you work with these children and the heart you have for the island, and I know that the group will be blessed by that.
I wanted to leave you with some scipture before tomorrow. You're all in my prayers!
-"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you." (John 15:9-15)