Hello from Pawleys Island, SC where the grass is greener! Well, kind of. We have been here just about 3 weeks (please accept our apology for taking so long to update! geez.), and we are full into crazy ministry! We are at the end of our 3rd week of students, and have finally hit our stride! (Or so I think!)
We arrived here at Pawleys Island Community Church about 1 am Friday morning almost 3 weeks ago and hit the ground running. I must first mention our two awesome interns, Ira and Taylor. These ladies are pretty incredible. Our team has such a rich dynamic, and we have I think all found our niche in this crazy place. Ira, originally from Russia, has such a love for these kids. She has such a gentle spirit and can somehow use that to push these students to dive into their student leader roles. I often look to her as a guide when tensions are high! Taylor is a very outgoing, high energy, fun-loving kind of girl. She's from a small town in Pennsylvania and is a junior at Cedarville University. This girl keeps going and going and going. The kids are drawn to her, and I often find her right in the middle of the chaos.
For the past few weeks we have been working on Ms. Janie's house. Ms. Janie is the great-grandmother matriarch of this community. Her house is located on "the Hill", which is what everyone calls the black community that we are working in. These families are broken. Most of them have several children with what they call different "baby-daddies". Ms. Janie has 24 grandkids and 12 great- grandkids, and for the most part, they all live on "the Hill". With the lack of father's stepping forward these families have a distorted view of healthy and normal. As our missionary partner, Graham, says, "The men are in a revolving door at the county jail. Its not normal if you are a black male and haven't been to jail." We want to leave a footprint here. Graham is working hard, preaching the gospel everywhere he goes. I love his simple view of it... " I come bringing the gospel, not screaming leave your sin. Once the Holy Spirit is alive and working in these men, won't Christ change their heart?" It is incredible what the simple gospel is doing in this community. Graham has been here 8 months, and has seen the drugs leave this area they call "the Hill". Ms. Janie has opened her house up to Graham and this is where "church" services are held. This is where Graham has an in to this ministry. LeaderTreks and Robbie desired to partner with Graham and affirm to the people this love that Graham has been talking about. It is pretty awesome how people can see the gospel working in their community. Everyday we have people that drive by, pull in, stop and look, and ask questions. Why are a bunch of white people helping Ms. Janie? Its been a powerful testimony to the work that Graham is already doing here.
So this year's work project in Pawleys Island has been Ms. Janie's house. You see, this home was not livable. The ceilings were caving in, mold and mildew had over taken the house, and the roof was not working as a roof should. So we decided to take on the challenge!
Here are some before pictures:
I can't wait till week 7. Its gonna rock your world!
We have already had three groups come through and it has been a blast!
I just have to say here that these past few weeks have truly burdened my heart for single moms and their kids. Its a tough job, that I don't know I could do. I often find myself thinking and praying about what God has for us long term. I don't know what that is yet, but I do know that I love these families so much that I know I must work with women and children, especially those in broken families. How God longs to restore their hearts!
- for the next 4 teams. That these students would grow in their leadership skills, and also develop a heart to serve others. As Doug Franklin says, "If one student decides to be radical for the Lord, its worth it!"
- for Ms. Janie's family. Including, Ms. Hope, Chassidy, Nevaeh, and baby Kennedy. May the gospel change their life forever!
Thanks for praying!
All for Him,
Lauren (For Robbie and Annie)
Here are a couple of pictures just for fun:
We arrived here at Pawleys Island Community Church about 1 am Friday morning almost 3 weeks ago and hit the ground running. I must first mention our two awesome interns, Ira and Taylor. These ladies are pretty incredible. Our team has such a rich dynamic, and we have I think all found our niche in this crazy place. Ira, originally from Russia, has such a love for these kids. She has such a gentle spirit and can somehow use that to push these students to dive into their student leader roles. I often look to her as a guide when tensions are high! Taylor is a very outgoing, high energy, fun-loving kind of girl. She's from a small town in Pennsylvania and is a junior at Cedarville University. This girl keeps going and going and going. The kids are drawn to her, and I often find her right in the middle of the chaos.
Ira, Taylor, and Lauren at VBS (and yes, that is a sonic shake in my hand!)
For the past few weeks we have been working on Ms. Janie's house. Ms. Janie is the great-grandmother matriarch of this community. Her house is located on "the Hill", which is what everyone calls the black community that we are working in. These families are broken. Most of them have several children with what they call different "baby-daddies". Ms. Janie has 24 grandkids and 12 great- grandkids, and for the most part, they all live on "the Hill". With the lack of father's stepping forward these families have a distorted view of healthy and normal. As our missionary partner, Graham, says, "The men are in a revolving door at the county jail. Its not normal if you are a black male and haven't been to jail." We want to leave a footprint here. Graham is working hard, preaching the gospel everywhere he goes. I love his simple view of it... " I come bringing the gospel, not screaming leave your sin. Once the Holy Spirit is alive and working in these men, won't Christ change their heart?" It is incredible what the simple gospel is doing in this community. Graham has been here 8 months, and has seen the drugs leave this area they call "the Hill". Ms. Janie has opened her house up to Graham and this is where "church" services are held. This is where Graham has an in to this ministry. LeaderTreks and Robbie desired to partner with Graham and affirm to the people this love that Graham has been talking about. It is pretty awesome how people can see the gospel working in their community. Everyday we have people that drive by, pull in, stop and look, and ask questions. Why are a bunch of white people helping Ms. Janie? Its been a powerful testimony to the work that Graham is already doing here.
So this year's work project in Pawleys Island has been Ms. Janie's house. You see, this home was not livable. The ceilings were caving in, mold and mildew had over taken the house, and the roof was not working as a roof should. So we decided to take on the challenge!
Here are some before pictures:
I can't wait till week 7. Its gonna rock your world!
We have already had three groups come through and it has been a blast!
Week 1: Cross View Church
Our first group was here from Indiana, and they were unstoppable! They exceeded their goals! They demolished the house down to the studs, put on a new roof, put up dry wall in several areas of the house, and replaced siding on the exterior of the house. These guys were awesome.
Week 2: Bay Life Church
This team was a middle school group of mostly soon to be 9th graders from Tampa, FL. They held there own at the work site as well as we began cleaning and priming the outside of the house, putting up more and more drywall, Mudding and sanding the drywall (to perfection!) and completing the demolition! Wow. After week 2, it seemed like the summer projects would fly by...
Week 3: Christ the King Church
This is another middle school group that has proved themselves again! Tomorrow is our last day at the worksite for the week, so who knows how much more they will accomplish. Already they have done more mudding and sanding, finished the drywall, demolished the ceilings, put up new ceiling drywall, began painting the outside of the house (which is no longer blue, but a very nice gray!), and finished replacing some of the panels on the outside of the house. Very impressive. (Pictures soon to follow!)I just have to say here that these past few weeks have truly burdened my heart for single moms and their kids. Its a tough job, that I don't know I could do. I often find myself thinking and praying about what God has for us long term. I don't know what that is yet, but I do know that I love these families so much that I know I must work with women and children, especially those in broken families. How God longs to restore their hearts!
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. (Titus 2:11-14)Three weeks in, and God is doing some great stuff! So I know this has been a long update, but at least you are up to date on what is going on in Pawleys Island. Please keep praying!
Some specific requests:
- for our health. Robbie, Annie, and myself have had every sickness we can get, and we've only been here 3 weeks! From food poisoning, cold and sore throat, and that awful virus that sucks the life out of you (poor Annie). So please pray that we'd just be healthy. Praise the Lord our interns have been at full health!- for the next 4 teams. That these students would grow in their leadership skills, and also develop a heart to serve others. As Doug Franklin says, "If one student decides to be radical for the Lord, its worth it!"
- for Ms. Janie's family. Including, Ms. Hope, Chassidy, Nevaeh, and baby Kennedy. May the gospel change their life forever!
Thanks for praying!
All for Him,
Lauren (For Robbie and Annie)
Here are a couple of pictures just for fun:
