Hey friends!
So I have to admit that this post is a tad late! We've been back in town for a few weeks now, and are finally feeling rested and ready to go on another adventure. We actually, believe it or not, were all sick again. We just couldn't stay healthy. This past sickness we blame on a sweet little boy in Annabelle's daycare class in Pawleys, which in turn, means we blame Annie! It took three weeks for us all to feel completely better. But we're back!
Our life here in Chicago feels so slow paced. Especially since Robbie has had some time off work to rest. We keep saying, "Shouldn't we be somewhere, doing something?". Robbie keeps having these moments, when he wakes up in the middle of the night in a panic thinking, "Where's the team? What am I late for!?" Its crazy how such an intense (in the best sense of the word) summer can change your whole perspective on life. In 8 weeks. Wow. Our lives were definitely changed on a much deeper level. Where should I begin on this beautiful journey of grace and blessings?
As the summer came to an end, we were shocked at how things were actually... coming to an end! How in the world did Ms. Janie's house get finished? Where did the money come from? Who are all these people around us helping? Wow, how this community was impacted! Wow. One of my favorite memories was on that last Friday, as we were all so busy and working so hard to finish in our time limit, I looked up and saw a community of people serving God. A vision had been caught. I saw LT - an amazing man (and an amazing electrician and handyman) who had given so much of his time and resources already. His employees were there. Then there was the floor guy - another friend of LT. Mr. Richard was there too - he is a relative in the community who was an expert at mudding drywall. Of course I can't forget Mr. Larry - the father-in-law of our missionary partner who helped us out all summer long whenever we hit a roadblock or had a question. And then, of course, there were our students for that week - most of whom, were not believers! It was overwhelming. All of these people were giving so freely of their time and resources. It was pretty incredible how we were a part of something so big. One thing was clear: God was working.
I was blown away with the fact that we were actually doing something here. God had chosen us to speak to these people, and it was powerful. I don't think all of you heard, but during our 6th week, Ms. Hope's husband was killed in a car accident. (Just to clarify, Ms. Hope is Ms. Janie's daughter and our main contact and best relationship). I believe that there was great purpose in the timing of that event, the blessing of the new house, and the fact that the whole family was surrounded by people who love Jesus! It was no doubt, a very difficult time for the family and the community. But just the opportunities we got to share the practical love and grace of Christ was so powerful. This community is stuck in their generations of bad habits. And here we are, offering another way. If I learned anything this summer, its that the gospel is both given and received best when true sacrifice happens. Otherwise, its just too easy. This is the road less traveled, and Christ didn't say it would be easy. In fact, He said the opposite:
This summer was so special. We are so blessed that we got to be a part of something so big. We were so happy with the final product on the house, and we felt that we were able to pour into students lives and challenge them to be radical for Christ.
We know of at least 3 students that made decisions to follow Jesus this summer. At least 7 kids at the VBS throughout the summer made decisions to follow Him as well. Many others were challenged in various ways throughout their time with us in Pawleys. One of the youth pastors that came, told us that we were basically running a discipleship laboratory out there. What a joy it was to see students get excited about following Christ and studying His Word. What a privilege it was to show students day in and day out, that in order to be a great leader of men, we must first be great followers of Jesus. Thank you so much for your prayers this summer. We truly saw God work on your behalf several times, giving us strength, healing us of sickness, providing miraculously, and in so many other ways. What a great summer this was!
So I have to admit that this post is a tad late! We've been back in town for a few weeks now, and are finally feeling rested and ready to go on another adventure. We actually, believe it or not, were all sick again. We just couldn't stay healthy. This past sickness we blame on a sweet little boy in Annabelle's daycare class in Pawleys, which in turn, means we blame Annie! It took three weeks for us all to feel completely better. But we're back!
Our life here in Chicago feels so slow paced. Especially since Robbie has had some time off work to rest. We keep saying, "Shouldn't we be somewhere, doing something?". Robbie keeps having these moments, when he wakes up in the middle of the night in a panic thinking, "Where's the team? What am I late for!?" Its crazy how such an intense (in the best sense of the word) summer can change your whole perspective on life. In 8 weeks. Wow. Our lives were definitely changed on a much deeper level. Where should I begin on this beautiful journey of grace and blessings?
As the summer came to an end, we were shocked at how things were actually... coming to an end! How in the world did Ms. Janie's house get finished? Where did the money come from? Who are all these people around us helping? Wow, how this community was impacted! Wow. One of my favorite memories was on that last Friday, as we were all so busy and working so hard to finish in our time limit, I looked up and saw a community of people serving God. A vision had been caught. I saw LT - an amazing man (and an amazing electrician and handyman) who had given so much of his time and resources already. His employees were there. Then there was the floor guy - another friend of LT. Mr. Richard was there too - he is a relative in the community who was an expert at mudding drywall. Of course I can't forget Mr. Larry - the father-in-law of our missionary partner who helped us out all summer long whenever we hit a roadblock or had a question. And then, of course, there were our students for that week - most of whom, were not believers! It was overwhelming. All of these people were giving so freely of their time and resources. It was pretty incredible how we were a part of something so big. One thing was clear: God was working.
I was blown away with the fact that we were actually doing something here. God had chosen us to speak to these people, and it was powerful. I don't think all of you heard, but during our 6th week, Ms. Hope's husband was killed in a car accident. (Just to clarify, Ms. Hope is Ms. Janie's daughter and our main contact and best relationship). I believe that there was great purpose in the timing of that event, the blessing of the new house, and the fact that the whole family was surrounded by people who love Jesus! It was no doubt, a very difficult time for the family and the community. But just the opportunities we got to share the practical love and grace of Christ was so powerful. This community is stuck in their generations of bad habits. And here we are, offering another way. If I learned anything this summer, its that the gospel is both given and received best when true sacrifice happens. Otherwise, its just too easy. This is the road less traveled, and Christ didn't say it would be easy. In fact, He said the opposite:
"Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you." John 15:20
Here are some before and after shots of the house:
The kitchen received new appliances, cabinets, and ceramic tile!
In the living room we installed laminate wood floors, sewed curtains, a new ceiling and walls, as well as new furniture!
This is one of the rooms and closets, and also shows the electrical box... an electrician re-wired the whole house!
One of the bedrooms with new walls, paint, and floors!
The bathroom received a new vanity, floor, paint and bathroom accessories!
This summer was so special. We are so blessed that we got to be a part of something so big. We were so happy with the final product on the house, and we felt that we were able to pour into students lives and challenge them to be radical for Christ.
We know of at least 3 students that made decisions to follow Jesus this summer. At least 7 kids at the VBS throughout the summer made decisions to follow Him as well. Many others were challenged in various ways throughout their time with us in Pawleys. One of the youth pastors that came, told us that we were basically running a discipleship laboratory out there. What a joy it was to see students get excited about following Christ and studying His Word. What a privilege it was to show students day in and day out, that in order to be a great leader of men, we must first be great followers of Jesus. Thank you so much for your prayers this summer. We truly saw God work on your behalf several times, giving us strength, healing us of sickness, providing miraculously, and in so many other ways. What a great summer this was!
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| Pawleys Island Family Picture |
