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We finished our last day of VBS today and tomorrow we go on a hike from a ghost town to a lake. Then after the hike we have our last outreach in the park followed by a bonfire!
Everyone is starting to get sad that we are leaving on saturday but also excited about what Jesus has done in their life and in whitehall!
I ruined my perfect streak as a youth pastor, never taking a student to the hospital or doctor. Today I took Jennie into the doctor because her allergies flared up so bad she woke up with her eye swollen shut. She is doing much better tonight after getting a shot. She is excited because the shot should keep her allergy free for 2 months!
Pray for her as her eyes are still a little puffy but the allergies are gone.
Pray for JJ as he has over 68 mosquito bites on just his arms! (he was one of the only students that didn't spray bug spray....I think he regrets that choice).
Pray for our students as tomorrow is their last opportunity to share Jesus with their new friends in person.
Pray for our hike, that we stay hydrated and healthy.
Pray for our leaders as we make the drive back to Seattle all day saturday!
-Pastor Mark
Carlos and I are extremely proud of all of our students! Every single one was going out and inviting students in! Many held and participated in spiritual conversations! These kids are really excited about all of the youth that are showing up in the park and are excited by the reality that Jesus is working in their life!
Keep praying for this and the last day of VBS tomorrow! We will have another blog update first thing in the morning by a student!
Thanks!
Pastor Mark
Though it didn't start that way. The morning was a little rough. My alarm went off and I woke up the boys yet some how, all of the boys (save one- Alex) fell back asleep and were woken up by Alex and girls...we missed breakfast.
It only went up from there, VBS was better than Monday, with more kids that came and a better control of the program we are running.
Many of the students went to help a family move into their new house. That took most of the day and according to some of the boys that were there, "there were extremely heavy items we had to lift"
The others went out into the town and invited teens out to the park that night. And started relationships.
That evening the park was amazing! Many students were discouraged from last night's turn out with only a handful of teens. Tonight there was well over 15 students at the park. Most of our students were able to build relationships and when asked, if they want and are going to start a spiritual conversation tomorrow---all the youth raised their hands.
Brian and Lindsey shared their testimonies! Which was awesome and touching! We were so proud. Many other youth got excited to share their testimony tomorrow!
We added to our team, two of the pastors kids Molly-15 and Kellen-17 have been just staying with us and helping us with all of our activities!
Keep praying for these spiritual conversations! Keep praying for boldness from the students! Keep praying for health (many are struggling with allergies or colds)! Pray for the children at VBS because they are all learning the good news of Jesus!
Thanks!
Pastor Mark
Today, we students of BFM and Westwood, had a great day at the VBS and playing in the park. We met some new teens that were friends with the other teens we met the other day. Today, at VBS we played with the children, made crafts with them and had them tackle the intern Brandon. There is always a favorite among the group of children and the one in our group was named Adam. A cute little three and a half year old that would just love scaring people with his mask that he made in our crafts. He made others smile all day long. I love my group of first graders. I think, my group was the best behaved out of the four groups. We had about 10-15 kids. It was a great way to start off the VBS of the week. I hope more show up. After VBS we had some guys go over to a person in need of some weed pulling and another person that needed there carpet to be cleaned. We all did it in the name of the Lord. Then we all rested for the next activity. WE went to the park and played some games that were so much fun. We played some aomeba, and some ninja and some SIGNS. We had some people set aside the one person in particular. They really got a lot out of her. I really hope they get a long ways with this girl. She is really cool and I hope to get to know her more. We all ended the day with a great family time and just hung out at the church for the rest of the night. Til' tomorrow!
Student,
Malia Heu
Hey this is Lindsey(from Westwood Christian Assembly). Today I shared my testimony in church today, so did Darrian, and JJ. It was so amazing! Keep us in your prayers for tomorrow for our out reach in the park! We added some christian teens from the town. Molly and Kellen, they are the pastor's kids from the Methodist church! They are fun and are going to help us with our VBS and outreach for the next couple of days!
hey this is JJ from BFM and I am going to ask for your prayers for this week. Pray that we can talk to kids easier. That no one gets hurt. That the people with colds start to feel better. Also a great VBS!
Thanks!
Thanks for all the prayer support! We just woke up sunday morning and we are an hour ahead. Yesterday, we finished our journey and arrived in whitehall. We arrived to warm meal of tacos and the youth just scarfed them down.
Today we are leading the service for 2 churches (1 service) in town. The Assembly of God Church (where the girls are sleeping) and the Methodist Church (where the guys are sleeping. There should be around 100 people here this morning.
Lee (BFM) just got thrown in on the drums, we couldn't find drumsticks so he is using little craft sticks. Pray for him, he hasn't played drums in front of people before.
Carlos (Westwood), Jenn (Westwood), and Brandon (Westwood) fill out the remaining worship team.
JJ (BFM), Lindsey (Westwood), are Darrian (Westwood) are sharing their testimony and why we came to Whitehall on the trip. Pray for them, that is a big step, especially in front of a church they don't know.
Pray: for VBS as we start that tomorrow and go through Thursday. Pray for us to just really teach Jesus to the children, and that children come out from all over the town.
for Health- a few of the members on our team have colds and are fighting off some congestion.
for Boldness- Tomorrow we start peer-to-peer evangelism and our teens begin to reach out to the other teens of the town. Some of these students have never even shared their faith and now they are about to for a week straight. Pray for the Holy Spirit to Empower them!
Thank you!
-Pastor Mark (BFM)
After a nice, practically uneventful drive to Spokane, we're gearing up for breakfast and the final launch. The drive over was beautiful and only one tire blew out (a semi-truck... not ours, don't worry parents)!!! The Leaders are meeting with Brian Aaby at the local Starbucks, and while the smell of coffee wafts around the sleepy leaders, we are gathering momentum and excitement for the future trips. We have leaders from Louisiana, Texas, and various churches from Washington (Seattle, Kent, White Center).
Here's how we need prayer: Our leaders are a little tired, our kids are a little crabby, and our cities don't know Jesus. Help us be ambassadors of Christ, be our prayer warriors and lift us up!
Thank you and we'll talk soon.
Jenn H. (Westwood)
It is soooo hot here in Seattle. Good thing God is getting us prepped for this 90 degree weather. We will be used to it by Saturday when we arrive in Montana.
The youth are all getting the stuff packed, and their workbooks done. Its going to be a good trip! Please pray for us.
Pastor Mark
2 days left to go...and I have the laid back kids excited. The up-tight kids stressed, and the ones in between are a little of both! :)
Let me re-phrase, the whole group is really excited to go! Some are just stressed about getting everything done in time. This year I required a devotional book to be done before they go...which reminds me, I need to finish that myself!
Its going to be such a great trip!
My focus today as been primarily on youth group tonight but I have also been working on getting the sermon prepared for preaching in MT.
-Pastor Mark
Just going over some final details before the trip. Looks like we may end up doing only a 4 day vbs instead of a 5. I think our host church has something special planned for us on friday.
Keep praying for us. Pray for the town, pray for us a team, and as individuals.
-Pastor Mark