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Josh just called to say that they are on the airplane ready to leave Louisana. He apologizes for the fact that he has not called. Apparently his phone went swimming when they were out in the canoes. Everything is going well and they should return to San Diego tonight at 5:25 p.m. on Southwest flight 1017. I am sure your students will be anxious to see you tonight at the airport.
Thanks - Delores
Hey Yall, as we all say down here in the south. This is Chris Riley with a quick update on whats been goin on. First and formost God is working! Your prayers are not in vain and we cherish every single one of them. Every where from planning for each day and having enough food every meal, to the relationships being built and the friends we have made, God's hand has been on every one. We began the Back Yard Bible Club on Monday morning. There were 10 kids and about 28 leaders. What seemed like a failure at first, was actually a blessing. Since there was such a lack of kids, we decided to go to some neir by neighborhoods again and spread the word. We were able to talk to double the amount of parents from the previous day we went over there. Today, Tuesday, we hand about 25 kids. There is so much to tell and so many stories, i would like to share em' all but i wont. Sorry. Ill just give you some hints. Its hot, sticky, and rains everyday about noon and 6 o'clock everyday, frisbee, basketball, crazy bugs, wall mart trips, and shrimp. All and all God has blessed us with a beautiful place, beautiful people to serve, and an awesome Spirit to guide us. Please continue to pray for our rest, strength, unity, and peace, and also for the local teenagers who hang out with us every night.
In Him
Chris Riley
Alright, I finally found an internet connection here! Now I should be able to give you a little more regular updates. I don't have a lot of time right now, the students are leading their Back Yard Bible Club (or VBS) right now and I need to get back there. The turn out of children hasn't been huge yet, but we have made a lot more connections with youth (and that is our real purpose for being here). I'll update you on the progress later, but I did want to leave you some pictures from last week. Enjoy... (these are all from Jean's camera, so mostly girls. I'll get more soon)
The girls room at UIM (they were packed in there!)
A nice neighborhood puppy.
UIM Interns and other Leaders.
One of the Projects.
Some fun pics with the kids...
On Friday Night, the girls dressed up for a final farewell dinner. The guys dressed up too by putting on a clean t-shirt... their pictures didn't look as good.
Hey everybody, thanks for all of your prayers and for checking this even when there are no posts. For anyone outside of EFCC, you may not know that we are on a two and a half week mission trip. Obviously we have partnered with Youthmark for a big chunk of the trip, but over this last week, we have been doing ministry in downtown New Orleans with a ministry called Urban Impact (www.urbanimpact.org). All week long our students have been working with inner city kids in the worst parts of New Orleans. Where we are ministering may not be the places that many of us would choose to go visit, but under the right supervision (which we have) and with appropriate cautions (which we are taking), we have found that there is some incredible ministry to be done here. God has been moving in and through our whole team. Much of the ministry being done has been in our students lives as their world is expanded, as they deal with the subtle racism that no one is completely free from, and as they allow God to be revealed to them in the face of these students that they are ministering to... "the least of these." We have not had a chance to compile the pictures yet, but as soon as possible we will get some up for you all. This has been an intensely busy week and our students are tired, but they are also looking forward to next week in Pass Christian, MS. Our plan is to spend most of the day in New Orleans on Saturday doing the tourist stuff. Then we will make our way back to the First Baptist Church in Pass Christian to get settled for the next 10 days. Sunday morning we are with the church for the service (and I think I am preaching... it wasn't really clear, but I am coming prepared anyway). If I can get internet access tonight I will update with some more details and pictures, but if not, then don't expect another update until Sunday Night. Thanks so much, Josh Rose
Hey Everyone,
Most of our team made it to Pass Christian, Mississippi, last night around 9pm and then we have spent all day today preparing for our ministry here. Please be praying for Sarah, Jessica, and Cheryl who we had to leave back in Escondido. Pray that they get healthy and that they can catch up to us as soon as possible! Other than having to leave them, we haven't run into any other major problems. Other than being pretty tired, we are having a great time! I have had a terrible time getting internet access, and what I have now is really slow. But here are some pictures... Enjoy!
Our team at the Denver Airport on our layover
A little meeting in our Church!
A View from the Car on the way home from Walmart... Not bad.
Tyler in the Sound
Lunch
Hours and hours of preparation.
Inviting kids to our Back Yard Bible Study
We are going to partner with the First Baptist Church in Pass Christian, Mississippi. Can't wait to get there!