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Thanks so much for your prayers and your comments on the blog. It was really encouraging to know that we had so many supporting us. Your interest in our group and trip was a real boost for us. As we come home we are really tired and yet full of stories. The problem is getting the stories out of them. First of all DON'T ask them questions that have one word answers: "So, how was it?", "Did you have fun?", "Was it worth it?". You might start with the pictures we have posted: www.faithkent.org/FMpics
Ask them to tell you about a certain picture that interests you, or what God taught them about themselves. Ask them to describe one new relationship they developed on the trip and how that changed them. Ask them to describe a time that they felt that God used them. Be creative and set up times to buy them some Starbucks and hear their stories. We are so privileged to have represented you in Canada.
Aaron for the Teams
Hey everyone! This is Luke, and we are currently making our way through Idaho! Its really cool to see the creation around us as we drive past beautiful mountains. Most everyone is sleeping, except me and Toph (probably a good thing cause he's driving). God has done so much in the past week its been so awesome to see. We've seen him take our feeble attempt at making a VBS and turn it into something that brought tons of kids (and parents) into the church to hear about the love of Christ. Starting with 5 kids attending monday, and finishing friday with 35 kids there! Thursday 2 fort macleod girls; Sam and Jill gave their lives to the Lord! Its been crazy to see the power of prayer all week, and how we should go to God with everything. God has been moving through us so much ; we've been trying to ask him to fill us with his Spirit, instead of trying to do things on our own. Thank you so much to all of you back home who have been supporting and praying for us throughout this whole adventure!! We are missing our new friends in Canada but are looking forward to seeing you all in 7ish hours! signing out -Luke Jacobsen for the FM Team P.S. from Aaron - We'll stop in Moses Lake about 6:15pm for our last supper together as teams. We've been mixing up teams and telling stories on the way home. Pray for the travel and also the "take home" lessons we'll review at dinner.
Sally attends a Mormon stake house in town but immediately said she didn't believe, "I shouldn't be forced to have babies to fill heaven and especially if my husband turned out to be an evil man." Later, she asked, "Won't my good works get me to heaven?"
There are two stake houses in Fort Macleod, population 3,600, that serve four LDS services with 2,000 for the surrounding area.
Several times the issue of good works is addressed within those verses. She was on the brink of tears throughout our precious time together.
She understood and received the truth and clearly embraced the Good News for her life. She made some kind of decision for Christ at 13. Her parents were very angry as they attend the FM stake house. She cannot read a Bible at home nor attend a Christian church, now. Sally's response was very genuine. I am entrusting Sally's care to our Great God, the Lord of the harvest.
I had her start a personal letter to God about where she has been and where she stands, right now. She shared she finished it and was rejoicing amazed when she reread it later in the day. Sally shared throughout the day with several of our youth group, Pastor Aaron, and the FM youth about the step she took to receive Christ. I am just jumping up and down in astounding joy!
Tim
Jeff Jacobsen and I hosted four FM youth this afternoon and encouraged them with their own awesome youth group and their personal spiritual journeys. Tonight, Judy, one of the four, came in at the after-party and prayed with Mikayla about taking huge steps in her commitment to Jesus.
We are serving lunch to the 35 kids who finished the Kids Camp with us. It has been a beautiful fulfilling time at the Alliance Church. The Anglican Church team is working hard over there. I am so proud of our students. They are in deep with the students of this town and will be crying as I tear them away tomorrow morning at 9am. We will pick up the Pincher Creek Group at 10am and head home. Probably 14 hours of travel. We will update you along the way. Pray for our last canvassing effort to invite the teens to the park tonight!!!!!
Aaron for the FM Team
Wow that was an exceptional day. We had a growing group at kids camp and saw our students lit up with desire to love them. They continued to invite teens to the park wherever they went. We worked at the rodeo and got to eat dinner there. At the park we had 25 kids who got to hear some stirring testimonies and a presentation of the Gospel. Most of them stayed for our after party until 11pm (even more came just to after party) and got a lot more answers to tough questions and heard the Gospel and invitation as well. Friday Night at the after party we will host a Talent Show and pizza feed as our last connection with the locals. Pray for lots of fun and great spiritual conversations.
Aaron for the FM Team
Hey everyone! Its Becky for the first time since the trip started. We have been working at the rodeo throughout the week and I got to pick up rocks, paint bull pins, and even met this little boy named Jay, he is from Australia and travels with his family. He was such a neat boy who loved to talk. Also at the park I met Monica. She spent the night last night with us and she was going through something and we all went up to her and just surrounded her and prayed for her. We accepted her into our family. The VBS is going great too! We had a team meeting today and someone mentioned one of the families that have never been to church and are new to the town and I have really seen them become happier as the week goes on. Tonight I talked to Star. Me and Sarah just talked to her about how she feels about god because the night before she asked how do we know that god is real? Star and Monica have both been in my hearts lately. Already I can feel our own team grow and become part of a family. I love it!
Becky for the Team
Pastor Aaron: reminds us we are dead to self and watching God do amazing things
Well, it’s Wednesday, halfway through the week and somehow I’m still moving. I’ve watched our VBS grow from 5 children to 20, led worship, made crafts, performed skits, and begun to form relationships with the children there. It has been amazing watching each of the children change; for example three kids arrived Monday, silent & friendless, afraid to talk even to ask for the glue. Today the youngest was talking to several people, and the oldest actually stood up in front of everyone to retell our Bible story. Our evenings have been shared with local teens in Centennial Park, playing games and sharing stories. Last night I shared my testimony, and thanks to God, was completely comfortable and was able to talk about my story without nervousness. Later, most of the teens came back to join us at the church and asked some really deep questions about God…Pray that we can help answer some of their questions and that God’s will is done in their lives & in our VBS, that we can handle all the children & continue to give them God’s love. We’ve also had a bunch of fun working at the local rodeo grounds, cleaning it up for their rodeo this weekend, apparently a job (not surprisingly) that no one at Fort Macleod wants…so it has been an excellent opportunity to witness. Also pray that we have enough energy to make it through the week J Well…I’m done rambling so I’ll sign off.-Tabitha
Its Wednesday and this week has been so amazing already! I’ve had some really amazing conversations with a few girls that have come to the park at night. I plan on sharing my testimony tonight at the park. Vbs is going really well and the kids are adorable! Hopefully we can save some lives this week. I’ve already made so many new friends here. I love my team, and Canadian people are so friendly! I miss the team over in pincher creak but I’m praying for them over there and I miss everyone at home so much. Mom, Dad, Ash, Nate or Justin are reading this, I Iove you all so much! And happy birthday Justin! The church here is so amazing and the hospitality is great! I’m typing in the van and I’m getting slightly car sick so everyone have a good day! Love Sarah!(:
What we see God doing in you:
Austin
- Teaching word of God to kids
- Asking for feedback, incorporating into following day
- not complaining while working
- stepping outside comfort zone to work with kids.
Derek
- Persevering through sickness to work at Rodeo grounds
- Stepping beyond shyness to get to know people
- Courage of God coming through
- Using sense of humor to encourage others
Christine
- Hard worker
- Love of God showing through in everything
- Great work with kids
- Gladly volunteers to help with whatever is needed
Tabitha
- Sensitive to the work of the spirit
- Receptive ear for those who need to talk
- Helping lead VBS activities
Dawna
- Great energy with kids
- Always willing to share story with anyone who will listen
- Works great with kids while also relating well to all the youth
- Doesn’t dwell on bad stuff in life, but uses those experiences to help others
- Trustworthy, can talk to confidentially without being judged.
Nathan
- Works very well with kids
- Great sense of humor
- Gets along well with everyone
- Very hard worker
Brandon
- Hard work at rodeo grounds, putting heart into work with a willing spirit
- Great work leading games
- Always willing
Fuego
- Hilarious
- Patient
- “you’re a boss”
- Helpful w/ slides, tech stuff, etc.
- Good at talking to teens and adults
- “Adventure buddy”
Aaron
- Also “adventure buddy”
- Connects with everyone – teens, kids, adults
- Great sense of humor
- Great at looking into word leading through tough questions
- Admits when he doesn’t have the answers
- Always there and available
Sarah
- Trusting and nice – easy to be friends with
- “like a little sister”
- Boldness – working to understand and present faith
- Easy to talk to
Camden
- Perseveres through illness
- Honesty and transparency, sharing testimony with anyone in order to help them and share Christ.
- “Mr. Awesome” – kids at Anglican church
- Humble
Mikayla
- Lets God use her in many ways
- Willing to leave family for a week to help lead group.
- “like a mom”
- Trustworthy, someone who can be talked to by the girls about anything
Jordan
- Willing to step out and be the first to talk to new people
- Showing God’s courage
- Enthusiastic
- Trustworthy
Luke
- Super funny but with a serious heart for God
- Uses musical skills to worship Christ and not to draw attention to himself.
- Great leadership skills
- Helps bring others into a worshipful mood
Mark
- Great friend
- Great humor
- Works well with kids
- Interacts with all ages well
- Goes easily between serious and fun
Jeff
- Heart, sensitivity, love for the group
- GREAT with kids
- Very helpful with VBS
- Easy for youth to talk to
Becky
- “best friend”
- Works great with little girls at VBS
- Prays with sincerity
- Pushes others to grow in their walk with God
- Energetic but can be serious when needed
Aaron for the FM Team
Hey this is Cheyenne..I’m from Fort Macleod Alberta I have found it an amazing experience that this mission group could come to our town and share the word of God to our community. Through the 14 years that I have lived in this town and the one year being a true believer of God and being baptized I have never seen anyone/group spiritually touch our town as much as they did. I have been really touched by two kids especially .. one a girl who made me realize that I shouldn’t be afraid to share my personal god life with other people and to pray in public, and a guy who made me realize that I shouldn’t let them take control over me. What really made me laugh was some of the questions these teenagers asked me. Such as my don’t you have an accent, do you have a grocery store here? And the funniest thing of all.. why don’t you say EH ? ( after they found out I didn’t I got called a fake Canadian )
This is Derek for the Fort Macleod team. Today was full of amazing things that really showed all of us how powerfully God is working in this town through us. We started out with the Kid’s Camp that we planned on Sunday. It was really exciting how God brought so many kids here, especially on such short notice, as we had double the kids as yesterday! They seemed to get really excited about what we were teaching them and really open to it. We really have to rely on God to get us through, since it becomes very apparent that we can make everything happen on our own. It was another day of hard work at the rodeo grounds too, filling in gopher holes. The lifestyle here is so different than what we are used to and it’s a lot of fun experiencing all these new things! Finally, we went to the park to hang out with the local youth. It was great being able to connect with and encourage the Christians here and to build relationships with everyone and answer their questions. Please pray for the people we are going to meet and that we will all be energized for activities in the future.
Derek for the FM Team
P.S. from Aaron… I was so proud of the students today. They were jumping out of the van to invite more people to come to our events. Tonight we had at least 37 in the park tonight and had a powerful time of testimonies. Even the guy on the motorcycle scooter that Jordan flagged down on the road came. J At the after party 14 of them stuck with us and we dealt with big questions of why does God allow cancer, evil, disease and How do we know there even is a God. It was a stellar night. Now the thunder and lightning threatens to shut the power off so better get the blog up.