JourneyMissions2010

Talofa!

As Melissa and I sit here writing this post, we found ourselves walking through the beginning of a rainstorm. Up until now, the weather has been absolutely amazing! I found myself actually getting cold at night in Samoa, which is a huge plus!

I am so proud of this team! We just ended a team devotion, with worship led by Will on guitar, which we have each morning and night. I don’t know if it is the weather, but the team is filling the room with beautiful music! I shared a word out of Deuteronomy, where Moses shares with the Israelites to be strong and courageous. Most of the team members shared some fears they are confronting on this trip so far, and I am very impressed with the openness of the team. I startled Becca, by asking her to spontaneously sharing her testimony. I think the team was heartened by her words, and reminds us that God is truly in the business of changing lives! By the way, as you read this, is God continuing to change your life?

Yesterday, we started off with another wonderful breakfast of eggs, toast, fruit, baked beans, and a hot banana/coconut soup. The women continue to humble us with their incredible acts of service. We loaded up the van and a car, and headed off to Paradise! Literally! We went to Paradise Cove, where a 1950’s movie was filmed. It was a great day of team bonding and playing in the water. We had chicken fights, fun with sea cucumbers and snorkeling. And half the team climbed trees, and opened coconuts for the rest of us. I think Michael has mastered the art of opening coconuts. While we were doing this, Adam found himself in heaven…not because of the view or the ocean, but because 3 local men were filling sandbags and carrying them 100+ feet! Adam helped them for a couple of hours!

We came back to the campus and were immediately greeting by enthusiastic kids. One of the kids pulled Drew aside, and brought out a picture of a last year’s team. We are amazed at how many of the kids remember the names of the returning team members, and how quickly they have memorized all the new team members names! We played games and talked to the people gathered at the field. The team did fun things like Amanda throwing a rugby ball with some boys, Matt getting tackled by a group of kids playing Red Light/Green Light, Jason throwing tennis balls with the little kids, Bethany caught up with the women she has gotten know over the last couple of years, and everyone was having awesome conversations. Rob hung out with the professors as he was brought a Coke and watched everyone bonding with the Malua locals (must be a sign of Rob getting old!).

After everyone cleaned up (the boys were covered in sweat, grass stains and dirt), we had another incredible dinner of homemade fried chicken, rice and fruit! The power spontaneously went out, but since so many were prepared with flashlights in the room, we had an awesome dinner atmosphere by flash light. We almost regretted the lights coming back on! Dinner was followed by Samoan ice cream! Matt, Drew and Molly thoroughly enjoyed repeated helpings!

Our night closed off with a team devotion, and we broke up into our sports camp and kids camp teams. We are all very excited to see how the camps unfold, especially with all the relationships we have had a chance to develop already!

Prayer requests:

· Team health

· Adam – he is feeling a little under the weather

· The kids camp as everyone is preparing for their jobs

· Saturday with the youth group

P.S. Thank you for your prayers on my heath, I am feeling much better!