"We're not sending away people to get help ... God is sending us to help them." -- Ella N.
"God gives us what we have, even when it seems we don't have a lot." -- Julia Y.
"We're here to help people in need." -- Trajan G.
"We're seeing God and God's people in many different ways." -- Katie N.
"Jesus went out of his way to help, even when he had other things going on." -- Jacob G.
"It's like we're the loaves and fishes, and God is using us to make a difference." -- Ben J.
After a great (and hot) day at the amusement park, we arrived at Immanuel Lutheran Church, our home for the next week. We met the YouthWorks! staff and the people from First Baptist Church in Cambridge, Minn., with whom we'll be serving. We'll get to know them better when we split into our work crews tomorrow.
The most powerful moment of the day for me came during our closing church-group devotions. We prayed for one another, going around the circle and lifting up by name the person to our right. "God, I pray that Andrew will share his faith with someone tomorrow." "Lord, help Katy be your hands when we are at the worksite." "Give Allison energy and patience as she serves." Hearing every person in our group ask God to bless someone else as they serving, give them courage or help them show Jesus' love was humbling and inspiring. Whatever we do this week, it will be bathed in prayer (especially if you, dear reader, are praying for us)!
