Day Five

Well, today was the big day...we'd been advertising all week long that we were going to be having a party in the park across from the elementary school today, and boy did we ever! It all came together wonderfully...we had hot dogs, sno-cones, cotton candy, balloon animals, a bounce house, face-painting, and even pony rides...all for FREE. And the best part was that a lot of people from the neighborhood came to check it out! Pastor Chris and the church got to meet a lot of new people today, and we're hoping that many of them will visit the church and get plugged into the ministry there. But it was also just a great way to give back into the community and show God's love to the families here...no strings attached. Several people were truly shocked that a church would do all of this for free. It's sad how we have become so conditioned by our culture to suspect that something isn't really ever "free". Some things truly ARE, including God's love as it was shown for us and as it is shown by us to others. We had one such chance to show that love today, and we had a blast doing it! Check out some of the action below...










After the party came to end and we got everything cleaned up, we were able to come back to the hotel for a bit and take advantage of the pool on this hot Arizona day. Speaking of the hotel...it has really worked out well for us! We ended up saving a lot on food, as we have breakfast here each morning, and they served a free dinner on Wednesday and Thursday. Our rooms have kitchenettes, so we've also been able to make our own lunches and dinners.

Tonight we had dinner at the Wotherspoon's house. They have been so much fun to spend time with and work alongside this week. They truly are amazing and giving people, and we have been privileged to be here with them and with the church. They have taken GREAT care of us. Tonight Chris grilled out for us and after dinner we got to hear more of their story and sing a few songs together with their family.

We ended the night together back at the hotel with a time of worship and reflection. This is always one of my favorite times on our trips. I really sensed God's presence as we sang together in one of our hotel rooms, and it was very meaningful to share communion as a team. I have really felt a theme for this trip of tangible love . Our shirts say "Arizona is for Lovers" and reference 1 John 3:16-18. We are to be "lovers" of people in the same way that God demonstrated His love for us, by sending Christ as a sacrifice. The love that we have experienced should compel us to lay down our lives for one another. Communion is such an awesome reminder of the depth of God's love for us, and every time I take part, it moves me to think about my response to that love. I challenged our team tonight to evaluate their response to God's love in light of what 1 John 3 says. Our love and focus for others betrays our understanding of how God loves us.



I am really looking forward to tomorrow's worship service with Coldwater Church. Our team will get to experience what life is like in a church plant, and be a part of helping everything happen, from set-up to tear down, helping with kids ministry, and bringing snacks for people...they will get to be a real part of church tomorrow. I think it will be a great experience for them. Oh, and a happy father's day to everyone back home!

Please join us in prayer today for:

- The Church service. Pray that some of the people whom we met at the park will come to church. Pray that our students really take in the experience of being a part of a church plant.

- The connections we made in the park. Pray that God would use what they experienced today as a part of the process of bringing them closer to Him. Pray that they would seek out a relationship with God and get involved in a church.

- The Wotherspoons. They have continued to be so gracious to us and have really taken good care of us. We just pray for God's continued blessing and provision in their lives.