There is information and emotional overload for me as I try to collect my thoughts to put in this journal. I have not had time to even look at the entries on this journal. I’m just trying to keep us on schedule and in the right place at the right time. I can’t tell you how proud I am of this team. I’m so blessed to watch them give of themselves so beautifully and unselfishly. I can tell you this – they are tired little babies, having worked day and night since our arrival. They are like the energizer bunny – they just keep going and going.
This morning was a welcomed reprieve as we spent time at a beach with a local church and it’s members. The team got an orientation to “beach volleyball” and found that they prefer a hard surface as opposed to sand. Following our morning tournament they had about thirty minutes to play in the waves. It was unique to interact with the local church members and see their beach ministry - families gathering on the beach for fellowship is the norm for a Saturday morning. It is now 4:00 p.m. and we are leaving for another game and ministry.
We have seen God at work day after day. Large crowds become unbelievably quiet as the girls stand to share and we present the gospel. It is impossible to anticipate what the days will bring. Just when we think we know what to expect the plans change and we adapt. God keeps us from taking control.
8:00 p.m. We have just returned from a game with a local club. It was amazing to see how God took tired and weary bodies and gave strength for the occasion. I watched as the team rallied from within, from reserves they didn’t even know they had, to play and have fun, interact, and share Christ. Cat stood before her teammates and the crowd to share from her heart how she has learned to trust God is some very difficult times. It was refreshing to see her speak of God’s love and how she had discovered that love in a new way. Tony followed with his genuine passion for his friend, Jesus Christ, and how important it is to have a personal friend who understands all our needs. He shared with the crowd how to have that relationship and prayed with them to receive Christ. It was a powerful moment to bring to a close another day of ministry.
How can I possibly understand all of this? I am blown away, once again, at God’s goodness, mercy and faithfulness to us. I honestly believe He is becoming greater in our lives day by day, and we are becoming less. Our challenge today was to look deep within the “gymnasium of our souls” where we practice becoming like Christ. I honestly believe the personal “gymnasiums” of the team members’ souls are becoming more and more disciplined during these days of ministry. My prayer continues to be that we will be faithful to all He has for us during these next days, and that each of us will grow in Christlikeness. Keep praying for us!