Wow, how is it possible to sum up seven days of intensity and God showing up? It isn't.
But here's an idea.
the YWAM Tyler KK-DTS (aka us) arrived at First United Methodist Church in Abilene last Thursday at about 4. I got to be part of a group that visited the inmates at a prison, and it was an amazing start to the cool things God did. I got to talk to a woman that was really hungry for God, and I prayed for God to show up to her personally. The only thing I really remember that I told her is that we have to get to the end of our ropes before we can hold onto what God has to give. And in tears, she told me that she thought she was there. It was really cool to see God show up in that room, full of women who had made the wrong choices but were being offered the same grace and chance that all of us have.
And that was just Thursday. Friday we went to the mall for a "treasure hunt" which was where we prayed for God to give us specific locations, appearances, etc and then we were to look for them and be open to talking to people ("friendship evangelism"). The things on my list didn't pan out, but God took me into a shoe store where I saw a poster that absolutely broke me. There was a picture of a girl that couldn't have been more than 10. She was in full grown-up makeup and posed with a pout on her girlish lips, and God just broke my heart over the sexualization of young girls. If you read this, please say a quick prayer of protection over these young ones that are being shaped by the media and society.
Saturday I worked at the Palm Street House (knocking out ancient stucco from the bottom of the house), which is a 125 year old house that the church we are working with have been trying to get up and running for 5 years--a place to reach out to community...and we have made so much progress! Sunday we did both services with our drama "The Clincher" (about the Gospel, really) and then...we had a youth time that night that we just hung out with the kids... :)
Monday, work day at the Palm House, which meant hours of painting. Tuesday we cleaned the sanctuary. Wednesday (was that really yesterday?) was another block of hours painting, and then the youth group that night, which we ran.
Today...the Brazil clown team (including me) entertained preschoolers with skits, games, and songs for 45 minutes. It was exhausting, but fun. Okay, mostly ;) I scared myself when I first looked in the mirror at my clown makeup ;).
So I guess that pretty much catches up the week. Wow...and we have a day off tomorrow, which is good :) That'll be awesome. I love YWAM. This has been a great journey.
