Getting Closer as a Team and Aware of our Purpose

Hello!
This is Lindsay, and I will be working with Paul to keep you all updated on what the Rock Harbor
Summer South Africa team is up to. The count down is on, and with only 25 days left before we leave,
fund raising efforts are going stronger than ever. We all have sent our letters to friends and family, a
great exercise in humility and faith. As many of us are learning, the life long lessons which come along
with mission work begin long before setting foot in a foreign country. Another great way some of us
have been raising funds is by selling our very own Rock Harbor in South Africa t-shirts. A big thanks
to Paul for making these shirts possible!

Also, our team has been preparing through group training's and social gatherings. A few weeks ago,
Meredith was kind enough and very generous to open her home to all of us for a great get-together.
After some food and catching up we were privileged to have a guest speaker. Jessie, from 31 Bits (a
non-profit based out of Costa Mesa) shared some of her amazing experiences doing holistic
development work in Uganda. What is “holistic development” you ask? Well, in a nutshell, there are
two types of missionary work.

The first is relief work, which is what most people think of first when you bring up mission work.
Relief includes giving out food, clothing, etc. This type of work can be very helpful in emergency
situations, but Jessie gave us lots of examples of how this type of relief can actually be harmful to
communities long term. This is where holistic development, which is what our team will be doing in
South Africa, is different from relief work. Holistic development aids communities in finding long-term
solutions to their individual problems and issues. Think of the “give a man a fish vs. teaching a man to
fish” analogy.

Holistic development is the model that Bridges Of Hope, the organization we are working with in
South Africa follows. Educating and supporting people within the communities we are trying to help
can bring long-term, permanent and positive change, rather than short-term and temporary relief.
Listening to Jessie's stories of how holistic development has changed the lives of so many in Uganda
has given me a refreshed vision of what we can bring to the people of South Africa. Although the tasks
we are physically able to accomplish during our two week visit are somewhat limited, the results of this
type of mission work will last and be remembered long after we have come home. After all, we have
been called to do God's work.

In edition to learning about the work we will be doing we have also been learning about our teammates.
Over the last few months we have been blessed to hear the stories of how God called each of us to
serve in South Africa. Once Jessie finished her presentation, we heard from Jared and Dana about their
journeys with the Lord that led them here. Listening to everyone share their experiences with God's
work in their lives is always exhilarating and inspiring!

This last Friday evening some of us gathered for a bonfire in Huntington Beach, where we roasted
marshmallows and ate s'mores! Unfortunately, not everyone was able to make it (boo work!) but we
still share some fun (and silly) moments, got to do some worship (thanks for bringing your guitar Ray!)
and we heard personal stories from Allie, Matt and Danielle. All in all, it was a really fun night!

RH South Africa SUMMER 2014...GETTING READY TO GO!

14 people

One thing in common…

JESUS CHRIST

Mission...

1. Go to South Africa
2. Commit to seeing sustainable change and transformation in the township of Sweet Home through  a partnership with Bridges of Hope, and through the spreading of the gospel of Jesus Christ

Introducing this summers team…

Power House Church Day (oops where's Matt??)

HERE HE IS!  Matt's the awesome guy in the black Tshirt -  found him!

So, what’s the story behind this picture?  Each of us heard of the opportunity to serve in South Africa through friends or during the church services at Rock Harbor.  To be considered we each were required to complete an application and submit it to a committee of mission leaders and others who were on the prior years trip.  We were called in to interview and asked a series of questions designed to get to know us, our heart and our commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ.  Many of us shared our deepest feelings and experiences to our interviewers hoping they would see our heart and choose us to go on this exciting and life changing mission.

We waited for weeks to hear the results and, finally, one night, we each started to receive calls.  Some were disappointed they would not be part of the team, others, those you see above, were offered the opportunity to go to South Africa and influence the hearts and minds of people in a far off land, a nation steeped with history, violence, hatred, and a need for faith in our Lord.  The team was formed!

A few weeks later we were gathered together for our first meeting.  14 people, who never met, placed in a room together to start the process of learning about each other,  learning about our role on this trip, and growing together as a team focused on bringing the word of God to the township of South Africa and continuing the mission, the partnership Rock Harbor has worked hard to forge with Bridges of Hope. 

We were asked to commit to raising $3500 to be part of this trip and to do so through donations, not by paying for it ourselves.  Why raise the money if you could pay for it yourself,  good question with an even better answer,  to raise awareness by asking others to know why we would be doing, its importance, its impact and to invite others to participate in the mission of expanding God's kingdom.

A series of meetings were set for a variety of purposes.  The first was to introduce us to each other and lay out the requirements of the trip from fundraising to team roles and responsibilities.  Next step, start to learn about the power of prayer, what it means to hear God, to discern his voice from our own.  That was a day!  What a powerful experience for our team. We really learned about each other.  Next step,  start sharing our stories,  our testimony.  Many of us have had some life changing experiences that brought us to God. We shared, we cried, we became a team!

A few social gatherings later,  we started to get some traction and really become a team.  We were assigned roles within the team and were asked to work together on communications,  team building activities,  what to do when we felt angry with each other.  We role played,  talked, prayed together, and worshiped together growing closer each time.  We started to learn about the culture of the people we would be visiting, about the curse of Aides and its impact on the people.  As we grew together as teams and as sub groups within the team we were next informed that we would be visiting a church in Watts, a place called Power House Church.

Power House Church started as a mystery to us all.  We were asked to provide lunch for those in attendance,  to prepare to teach Sunday School and to present a lesson to the congregation on Luke 22.  One of us was asked to share their testimony with these people.  We met that morning after working hard to get ready and headed off to Watts.  When we arrived we were allowed entry into a barbed wire compound that surrounded the church.  Once there we assisted get the service ready,  got lunch ready to be served, and were asked to walk around the community inviting the residence to church and lunch.  If you have ever been to Watts you might just know how we felt,  nervous, with perhaps a bit of the unknown shaking us up a bit.  However, we grouped up into teams and jumped right in. 

As we walked through the neighborhood, full of our own preconceived ideas and thoughts we started to see past our own prejudices,  beyond what we saw physically and into what life was like in this foreign place to us (30 minutes from home, haha) What we saw was a place much like our own homes.  People in their yards,  birthday parties being cleaned from the night before,  families sitting together on their porches,  kids playing in the street.  This neighborhood, although very physically different from our own in terms of cleanliness, safety and economics, wasn’t really all that different.  As we met the people we saw kindness, family and love.  We saw people doing their best to keep their homes and families safe and secure.  We saw ownership of their community and a mix of cultures and customs.  We also saw some of the things that made this area different,  lots of Pit Bulls tied up and angry,  filthy dirty dogs and cats wandering the streets that were dirty and full of trash.  We saw poverty,  we were told to be careful and stay safe by some of the residents.  As the morning progressed the young adults started to show themselves, driving recklessly throughout the neighborhood with beers in their laps bringing a sense of danger to this neighborhood.  For the most part though our invitations were welcomed, our smiles met with smiles, and our enthusiasm for the day growing.

Back to the church we went!  Kids were showing up and asking to play with us.  People from the neighborhood started to appear ready to worship together.  Lunch was getting ready,  the seats filling in the church and a readiness to let God enter the lives of those present.  The service was different that what we experience at Rock Harbor but not that different.  Most of the early part of the service was dedicated to praying for the sick , the wounded, and the less fortunate family members and friends of those present.  Then came worship!  Man oh man did things light up.  Tamborines,  guitars,  vocalists and spirit rose from the seats and the hearts of the congregation  We do a good job worshiping at RH but not to the level we saw here.  People raised their hands to the Lord,  shouting hallelujah and amen.  Little kids were clapping and singing,  older folks filled with spirit sane their hearts out.  The sermon itself was mainly about Luke 22.  We provided a “Spoken Word” review of Luke 22, a personal testimony of one of our group members shared,  one of the team led some worship and we all fell into the spirit of the moment!

Lunch was served right after the service and we all got to sit and get to know those in attendance, sharing their lives,  talking about ours and finding a commonality that we really didn’t expect.  After spending the day at Power House we all felt a little sad to leave and go home, but we did, richer than when we arrived, stronger as a team an more aware of what God really does in the lives of people, all types of people. 

AND, SO WHAT...

We've been learning a whole lot about ourselves, prayer, customs, people, issues and the list goes on and on.  Most of all, we've been learning what our role is here, on this team, how we can make a difference or at least contribute to one.  Through our learnings, discussions and interactions we've suddenly become a small team, a family!  Our visit to Power House Church taught us to look at life through the lens of those living it rather than our own.  To discard our own prejudices and look at those living a life maybe different than ours.  We've learned to pray, to listen, to attempt to discern our own voice versus that of God.  What an awesome beginning.  Please keep us in your prayers and thoughts as we continue to grow and learn about ourselves and those we will interact and impact in the next few weeks! 

Next step, another social!  That’s coming up soon!  What will we learn next, whats our next experience as God prepares us for South Africa?  Check back and see!  Life is getting interesting!  

Bitter Sweet Goodbye

Hello There--Caitlin here! 

Mom, Dad, Kevan, and Stephen--I've missed you guys so much! I can't wait to see you all soon! :) 

I volunteered to write on the last day of the trip because I knew I would need time to process all we've been through these past few weeks, and boy was I right. (Sorry Mom!) ;)

Well, today marks our last day here in ZA (South Africa), and to be honest, we all have mixed emotions about leaving. While we miss our homes, loved ones, etc…South Africa has stirred something in each of our hearts, and we're not quite ready to leave. 

At least we had a very easy day today. We went to St. Paul's church in Philippi (a township near the Sweethome township), and painted a few rooms in the church. Afterwards, we headed back to the Retreat Center (which we now call home) to pack. As we all became accustomed to sixteen hour days filled with classes, camp activities, screaming kids, midnight bedtimes, and 7am alarm settings…the quiteness of our last day made all of our hearts realize just how much has happened in the past few weeks, and how much our hearts are now forced back to the reality of everyday life. 

But while our day is less full schedule-wise, it is packed with goodbyes. Today we say farewell to our Bridges kids, and that is not something I'm personally looking forward to. I have a very hard time with goodbyes, so tissues will be a necessity. I have absolutely fallen in love with these kids, and hate the fact that I won't get to see them throughout their school year. Their warmth, joy, laughter, and hearts have captured all of us, and we all wish we could take them with us, or better yet, stay here with them. Our hearts pray that God would lead them through this school year, and that they would grow into the men and women they're meant to be. The love we have for these kids is abundant, and we will miss them every single we day we're not with them.

Oh my goodness, I am so overwhelmed while thinking over the last few weeks.  I seriously feel like we've been here a few months rather than the fourteen days we've actually been here! God has done such incredible things! And now that we're leaving, I can't say that I'm taking my heart with me. From the second we landed in Cape Town, it felt like home; and I know I am not the only team member with that feeling. It's every missionary's dream to fall in love with the place they're called to serve in, but I found that we didn't fall in love with South Africa, we fell in love with its people. 

Whether it was a child from the Sweethome township, a member of the CHE's (Community Health Evangelism), the high schooler's at Bridges, we all made deep connections with the people we were called to serve. And while, in my mind, I would be bringing home the weight of their stories, and the burden of their sorrows, I'm blessed with the gift of their joy. Because in spite of their circumstances, I saw more joy, more laughter, and more peace than anyone I know back home. God has blessed them with the peace of His presence, and they choose to rejoice, rather than weep. I am changed by their example of trust, service, and faith; and I pray, for our entire team, we hold on to the mentalitiy these beautiful people live by.

While I could go on and on, I know I need to end with this simple statement: God is here. God is working here in this broken Country. And while there will always be worries and concerns for the people we leave behind, God isn't leaving them. The family we have here is just as close to us as the family back home. We are bound by our Savior, and in that, we can smile knowing He is with them always.

South Africa, you stole my heart. And I don't really mind! ;)

On our way home

Hey everyone, (thanks for the assist on this one Wood.)

If all has gone to plan, you're reading this post, and we're flying somewhere at 35,000 feet. You can track our flight status by clicking on the links below. (Oh, and Jami, Isaac, and Caleb, see you soon!)



Our first flight, Cape Town to London. VS604

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/VIR604/history/20140118/2040Z/FACT/EGLL

Our second flight, London to LAX VS23

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/VIR23/history/20140119/1515Z/EGLL/KLAX

Now it's Time to Say Goodbye to All Our Company...

Hey guys!

It’s Kristin…tonight’s blog post is brought to you by me!

Real quick…Want to wish my mom a HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! Love you mucho and we’ll just say you’re turning 40 again. <3

Anywho, today was an awesome day. We finished up our final day of teaching at the academy and spent our last day in Sweet Home. Our team rocked it here at the academy and even stepped up when a bible and physics class had to be covered at the last minute. Erin, Steven, and Sarah used the opportunity to pump up the students one last time. Apparently, Sarah was the MVP of the day when she decided to teach physics and school Erin and Steven on the subject. For a brief moment, the students got to know what it was like to make paper airplanes in class and not get sent to the principal’s office. All in all, our team handled it once again and never stopped loving on the kids.

As for our team in Sweet Home, what a day! We actually had a day where we spent the entire time with the kiddos. It was some kind of wonderful. No matter how many times we see their smiling faces, we can’t help, but run and throw them up into the air; never wanting to let them go. Today was filled with tag, wrestling, way too much dirt in the mouth and even a few vampire bites, but it was all worth it. The later part of the afternoon was full of fun with our kids from the OVC camp we had last week. It was such a blessing to be able to see these kiddos one more time before we left. You worry that maybe they've gone back to their everyday life and left us behind, but these kids love us like family; I hope that will never change.

With all of these kids, both in the academy and in Sweet Home, it’s such a humbling experience to see that they have practically nothing, but love life and love us unconditionally. We tend to spend our time wondering about and yearning for a way to help them escape, but they are such a beacon of God’s love in these communities. As I've told my team, we are wired to solve problems and that’s ok, but it is these experiences that God calls out and says, “Just wait and see what I can do.” Although we look at a big picture and at what we could possibly provide these children back home, Christ looks at the biggest picture and looks at what these kids can do for Him.

Today was filled with laughter and tears; hugs and goodbyes, but this story isn't over. I think that’s where many of us stumble. We spend months are years planning for these trips and expect these huge God moments, but sometimes we forget that He likes to speak in a gentle whisper from time to time. So many lives have been touched, that it is impossible to not see that Christ‘s kingdom is here and now. These experiences are only the beginning!

As hard as it is going to be to say by to such beauty, I am excited to share what Christ has been doing first hand.  Although, I am definitely buying a vacation house in Cape Town…if I magically win the lotto.

I love you all and thank you so much for supporting our team!!

Love much!

Kristin

Back to Sweet Home: Day 2

Hello!  It’s Morgan writing to you tonight!  It’s midnight and we have had yet another packed day, but something about this place keeps us all going and LAUGHING from sun up to sun down :-).

Those of us that stayed back to help teach at the academy yesterday, along with a few others, headed into Sweet Home this morning.  Kaila, Amber, Natalie, and Chris stayed back this time to step in and teach at the academy and run the after school program. 

Our trip into the township started off with a stop at a Wal-Mart like store to fulfill some of the tangible needs in Sweet Home that the team saw yesterday during their visit.  The after school program and informal school in Sweet Home had virtually no supplies.  So we stocked up on sports equipment, school, and office supplies to take back to them.  Our first stop was to the informal school.  This is where those children from Sweet Home who do not have a birth certificate are able to attend school.  We were able to help them clean up and survey some of the major repairs they need to the building itself.  A huge prayer request would be for the time and resources to make the school building safe and equipped for the teachers and students before they begin next week!   Heather and Erin were able to educate some of the CHEs (Community Health Evangelists) with tools to use in the classroom.  The CHEs are volunteers from townships that have chosen to empower themselves so help their community with the problems they face.  It was really amazing to meet some of them and see how eager they are to make a change in Sweet Home. 

For the next workshop we all headed to the tiny church building in Sweet Home so Adam and Heather could teach on Money Management.  They did and amazing job. I know their knowledge in this area was such a blessing to the CHEs who attended!  Yesterday the team gathered some information from a couple of women who were in need of some help growing their chicken selling business.  Today, they were able to present them with a flyer they created to advertise as well as some supplies for the business.  They were completely overwhelmed and it was really special to see God provide for them through our team.   The rest of us were outside being mobbed by about 30 children!  My highlight of the day was seeing some of the kids we got so close to during the OVC camp running around Sweet Home.  We really just can’t get enough of these kids!   

Tonight, we got to just hang out with the academy students at the bonfire, making S’Mores and worshipping.  Caitlin led us in another beautiful devotional and shared her testimony.  I think I speak for all of us when I say how blessed we have been on this trip by both Caitlin and Steven’s gift for delivering God’s word to the team and the students here these past two weeks!   I think we are all soaking up every second we can spend with these kids in the last couple days we are here.  It is really starting to sink in for all of us that we will be leaving this incredible place so soon.   

Chris Kamalski, the student's pastor at Bridges Academy, led us in a short debrief  to prepare us in out transition back home.  We were able to share our hearts and just pray and encourage one another, which was really special for all of us.  We have grown incredibly close and I can’t begin to describe how many ways I have been blessed by each member of this team.  God truly put us all here together for a reason and I feel like I have gained 14 new family members! 

I can’t wait to see everyone I love back home in a couple days!  Thank you all for your prayers and support and please continue to pray for our last days in the townships as well as our hearts and the academy students hearts as we are all going to have a very difficult time saying out goodbyes Saturday. 

Back to Sweet Home

Heather here!

It’s a little sobering to think that we have only 3 more days left…

Most of the team went in to Sweet Home today, but a few were scheduled to stay back to help run the Academy after school programs.  The Academy has had a number of curve balls thrown at them this week with a few teachers either leaving or deciding not to return the day before school started.  Our team was asked to help fill in for a couple of these classes with today being their 1^st day back to school.  As of last night our understanding was that we were going to be helping in the Math and Science classes, but were informed this morning that we were needed to fill in for English, Religious Studies, and EMS (Economics/Business) as well.  Ryan, Steven, Caitlin, Morgan and Kristin did an outstanding job stepping up to the need!!!

Today was our first day back in Sweet Home since the 1^st day we arrived.  It was bittersweet for many.  Being able to see some of the kids from the OVC Camp last week was exciting, but the reality of their situation became much tougher now that we have names and stories to match the faces.   Monica led the morning session with the CHE’s (Community Health Evangelist) in a discussion to develop a flyer to assist sales and marketing for the ladies who sell chickens.  The intention was to also meet with the ladies who are starting a fast-food restaurant, but not all were present.  We are hoping to talk with them in the session I will be leading tomorrow on money management.  

Before we began our afternoon session, we were able to do a couple home visits.  God has really stirred up the hearts of many on our team to pursue what options exist to get kids who participate in the informal school the option to attend the normal school.  The 1^st home we stopped at was one of the homes we prayed over when we 1^st arrived.  The child who lives there has been unable to attend normal school because she does not have possession of her birth certificate.  This is unfortunately a fairly common road block these kids face.  The 2^nd home we stopped at was one of the kids that attended the OVC camp.  This 11 year old kid has been through quite an ordeal the last couple of days.  After being locked up in his home by his caretakers, he was able to run to his aunt for refuge.  He is also one who does not have his birth certificate.  The big dilemma for him is that he does not know his actual birthday, just the month and year.   He asked us to come to his aunt’s to pray and she was gracious to allow us in her home.  After Sisanda (who is on Bridges staff) was able to translate the discussion and we prayed, many of the girls began to discuss ways we could help including meeting with the social worker to learn more.  Please pray for this situation and for our heavy hearts.

The afternoon session to review ideas for the After School Programs (specifically life skills, health and discipleship) was productive as well. 

When we returned from Sweet Home we went to the Academy to have dinner with the students and for devotion.  We all shared in our debrief tonight how much we enjoyed just having another opportunity to spend time with the students.  They are already telling us (some fighting back tears) that they don’t want us to leave.  This is already preparing to be an emotional last few days!  Pray for focus, comfort and the ability to embrace each day without the fear or sadness that our time here is coming to a close.

And please continue to pray for our time in Sweet Home that over the next few days God would move in mighty ways!

Thanks so much for all your thoughts and prayers!  Goodnight!!!

Is This Real Life

Hey Ya’ll!

Hope all is well at home back in the states; things are going great here in South Africa! Today we had a day off and we went on an African safari to bond together as a team and recharge for our next set of classes/activities.

It was an early start for us…like 6:30 am start to be exact, but we all took naps on the car ride. Once we arrived at the safari we were greeted with glasses of sparkling apple cider and an amazing view with breakfast. As we waited for our Safari we were entertained by Natalie and a peacock, who had a stare down.

The safari was absolutely breathtaking with not a single cloud in sight and the sun shining; it was gorgeous! It was a bumpy ride, but the animals were worth it. We saw lions, elephants, zebras, ostriches, hippos, rhinos, springboks, mountain buffalo, and other animals. We certainly were the wacky tourist on the safari as we were all trying to get the perfect picture of all the animals and gorgeous views, I felt bad for the few other people on the safari with us as they probably thought we were “Crazy Americans.” But it was truly beautiful for God is the greatest artist. After the safari we went to dinner in Franschhoek and walked around a bit engulfing ourselves in the culture around us. It really is a beautiful little town. Before bed we got to see the academy kids and wish them a good first day as they start school tomorrow. I got to pray with a group of them because they were nervous. It was a cool experience to pray for peace and comfort. These kids are great kids and this country is beautiful in so many ways. It’s so surreal and I’m constantly asking myself, “Is this real life?”

Today was a great day. It was nice to just stand together as a team in the glory of God and take it all in. It was a blessing to bond and recharge as tomorrow we start teaching CHE classes, doing prayer walks, and house visits in Sweet Home. We also will be doing the after school program at the academy. I’ve seen God doing great things through the hearts of this team. And I’m excited to see what He will continue to do these last few days. He has used each of us and our gifts in incredible ways ministering to these people and teaching lifelong lessons. It’s hard to explain the bond we have as a team, but one thing I know for sure is that we are all rooted in Christ and it’s been rad to see God work through all of us. We are here because God called each of us and it’s evident that God is working here in South Africa and we are blessed to be a part of it. I know that God is stirring up in all of our hearts and I’m excited to see what God has in store for the rest of the trip because this is real life and God is definitely moving.

Much love to you all! Be Blessed!

-Steven

P.S. Hi Mom & Dad! And shout out to all my friends and family! I love and miss you all!! J

Monday Happy Day

Hey everyone. This is Ryan writing the blog tonight. Today was an overall great and happy day. We, as a team, had a ton of fun together and with the kids. It was our last day of classes with the academy students and our comfort levels have skyrocketed. There was some trouble with the 8^th grade boys, but that’s to be expected no matter what country you’re in. We have made some great connections with the students and I am having more fun with this age group than I expected.

What I took away from today is how proud I am of the 12^th grade boys. They’ve opened up to us and what they have to share has blown me away, in a good way. They are grounded in Christ and I have great hope for them in the future. Although the troubles they have to face in the townships and at their homes is so foreign to us and so unbelievable, I can still see God preparing them and using them.

I am really looking forward to Wednesday when we will get to go back into Sweethome and see the OVC kids. My heart is still with all of them.

One more huge high for today…one 9^th grade girl (that we call ‘little Erin’ because she looks just like Erin) accepted Christ into her life. The entire trip is worth it just for that. She is such a sweet girl and we are all so happy to accept her into our family through Christ.   

Sunday Funday

Hello all!  Special hello to Mom and Dad—I love and miss you guys!

Today was awesome.  We kicked off this morning with church.  Caitlin and I led several worship songs then had the opportunity be included in the student’s worship—they are amazing.  It is such a blessing to be included in something so beautiful.  After worship, Amber shared a part of her story then Ryan delivered the message.  God used Ryan in some amazing ways today: he spoke truth and was such a light to not only the kids, but also to our team. 

Later in the day, all of our team and the academy kids went to a ropes course.  Upon our arrival we broke up into teams and started the course.  This was the perfect opportunity for the kids to have a chance to work together as a team and support one another.   When I struggled to climb an eight foot (though it seemed much taller) wall, all of the team members worked together to assist me.  It was awesome to see how everyone encouraged and helped each other.

Following the ropes course there was a lot of time to hang around with the kids, which was much different from the busy schedules that we had the past couple of days.  There was space for relationships to be formed and for God to work.  We are so blessed to have time to get to know and love on these kids.  We were able to build stronger relationships with the students during the evening games. 

Overall, today was filled with highs.  I love worshiping with the students, and I love hanging out with them.  It feels just like youth group back home.  I laugh a lot and I smile a lot.  God’s love is evident, and we continue to do everything for Him.  I am excited to see what God will do in our remaining days here.

Thank all of you for your prayers.  The support has been invaluable :D

LOVE,

                Sara Barring

I think they like us!

Hey there family and friends, it’s Erin!! 

First I want to thank you all for your prayers, support, and comments!!  They mean so much to us.  Anyhow, I am excited to write this post tonight.  Our team had such a great day with the Academy kids!!  Today felt less hectic and seemed to flow better and our morning started off much better!!  The kids are having a great time and it has been such a blessing to see the kids responding and participating in our classes.  I have really loved watching our team members step up and succeed in their teaching roles and also step up to take care of other tasks that need to be done.  There is so much love getting passed around here and I know that God is with us!!! 

Here are a few highlights from today: there was a water attack on the RockHarbor leaders.  But don’t worry; some of our RockHarbor team helped the kids, including our leader Monica, make sure each leader participated! All I will say is there were a few people dragged or carried out of rooms (Heather and I) and attacked with water from the kids and the traitorous RockHarbor team members!!  The kids loved it though and it was great to bond with them through that.  We had guys and girls night tonight which the kids really enjoyed also and it was great to see the kids really get comfortable and open up to our team!!!  There were several moments today where I was able to stop and look around and what I saw was beautiful;  Team members and academy kids were having one on one (or two) conversations and sharing stories.  Really being brothers and sisters in Christ; Family.  These kids are really smart, funny, sweet, and full of joy.  It’s incredible to be able to be a part of their lives and get to know them. 

I ask that you would keep our team and the academy kids in prayer over the next week.  Pray for opportunities to connect and minister to the kids and pray for God to prepare our hearts for whatever he is calling us to this next week. 

Blessings,

Erin

P.S. Hi mom and dad!!!  And friends!!  Miss you all and love you!!