We can't believe it is already Thursday!

Happy Thursday!

With another awesome day of ministry behind us, the kids are out serving again this morning. It is the first day of the neighborhood bible study where they will finally meet the kids they have been inviting these past few days. One work project is complete and the work crew will be outside working with the garden crew. The sports camp is heading with the kids to a water park weather permitting. Your kids are amazingly hard workers. No complaints! No slacking! We are all so proud of them. Sanding, cleaning, serving, wedding, painting, playing, reaching out. They are an awesome team. God is good and working in and through them!

Continued prayers for good weather, safety, health and open hearts all around are greatly appreciated!

Yesterday the teams had great service days and came home tired but pumped about what they are experiencing. Here are a few pics from the New Beginnings group and one of our accordian playing bus driver, Bob. He has joined the garden team in ministry and is encouraging and loving on all the people that pass by.

In the afternoon we had what is called 'the EL experience'. We get on the EL on the south side and ride it to the north side and back. It is a chance to notice the people in the city, how it changes as you travel as well as to just talk with people. The goal was to listen and learn about people. It was a stretching activity helping kids to get out of their comfort zone and share with people. Each group stayed in their groups of 3 and leaders were spread out among them. It was so fun to watch them smile with people, reach out to people and share God's love with people in different ways. Here is what two girls said about the experience and a story about one of the special people some of our kids have had to chance to get to know this week.

"I found it really easy to talk to people. Before we went on the EL I was super nervous that I wouldn't have the confidence to talk to people. I asked God to give me that extra boost because I didn't want to miss out no this experience. When we got on the train Kelli pointed out a person that I could sit with and it came easy for me to ask him questions about his experience on the EL and why he rides it. And after the first guy it was much easier to talk to people. I learned that people like being talked to and it's easy to talk to people. I just needed that extra boost from God. I would love to do it again. It was a really great experience!"
- Camrie

"I learned that people are pleasantly surprised when you want to talk to them and when you ask about them they are interested in you in return. I met a man who seemed lonely. We talked for a bit and he said he didn't want to talk about religion but then that was all we talked about. He had a very negative experience with Christians trying to force things on him. I told him that I just wanted to hear what he thought about it all. He was pretty upset with Christians and I was struggling to know what to say so I prayed and asked God for help. Then there was a guy sitting behind us and he said, "I am a Christian". He shared about his faith and his church and the first man and I just listened. He had to leave first so I asked the first man what he thought of all of that. He told me that he was confused and I might not understand but someday I would. I felt that God totally put the second man there to encourage me and to help the first man hear the truth."
- Kristin H.

"I am having a great time with the daughter of the leader of our work project, 5 year old Shanti! The first day she was attacking me with paint and she puts worms on my back. She is really polite and a little bossy too. I feel like God has put her there to bring a lot of joy in the day! She calls me "JoJo". I am having fun with her and feel like we have a good connection." - Joe

I wish I could put every story up here but I am so excited for you all to have great conversations with your kids when we return. They are going to want to share so if you can set aside a time to look at pictures and hear the incredible stories of what God is doing you will be blessed!

After the EL experience and another great dinner at the Hammernick's, Sean (one of the Sunshine staff) gave the lesson. It was entitled "The 'Others'". He shared about the way we view people that are different from us as others. A highlight from his talk was the concept that we first look at the world from our cultural or social ideology and that in turn effects out theology (the way we read the bible) which effects out methodology - the way we live. As Christians we must have our theology first effect our cultural & social ideology and then our methodology. Deep stuff - your kids will explain it to you :)

We had some Wooddale time where in a big group we talked through some of these tough themes of race and education. Your kids are so sweet at sharing their hearts, asking tough questions, pushing back on ideas in a respectful and being transparent with their feelings. WOW. Then they spent time in their training groups sharing stories and highlights from the experience in the meal share and on the EL. I love to hear their minds working and hearts changing.

After some silliness we got off to bed to rest for another day. Know that your kids have been great about being on time and going to sleep and following guidelines. A leader's dream!

Thanks again for your prayers and notes. The kids really love when you write. You can comment here or at my email - mkwarder@mac.com.

Blessings and love! One more post and we are on our way back to you! We both, don't want to leave and can't wait to get back to you all!