Day 3 (I think)- Arizona.

I would say it's safe to say some slight exhaustion has started today because there were some super silly, hilariously funny, and somewhat weird moments throughout the day! Some of which shall never be spoken if again, and simply some been forgotten. 

We began the Monday, just like every other morning with our team worship and devotion time. It's been a spirit filled, God centered time. Someone from our team has led each morning. Monday morning Chris and Lindsey were our leaders. 

 

The devotion was awesome. They shared from Matthew 28:19- 20 "All authority in heaven and on Earth has been given to me. Therefore GO and MAKE disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age"

Also Matthew 5:14-"You are the light of the world. A city on hill cannot hidden."

I'm so thankful for this that Chris and Lindsey shared. God used them both to speak to me. 

Around 8:00 we headed to the school hosting the basketball camp. Authentic Life is the church were parterning with for the camp. We arrived and were divided into our stations with our skills we were teaching. Luckily I got paired with none other than Adam Brewer. :) I helped him with the ball handling station. It's safe to say I have some serious skills.  We had a total of 6 different stations teaching the kids the foundations of bball. The best part was the devotion halfway through where Adam led the kids. The kids were SO attentive and SO well behaved. It was a fantastic morning. 

We headed back to our place for the week and had lunch followed up by a few hours of a break where we hung out and a few opted to take naps. 

After an afternoon of rest we headed to VBS. Anxiety set in for me. When we get for there "our plan" did NOT happen. It seemed like chaos and seemed as everything was falling apart. Satan was on attack and did not want the VbS to succeed. 

When all was said and done VBS was great. The kids heard the gospel. We had a blast with worship and we are prayerfully and excitedly expecting God to show up and show out. God is faithful and will bless all efforts for His glory. 

After VBS we had dinner and ice cream sundaes.  We have had the best time just hanging out with each other. I have been blessed by getting know people deeper, laughing a TON and being really silly. 

After dinner a little game of nighttime volleyball happened. Girls vs boys... And OF COURSE the girls took the victory!!!  The greatest challenge of all was avoiding the cactus everywhere we stepped especially running after balls... In the dark!

Monday was a busy, full and blessed day. We ended our night with a challenging devotion from Adam from Ephesians about The Armor of God. Despite wrecked plans, circumstances beyond our control, and difficult things, our hearts and our mission must remain the same. God is in control. He has the plan. He will not abandon us through this trip. He called us here for a purpose and HE is faithful. He keeps reminding me to keep my eyes on Him. Other things/people/circumstances may distract my efforts, but with my eyes on HIM, lives will be changed for His kingdom and His glory. 

We are as a team refreshed, renewed and digging into a deeper relationship with Christ, each and other and definitely planting seeds with these kids we are blessed to hang out with this week. I am super excited to see where God leads.