Basketball Shoes

Yesterday afternoon Sawyer, Kevin, Brayden, Logan, DanMike and Jeremiah went and played B-ball with some guys from Masi. Tim (a local missionary) has organized this b-ball time with some guys. Last year Sawyer and Kevin played only a couple of times. But one of the times SAwyer went without Kevin and saw that a teenager didnt have any shoes and was playing in flip flops - so after playing Sawyer gave his shoes to this kid. Yesterday the first person to show up at the b-ball courts was this kid (i am sooo bad with names) - he took a look at Sawyer and then pointed to his shoes. The sme shoes that Sawyer gave to him last year.and began to thank him profusely. He remembered Sawyer from last year, only after seeing him twice. God didnt have to give sawyer the opportunity to meet this boy again but in His huge grace did (1st day in Masi) it was profound to Sawyer. This boy gave his life to Jesus this year and I have a feeling that we will be hanging out with him and his friends hopefully a doorway into the lives of the lost. Logan also met a little friend last night (Becky) a little boy) while everyone else was playing b-ball Logan was climbing trees with Beckie. Brayden and Ally are coming into their own also. At worship this morning Brayden asked if wecould organize a play day with the kids who live in the wet lands, Masi is so poverished - the smells and the trash and the hungry kids and families, but the wetlands is behind Masi with no roads and is more poverished. Brayden has a real desire to help these little kids out. His big smile and his love for kids is a gifting he picks them up and loves on them. Pray for opportunity for Braydens desire to come to pass. Our time as a team coming before the LORD is WOW!! WE are seeing answered prayer, which we are so grateful for. but coming into the presence of God - really there is nothing like it - In His great love continues to transform us.

This morning during prayer time it hit me - after I still struggle with short term missions - the need is so great and sometime I wrestle with how does our time here really make a difference.

God is showing me that if we just came here in on our own to do good then it would be here today and gone tommorrow. But partnering up with our Almighty God and letting Him work through us - then it is not us at all doing anything and God's work is everlasting - He can grow any seed that is planted - We can encourage people and be the voice of Jesus. God's Word does not return void - Yes - Gods Way is not our way - and we dont understand sometimes but His way is so much bigger. So we go and walk by faith that through us He does work. Isnt our God amazing!! Our team is doing great together - we spurr each other on and let everyone use their own giftings. It has been amazing to be in community with Julie, Sheraya. Chelsea, DanMike, Michelle, Brad, Jeremiah and Missy. Please pray for each of us. God is opening many doors for each indiviual. Julie has made relationship with a young mom, whose mother is a witch doctor in Masi, she is very receptive to Julie and wants Julie to keep coming back. Its only our 2nd day in Masi but it feels like we have been here for a long time. The guys will be playing b-ball again tonight and we (girls) will be going to our 1st simple church meeting tonight with teenage girls. Missy meets with these girls weekly. Looking forward to this. Learing alot about simple church. I will blog about that later, Anyway praying all is well at home. WE miss everyone but we are taking in all our time here and holding out our hands to serve but also to receive from God all that He pours out. And praise God it has been 70 degrees and sunny since we have been here. Signing off- Blessings in Christ