Almost Home!

We made it to Detroit, and will get to Cleveland at around 7pm! With a sizable layover, it's a good opportunity to try and summarize what everyone said that God taught them this week! Of course, it's impossible to recreate our meeting where this was all shared, but at least it gives you a taste of it.

What did God teach you? (in no particular order)

1. Ryan--that God answers prayers! (he saw many specific ways that God answered our prayers)

2. Brooke--patience and understanding with others and with circumstances

3. Ashley--that people in different religions are in need of the gospel and how much impact we can make (especially with the kids)

4. Norman H--to be patient and to be more commited to prayer

5. Lynn--How kind the Lord is and how He provided everytime we were in need

6. Cherylene--to more sensitive to the needs around me (spiritual needs, physical, etc.)

7. Rachael--to be more grateful and to notice the needs of others

8. Amara--not to be so intimidated (especially with sharing at the Book Table)--that she can do it!

9. Katie--to be more patient and what to say and what not to say in evangelism situations

10. Joel--humility in leading and that leadership isn't as glamorous as he thought

11. Brett--how great the need is for the gospel and for missionaries...there was a sadness with

how many people are lost

12. Kevin--to be more patient and to be more open personally and in sharing my faith.

13. Eric--that he needs a lot of work in a lot of areas

14. McKenna--to look for the small ways that God works in life and sparked some interest in mission work

15. Mark--enjoyed seeing how God used the group together

16. Abigail D.--how hard it is to do missions and live the Christian life when you are focused on yourself and not on God

17. Abbey M.--to accept that God is in control and not me

Thanks again to everyone who has been praying for us!

LAST DAY OF MINISTRY!

This morning we went to one of the busiest streets that we have seen here. We set up tables at the beginning and toward the end of the street. Since it was only 10 am, there weren’t many people. But as the day went on we got a large amount of people interested in the tables and some even willing to have a long conversation. Ryan Sedletzeck really stepped up his game today and got into conversations with around three or four different people. Another VIP of today was Mark Loomis! Mr. Loomis got into an awesome conversation with a guy for about an hour! He said that it went very well and smoothly. Today was a blast though!!! I feel it made a huge impact on the team and on the people who took a flyer and even showed the slightest interest in the tables.

Eric Depew

After a huge lunch at an Indian buffet where we all ate our fill (Plus a little extra--tee-hee) we headed out for the park to help New Life Masih Gahr church with their annual outreach cook-out. Some took the public bus, a few went in Barry’s car, but most walked. When we arrived we began to lay out the plans including setting up a face painting station, a volleyball net, canopy and even a bouncy castle. (I have never wanted to be an eight year old more in my lifeJ) When the hard work was finished we started all doing what we liked best--some went to paint faces or play with kids or play soccer, (well football I should say), and the kids flocked to us. By the time six o’clock rolled around we had a very large crowd gathered, we served about three hundred people a dinner of rice, chicken burgers and chicken hot dogs. When dinner was done most of the ladies and a few gents went to kick around a football with our friend Jasmit. It was really fun! We tried to start a pick up game with the Brit kids and they creamed us. Despite being beaten and tired and a little sunburned from the gorgeous sunshine we had, the day went fantastic and we fed every mouth in the park with food to spare, God really blessed us today J.

Rachael Cumbee

Service Day at the Church

Today was one of the most encouraging days of the whole trip! The whole group of us, (including Brooke who is walking thanks to God’s answer to many prayers), worked at New Life Masih Ghar doing various jobs around the church. Barry had us do many jobs and kept us all very busy throughout the whole day. Much work was needed both inside and out including painting (both inside and out), hedge trimming, and garden work, such as mulching and making flowerbeds. We also got many things packed into Barry’s fifteen passenger van for the BBQ that the church is hosting at a park on Saturday evening. Lunch today was cooked by an amazing chef who is a first class chef for Singapore airlines (and has cooked for the Prime Minister of Kenya on many occasions). He cooked the best traditional English meal, which is known as Shepherd's Pie. We were very grateful for all of the amazing food he prepared. By the end of the day we accomplished pretty much all the tasks that Barry had planned for us. As we were getting ready to leave for the park for dinner he told us that in all the years he has been there, that it was the best the church has ever looked! He was very happy with all of the hard work we did.

Kevin Herwerden and Ryan Sedletzeck

Sightseeing Revisited...

Yesterday on our sightseeing trip we saw many different places. We went to London on the tube and our first stop was the London Tower. This was an amazing castle which had an entire town on the inside. We stopped at Buckingham Palace and Parliament on our way to Westminster Abbey. After all of this we had dinner at a really good Italian restaurant. Our last stop was on the London Eye. This is the second largest ferris wheel in the world. It was a long ride and at the very top, everything in London could be seen. Our tour guide for the day was our new friend Jasmit.

Nerm (Norman Hansen)

Yesterday we went to Westminster Abbey on our sightseeing day. The building was phenomenal. The ceilings and stain glass walls were absolutely breathtaking. I've never felt smaller in my life! It was also very cool to see the exact spot where Prince William and Kate were married, and where Queen Elizabeth II sat during their wedding. We also got to see many tombs of interesting people. We also got to experience a church service of singing, Scripture and prayer. The choir was incredible. The service was quite nice as well! It was truly an amazing experience. I'd love to be able to go back for another worship service.

Brooke Hettler and Katie Wallover

SIGHTSEEING...

Today was a day off from ministry to explore the London landscape! We had a great (and exhausting) day trying to fit in as much as we could. We got back too late to have one of the students post their observations, but I will have some of them do it tomorrow. I will tell you that there was a minor incident after riding the London Eye as Brooke Hettler experienced a knee problem. She is doing better, but had to be helped to the tubes and back to where we are staying. Please pray for her tonight and tomorrow that her knee will recover well.

Thanks!

Brett

OLYMPIC EXCURSION

We couldn't resist going to see Olympic Park tonight, the site where much of the London summer Olympics will be held. We had a great time learning the tube system, and it was really cool to see all the new construction for the Olympic games which start in late July.

The picture to the right is taken in front of the newly built aquatic center and where the Olympic torch will be burning!