Ending of the season

I'm back in Piedmont taking a breather before it's time to start the semester! We left Panama on July 23rd. Boy what a busy summer. It was a new experience for me seeing as for the first time it really had nothing to do with me. I was behind the senses for the majority of the summer. I had more responsibility than ever compared to my other summer projects.. Of course I had a blast it was just more exhausting than ever. It was so sad leaving everyone but I was most upset about our new friends from China. They told us that we were their favorite part about being in Florida. I pray to God that the Holy Spirit will lead them in their studies of scripture and they will come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

Just a little update...I GOT THE HOUSE!! I will be living beside the guys ministry house. I hope this does wonders for our community at CSU.

CSU staff and students

Lisa one of the girls in my discipleship group back on campus

 Pretty sunset on our last night at the beach

 My sweet friend Amanda! What a joy when she pulled in the motel resort for the last week!

She is going on staff at the Citadel with her husband Bradley this year

My girls this summer!

Some girls hanging out on the beach.



Unexpected Blessings

So while on the Summer Beach Project my focus has been towards the students; pushing them to Jesus, showing them Christ, and meeting them where they are at. I do enjoy so much being with the students here on the project, but oh how sweet that my Jesus knows my heart and knows how to give me blessings that I myself don't even know I desire. 

A few weeks a go at church Bentli met a few Chinese students who are here on a university exchange summer program. Bentli introduced them to me after sunday school and what a joy that was to me. That next week Bentli and I went and saw Shirley (one of the girls we met) at work and she was overjoyed that we came just to see her. We've tried to hang out with Shirley and the other girls more but our schedules are just so different it's been difficult. 

On Sunday Bentli invited them to our Tuesday night theme meeting and Candy said she wanted to come and would bring some friends. On Tuesday Bentli and I went and picked up Candy and Emmy. Not knowing how that night would go I prayed that the Holy Spirit would make sense of all conversation we would have with the girls. The car ride over was so fun yet so challenging. It has become so real to me how a language barrier can be so difficult. We were just having simple conversation and you have to think about everything you say before you say so it makes sense to everyone. We got to the meeting and tried to explain what was about to happen..i'm not sure they understood anything I said. Okay we're getting to the great part...So the meeting started to the girls were so excited as they watched the hype, skit, and testimony. They began to ask questions as things were happening and Bentli and I did our best to make sense of the craziness.  As Chris Kuzdale (one of the guy team leaders on the project) began his talk the girls were diligently trying to understand the words he was saying. They would try and translate the english words to chinese script on their cellphone. This is when Bentli and I both individually were able to share the gospel with both of the girls. The entire thirty minute talk was spent explaining who Christ was and trying to explain that we are all sinners. We gave them scripture and read it to them praying the word of God would pierce their hearts. I gave Emmy my Bible so maybe they would be able to read the scripture we left them with and the Holy Spirit would continue to soften their hearts. 

I am overjoyed at how the Lord has brought these girls into our lives and pray that the Lord will continue to be faithful in building a friendship with them these last two and a half weeks we are here in Panama. 

A visit from home

I left home on May 18th and haven't stopped going since! I am so excited for mom, Tracy, Gailey, and Erin to get to Panama City Beach! Last weekend was parents weekend so that just made me more excited that my family was coming. They will be here till Sunday I think. This is going to be a long awaited breath of fresh air!!

A new step in my journey...

Well this is my attempt of keeping everyone involved and informed abont what's going on with me and the ministry God has me in. I can't promise I'm going to be very good at this, but I thought it was worth a shot!

It's a Monday and that means rest to me here in Panama City Beach, FL.  Mondays are my sabbath this summer during the Summer Beach Project. Just a quick blurb about the project. Our theme is STAND FIRM. This is not just about how to stand firm but really about what we are standing on. As we study the Word our students and staff alike are learning and reminded that we must build on the gospel and Christ must be the cornerstone that holds us all together. We are going into our fifth week on the project. Our theme this week is the Holy Spirit.

Today was a sad day for me because I had to say good bye to the staff team! I am very thankful for the sweet time I was able to spend with them and have already started counting the days to when they come back to me. They had to leave me behind since I have the privelege of being the women's coordinator on the project I will be here till July 23rd! Right now I'm trying to believe it's just a blessing in disquise. I sound like I am not enjoying my time and where God has me...that's crazy talk! I just don't like saying farewell!

This is what makes up the Summer Beach Project 2011. Students from College of Charleston, Citadel, Charleston Southern Universtiy, Coastal Carolina, Huntingdon, and my sweet friend Devyn from Winthrop

 Team competition day. This was during the first week the studetns were in Panama. Trying to build a little team unity.

 This is what i get to see every night!! God really paints beautiful pictures in the sky for us to enjoy...

 Theme meeting....This was the Hype/Skit before the talk...j

 These are some photos from our socials. We had a Wacky Tacky Beach Party and a Hip Hop social where you had to come wtih your crew.

 My crew name "Unrated"....we dressed up as nerds?? I'm still trying to figure out why...

 This is Angela and me. Angela is one of the team leaders on the project. This summer it was been a blessing to lead her. I'm really excited to see how the Lord is going continue to use her this summer and into the next year.

 Last Saturday we had a big evengelism event...Wrestle Mania!! We don't have any problems drawing a crowd! The students then are able to get in conversations and share their gospel story.

Stay tuned..this journey is just beginning....