Why I like Share Time...

Every Thursday night, we gather the teams together after dinner and we simply ask them to share with the group something they were encouraged by this week, reminded of, or challenged by.  Being on staff with Crisis Response, it can be wearisome to see fewer houses being rebuilt, fewer people coming to Christ, and fewer volunteers coming than before.  So for me personally, I like share time because it reminds me that God is ALWAYS at work and He has us here for a reason!  It reminds me that we're still here serving because there is still a great need in this city for the Gospel to transform people's lives and for them to be physically restored to their homes.  We're still here because God is continuing to use a storm to transform the lives of those coming to serve!

Here are a few examples of what was said last night in share time by our volunteers:

1) thankfulness for the unity among the different volunteer teams.  Everyone is from all over with different backgrounds and experiences and yet because of Christ we are one!

Greenville and Dordt Colleges united!

2) thankfulness for team members and how they were able to be a family

3) reminded to be thankful for what they do have

4) enjoyed going on prayer walks because usually when I go on a walk, I'm only thinking about myself and my own problems...it was nice to go on a prayer walk where I was looking out for others and asking God what to pray for in the community

taking time to meet neighbors on a prayer walk with the Northwestern team

5) hope when we reach George's age (love ya George) we are still humbly serving the Lord like he does!

6) It's amazing to see what God can do when we surrender our lives to Him

team bonding with the Vine Church and Greenville College

7) I'd never been a mission trip before so I had no idea what to expect.  I've seen God work in so many different ways this week I'm just blown away!

I hope and pray we can all take time out each day to give thanks to the LORD for all He's done!  A team member shared how on a prayer walk, a deacon shared with him how we're called not just to tithe our treasure but our time as well.  He said 10% of our day is 2.4 hours and he hopes he can remember to always give not just his finances but his time as well to the LORD!