The Fire's Burnin'

Hola Amigos. It's Alyssa. This week started out as 25 students coming down to Cali for a week to go to the beach and Disneyland and do clubs in between. However, our motives have changed as we have seen God work in an amazing way in all of us. Our team has been incredibly blessed with the leaders that we have, with this great community we have been placed in, and by the wonderful Maker that we serve. My club has been meeting at the park and we have at least 30 kids that rotate in and out throughout the week. Kids have been realizing the reality of the truth and so many have chosen to live for Him. I have been blessed to have the great connection with three kids in particular; Andrew, E, and JD (Jared Daniel Strange). Andrew was so willing to listen and even though he is only 9, he has been asking question so he can really figure out what he is putting his life into. We've covered a variety of subjects and put an emphasis on the fact that Jesus is definitely still alive and working in all of our lives. It was amazing for me to realize how many of the kids thought that Jesus died for them and the story ended there. They have all been really excited to learn that the story does definitely not end there and that Jesus is waiting excitedly for them in Heaven. JD has amazed me as well. He's a very slow learner and I really didn't think that he would be able to comprehend the message in it's entirety. However, his neighbor's dad took me aside the other day to tell me that JD has been coming home bubbling over and wanting to tell his dad about what he has been learning. JD's father is now seriously thinking about checking out the love that his son has found, and in joining the church. This week I am loving to see how our team has stepped it up; not just with the kids, but with ministering to people wherever we go; whether it be on the way to 711, jamba juice, on the beach, or while shopping. God is not only working with the kids this week. He's really been showing himself to the community, and to us. We all have so many amazing stories and we are really learning that we don't need to come to Cali to speak the word. We need to be doing it at home too. We have the most important news that has ever been told, and we need to share it with everyone. I was listening to the song "If we are the Body" last night and the line "Jesus paid much to high a price for us to pick and choose who should come." and I have been really thinking about that. So here's the challenge. You guys as parents need to be challenging your kids when they get home to not let the fire of ministry die. Love to you all. We'll be home soon.