Day of Praise

Fri, 07/14/17, "Day of Praise"

"'"If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" - Mark 9:23

I will never forget this week. Today is our last day of having Camp Noah for a group of elementary-aged children in Rainelle, West Virginia who were touched by loss of homes, personal injury, and death of loved ones when flood waters swept through this area last year, June 23, 2016. 

Our team is comprised of men and women from our church in Alabama and our sister church, Redeemer Lutheran, in Damascus, Maryland, along with the clear presence of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 

Who would think that year after year you could drive from Maryland and Birmingham to another part of Birmingham or further to South Carolina or New Jersey or elsewhere and engage a group of kids who've been touched by disaster and who you've never met before, and have camp with them for 5 days, and see anything of lasting substance happen?

Well, we can't, but Jesus can; well, Jesus can "for one who believes" that he can! Jesus can make lasting substance happen for all to see; and it doesn't even take one day, let alone five, as we've seen again in this mission. 

Our mission trip leader, Karen, encourages us to look for God sightings each day, and we talk about the God sightings as a part of our Bible study at the end of each day. God's been sighted all over this place; the love of Jesus is overflowing; and the Holy Spirit is filling the air! Children, who came the first day with their guard up, by lunchtime their guard was down. Children who kept their distance were hugging camp servants by early afternoon of the first day and were inviting friends to come the second day! Parents were in tears of joy about Noah and Camp Noah's impact. People are saying the surrounding community is buzzing with joy. Jesus makes things happen, and fast!!!

Do you believe?

"'"If you can"?' said Jesus. 'Everything is possible for one who believes.'" (Mark 9:23)

May your day be filled with anticipation as you look in faith for what God has in store for you and also for those that you yourself invite to believe that Jesus can make things happen, and fast!!! 

Praise God!