http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm This is an RSS blog feed available from Living Faith Christian Church. Farmingdale, NY Sun, 19 May 2013 19:39:49 GMT 60 http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=267
We're in the airport waiting to head home.  Sorry for no blog the last day, I've been under the weather past few days.  But just wanted to check in one last time to let you know things are all good here and we had a great last couple of days.

Part of our Friday included touring the museum downtown dedicated to the tornado event, and it was pretty amazing.  To see the pictures, read the stories, and hear the emergency calls brought everything to life in a new and real way.  It had a major impact on everyone.

During our last night at the church, we had a special candle-lighting wrap up meeting, and it was an unique and reflective time to share what God had done personally and corporately.  What was beautiful was the students were impacted in two ways.  One was seeing the devestation and what people went through and the hope and faith they still have in spite of losing everything.  But many said their faith was also challenged during worship at night, realizing they need to give God their whole lives, not just parts of it.  Great night!!!

OK, they are starting to board us now so it won't be long before we see you.  THANKS FOR ALL YOUR PRAYERS DURING THE WEEK EVERYONE, THEY WERE APPRECIATED!!

God bless,
SK
]]> 2012 Student Mission Trip http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=267 Sun, 15 Jul 2012 09:40:53 GMT http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=266
Today, there's no way around it, it was HOT....I believe like 96-97, but no problem, b/c it's a "dry heat"...Ha, 96 is still 96, but yes at least they have little humidity.

Teams worked hard today to make a bunch of progress on their projects, and then at dinner time we had a couple of teams residents' come to dinner tonight, pretty cool.

We have been very well received here by the locals, and are willing to share their stories/experiences with us.  It would take too long on this blog to write about them, but some of them are amazing.

Everyone's all good and in 1 piece here : )  Teams are getting along well and making progress.

Sorry this one is shorter but I'm pretty tired so I'll sign off for now.  Wow, we'll be seeing everyone in just a few days- its going fast.  

Im out,
Steve K
]]> 2012 Student Mission Trip http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=266 Fri, 13 Jul 2012 01:46:30 GMT http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=265
We had a great day yesterday, prob. our best yet.  All the teams worked very well together and are getting a lot done.  There is a lot of roofing work to be done (as you could imagine with a mega tornado) and flooring, siding etc.  I've seen some of our girls get in on some hammering and caulking action for the first time ever they said.  Yeaaae girl power : )

One of the interesting things about this tornado is that most tornados touch down and bounce around.  Especially when they come to a hill, it usually lifts off at the hill and touches down somewhere else.  What made this so devestating besides the size and extreme power (they relate it to the "Perfect Storm" back in the early 90's with multiple fronts converging, that's what happened with this) was how long it stayed on the ground.  It maintained contact a full 35 minutes going over hills and down into valleys, never lifting up at all.  11 miles later, it finally left town.  They say that is extremely rare.  At one of the sites I was at yesterday, the resident had a couple of hard cover books about the tornado, and it was very hard to read and look through, especially reading about the young children.

We had a great evening last night, complete with a worship time and a special foot-washing night to further demonstrate the word serving, as Jesus did to his disciples.

The theme this week is Know the Truth, Dare to Live it.  I pray our students bring that home with them and throughout this next year.

Best,
SK
]]> 2012 Student Mission Trip http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=265 Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:40:16 GMT http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=264
It's Wed. morning and the temp. is starting to rise. We've been blessed the first couple of days with "cooler" temp's around 90, and it really hasn't been that bad (especially compared to the 105 temps they had been experiencing the previous 2 weeks). The rest of the week its forecasted for mid to upper 90's, and we're making sure everybody drinks plenty of water.

We had a very busy night last night so that's why you didn't see a post last night.  Had a really good day of work yesterday, followed by a dynamic worship night.  We then followed that up with an entire group meeting to "talk about some things" which really helped, and then closed the night with individual team mtgs.  I praise God that we serve a God who is bigger, stronger, and higher than anything the enemy can throw our way, so if He is for us, who can be against us.

It's amazing hearing some of the stories from the people who experienced this tragedy firsthand.  Boy did we in NY not realize or hear about what REALLY went on.  I have to say though, this city has a resolve about it that's inspiring.

I'll give another update later tonight after mtg's, we're doing well.  God bless,
SK
]]> 2012 Student Mission Trip http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=264 Wed, 11 Jul 2012 10:02:40 GMT http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=263
God has blessed us with good weather so far, as it has been "much cooler" than it has been the past 2 weeks.  It hit 89 today, a far cry from the 102-105 it had been the past 2 weeks.

A unique thing we did today was take a tour in our team vans of the city.  It's pretty amazing to see the destruction caused by a 1 1/4 mile wide by 10 miles long EF 5 tornado.  Thousands of homes leveled, thousands more severely damaged.  High school destroyed.  Yet one incredible thing was a cross that a church was built around was the ONLY thing left standing  unharmed in the direct path of the heart of the tornado.  The church was flattened to the ground, yet the cross in front untouched.  It's the only thing standing all around it.

Another amazing thing is the hope this city still has in other people and in God, in spite of what happened.  Oh, and people are very nice out here  (Us NY'ers are almost skeptical of them haha).

After much needed showers and dinner, we had an evening program and a little free time right now before heading to bed soon.

Please keep up the prayers and God bless,
Steve K
]]> 2012 Student Mission Trip http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=263 Mon, 09 Jul 2012 23:45:52 GMT http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=262
Had a quick meal, then a bit of worship time and orientation before "Operation Unpack" began- always interesting with 54 people!

We find out the work projects tomorrow morning, along with a tour of the devestated area.  God bless.

Signing off with blood shot eyes : )
SK
]]> 2012 Student Mission Trip http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=262 Sun, 08 Jul 2012 23:54:07 GMT http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=261
Hope you're gearing up for the trip, be praying for an open heart to what God has in store for you/us this week. 

Just wanted to remind you to make sure you bring a water bottle, hat, and plenty of sunscreen.  It's supposed to be HOT HOT HOT (like it is everywhere right now) so be smart about the heat by drinking plenty, wearing a hat for sun protection, and slathering on the sunscreen.....You don't want a bad sunburn, you will be miserable!!

Can't wait to see everyone at 5:30am SHARP Sun. morning.
]]> 2012 Student Mission Trip http://www.wantaghbaptist.org/content.cfm?page_content=blogs_include.cfm&blog_id=261 Thu, 05 Jul 2012 11:35:09 GMT