New Jersey Mission Trip Update 1
Well we are off to a great start in NJ. God has both allowed us to serve and be served very well thus far. Our first morning devo's we spent some time confessing sin and praying for one another, which has proven very fruitful.
Most on the trip have felt a recent disconnect in their relationship with the Lord, and feel they are serving out of weakness, which is a great place to be! Pray that the Lord would be near to us all and re-kindle Our first service project we cleaned up a rental house for a lady (Jen) with whom another lady (Sue) in the church has been reaching out to. Jen was shocked at our willingness to serve, and wanted to repay us somehow. Sue then invited her to church, to which she at first declined, and then ended up showing up! Afterwards Sue had a chance to talk with her and she said it was as if the message was being spoken directly to her! Please pray for Jen and her family as their are a lot of issues and places for the Lord to redeem!
Jon White preach and did an amazing job of showing the Gospel message through John 13 where Jesus washes the disciples feet. Many afterwards said the same thing as Jen, that they felt as if they were being spoken to directly. Praise Him!
After church, we headed over to Brian and Caroline's house to demo and build a fence. (the demo was awesome, and we ninja kicked the fence down!) This couple has been doing inner city youth work in Philadelphia for seven years and have just recently moved to Jersey. I also believe they have had a bad taste of the church in their mouths, so it was a great opportunity to show them how the body is to love and serve one another. It was a great time of hard work in the hot and humid climate. Tomorrow we go to the women's rehab house, so PLEASE PRAY for our time their, that the Spirit would give us hands to serve and hearts to engage these ladies with the hope of the Gospel!
We are being filled up, both spiritually and with LOTS of food! Pray we continue to find our rest and strength in His good grace!
With love,
Matt B.