With Only 5 Days Remaining...

WOW!!! Where has the time gone? It feels like just last week we were meeting Fa'atui & Beta for the very first time, exploring S.P.I.C.C. for the first time, wading (tripping over the coral reef) out to Fatu rock for the very first time, but now we're nearing the end. As I rode in the back of one of the pick-up trucks on our way home from an awesome night of food, fun celebrating Samoan culture and Christian fellowship last week, I couldn't help but feel a sense of meloncholy come over me. The moon was big and bright, casting a silvery glowing outline on every cloud in the sky and every wave reflecting them! It was an absolutely beautiful evening! I will miss those calm moments.

What will I miss most though? The children, of course! Each one of them with their silly, sweet, curious, rambunctious and precious personalities! I can't count how many of them have asked me each day if we will be coming back next year. It's hard because that question of course tugs on my heart but I don't really know how to reply except for something like, "Maybe...if God wants me to". For some that's enough and they smile, giggling and skip away. For others they simply look down, pondering if that's me saying "no". It's a tough question! I have no idea what God has in store for me next year! This trip has been quite the experience though, that's for sure!

We have 3 days remaining in our summer school program. 3 more days to pour in as much of Christ's love and Biblical truth as possible! I'm really sad that is coming to an end. This island is so lost! I know it's not up to us to save everyone but it's hard when we know we have the truth but they have to be ready to hear it! My heart is so burdened for the gospel to be heard here! Well....for Christ's gospel to be heard throughout the nations of the earth but especially here right now obviously because we've been at work here.

We only have 2 more days of our regular time with the children (Bible lesson, songs, games etc...) then Friday is a special day because it's the end of the program. It's supposed to be a surprise but the children have been putting together songs and other performances for us on Friday. I'm trilled to see what they have prepared!

As our time winds down we're trying to decide what to do with our remaining time and money. Final projects, finals ways to bless Fa'atui's family and the staff here at S.P.I.C.C. We're going to donate some specific needs to the school and the main church we've worked with here (one that is Biblically sound and growing). If only there was a way to show them just how much we've appreciated everything they have done for us!!! They've blessed us in ways they don't even know! Conversations, prayers, countless meals and hours of driving us back and forth... I wish there was more we could do for them!

At least we can leave here knowing we accomplished exactly what God wanted us to. God is faithful even when we are faithless and no matter what happens, God doesn't call the equipped, He equips the called. I pray we were a blessing to everyone here and most of all that the name of JESUS CHRIST is remembered and glorified!


PLEASE PRAY FOR:

1) Our last 3 days of school. Pray that they will somehow see Christ through us especially in these last days and that HE is all they remember of us!

2) Our team as we are tired and distracted by thoughts of soon returning home. Pray that we can concentrate, love each other and serve each other now more than ever for GOD'S GLORY!

3) The children as we leave them. Pray that their hearts have truly been stirred and that they will continue searching for truth and seeking Christ on their own.

4) Fa'atui's family. Being one of the few strong Christian families on the island, they need so much encouragement and strength from God to keep fighting the good fight.

5) My heart and the hearts of my team members as we wrestle with all the things God has been teaching us through this trip. So much to sift through... Everything we've: seen, heard, felt, tasted, touched, smelled, learned, struggled with, continue struggling with as we return home. Pray that we wouldn't let this be an experience that is forgotten, but that we let God change us and make us more like Jesus through it all!!

THANKS SO MUCH EVERYONE!! I CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO TELL YOU HOW DEEPLY I APPRECIATE YOUR LOVE & PRAYERS!! TO GOD ALONE BE THE GLORY!!