So much to say, and I don't know where to start...
I was gonna talk about all the "awesome" rec we had today, including a bunch of our kids in the great Kajabi-Can-Can
I was gonna talk about the "amazing" time at the beach and riding waves
I was gonna post pictures of the whole day...
I was gonna talk about how much I was anticipating what the Lord would do tonight at the evening chapel...Tuesday night's meeting...typically known as "Decision Night"
But as I sit here in absolute awe of God, with tears streaming down my face, I am humbled and blessed to say that none of what I planned to talk about compares to the love and mercy of God through his Son, and my Savior Jesus Christ!
"Awesome" is getting to pray with a young man whose one of the first ones to get out of his chair and go sit on the steps of the stage by himself as he's balling and weeping with the understanding of how much God loves him.
"Amazing" is seeing a young lady that I've prayed for well over 1,000 times (not an exaggeration) in the 6 years I've known her be completely broken for the first time in a long time, and maybe ever...
The best picture I can give you is whatever vision God puts in your head right now, as you read this, as you imagine what it must have looked like to see dozens, hundreds, of young people sitting on the floor in front of and all around the stage; some laughing with a joy of Christ that they can't explain, some weeping with a sense of purpose, forgiveness, brokenness, healing, and love from a DADDY (Abba Father) for the very first time, or maybe the deepest they've ever felt it....
The anticipation that I was so excited about all day, while I believe was a genuine sense of God giving my heart a sneak preview, was so far short of what HE did tonight. At the end of our speaker's (Brad Bell, thank you for praying for him!) message, he gave students an opportunity to stand up, and come forward for those that wanted to place their faith and trust in Christ for the very first time. Not an easy thing for teens to do, but they came. Including at least 3 of our own students! As counselors we'd been asked to come up on the stage and sit with our kids that were making those decisions...and as I did, I lowered my head and began to pray for the two guys I was sitting with, with my arms around them. After a bit, the speaker started talking to Christians, those that were like the seeds in the parable of the sower, the ones that had committed their lives to Christ, but were getting choked out by weeds, bearing no fruit. And so I began to pray for our students, which made up the majority of the 60 that came with us. And I could never have anticipated what my eyes saw when I opened them. Our church has been taking up the first 6 rows or so of one of the 4 sections in the chapel for each meeting. When I looked up at the section, "anticipating" a few empty seats, what I saw was a bunch of EMPTY SEATS! Most of our students were sitting on the floor in front of the stage! Parents, your prayers for your kids are being heard, and answered by our Daddy! I encourage each of you to listen to your students as they talk about what God is doing in their lives.
Go to sleep tonight with the knowledge that God is working, there is a HUGE party in Heaven tonight, and we still have 3 more days of camp for God to stay at it!!
Good night...no....GREAT NIGHT!
I can't believe what I get to do for a living...
God Rulz!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
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10 comments:
and ALL HIS people said, AMEN!!!!
Awesome, Troy, thanks for sharing! Will continue to pray for you and the kids this week, that God would continue to tug at hearts. Kristen Nahrstedt
Yes! That is exactly what I wanted to hear!
Today before rec, us staffers spread out and prayed over the field--for all of the campers to gain something from this trip.
As I am only there during the opener and rec, I do not get to see or even hear about decision night.
This is AWESOME!!
-Shawna
Thanks for detailing what must have been such a sweet time in youth ministry. God had a divine appointment set for each of those kids (and counselors, I would imagine)and it was too cool to be a small part of it through your writing.
So proud of you and in awe of the God we serve!
I wish I could have been apart/seen this. I definitely have tears in my eyes from just imagining it though :]...ok not just in my eyes - down my face aha
Thanks Troy for sharing this with us here at home. What a sight it must have been to know that all of our kids love God and are willing to open thier hearts and share. Glad that you were there to see it. Have a great time and look forward to hearing more.
Liz B
Praise God that our prayers are being answered in such a huge way! May you and the leaders continue to be blessed with peace, rest and LOTS of energy.
Jodi
Thanks for sharing, Troy. Will keep praying for a Life-altering week for all!
Thank you Troy, from my heart! I sat and cried like a baby reading the, " Let my mind wander"!! It is so awesome that the Lord is touching these kids like this! Have been praying for you all!
Evelyn
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