We started the day packing our lunches and heading to C1, like normal. Once we were there, Donn showed us a tour of the section of the building above C1 that used to be a YWCA. He showed us how large it was, with a full gym, dining hall, and many 20-30 rooms. This place could be used for God's kingdom, we just have to pray earnestly about it. Donn showed us how this new room space could be amazingly used for God's purpose. He then divided labor for us to do into teams again: some for trash and outreach, and some for C1 cleanup and music. Quinn, Aaron Cobb, Jeff Hall, a 1Gen member (C1 youth group) named Zack and I stayed to help clean up and then to play music. Zack is an amazing guy, and he was so outgoing and attempted to meet all of us. Zack came early in the morning at around 10:30am to help out, and he even brought parts of his drumset so he could play music with us! After cleaning, we played some worship songs, and particularly in "Set a Fire" and "Wonderful Place" we experienced the Holy Spirit together so intimately! It was such a blessing to have a guy like Zack who was a local youth so excited about God and experiencing Him; Gloversville needs future leaders like him.
The ripple that we can see stretch across the pond that is this town is so evident and so of God and not us; we have heard of new 1Gen members join within this past week, and they now want to help Donn around C1, some just started a Christian club at their high school, but at the core are accepting Jesus.
After doing our labor teams were finished, we went back to Cyndie's parents' house (the Gates' house), where we are staying, to clean up to leave for tomorrow. We then had a surprise dinner with the Truax's at an Italian restaurant which was spectacular.
Lastly, our team and the Truax's returned to our host house. We spiritually, mentally, and physically "chilled" there, resting on couches and crashing on mattresses. Then we started a reflection time based out of Hebrews 10:23-25 "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." We shared compliments to our family, our fellow brothers and sister. This lasted probably an hour and a half and was incredibly impactful, reaching everyone deep to the core. Many of us shed tears as we shared about our new college seasons of life and our temporary geographical separation, but our forever unity in Jesus Christ. Others shared tears for temporary family separation between the Denny's and the Holmquist's. The last thing we did altogether was listen to our theme song this week: "Jesus, Friend of Sinners" by Casting Crowns. You can and should listen to it below, the lyrics are earth-shattering.
As I type this, I await a full all nighter with my best friends to play "Settlers of Catan" and much other nonsense and fun. Its all good, we can catch rest on a 15 hour car ride back, no sweat.
The memories and stories we gained on this trip were never lost, but will and are being used by God for His future Glory and for His coming Kingdom. O Lord Jesus, make us whole, make us yours forever, for we are yours forever, Amen. The song "Set a Fire" starts with the lines: "No place I'd rather be, No place I'd rather be, No place I'd rather be, but here in your love, here in your love." That is exactly how we all feel. We are a body of believers, a family, a church. Jesus died for the Church, she is his bride. As Leonard Ravenhill once said, "Is what you're living for worth Christ dying for?" This is our challenge today and for everyday on earth, surrendering to Jesus on our knees with our faces to the ground, acknowledging that Jesus is and always was Lord, and we ARE NOT. Thanks for your love and support for us.
God bless you all!
P.S. Tyler Lynn we all miss you dearly and hope your wedding is amazing, we all love you brother. Duncan Tennant, we wish you could have come to this trip, but we understand that it couldn't work. We love you our brother!
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