I am currently at Caribou Coffee listening to Jack Johnson and attempting to organize my thoughts for this week’s message at Velocity.  We are concluding a series entitled “MORE:  Getting the most out of life.”  The past 2 weeks have been great talks about getting MORE joy and wisdom.  This third and final talk is all about getting MORE influence.

I am convinced that life is all about one thing:  God.  Everything else should be in a sub-category that, at the end of the day, is all about furthering what God is doing in our world.  If this is true, then should we not take advantage of every opportunity to further the Kingdom of God?  In every sphere of influence we have, this truth should cause us to leverage that influence for the expansion of God’s Kingdom.

I can now see why God might want us to expand our sphere’s of influence.  By gaining more influence, we gain more opportunities to expand God’s Kingdom.

Huh.

I ate at a delicious “hole-in-the-wall” soul food place today.  It is called Nathan’s and it’s located in Ypsi.  The entire place probably sat 10 people (if that).  For pics, visit http://orangelights.tumblr.com

Tomorrow morning I leave with 33 friends to go White Water Rafting in Ohiopyle, PA.  It is my fourth trip of the summer, and I am feeling a bit lackadaisical (dictionary.com). It is hard to keep the enthusiasm when there is so much work to be done at home.

peace.

This song rocks.  The post below it explains the story behind the song.  

Take some time to watch this.  One of those “goose-bump” videos.

A shot of our team in the Bahamas.  Also a pic of Ms. Moxey with Lauren and I.  She has an amazing story…I’ll have to tell ya sometime.

Check out these links to see some pics of our trip

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018556&l=a20be&id=152000724

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2018557&l=c02f3&id=152000724

Enjoy

The Bahamian Travel Company is being nice and allowing free wireless at the airport…thus another update.

This morning went great.  Goodbye’s are always hard, and today was no exception.  We loaded the bus and were on our way by 9:00a.  We got to the Bahamas airport and waited an hour in line just to check in.  Then came the line for the baggage security check, then the line for Customs, then another line for the U.S. Baggage Security check…and then we finally made it to our gate.  The team is out and about getting food and going to the bathroom.  Everything is scheduled to leave on time, so Lord Willing we’ll see you all tonight!!

A note of thanks to the parents for sending your students on this trip.  They worked incredibly hard and I received nothing but praises from the Mission Discovery and Adventure Learning staff.  My prayer for them is that they’ll take what they’ve experienced here in the Bahamas and apply it at home.

Adam

I apologize for not posting sooner, internet is really scarce.

On Thursday we finished up our job site.  I really enjoyed our time with the girls at the school we worked at.  All week the team built relationships that will last into heaven!  Towards the end of our work day we held a “closing ceremony” with the girls.  Some of the girls wrote letters to us thanking us for investing our time with them.  Some of our students wrote letters encouraging the girls to keep living for Jesus.  It was a bitter/sweet feeling leaving the school. 

Today (Friday) we went shopping and hit the beach.  The “Straw Market” is where all the shopping and bargaining took place.  Downtown Nassau is a cool place.  We got to see some cruise ships roll in for the day.  After lunch we headed to Goodman’s Bay, a beautiful beach  on the North side of the island.  The water was gorgeous and the sun was HOT.  All in all we had a great day today.

After we get back I will be diligent in posting pics on this blog…so come back!  See you all tomorrow night!

Adam

The work has begun.  Everyday this week our schedule is the same (Mon-Thur).  Before lunch we hang out and do relational work with 15 or so girls at the Industrial School (Detention Center).  After lunch we break out the hammers and saws and get to work!

Monday was a day of prepping.  We introduced ourselves to the girls and spent the majority of time before lunch getting to know them.  After lunch we walked around the Center and found out what the need was.  This week we are replacing cabinet doors and reinforcing bunk beds.

Tuesday went a lot smoother.  We jumped right in with games and snacks with the girls.  We had a short Bible lesson and then had them all make bracelets and necklaces.  After lunch we busted out the circular saws and went to town!  We got most of the cabinet doors cut and painted, so the rest of the week we’ll be screwing the doors in and reinforcing the beds.

Overall this trip has been great so far.  Our team is doing a fantastic job at connecting relationally to the Mission Discovery Staff, as well as the other church group that is here with us.  I will hopefully post some pics later on this week!

Thanks for praying!

Adam

Well, we’re here. 

Everything went smooth at the airport.  We arrived in Nassau around 11:45am.  The very first thing we noticed when we left the airport was that our bus was driving on the left side of the road.  That was interesting.  We got to the Adventure Learning Camp around 1:00p after a trip to Wendys for some lunch.

After talking with some of the missionaries here, the need is evident.  There are parts of the island that house mansions (Oprah has a house here), but then there are the slums.  I was told the Bahamians have a pretty good life here…it is the Haitains who migrate over who have it bad.  They receive no help from the government and as a result live below poverty most of their lives.  We are hoping to have Church with some Christian Haitains later this week.  Pray that we can be an encouragement to them.

Tomorrow we start working.  We are not completely sure what we will be doing (a common theme down here), so I will keep you updated.  Pray that with the heat our team will still put forth 110% effort.

Thanks and we’ll check back with you later.

Adam