Wow!!

I will have to say that I have never experienced anything like what we experienced last night at Wings of Life Drug and Alcohol Rehab center. According to Brent Yeargin, "We had Church!!" It was a very celebrative and eye-opening service. This Christian organization assists those who have wound up - through a lifestyle of poor choices - addicted to drugs and alcohol. Our students were very moved by their passion for God. Why? They saw - firsthand - how desperate these people were for God. They truly hunger and thirst for HIM! Do we?? It sparked much discussion last night among all the students. Two of the residents shared their stories with us - basically telling the kids how to avoid these pitfalls that the enemy carefully crafts.

We are in warfare. I am not overstating this in the least....I wish it were so - but it is not. I told the students last night "The same God who delivered these two can KEEP you from this same fate!" His umbrella of protection ( this umbrella has a name -- it is obedience!) is there for our own good - not to rob us of fun and adventure. This is what the world wants ut to believe. All lies.

The drama team has been so awesome. The Wings of Life residents stood and cheered when Jesus freed the young girl ( played by Chelsea Lyle) from the bondage of the various sins. It is a beautiful picture of the One who stands on our behalf!!

Your students are working hard. At the moment - there are many students sanding, painting, clearing off a lot -- all for those who suffered from Katrina. Several more are working at a local food bank -- unboxing food and organizing things there. Still others are painting at the retreat center and re-sanding the volleyball court.
( Yes, we are forcing water in this heat!!)

You will be happy to know that the boys are going to have a seminar called " How to wash your own clothes 101" Randy Drummond will be leading this seminar!
We will also offer another one called " How to take a shower in under 3o minutes!"
Ha ha!

Al Collier,a member of the pastoral search team, shared with the whole group about our prospective pastor. We are THRILLED! May God be praised!

Stay tuned for more pictures. Joy Drummond and Mark Turner are posting pics of the various events.We hope you enjoy them!

PLEASE pray - GOD is moving in the lives of the students.

It is a great joy to serve your students as their director. I love them and I thank you for sharing them with us.

Hudson Greer is singing " The twelve days of Christmas" while working. He's on 12 now - it will be over soon. I need to correct him on one line - it is NOT "8 milks a mateing....." Mmmm - we will work on those lyrics later. ( :

Roger Allen - you would be proud. We are working hard....as John says " this is Roger's kind of trip!"
Thank you for always modeling for the kids what servant leadership is. They see in you what the Bible says about leadership - to be a servant first. No Bible lesson can compare with what is seen and observed in another life. ( Roger may kill me for saying all this - I'll take my chances though.....)

More later!!

Julie