Yesterday, as my GPS clicked under 20 minutes to our destination I began to found myself praying for this new experience we were entering into with a little bit of anxiety. Our travels had been problem-free and I knew the Lord had led us here, but I couldn’t help but wonder how our months of prayer and meetings would end up as we traveled to a place we hadn’t been before to serve with a new-to-us organization.
When we arrived at YWAM, we were greeted by an awesome friendly staff that had dinner ready for us. So needless to say they knew the way to our hearts right away! After our dinner the students had free time and all of us leaders had a meeting with YWAM staff. While we were talking they shared with us how several months ago when they were deciding if they could take our group or not, they couldn’t explain it but unanimously felt an overwhelming peace that they were supposed to host our team.
For me this brought an overwhelming peace in the midst of the anxiety I was experiencing just an hour earlier. God so kindly confirmed that this was the place that the Lord has for us and it is His plan for us to be here this week. In many ways, this seems to be a theme the Lord is laying on our hearts – to trust Him with our lives and situations even when we can’t see it right away.
Our team took our time heading to our site in West Virginia in order to make time for bonding together as a group. On Saturday, we enjoyed an option-filled lunch at a food court outside Toledo before making our way to Columbus where the kids were able to swim and hang out before getting a good night’s sleep.
The next morning we hit the road shortly after breakfast. We stopped about 45 minutes away at a beautiful Welcome Center in Maryland and had a time of devotions and prayer together before arriving at YWAM’s base here in Keyser.
I think it’s safe to say that we all felt welcome and comfortable here when we arrived. After free time and dinner we had orientation and got informed about what our week will look like. Finally we all headed to our houses to get ready for bed. Our housing here is great, close to our base and all fully air conditioned. Praise the Lord!
This morning we woke up and had breakfast and had a session time with one of YWAM’s teaching pastors and learned about God’s plan for us and creation and how we can carry that into the world and specifically this community this week.
It rained this morning so we changed some plans around for what our ministry time will look like. Today we made gift bags to bring to a high rise apartment building where elderly folks live. Most of these people live here alone without family around. We had the opportunity to give out the bags and pray for individuals who asked for it. What a day. We saw the Lord in their willingness and openness to allow us to pray and share their burdens. One man in particular named Mike was a believer and asked we pray for the building’s members to see the light and hope of Christ in this dark place. Pray for Mike’s faith to be strengthened that he can be a light to his neighbors.
After ministry time, we came back and had some free time at the base before dinner. This evening we have a community event with a local youth group outreach at the church YWAM partners with. Pray that we can be the light of Christ and share His love with these students as we connect.
After that Day One will be a wrap and lights out will be at 10:30!
I will try to share more photos later this evening.
