SBP 2007

I like to call this place the concrete paradise of panama city beach!

We are enjoying ourselves at Beach Project and are starting to get to know a lot of the students. It was a little tough coming down with the kids and getting used to functioning in two hotel rooms (adjoined). The kids have to be in the room with the kitchen (it was a non-smoking room) because of their asthma symptoms, so that makes it a little hectic at bedtime since everything has to be cleaned up before that can happen. It took me a few days to figure out what was so much harder than being at home since we are on the same schedule, but once I realized that it helped me alot mentally. I am really enjoying being able to interact with people after the kids are in bed, they are right outside my door!

There are about 110 students here, and already they are dealing with their hearts as they are confronted with truth from God's word. Already we have seen one girl become a Christian, and there are a few others who are thinking through the truth of the gospel.

One guy in particular is a fraternity guy who Duane built a relationship with at the end of the year. He came even though he didn't know anyone else here. However, he doesn't like his job (security at a hotel) and this is affecting his attitude about wanting to be here. Duane is in charge of jobs for the students, and is trying to decide if getting him another job would be the best thing in light of him pursuing a relationship with Christ versus making him be committed to the job like everyone else must be.

These next few weeks will be intense as we talk about their position in Christ and the value they have in Him (at this time alot of things usually come out, including abusive relationships, past sins, and eating disorders). Please pray for these students as some of them share these things in their lives for the very first time. Also we will be doing our relationship seminar in which we talk about purity and dating relationships. This is also a difficult and challenging week as they are confronted with God's view of relating versus the way that the world has taught them, so please pray that they would experience God's forgiveness personally.

We thank you for your prayers!