Story about Kelly

There are many lives already changing at the Beach Project. It is amazing to see the Word of God permeating their lives and hearts. Here is a story about Kelly, who I shared about a few entries ago:

Kelly and I were talking the other night, and she shared with me about how she wanted to come, but so many things stood in her way. Not really believing that God would do it for HER, she sarcastically told Him, “If you want me to go, then you do it God.” And he did, and it blew her away! Since then, she has been struggling over her salvation, and whether she is really a believer or not. She said that the only thing that she wants is Him, and that she is willing to give up anything to have Him. She said she had given God her life many times over the last few months, but didn’t really feel that He had taken it from her and she didn’t have any joy like she thought she would. Through our conversation, I shared with her an analogy of Duane and I getting married in front of many people, and saying “I do”. Then the next day I struggle with wondering if we really got married even though I know I said “I do” and signed all the documents. Then, every day I ask Duane “Do you really love me?” and when he says, “I told you I do”, I say, “No you don’t. You can’t love me.” I asked her, “Would I ever have any joy in our marriage even though we were officially married?” She realized that she IS a believer, but she is afraid to trust God’s love (because of things from her past). We talked about ways to practically choose to believe Him when she feels Him piercing her heart. Kelly also realized all the things that HAVE changed in her life, and how all of her desires are different, evidence to her of God really being part of her life.

More stories to come!

Our "home with the blue door" as Bailey calls it

Here is where we've been staying for the past month, if anyone wanted to see. It's been SUCH a blessing having two rooms. We are leaving Beach Project this weekend for a month until we return in late July.

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!

Sorry everyone!

If you saw our blog in the last 24 hours, we got on today and saw that someone had posted obscene videos under our videos. We're sorry if anyone had to see that there.