Thursday and Friday!

Thursday was our final day at our worksites in beautiful St Louis! We were blessed with 85 degree weather and after the exhausting week in the sun we were all very thankful for the sheet of clouds that protected us from the hot St Louis sun! Yesterday was filled with packing food for the homeless, playing with children, organizing clothes, cleaning buildings and Norb actually went to Lowes, bought lumber, nails, a saw and a few of our guys built a new stair case for a sweet lady named Mrs. Rice. As she came out on her back porch once the steps were finished, she almost fell over with joy! She was so incredibly gracious but her lifelong generosity to serving those in need truly inspired our youth. Last night was the community cookout where we broke bread with all the neighbors living near Compton Heights. The boys tried to plan a water fight/ attack against the girls, but the girls were naturally well equipped with buckets of water waiting in the kitchen. Last night was also the ever memorable foot washing ceremony, where the adult leaders show the ultimate act of service by washing the youths feet. We went around the group one at a time, praying over each and every person as we went along. As always we were the last group to finish-- long after the 11 o'clock lights out call-- because this group, like most groups in the past have united to form one body and in this have truly learned the importance of supporting each other. Christ was ever present this whole week, and we could feel Him last night as we showed each other the power or servantude and love. We just arrived at our final campsite, have gotten sweet corn, grilled cheese, and tomatoe soup for dinner. There is not a cloud in the sky and God has blessed us again with safe travels and beautiful weather. Please pray for good road conditions for our trip back tomorrow-- we are all very excited to share our stories with friends and family. Have a good night and God bless, we are all sending love from Bolga state Park in Iowa!!