Detroit Day 6--Last Day :(

Waking up this morning was such sweet sorrow. The magnificent, heavenly day we had yesterday drained the life from my body. I was exhausted and yet so full, full in the spirit. If you are a Christian and have never been on a mission trip I encourage you to take the step of faith and DO IT! My life is forever changed, my heart is forever different, my destiny is forever changed. The explanations on my blog the past 6 days DO NOT do my trip justice. If you are at all moved by my writing this week just understand it is a fraction of what I have experienced. No amount of writing could explain the spiritual miracles I've seen this week. The way in which God moved in the 63 people out here is beyond anything that can be put in words. The way in which I have seen, heard, and felt God changing not only the 250 people who received Christ yesterday, but the change in the people who came on the trip is just as much of a miracle. I've seen growth, I've seen healing, I've seen love. Love to the fullest measure, love like no other. Our greatest commandment was to love one another and I've seen that this week.

After breakfast this morning we went back to the community center to be a part of the inaugural church service with Pastor Michael and this wife Minister Margaret AND to see some baptisms. The following pictures are from the morning.

Getting the pool ready!

The fire department came out and filled that sucker up in less than five minutes!

Yup, the water was that color! Also, the weather was cold! The people who got in that water were serious, it was freezing and windy today!

Linda/Peaches of Peaches and Herb. (She sings Reunited!) She is SO kind and a true woman of God. Her vision for the nation and her love for people is beyond what most can even comprehend. She prayed over our performance when we got off the stage yesterday and it was such a sweet blessing.

Steven. I am thankful for his vision and the fact that he followed God's plan for his life. His ministry changed my life. I will go to every WOW Jam I possibly can!

Coco, Steven and Linda's daughter. She wants to be a history teacher. I love her! She is as much of a servant as her lovely parents.

Christine, fellow history teacher (not the same school)...we both teach US History. Love her!

Ricky-he played Jesus and taught us the drama. I am thankful for his insight and patience for us as we were learning. If not for him and his love for Christ we wouldn't have had the direction we did. He is an amazing dancer and fellow CrossFitter(so he had my respect right away!) Thank you Ricky.

The church service was fantastic and seeing a new pastor be prayed over and released into the community was blessed. I will pray for Pastor Mike as he begins his new journey. 

The new church banner hanging in front of the WOW truck.

The attendees this morning.

This little boy got saved yesterday and came alone to church today. He even brought his new bible (you can see it on the seat next to him). I wanted to take him home.

Baptisms. Amazing celebration!

This precious baby was about four years old and was riding a bike (fixed yesterday) that was 3x his size. He still had his face paint on from yesterday. He was holding onto a can of soda that he dropped about 100 times. I switched him out for a pink Gatorade (the color he wanted). I wanted to take him home too. Precious child, I pray for your sweet baby.

After lunch and cleaning everything up we headed to downtown for a short drive through of Detroit. 

Comerica Park! 

Tall GM building.

The left side of the river is Canada and the right side is Michigan.

Praising God for an amazing week!

Gotta bust out the CrossFit skills (ignore the swollen bloated-from-too-much-salt belly!).

Pastor Willie and Anna at the park. If not for the love of these two I don't know that I'd be on this trip. I am thankful for them and their amazing gift of leadership. I am blessed to serve under them. 

I can't wait to go on another trip. I can't wait to see how I can use all that I have learned on this trip at home. I can't wait to serve God some more. I will never serve the same ever again.

Side note--I wrote yesterday about how I felt after doing the drama. I want to add something about that. When I was headed to bed that night I reflected on the day and I was slightly sad that I didn't make a strong connection with anyone. See, before I went on this trip I prayed and fasted that the power of God would be used through me. I prayed this prayer over and over and I begged God to use me in a powerful way. I have seen with my eyes the power of the Holy Spirit and I wanted to be used in a mighty way not just witness his power. At the end of the day yesterday I called out to God and asked him, "why didn't I get to pray with someone to accept Christ" then he showed me, He reminded me that I was used up on that stage to touch so many. He reminded me that he spoke directly to me and had me speak into two different people's lives, he reminded me that HE took over and performed that role. How easily I was going to take the glory from God  and allow satan to tell me I didn't do enough. I was shocked at my own feebleness and stopped and asked for forgiveness. For God answered my prayer, he used me, and his power was flowing through me. For there is power in the name of Jesus! Praise God that he chose to use me, and use me in a mighty way. 

I serve a mighty God. I serve the King of the Universe! He loves me so much and you know what? He loves you too. If you are sitting reading this and have never accepted Jesus into your life and have never felt the amazing love that is given by serving our Lord, I want to invite you to know him. I want to invite you to ask him into your heart. He died for my sins and yours and because of his sacrifice we can have eternal life in heaven. What an amazing gift to be given for FREE. If you don't know Jesus personally, ask him to be your savior, admit you have sinned, and and ask for forgiveness. It is as easy as that. The peace that comes with knowing him is nothing you've ever experienced. I pray in the name of Jesus you accept him, like I have. I can't imagine living even one day without the protection and provision and favor that my Father gives me. 

I am not done writing about Detroit. Currently I am on an airplane heading home and tomorrow I begin working on the new school year, but once a few days have passed I want to write one or two more reflections of the trip. Once I have digested it all and let it sink into my spirit, by then I hope the video is ready to link.

For I can to all things through Christ who strengthens me! I can, and I will! For he has a plan for my life and I can't wait to see where I go from here.