Sorry it has been a few days since I last blogged. It is pretty difficult to get Internet where we are but I have a short time now so I will try to catch you up on what has been going on here in South Africa.
Saturday and Sunday were both amazing days. On Saturday we spent the whole day at the squatter camp, ministering to the community. I started out thinking it was going to be a long day since we were so tired but it quickly became a great day. My group started walking down one street and immediately drew a crowd. We then started washing people's clothes, playing with children, and talking to people about Christ. As we walked a little further we started playing soccer with a group of men. It shortly became a conversation about God and their lives. We ended up talking to them for about 2 hours about Christ, and ended up leading them in the prayer of salvation. I had a feeling though that they didn't quite understand everything we were telling them though, but they were very interested in what we were telling them so we invited them to Church on Sunday where we would be singing and talking.
Great news! They all were there! They were so excited when they got to church yesterday and saw that we were all there waiting on them. There were also many others from the squatter camp that we had invited to church and some that we actually led to Christ on the streets of the community. During the church service we had many of our students and adults share their testimonies, the locals led some amazing worship, we lead some worship, and Heath Bromely preached the Gospel to the church. At the end he asked if anyone wanted to accept Christ and those three guys came forward! We were so excited. We talked to them some more and they really understood what they were doing. We then gave them Bibles and showed them some good verses that they should remember, and we encouraged them to continue coming to church there.
Sunday afternoon we went to a Lion Park where we got to see many Lions, fed Giraffes, got bit by Ostriches, and even got to play with baby lions! It was a one in a life time experience and we all loved it. We had a fantastic day and we all felt so blessed to be able to be here and experience everything that we are.
Today we went to the same squatter camp and continued to minister to people, pray for sick, disciple the new converts, and of course, play soccer with kids. It was a great day today as every other day has been. I am going to have to go now because we are about to have our devo around the camp fire outside in the cold. Oh yeah, I don't want to brag to you there in Texas but it feels so good and cold here! lol.
Tomorrow we will be at Kaya Sands where we will be doing the same kind of ministry that we have been but we will be able to minister in the Impact Kids Center as well. Please continue to pray for us as we serve God and spread His Gospel to the world. Talk to you soon.
Monday, July 25, 2011
Friday, July 22, 2011
2nd night in Africa
We are at the end of our first full day here in Johannesburg and today was amazing and eye opening. We did some training this morning to prepare for what we would see in the squatter camps. Then after lunch we actually went out and went into a squatter camp outside of Johannesburg. When we got there we were all in shock of the conditions that these people were living in. I honestly wouldn't want my dog Rex to have to live in those conditions and there are millions of people that live there. We looked out and as far as we could see there were tin shacks and dirt roads. There wasnt any electricity or running water. It was just heartbreaking to see that people had to live there every day.
Our students did awesome though. They got right in there and started talking to adults and kids about Jesus. Some were more bold than others but by the end of the day everyone figured out what they were good at and thrived in that. We met many people that are so confused about Christianity because they mix it so much with so many other religions. They all have this combination of religions and we just tried to help them understand the truth. Everyone we met though we made sure to lead them and refer them to the Chrisian church that is in their community. We know that we can have an impact but the only way these people will stay in the truth and not be misled again is if they get into that church and hear sound biblical teaching. So that is what we tried to do as much as possible. We are going back to that same community tomorrow to do the same thing, then on Sunday we will be leading that church's worship service. We will leading worship, teaching, and praying with them. Please pray that the people we have met and will meet tomorrow will fill that church on Sunday so they can hear the Gospel. We are praying that many people will come to know Christ on Sunday and I hope you will pray with us for that.
I have to sign off for now but hopefully I will have a chance to blog again very soon. Thanks for all of your prayers.
Our students did awesome though. They got right in there and started talking to adults and kids about Jesus. Some were more bold than others but by the end of the day everyone figured out what they were good at and thrived in that. We met many people that are so confused about Christianity because they mix it so much with so many other religions. They all have this combination of religions and we just tried to help them understand the truth. Everyone we met though we made sure to lead them and refer them to the Chrisian church that is in their community. We know that we can have an impact but the only way these people will stay in the truth and not be misled again is if they get into that church and hear sound biblical teaching. So that is what we tried to do as much as possible. We are going back to that same community tomorrow to do the same thing, then on Sunday we will be leading that church's worship service. We will leading worship, teaching, and praying with them. Please pray that the people we have met and will meet tomorrow will fill that church on Sunday so they can hear the Gospel. We are praying that many people will come to know Christ on Sunday and I hope you will pray with us for that.
I have to sign off for now but hopefully I will have a chance to blog again very soon. Thanks for all of your prayers.
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
SA mission trip
Just landed in Washington. 2 hr layover then we are on our way to Johannesburg! The students are already witnessing though. We have had lots of people ask about our shirts and our mission trip and they have already had many opportunities to share Christ. Praise God.
South Africa Mission Trip
made it through security at the airport in Houston. Starting our journey to South Africa. please keep us in your prayers.
If you want to see pix check out my Facebook.
If you want to see pix check out my Facebook.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
15 weeks
Today is my wife's 15th week of pregnancy! I can't wait to be holding our little baby! Juliann just told me that she felt it move for the first time. She said that it feels like popcorn in her stomach. I am a little jelous that she can feel it and I can't but then I thought to myself, with all the pain she has been going through she deserves it for sure. She has been doing such a great job and I know she is going to be an amazing mother. We went shopping last night for baby stuff but we couldn't buy anything yet because we don't know if it is a he or she. Hopefully we will find out the gender this Thursday. I am going to be so happy with whatever God blesses us with. I mean I do have a feeling that it is going to be a boy but that doesn't mean that I wouldn't love to have a little girl. I know that my life will never be the same but I am stoked about that. I am so excited that I will be raising a child to love God and to bring the gospel to the world. I will definitely let God lead me as I lead this child.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Osage Mission Trip- Day 3
Starting out pretty tired and slow, most students weren't to excited about going to their mission sites. But when they got there God started using them and turned the day around quickly. A different group of students went to the house that my group scraped. They started painting and it is already looking better. We are very excited to see the end product. Other groups went to sports camp and kids club. The group at kids club did a great job interacting and playing with the kids. There were a few boys that wanted to cause trouble but our youth guys stood by them and got them to participate just by being an example. Jake was one that really stooD out to me today. He had a kid that really wanted to break the rules, so he was able to play with him outside to calm him down and get him to participate with everyone else.
For church since it was Wednesday night, we went to a small church in Pawhuska where a preacher spoke about the Power of Jesus. It was a huge blessing. Most of our students have never experienced church like that, but once again, Juliann and I felt at home. He was a powerful speaker though and the students were hanging on every word.
For church group time we usually do a recap of the day, but I felt like we should talk about them theme of the day which was forgiving others. I really just wanted to recap and let them know how we are supposed to be different than the world, and forgiving others is one way we do that. Well little did I know that the Holy Spirit was at work. Some of our leaders started sharing some personal experiences they have had where they had to forgive someone. Then the students starting doing the same. Then the students started sharing about how they have been hurt by people and are trying to forgive them. It was a powerful night that some of our students needed. They were able to let some stuff go and now they know that they don't have to do it alone. We prayed for them and spent a few hours talking to some of them individually. These kids have seen so much and some of them have been hurt so bad. I just hope they can find God's comfort in their lives and will grow from their experiences. I know I will continue to pray for each one of them.
For church since it was Wednesday night, we went to a small church in Pawhuska where a preacher spoke about the Power of Jesus. It was a huge blessing. Most of our students have never experienced church like that, but once again, Juliann and I felt at home. He was a powerful speaker though and the students were hanging on every word.
For church group time we usually do a recap of the day, but I felt like we should talk about them theme of the day which was forgiving others. I really just wanted to recap and let them know how we are supposed to be different than the world, and forgiving others is one way we do that. Well little did I know that the Holy Spirit was at work. Some of our leaders started sharing some personal experiences they have had where they had to forgive someone. Then the students starting doing the same. Then the students started sharing about how they have been hurt by people and are trying to forgive them. It was a powerful night that some of our students needed. They were able to let some stuff go and now they know that they don't have to do it alone. We prayed for them and spent a few hours talking to some of them individually. These kids have seen so much and some of them have been hurt so bad. I just hope they can find God's comfort in their lives and will grow from their experiences. I know I will continue to pray for each one of them.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Osage Mission Trip- Day 2
Yesterday was a great day. We were a little scared yesterday morning though when we found out that we would be working for 6 hours, but by the end of the day the students enjoyed working more than the parade and free time on Monday. They saw how rewarding it was to do good things for people. We had groups that ran kids club, sports camp, and mission projects and from what I heard they were all very successful. The group I was with scraped a house all day long which was a huge job, but not one of them complained all day. I had to make them take breaks because they wanted to finish scraping the house so bad. I was so happy to see how much they wanted to help the lady we were working for. We also met the neighbors and invited them to the community wide cook-out that we are having on Thursday. We fixed the home owners trampoline, cut branches, and fixed a little girls bicycle. While we were working on scraping the house one of the other neighbors saw us and asked if we were getting paid. We then got to tell her about our mission trip and the cookout on Thursday. So she will be coming to that but she also might be able to get some work done on her house. It was awesome to see our students be used by God for His work.
Last night we spilt up into 4 teams and played some softball. We had a great time joking with each other and also meeting some more of the community. The town of Pawhuska has really opened their arms to youth works and goes out of their way to make sure we enjoy our time here. We can tell that youth works has made a great impact on the town of Pawhuska. I am glad that we could come and do our part in showing people the love of Christ.
Last night we spilt up into 4 teams and played some softball. We had a great time joking with each other and also meeting some more of the community. The town of Pawhuska has really opened their arms to youth works and goes out of their way to make sure we enjoy our time here. We can tell that youth works has made a great impact on the town of Pawhuska. I am glad that we could come and do our part in showing people the love of Christ.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Osage mission trip- day 1
Starting the day off with a parade put on by the town of Pawhuska was a great start. we got to be out in the community and meet the people which was a lot of fun. We then split into our groups so we could go to the worksites, kids club, and sports camp. Today was pretty slow for the kids club and sports camp since it was July 4th and all. But our groups that went to the work sites did some good work scraping and painting houses.
During club this afternoon our speaker talked about having faith in God because his power is limitless. So many times our spiritual lives get stagnant and we blame it on God, but the truth is that we lack faith so we don't live it out and let God use us how he wants. resulting in us becoming bored and uninterested. We encouraged the students to do more than just say God is limitless but instead to live out their faith boldly.
Tonight was a special treat. There is a lady that goes to the church where we are staying that has a cooking show on the food network. Well they have a HUGE ranch and every year they invite friends and their church to come out to eat and watch their amazing firework show on the 4th of July. This year they decided to invite the youth works group and all of us as well which made us all very happy! The food was amazing to say the least and the firework show literally puts most others I've seen to shame. We played a little "hey cow" while we were there and even got the chance to go cow tipping! (jk not really) We had a great time though and everyone left with their bellys full of good food.
For pictures of all this check out my Facebook. Look me up under Latham Drew Allen.
During club this afternoon our speaker talked about having faith in God because his power is limitless. So many times our spiritual lives get stagnant and we blame it on God, but the truth is that we lack faith so we don't live it out and let God use us how he wants. resulting in us becoming bored and uninterested. We encouraged the students to do more than just say God is limitless but instead to live out their faith boldly.
Tonight was a special treat. There is a lady that goes to the church where we are staying that has a cooking show on the food network. Well they have a HUGE ranch and every year they invite friends and their church to come out to eat and watch their amazing firework show on the 4th of July. This year they decided to invite the youth works group and all of us as well which made us all very happy! The food was amazing to say the least and the firework show literally puts most others I've seen to shame. We played a little "hey cow" while we were there and even got the chance to go cow tipping! (jk not really) We had a great time though and everyone left with their bellys full of good food.
For pictures of all this check out my Facebook. Look me up under Latham Drew Allen.
4th in Osage
4th of July in Osage Reservation
we were invited by a family to come out to their ranch tonight to eat some fantastic food and watch their firework show. I think it is going to compete with Houstons.
Where are the teepees?
We are here in the Osage Indian Reservation on our Youth Works Mission Trip. It took us about 10 hours to get here from Houston. The students were not to impressed when we got into Oklahoma because it didn't look much different than Texas. I'm sure every student had their own idea of what they should expect from Oklahoma, but I think most of their preconceptions about the Osage Reservation were pretty similar. When we entered the reservation there were questions like, "where are the teepees?" and "are we going to be shooting bow and arrows?". They were all surprised when we came into a small town with schools and churches and buildings. We are staying in a very pretty but old church here in Pawhuska, with awesome stain glass windows everywhere. The town here is very small but feels like a very nice community.
I say all that though to let you know that our students are a little outside their comfort zone this week and most of them have no clue what to expect which can be scary. What feels like home to Juliann and I is more of a distant country for some of our students. I will say though that I have not heard one student complain about anything yet. They are all doing an awesome job on working together and being respectful of each other. They did not complain about the 10 hour drive, the not so good food, sleeping on floors, being split-up in groups, or even about cleaning dishes after meals. (that wasn't me complaining by the way. I just wanted to let you know what they could have complained about).
I think this is going to be an awesome week. I can't wait to see these students serve other people this week. I know that God is going to grow this group of students. I just pray that we will be able to bring a servant heart back to Houston when we are done here. Please be in prayer for our students this week as they step outside their comfort zones and let God lead them.
I say all that though to let you know that our students are a little outside their comfort zone this week and most of them have no clue what to expect which can be scary. What feels like home to Juliann and I is more of a distant country for some of our students. I will say though that I have not heard one student complain about anything yet. They are all doing an awesome job on working together and being respectful of each other. They did not complain about the 10 hour drive, the not so good food, sleeping on floors, being split-up in groups, or even about cleaning dishes after meals. (that wasn't me complaining by the way. I just wanted to let you know what they could have complained about).
I think this is going to be an awesome week. I can't wait to see these students serve other people this week. I know that God is going to grow this group of students. I just pray that we will be able to bring a servant heart back to Houston when we are done here. Please be in prayer for our students this week as they step outside their comfort zones and let God lead them.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Summer Camp Recap
We are now on our way home after a great week at camp. God was with us all week and our students met with Him on a personal level.
The theme this week was Engage. We showed our students the difference between the world and God's world. Then we helped this choose which one they would follow because no matter what anyone says, you can't truly follow both. The Bible teaches that if you follow Christ then you should be different than the world. We didn't want to stop there though because to many Christians hear that we shouldn't be of the world so they just avoid it completely. We challenged our students to not be of the world but to Engage it with the Gospel. We told them to not avoid non-Christians but to reach out to them in love and show them how Christ told us to live. We told them to serve everyone they come in contact with and to "WAJD" WALK AS JESUS DID.
It is important though to not act like the world while you are in it. I told our students that if they don't look any different than their friend then something is wrong. Because Paul said in 2 Corinthians that we as Christians should fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Because what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
We aren't here on earth to gain money, fame, or comfort, but we are here to ENGAGE the world with the Gospel.
The theme this week was Engage. We showed our students the difference between the world and God's world. Then we helped this choose which one they would follow because no matter what anyone says, you can't truly follow both. The Bible teaches that if you follow Christ then you should be different than the world. We didn't want to stop there though because to many Christians hear that we shouldn't be of the world so they just avoid it completely. We challenged our students to not be of the world but to Engage it with the Gospel. We told them to not avoid non-Christians but to reach out to them in love and show them how Christ told us to live. We told them to serve everyone they come in contact with and to "WAJD" WALK AS JESUS DID.
It is important though to not act like the world while you are in it. I told our students that if they don't look any different than their friend then something is wrong. Because Paul said in 2 Corinthians that we as Christians should fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. Because what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
We aren't here on earth to gain money, fame, or comfort, but we are here to ENGAGE the world with the Gospel.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Obedience Opens Eyes
Last night during our Service our kids were worshiping with their hands lifted high and singing their hearts out. Then Jerrell, our speaker, shared an inspiring sermon that got out students excited about serving others. Some verses he shared were 1 John 2:6, Ephesians 33:7, and Philippians 2. He shared that we are to be servants of the Gospel not because its a command, but because it is a gift that God has given us. He told our students how important it is for us to serve the people around us and show the love of Christ to a lost world. We as Christians are supposed to be different than the world, and this is one way we can do that. He said that you will know when you are servant when you no longer need the approval of man. We don't live here to impress men, but to serve them as we obey our father and seek His approval alone.
One phrase that Jerrell really emphasized was that "Obedience opens eyes." When you obey God it will open the eyes of the people around you. They will see the Gospel through your life. But just the opposite is true as well. "Disobedience Closes Eyes". If you are living a disobedient life then your friends will not look to you for the Gospel, nor will they see if if they are looking. Our job as Christians is to Serve God and Serve People. We are to help anyone that is need because that is what Christians do. We love people in God's name. Not for our own fame or satisfaction, but so their eyes will be opened to the Gospel and the Love of God.
One phrase that Jerrell really emphasized was that "Obedience opens eyes." When you obey God it will open the eyes of the people around you. They will see the Gospel through your life. But just the opposite is true as well. "Disobedience Closes Eyes". If you are living a disobedient life then your friends will not look to you for the Gospel, nor will they see if if they are looking. Our job as Christians is to Serve God and Serve People. We are to help anyone that is need because that is what Christians do. We love people in God's name. Not for our own fame or satisfaction, but so their eyes will be opened to the Gospel and the Love of God.
Black Light Dodgeball
4 Black Light Cannons. Florescent Paint. Dodge Balls. Result... BLACK LIGHT DODGE BALL!!!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Blob!!!
Saturday, June 11, 2011
God is here.
God is here for sure! it's only night 2 and students are connecting with God on a deep level. Our camp speaker Jerrell Altic spoke tonight about praying with intention and focus. Too often we pray shotgun prayers that just cover everything. like bless this food. or forgive me of all my sins. or help me be better. Jerrell spoke tonight about praying specifically about what you need. and his focus was praying for the people in our lives that need Christ. we need to engage the world and spread the gospel but we can't do that without prayer. we must pray for the ones that we are sharing the gospel with and when God answers we can give him the glory knowing that we could never accomplish what he can. overall tonight was a great night. God definitely moved and I know he's not done yet.
I want to say thank you to all the parents for your understanding with the release form dilemma. I want you to know that we have resolved the issue and we wouldn't have been able to without your cooperation. So thank you. And I know your students are thankful because they will now be able to swim in the lake tomorrow. Blob... Here we come!
Today was a lot of fun. We played oversized soccer. kickball. 100 ft slip-n-slides. slip-n-slide kickball. and tonight we played Mission Impossible. We are having a ton of fun. you can find pictures on my Facebook.
We might have had some problems at the beginning of camp due to the release forms but we sang a song tonight that says. If our God is for us who could ever stop us. And if our God is with us then what could stand against? there might be things trying to stop God from working this week but nothing can match our Gods power. He is here and moving already. I just can't wait to see what he has in store for the rest of the week.
I want to say thank you to all the parents for your understanding with the release form dilemma. I want you to know that we have resolved the issue and we wouldn't have been able to without your cooperation. So thank you. And I know your students are thankful because they will now be able to swim in the lake tomorrow. Blob... Here we come!
Today was a lot of fun. We played oversized soccer. kickball. 100 ft slip-n-slides. slip-n-slide kickball. and tonight we played Mission Impossible. We are having a ton of fun. you can find pictures on my Facebook.
We might have had some problems at the beginning of camp due to the release forms but we sang a song tonight that says. If our God is for us who could ever stop us. And if our God is with us then what could stand against? there might be things trying to stop God from working this week but nothing can match our Gods power. He is here and moving already. I just can't wait to see what he has in store for the rest of the week.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Camp- Day 1
We made it to camp. Everyone is having fun. We are praying that God would move tonight in our worship service.
CSM Summer Camp 2011
This is where you will find updates for Summer Camp 2011. Check in regularly for updates.
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