Sisters in Christ

Saturday kicked off "Killing the Giants" week here on Summer Project. "Killing the Giants" week is a week where the students and staff step out in faith to share the gospel with the "giants" in their lives. Family members, co-workers, friends...any person in their life who they want to share the good news of Jesus Christ with. As an entire Project, all of the students and staff have set a "Killing the Giant" goal to share the gospel with over 770 people!  

Last night my Discipler, Marina and one of the girl's I am discipling, Sarah, went out sharing on the Boardwalk together. It was amazing to see what God did through Marina and Sarah! Marina is one of the staff ladies here, she is from Albania and a new mom. Since Marina has been a great mother, taking care of her 8 month old, last night was her first night to go out and share. God provided Marina the opportunity to talk to two Turkish women and invite them to our weekly outreach for international students, "English Club". Marina shared that she was from Albania, and talked to them in Turkish. Marina was able to relate to the women so well, and the girls were belated to talk to her! 

Then Sarah initiated a conversation with two young women from Peru! The women didn't speak excellent English, but became more confident as the conversation continued. Sarah talked with the women for 2 hours! Sarah was so patient with them and answered all their questions. The young women from Peru were both Catholic, so God totally used Sarah's life story to relate with the women since Sarah had grown up in the Catholic church. Sarah explained the gospel to them and walked them through a "Knowing God Personally" booklet, that helps explain the gospel - that we are all sinful and seperated from God and no amount of good works would ever get us to God or Heaven! At midnight last night, after 2 hours, the two young women wanted to ask Christ into their lives and their hearts! Sarah had never "prayed to receive Christ" with anyone before and with watery eyes, was shining with joy! 

God totally used Marina and Sarah to share His love and Gospel! I am so proud of Sarah and her willingness to step out in faith and that I have been able to be a part of her life this summer and an eternal part of her spiritual journey. 

Once again - I want to thank all of my financial supporters! Each of these very real stories would not be possible without you. You have made an eternal investment in so many lives! 

2 Timothy 2:2 "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also"

Battle on the Beach

College students in black, blue, white, and red body paint. Boys in cardboard armor. What is going on?

Chanting … “Battle, Battle 3 o’clock – at the 21^st street block”! The red and white team depicting “good” marched a half a mile to the left…the blue and black team depicting “evil” marched a half a mile to the right…to gather a crowd for the “battle” at 3 o’clock. We were met with questionable looks, and questions from curious bystanders, asking what we were doing, why were we yelling, why were we in body paint???

“Come see The Battle at 3 o’clock!”

Then the good and bad “warriors” started their half mile march back to 21^st street to illustrate the very real battle that occurs for our souls!

 Ephesians 6:10-20 says, “...for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against authorities, against cosmic powers over the present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, having done all, to stand firm…”

The warriors met at 21^st street and began to battle! People had gathered from along the boardwalk and the beach, a crowd of over 200 hundred watched as good versus evil fought in the sand. At the end of the battle only two warriors stood, one from the evil team, one from the good team…at last the red and white team stood victorious, and the final good warrior began to speak. “What you saw today was not just a physical battle, but a representation of the spiritual battle for our hearts…”

The gospel was shared through body paint, cardboard armor, and 74 college students who marched over a mile to gather crowd! A true picture that God really does use willing hearts.

After the battle, with body paint still on, all of the students and staff went to talk to the crowd that has gathered and curious bystanders.

Staff woman Julie, and a student Rachel, and I went together to talk to people who were on the beach and had been watching the battle. I will never forget the two girls Julie, Rachel and I talked to! The girls said that they had not watched the battle, that they were too tired, and had only slept 3 hours the night before. They said that they were only at the beach for the day, and didn’t seem too interested in anything we had to say. We kept talking to them, and by the end of 20 or so minutes, we now have a new sister in Christ, and a rededicated believer! God did a full 180 degree turn in their hearts. Julie, Rachel, and I were able to speak truth into these girl’s lives, and they responded with open hearts! It was amazing to see their clarity and receptiveness to the gospel! Stepping from 0% confident of eternal life, a life of without forgiveness and void of Jesus Christ, to accepting Christ by faith as Savior and Lord, 100% confident of eternal life and full forgiveness of sins!

Needless to say, this was the highlight of my week! 

Summer Project flies when you’re having fun! I can’t believe it’s been another week on Summer Project. Last week’s, “week in review” was a little overwhelming, because so much goes on! So I’ll stick to the highlights from here on out…

The highlight of week three and one of my favorite parts of Summer Project is “Discipleship”. I “disciple” three young women – Sam, Sarah, and Melissa. I meet with them once a week and encourage and challenge them in their walk with the Lord – to walk side by side with them as they “Experience Jesus, Embrace Transformation, and Engage in His Mission”. During “discipleship”, we also go out sharing the Gospel together. It has been such an encouragement to see their teachability, and their willingness to grow in their walks with the Lord and really search out the “hard” places in their lives.

My utmost hope for this summer is that not only would I grow in my own relationship with the Lord, but that the life that I live in Christ would be an inspiration and encouragement to other young women. I am by no means perfect, or the most qualified, but I’m willing – and I sincerely believe that God just needs a willing heart.

My theme from this summer has been investment. In my support letter I defined investment in this way: To the business man, investment is, “to use money, in the hope of making more money”.  To the Christian man, investment is, “to use obedient hearts and willing Christians, in the hope of making more obedient hearts and willing Christians to change the world for Christ!”

 2 Timothy 2:2

            “…and what you have heard from in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 

The LIFE of Summer Project

The second week staffing the Virginia Beach 2009 Summer Project was both exciting and hectic as the Staff welcomed and oriented 74 students to “Summer Project Life". 

Here is a quick glimpse into "Summer Project Life" - what so many of you are supporting and investing in this summer! 

Saturday – Day 1 of Orientation: The Staff Team worked all day to welcome the 74 college students who have traveled from the Great Lakes Region (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, even Colorado!) to come together as one unified body for the summer of their lives!

Sunday – Church in the morning at Calvary Evangelical Methodist Church! On Sunday night we have our “Ministry Team” meetings. I am the Director of the Community Team. Every week the Community Team plans the Saturday night “Community Event”. The Community Team “ensures the project is ‘connecting’, Saturday night community events are well planned and executed and that there is an atmosphere of encouragement”. We renamed the Community Team to the “Fun Team” because we are the most fun people on Project and we get to plan the “Fun Events”! It is amazing to me to see the leadership in all of the students! A huge part of Summer Project is teaching students how to lead, giving the students responsibilities of their own, and training them up in ministry. The “Ministry Teams” are an excellent way to teach and train the students!

Monday – The theme of Summer Project is based around 3 main goals “Experience Jesus…Embrace Transformation…Engage in His Mission”. So Monday’s Orientation for the students was focused on “Experiencing Jesus”. The students had the opportunity to go around to stations and try different ways to “Experience Jesus”.  There was a station where you could write a letter to God, there was a “thankful banner” where you could draw and write what you were thankful for on a huge banner…modeling for the students that there are many ways to experience Jesus, that you don’t have to always just read your Bible and pray!

This summer I am also Co-Leading a Bible Study with fellow staff woman Kacy. Kacy and I are leading 6 of the female students on Project. On Monday we met for the first time as a Bible Study to share our about our lives and testimonies. It is so encouraging to hear all of the girl’s stories and to see how God has so perfectly orchestrated every woman being placed here in Virginia Beach.

Tuesday – Continuing the Orientation Week, Tuesday’s focus was “Embracing Transformation”. The students on Summer Project will face so many challenging spiritual situations, causing them to grow in their faith like they never imagined! This summer they must be willing to embrace the transformation that will take place in their lives!

Tuesday afternoon was “Roommate Lunch” day. As Student-Staff I am also living with one other Staff woman named Julie and 3 students! That is 5 girls in 1 room!

Wednesday – Wednesday’s focus was “Engaging in His Mission”, so we had our first day of Outreach with the students. I went sharing on the beach with Sam, one of the women I will be “discipling” this summer. Discipleship is most easily explained as serving as a “spiritual mentor”. Out of every activity, role, and responsibility that I will take on this summer, I am most excited about “Discipleship”! I truly believe intentionally investing in others lives - inspiring, teaching, and challenging a person in their faith is the most eternal thing I could ever do!

While Sam and I were sharing and initiating conversations with people on the Boardwalk, I was continually reminded of what a “mystery” the gospel is to so many people! Going out and initiating spiritual conversations, actively sharing your faith can be both scary and nerve-wracking! I often assume that if you live in America, you’ve been exposed to going to church, and growing up with Christian values (which is definitely not true), since Christianity surrounds our culture, and churches can be found on every corner. I am so shocked when I initiate spiritual conversations with individuals, what a “mystery” the gospel is to so many. People truly don’t understand what I thought were basic truths – that we are all sinful and separated from God, but because of Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, we are able to have eternal life and experience God’s love and plan for our lives, if we simply believe in Him. It’s not about how many good or bad things we do; it’s all about Jesus, and the grace He provides. We don’t have to live perfect lives; we just have to accept the gift of grace, forgiveness, and eternal life that God offers through His Son, Jesus!

Ephesians 6:18-20 “…praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly as I ought to speak”

Colossians 2:2-4 “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge”

Wednesday night is my favorite night of the week. It is “Date Night with Jesus”. Date Night with Jesus is an extended and designated quiet time with Jesus. I can’t think of anything I would rather do than just relax, spend time with Jesus, journal and drink a latte. I love “Date Night with Jesus”!

Thursday – More planning, and meetings, more orientation…

The 28 staff men and women are broken up into cooking groups called “Co-ops”. The idea of the “Co-op” is to ease cooking responsibilities for the week. So you only cook 1 night and eat dinner for 4 nights. My “Co-op” was in charge of dinner Thursday night! We made stuffed salmon!

Thursday night is the weekly meeting, called “Lighthouse”. The entire Summer Project of over 100 students and staff have partnered with Trinity Church, a local church in Virginia Beach to kick-off and establish a “young adult” ministry.

Friday – Friday is “Staff Fun Day”! Where, as staff, we are not allowed to do any work! At first I was confused as to why this was important, but after two full weeks of serving as “Student Staff”, holding all the responsibilities of a Staff person, I realize how important having a day rest truly is! With “Ministry Teams”, meeting with the women I am “discipling”, preparing Bible Study, preparing for “discipleship”, outreach events, and all the other events and nights of activities, this  really is an exhausting internship and has been a busy two weeks. I am continually reminded of the importance of rest and fun, and am so thankful for designated “Staff Fun Days”.

This Friday, we all went to Busch Gardens! It was a lot of fun! I have never been to Busch Garden’s before! We all rode the roller coasters and enjoyed the park scenery!

I am looking forward to another week – no two days have been the same here in Virginia Beach! Each day is a new adventure and a new challenge. Each day God teaches me something new about Himself, about loving others, and exposes an area of my life that needs improved through His power, not my own.

Let me know if you have any specific questions…just e-mail me at Sarah.Perry@mail.wvu.edu.

Internet?!

Due to very limited internet (and time...I am way more busy than I ever expected!) I am currently working on my next blog post!

I can't believe two weeks of the six week internship here in Virginia Beach is already over! It's been a blast interacting with all of the students and getting to know the staff! Look forward to a weekly overview soon...

Right now I am at Panera (my safe haven with internet connectivity and fountain Diet Pepsi) - soon I'll be heading off to late night Outreach on the Boardwalk and finishing the night with an Icecream Social!

I am so thankful for all of the people who have financially supported me this summer and for all of you who are praying for the ministry here. I can't wait to give you more details...God truly is at work in so many lives.

Revelation 1: 15 - "...and his voice was like the roar of many waters."
As I run every morning along the ocean and listen to the the waves crashing I am reminded of this verse in Revelation that describes the voice of God like the roar of many waters! What an awesome God we serve, one who is so loving and deserves not only our respect and obedience, but He deserves our entire lives!

Go Hard or Go Home - Lord Use Me Lord

Go Hard...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG6MNIzXk6k

Week 1 - TOP 10

10. Running at the Beach in the morning! Love those early morning prayer runs...
9. Cleaning, Preparing, Orgainzing the Hotel for the students...for 8 Hours!
8. "Taste" - the name of the cutest local wine/coffee shop/cafe and future location for discipleship appointments!
7. The Beach - I've only spent about 3 hours on the Beach, because we've been so busy! But the ocean, the sand, the waves - so refreshing!
6. Sharing the Gospel - Yesterday we went sharing as a staff team. Brock, fellow staff member and sharing partner for the day, went with me to share on the Boardwalk. First we talked to a pastor and his wife, who were very encouraging. Then we shared with a family - mom, dad, and son! I am continually reminded that people really do not know the promise and forgiveness that is found in Christ. It was a joy to share with them the forgiveness and eternal life that Christ provides, that sins are not ranked in order of severity, and that good works will not get you into heaven. Finally, we got to talk with a 22 year old man named William, who looked homeless, and who could hear, but not talk. We were able to communicate with William through writing on a piece of paper. We would ask questions, and he would write. William was looking for a job, so we asked if we could pray for him - immediately he stood up in agreement, we joined hands and prayed with William on the Boardwalk.
5. Thank you Kendra for introducing me to ... Tedashii
4. Our Hotel - Can anyone say Antibacterial Spray??
3. Getting to know the Staff Team :) They are all so inspiring, loving and encouraging...
2. Hillsong United Concert - 13 of the staff men and women went to a Hillsong United Concert at a local church in VA Beach! It was an amazing time of PRAISE and WORSHIP. I was reminded of the fact that as believers we are called to be light and radiate "heaven on earth".
1. Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church - 1 of 4 "white people" in the whole entire church! Need I say more? What an incredible display of the body of Christ. Everyone was so inviting and definitely the most welcoming church I have ever been to!

VA Beach

I arrived safely in Virginia Beach last Friday night and have enjoyed the week with the 28 other Campus Crusade for Christ Staff men and women. What a blessing it is to be in community with encouraging believers whose walk with the Lord inspires you to know and experience God in your own life at a deeper and more intimate level!

The 74 students that we will be leading and learning from arrive tomorrow (we are all so excited) and all week we have been planning, organizing, and preparing for their arrival. It has been a lot fun, but also a lot of work!

Welcome!

The next 6 months of my life are guaranteed to be a journey and in my attempt to "stay connected", encourage, and share my life with those who mean the most to me, I was challenged to start a blog. I am not very technologically savvy - wish me luck...

For the next 6 weeks I will be in Virginia Beach, Virginia serving as a "Student Staff" with Campus Crusade for Christ, sharing the gospel, training college students in ministry, and growing and experiencing God in ways that I can't even imagine. Then after about a month of rest I will be heading off to Hong Kong to study abroad (and hopefully do more missions work)! So join with me on this journey - read my blog, comment, and ask any questions you may have!

You are among the people in my life, who mean the most, who have deeply changed and challenged me, and of whom I am sincerely thankful for. Enjoy :)