The Lord is doing big things in Pittsford right now. It's a real blessing to get to watch it all happen.
Here are a few examples:
- Last night we had a "second timer dinner". We met up with 5 of the Second Timers who are coming to camp to talk about what the week could be like. We talked about how we might know some of what's going on, but that we (as YL leaders) truly see them as leaders with us. So we talked, as a new huge team, how could we go out of our way to make it the best week of our friends lives. It was so cool to hear them respond…to talk about showing people around, making sure no one feels left out, to invite people to go wake boarding, to sit with people at club, being excited for everything, keeping things secret and not trying to act like we're on the "in" with knowing what's going on. What's even more incredible than that was what happened 45 minutes later when we walked into campaigners. Two boys who are brothers walked in to campaigners, and another guy (second timer) got up, gave them both a high five, and proceeded to tell them how excited he was that they were coming. He told them he was going to show them around and go down to the boats with them. They lit up! It was absolutely incredible to watch.
- Later last night, I also found out…that same guy I talked about a second ago, accepted Christ last night! The Lord has been pursuing him like nothing I've ever seen before. He has changed so much over the course of this year. And last night was the culmination and the beginning of it all. He finally fully surrendered to Jesus. Praise the Lord! Please please please be praying for him! Pray for protection over his heart and his decision. Pray that the Lord would do amazing things in his heart over the next week before camp, time at camp, and time at home afterwards.
- I have been praying and trying to move mountains to get another friend of mine to camp this summer. Literally doing everything possible. But one thing after another keeps coming up. Last night I pulled up to campaigners and this friend was already there. What I realized last night, was that she has shown up to almost every campaigners for the last 2 months. There is no reason but Christ that she keeps coming. She has no background with the Lord or church. Her friends don't even come most of the time anymore. I remember meeting her at Chipotle once a while back before campaigners…although at the time she didn't know we were all going to campaigners straight from there. When she found out, she said, 'Wait do you all like sit around in a circle and pray or something? Am I going to have to do that?' She was not pleased, yet came anyway and continues to come. A few weeks ago, she texted me and said, 'I can't make campaigners tonight. When you all do the pray thing, will you pray for my friend…' Although she wasn't fully into it herself, she recognizes what we are about and is drawn to it, so much so that she would ask us to do the 'pray thing'. I love it. I typically try to sit next to her at campaigners. A few weeks ago she fell asleep during it. Which I don't mind, it was after prom and honestly, I'd rather her sleep through campaigners with the confidence that just being around scripture is even good for her than her not come at all. Last night I got to sit next to her. We shared a Bible, but instead of pointing things out to her, I taught her how to read the Bible! It was so cool. I showed her the table of contents, what the big numbers and small numbers mean. She had no clue, but was interested and determined to learn. I looked up 2 with her…by the 3rd verse Pat asked us to read, she found it all on her own. She read the Bible, on her own, for the first time in her life last night. Praise the Lord! He is doing something. Please pray that she would surrender her life to Christ!
The Lord is clearly moving in this town. Please be praying for my friends here.
The countdown is on…
We're leaving for camp in 10 days! And let me tell you…we are SO excited. Here's where we're at with camp…
Currently we have 17 Pittsford kids signed up, with about 5 who are still on the fence/trying to raise money.
Rochester has 180 spots to take kids & leaders to Saranac next week. We have about 160 of those filled and we are praying and working hard to fill up the rest of those spots. What's crazy to think about it that in 2 weeks, we could be coming back home to Rochester with 180 believers. People who have surrendered their lives to Christ. That would be the start to a HUGE change on the east side of this city.
Please be praying with us! I will be sending out an updated list on the names of my friends coming to camp with us before we leave.
Until then, please be praying for:
- My two friends who I shared about above
- For the leaders…myself, Pat & Meghan - that we would be rooted in Christ over the next 10 days, preparing for what the Lord is going to do in us & through us - please pray for sleep, time with the Lord, and energy
- For graduation & time spent with kids over the next 10 days - It's a fun time to celebrate with kids the accomplishment of graduating high school! Also, school's out..which means we have lots of time to hang out with kids! Pray for meaningful relationships to continue to be built and conversations to happen
Thanks for your partnership in this! I am truly grateful.
