July 14, 2008 - Day THREE

After a night of resting up our muscles from team building, we woke up to another full day. We we're all excited to see what God had in store for us at the Summer Kids' Program. We started off meeting J, L & G and after a speedy planning meeting, we were pleasantly surprised to have "I" join us for lunch. I am overwhelmed by our guest's simple nature and how God has completely met him where he is. Everyday (yes, even in the rain) we see him or his brother riding their bikes back and forth for kilometres, always with a smile & without a care, yet somehow God always provides for them.

Highlights from the first day with the kids:
- met the first group of kids who arrived by following the Youth workers truck to the centre
- went over rules
- batting practice with Ryan - all the boys we're so excited
- weiner roast - more kids joined as they saw the commotion

'What's for dinner?'
- prepared dinner for old and new friends, all 30+ of us
- challenged by a moment of worry for D and his "situation" that was reassured by a time of prayer
- fishing with friends and Ron's guarantee still intact (Ryan guarantees that ANYONE can catch a fish with him when the fish are biting OR it's dinner / lunch on him)

Most challenged
If I'm here to just serve & love the Lord, it means the need to just serve & love the people of Longlac. I often find myself wanting to try and solve the symptoms of their brokeness - health programs that would help with rehab & type 2 diabetes prevalence. The addictions, broken families, poor health & sadness are all symptoms of the brokeness and the suffocating hopelessness. Instead the challenge is to love in order to heal before solutions are of any use.

posted by Nadine


J (summer student) on the right and a few of the youth enjoying a weiner roast


Getting their sticks ready for a roast


Serving the people of Longlac - a few of the 30 guests we had over for dinner


Cheers!


Elaine taking part in the community fishing (and fulfilling the ron gaurantee)