It's been another great day here in Memphis. We started the morning with our normal routine of breakfast, talk (led by Christa Campbell), personal devotional and small groups. We studied 1 John 3:10-18 and discussed how to love in deed and truth.
We headed to another MAM gym today called St. Andrews. Before we started working, a MAM staff member named Chelton shared his testimony with us. He shared how he came to know the Lord and how he's come to see how our God is a God of adventure. He reflected on how God is not safe, but he is good.
Everyone worked hard again today and we deep cleaned the St. Andrews, which is owned by a church. Their gym had recently gotten a new floor and still had some drying to do, so we were not able to get in the gym today, but cleaned and prayed over some classrooms kids are in everyday. We also picked up a lot of trash around the area before the Memphis students got out of school.
After lunch we sent some of our team to another MAM gym called Bethel La Belle to get time with their elementary students. The rest of our group stayed at St. Andrews and waited for their students to arrive. It was incredible to watch our students as they so eagerly jumped right into serving the Memphis kids. A few girls immediately drew in some other girls by showing them how to make friendship bracelets. Many kids have homework they had to finish when they first got to the gym, so our kids were quick to help them out. It was an incredible picture- to walk into the school room and see almost every Memphis kids paired with one of our students. When their homework was finished they all went outside and played until their dinner time.
It was great for our kids to finally get some time with the elementary students. And the Memphis kids absolutely love our kids being there with them. I've heard so many times from MAM staff that their kids look forward to our group coming every year. I am continually encouraged and thankful for the wonderful group of students we have. They are all so eager to serve and initiate and are becoming such great leaders. On the bus ride back to our main gym, the Grizz, our students were overflowing with exciting stories of the afternoon.
We had a hearty dinner of hamburgers and hotdogs, followed by a great worship time led by Adrianna Pate and some of our leaders. Mark also led us through a time of encouraging each other by pointing out ways we saw our teammates "doing it right". As we were sharing, our bus driver, Michael (who has spent a lot of time with us and participated in a lot of our events) even spoke up and said he could see how our team reaches out to those around us- including him. He said he's never felt so included in a group he's driven for.
We continue to walk faithfully in what the Lord places in front of us. It's been sweet to see some fruits already and pray for abundance as we continue throughout the week.
The night ended with an intense game of Leader vs. Students soccer game. Tied 2-2, the game went to a shoot out. The students were victorious, the leaders were humbled. There will be a rematch.
Janie Nolen
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