January 1st

The team left GBCC at 2:30 am and headed back for Sunday services at 9am. Troopers.
With all that happened yesterday, it's not shocking that there was much to celebrate with the whole congregation. Worship and praising the Lord lasted over 1 1/2 hours with the first service lasting a good 4 hours. And they weren't checking their watches to hightail it outta there either. (I'd like to see that happen in the OC. hee hee). Marlene and Matt shared their testimonies at church and were followed up by Pastor Martin and Ron listing all the ways in which the LOrd had moved in and through GBCC over the year as well as what to expect over the coming year. The team also stayed for the Swahili service led by Pastor Ron and they LOVED it. To worship, praise and pray with these people is beyond words. Jake and Khara shared their testimonies. To say that each of those that simply "shared" today is an understatement. Each one was completely unplanned and completely anointed by the Lord. so good. so blessed.

After leaving church and getting some grub, the team was off again. This time it was off to the prison to hand out more mercy bags to both the men and women prisoners. The RH ladies met under the open walled structure for their church service with the majority of the women prisoners. Immediately after the worship began, everyone was intermingling as all were dancing, singing and praising Jesus. Afterwards, Katrina gave her testimony and man, was it anointed. The way she shared about her life struggles, the guilt, the striving...it was perfectly phrased and couldn't have been more fitting and understood. Then to follow that up was Katie who shared about her life and how through various circumstances she had come to know the unfaltering love of her heavenly Father. She described how she is recognizing how precious she is to Him; a jewel, and this couldn't have been more amazing for everyone to hear - especially those locked in prison. The hearts of all the women that heard these words were pierced in the way that only the Lord can do. Katie sat down only to be encouraged to go back and have an "altar call" where many women forward for salvation and prayer. What an amazingly sweet time this was. There is something breathtakingly special about this place. You get to see Jesus. His Church. Again, its beyond words. It just makes you wanna stop and praise His name. And they did. The women prisoners said goodbye in their sweet hand rub, clap, clap, clap, whoosh send off.
On the men's prison side, they were also enjoying the presence of the Lord. Mark shared his testimony that ended up with a powerful presentation of the gospel. From there Matt also shared and the Lord's presence continued to fall as he ended up giving an altar call where over 40 men turned lives over to the Jesus. Pete prayed over the group and it was yet another glorious day as the Kingdom of God was expanded.

There are many more stories that haven't been shared here. When your loved ones come home, please ask them about specific days/events so that we don't forget all that God has done through the team - not to mention what He is doing IN them as well. The team is exhausted. Good exhausted, but tired nonetheless. They have four busy, long days ahead of them, so pray for rest and protection. They bid you goodnight and are anxious for what the Lord holds for tomorrow.