We gathered in the lobby before 8:00 this morning in preparation for our day.
Say, is this really what Paul had in mind when he said to the Galatians, “Each person will have to carry his own load”? (I guess some of us really do carry around more baggage than others.)
Anyway, it was off to Southern Georgia Baptist Church for breakfast–a biiiig breakfast…
…then a biiiig rehearsal…
…then on to Next Step Home where we were greeted by Administrator Lee Borroughs. We listened for an hour as Bro. Lee shared stories about the ministry God has given him to troubled teens, even in a state-funded facility. Stories that reflect the desperation and need of the world in which we live, yet stories of lives changed by the power of Christ.
After a tour of the facility and an opportunity to meet the residents, we were provided with lunch–a delicious barbeque sandwich.
Bro. Lee had mentioned how one of the expectations of the residents was to attend church every Sunday morning, and how four of the residents were going to attend youth camp this summer, even though he didn’t know where the funding would come from. His confidence in God’s provision was evident. James asked one of the workers how much it cost to send one kid to camp, to which the reply was “somewhere around $250″. Because we had already collected money for the meal which they invited us to share, we gave them $250 to send a resident to camp, which was only $2 shy of the meal money we had set aside. Needless to say, Bro. Lee was deeply blessed as were we.
After lunch we went next door to the Youth Center of the High Plains Detention Center. Joining us for the presentation were nine youth from South Georgia BC that we are helping to start a youth choir program. After singing like it was the last tour rather than the first (by that I mean it was good…it was real good), and “stomping” (not once, but twice), Bro. James shared the gospel in a way that addressed the hurts these kids had faced which led them to make wrong choices. They were extremely attentive and appreciative and out of a crowd of about 50, 22 hands were raised indicating a profession of faith. After we finished our regular program the kids sat on the risers and sang one more song led by Caleb on the guitar–a request from Bro. Lee after he heard the kids singing it while we were waiting on the arrival of our guests.
I once was fatherless, a stranger with no hope
Your kindness wakened me, wakened me from my sleep
Your love it beckons deeply, a call to come and die
By grace now I will come and take this life, take Your life
Sin has lost its power, death has lost its sting
From the grave You’ve risen victoriously
Into marvelous light I’m running, out of darkness, out of shame
By the cross You are the truth, You are the life, You are the way*
Because many of the youth were indeed fatherless and seemingly with no hope it was a powerful message. I’m sure it was equally beautiful to the ears of our Heavenly Father.
After a brief tour of the facility we departed to paint the Cadillacs. If you don’t know about the Cadillacs, well… a picture is worth a thousand words… 
…and three pictures must be worth…well, you get the idea.
After the artistic geniuses were finished with their masterpieces (and everyone else used all their paint) we headed to Big Texan for our evening meal.
And yes…in case you were wandering…we ate way too much today. And dessert, too!
Now we’re settled in at the hotel with some free time after a very busy, yet blessed day. God’s favor has abundantly been upon us as we’ve trusted Him to give us opportunities to minister and to be a blessing to others.
The Lord values those who fear Him, those who put their hope in His faithful love. (Psalm 147:11)
*Marvelous Light Words and Music by Charlie Hall © 2004 Generation Music
