This past Sunday, November 11th, was Friend Day here at Southwest Baptist Church. We had over 50 cards filled out from those who promised to come, and looking around the auditorium, we had a lot of visitors! Pastor Jason Gaddis preached a moving and convicting message on Salvation and during the inivitation, approximately 20 people raised their hands for salvation. However, only two people received Jesus Christ as Savior out of those 20. Please pray that the rest would continued to be reminded of their lost, sinful state and accept Jesus as Savior before its too late.
Friend Day wasn't just limited to the adult service, and all 24 buses increased their visitation efforts encouraging the kids to invite their friends and family members through competitions and prizes such as a 5ft pixie stick, 1lb gummy bear, a 2lb Reses Peanut Butter Cup, and coupons for McDonald's happy meals. As a result, my bus had 33 kids and two of them received Jesus Christ as Savior that day! I am so thankful for the privilege of working the bus ministry, and I cannot think of a better weekly 'missions' minded ministry than working with these children...I truly love it.
God has definitely been growing me lately, teaching me to deny myself and invest in those around me. How? By using my afternoons to take girls to doctor's visits, dentist appointments, job places to fill out paperwork, the grocery store, picking up one girl from the hospital, picking up some of my roommates' RA responsibilities, taking girls out to eat, and on the list goes. The reason? I am single and selfish. Have you ever thought about how a married woman gives up on her wedding day what a single woman still has?-- time for Jesus, time to spend outside her home and with those around her. God has not allowed me to meet who He has for me yet, and instead of focusing on myself and current single state, I am to be a good steward of these single years God has blessed me with and invest in those around me. Believe me! It is NOT easy! But, I would do it all over again for the peace in knowing that I am doing exactly what God wants me to do, and for the relationships I have gained with the girls.
I love my roommates Katie and Amy and I am so thankful God has placed me to work along-side them. God has definitely given me more responsibility this year as an assistant, and I wonder what in the world He has in store for my future because of all the things I've had to do and handle....kinda scary! However, despite the unpleasantries of RA life, I LOVE it and enjoy knowing the girls on a more personal level.
Look forward to seeing everyone back home next wednesday! Amanda and I are so ready for a break. Please pray for our safety, as well as Whitney's as she will be following us home!
Love, Amber
