P:C - God's Perfect Timing

I have been preparing my heart for this time for about three months or so, but really my heart was ignited the first time I simply heard about First Supper from Hans speaking at my church. The Lord has tested me in every way: my willingness to obey, whether I was going to trust my heart (which I’ve found is deceptive above all things) or if I would give the pen over to Him so he could write my love letter for me. My comfort was tested by having to deliver the fliers and speak German to people over the apartment intercoms. The lord has tested me so much and He has proven over and over that He is faithful! He is true! He is good! He does not change! You all have encouraged me, and I have realized through Project: Camp that God wants me, believes I’m precious, wants me to trust Him, and that He will always be my perfect guide and friend.

One day I was walking and simply felt lead to touch an older lady’s arm as she was looking over her shopping list. She seemed so concentrated. I touched her arm and said “hallo,” and her face lit up. Then she started walking around.

I tested whether simply being present somewhere, if Jesus would be present. On Saturday I wasn’t feeling too good, so I decided to stay at the hostel. I took a nap, rested, and then decided to simply walk and pray around the park. I smiled, made eye-contact, simply said hello to people. I was by myself, but I knew at the moment God would protect me. I kept walking, and I said hello to a man. He just stared at me and started talking in German. I said, “No Deutch,” and he said, “Oh! You’re not German,” and I said, “No, I’m from the U.S.” Eventually I was able to invite him to First Supper, but I had no flier to give him. Then Immanuel from Rwanda came up and told me he was looking for Drew. That made me feel good, because then I wasn’t alone with this man I didn’t know. Then Drew showed up in a car, and he happened to have a flier. God showed up in His perfect timing.

P:C - Hands-on Ministry

Through my time here in Mainz I have learned that service is one of my strongest giftings. I love to serve with my hands and feet, “hands-on” so to speak. At first I was not excited about the work we were to do in the forest (swamp). But with time I was able to take great joy in the work, despite how exhausting, stinky, sticky, gooey, slimy, bug and spider infested, sharp, and rash-inducing it was. It was really wonderful to feel the joy-giving power of Christ at work in our hearts. It was a learning experience for me, and in the end the park staff saw something different in us, that we would work so hard in a foreign country, unpaid, doing nasty work, with joy in our hearts and smiles and laughter on our faces. This has been on of my best experiences of fellowship and what it means to be part of the Body of Christ.

P:C - Planting Seeds in Swamp Water

The story that I think about is going to the “swamp.” We went the first day and spent out time mostly pulling plants out of the water. But the first day there were no gloves for us to use, so we got scratched up kind of badly. So the next time our group went back the workers decided to show us the castle there. As we worked that day I could see the wheels turning in the minds of the few men that worked there. Peter was the main one who worked with us. He gave several compliments on the diligence of our work. God worked through us and I believe began a work in Peter’s heart. They asked if our group could come back the next day because we worked so well, so we did and got more done than ever. We could just tell that they did not understand how we could wade though a swamp with scratched, leeches, scorpions, snakes, snails, and spiders with smiles on our faces. So they took us to another tower as a surprise. They finally decided to come to the tent on the last night. I pray a seed that was sown in this tent and that swamp will grow in their lives. Pray for Peter and those men.

P:C - Spiritual Parallels

During our prayer walk, I saw many people in line at a walk-up bakery, ready to spend money on bread or a pastry. I suddenly had the thought, “I wish they were that hungry for Jesus.” But I guess that is what this week has been about, creating a hunger for God in the hearts of the people of Mainz.

In a similar way, I saw a woman running to catch a bus. She didn’t want to be “left behind.” As I watched I prayed, “God, I wish she would sense her spiritual need and want to run to Jesus.” It is my prayer that she won’t want to be “left behind” when Jesus returns.

Most of life seems to be something that has a spiritual application, or parallel. May God being a great movement of salvation to the people of Mainz!

P:C - Familiar Songs Touching Hearts

I was in the group that visited the nursing homes every day. We had learned several church songs in German, but Sophie also taught us some German Volkslieder. I can remember at every home we went to the people enjoyed the English songs and the hymns that we sang in German, but when we sang the Volksleider, no matter where we sang, even the people in various stages of dementia lit up. Some even sang along with us. It was extremely touching to see how even my poor attempts at German could bless someone else through something as simple as a little song.

P:C - Joining the Homeless

Friday night was a night where the bare necessities were lost. I found myself up at 2:00am playing soccer with people who have gone without the bare necessities for long periods of time, yet for whom provision is still found in small ways. That takes me to the realization of living the simple life and trusting in the Lord for the necessities. God knows best. He puts people in our lives to show us truth, and that truth isn’t easy but it’s worth the sacrifice. These have seen many things throughout the week that have reiterated that truth. That is what I have taken from this experience.

P:C - Open for Use

My heart overflows with the joy of salvation more than ever. I’ve watched God work this week in ways that has excited my soul and delighted my heart. The only story that stands out in my mind the brightest is how the Lord broke down the brick wall of hesitation and fear I had at the beginning. I’m naturally a social, friendly person, but not knowing the language frustrated me. I also thought, “What difference can I make in thirteen days?”

The first night of First Supper, I was terrified. I prayed, “God, please, please, please open my heart, pull down those fears, and use me. Please, use me!”

The second night I came to the tent more confident. I was determined to communicate. I even wrote German phrases on my hands. I ended up talking to a man named Frank from Frankfurt, who was looking for another church (he left the Catholic Church). We talked for an hour. He knew some English, but had a think accent. Afterward, I cried. I could do nothing bur praise God!

To be honest, I came on this trip and hadn’t a clue what I’d experience. God is amazing, and I cannot thank Him enough for the moments on this trip.