P:C - Curiosity Killed the Caution

This week as part of the trash group, we went to a car wash to clean the area. Four of us stayed in front, picking up the trash in the area near the road. Most customers cleaning their car would go about their business, but if we looked up, we would see the curious stares as they probably wondered who in the world would come just to pick up trash for free. Some people stopped and asked who we were with and why we were taking part. WE didn’t necessarily do anything. BUT, just by being there, being present, people we curious. One of the workers came up to us and was so thankful that he just wanted to give us ice cream. He told us he had planned on cleaning it the next day. We worked not expecting a thing in return, but apparently God used us as His presence and made people curious so that we could invite them to something bigger that could change their lives.

P:C - Mission Mentality in Everyday Life

The place where I saw God working this week was in the interactions of my group. We came here prepared to have a good attitude, to help out, and to really get to know each other. These things we did and did them so well that I wonder what would happen at Trevecca if only this group of nine people went back and lived there as we have here. We would bring heaven to earth. The things we emphasize when we prepare people to go on mission trips are an appropriate attitude for every day we follow Jesus. I have been surprised at how many times people have opened up their hearts, shut off their worldly view, and talked to people that they never would have interacted with in real life. Not only that, but they showed love to these people.

O God, that you would transform me so that I would see that in my own heart and my own life every day.

P:C - A Midnight Prayer

This week has been something truly miraculous. God has done such amazing work. I don’t know where to begin. God has done such a work in my own life. My prayer life has never been strong. The first few nights I was really struggling to pray for the people, the city, the service, and so on. However, one night in my bed, God really spoke to me, and I felt a relentless urge to pray for Peter from the forest. I had no idea why, but I responded and prayed for a couple hours for him alone. I woke up refreshed and ready to take on my last day in the forest. As we were finishing our work, Peter told us that he was going to come to the tent and asked us to look for him. We arrived, and, although there was a significant language barrier, we had a great conversation with him. He told us he would be back the next night. Never before had I seen God reveal his purpose to me so quickly. Never before had I witnessed the power of faith-filled prayer so clearly. God be praised! This will forever impact my prayer life. God can still work in wonderful ways. The seed has been planted. The best, though, is yet to come.

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!