Week three on the Island.

We have just finished our third week in Sri Lanka and thanking God for keeping us all healthy and strong overall. This past week the guys and girl, for the first time, went different ways and were reunited today, Friday, July 9th. The Biola ladies stayed the whole week at the teenage girls center focusing on strengthening their Identity in Christ and further pursuing their walk with the Lord. On Monday, we talked about why it is important to be dedicated to a personal walk with the Lord on a daily basis. On Tuesday, we spoke about self-worth and how to find your worth in God and not base it on outer appearances or any human value. On Wednesday, we focused on relationships and to base their hearts in the unconditional love of God. On Thursday, we spoke about suffering and why God allows pain in world that was intended for good. We also spoke about forgiveness and how God will use pain and suffering to minister to others in ways that we would never expect. On Friday, we focused on forgiveness and the process of healing; since these girls have been through traumatic experiences, we wanted to focus on how forgiveness will not occur overnight but will last a lifetime because people will continue to disappoint but only God can satisfy their needs. We referenced a variety of scripture including 1 Samuel 20, Matthew 18, Psalm 23, Isaiah 45:3, Psalm 51, Luke 10, etc.

We were planning to go up to the northern part of Sri Lanka but plans changed last minute due to unexpected and unfortunate circumstances. Like we informed you all last week, Dr. Gary was in a bus accident in Korea and is still in critical conditions but show dramatic improvement. He is currently, for the most part, breathing on His own. If you want to follow and continue to pray for him and his family, go on this blog that his daughter is updating regularly: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/garyparrett

On the other hand, the boys returned to the 'farm' to attend an Asian Access conference and to spend some time with the young boys. They returned with smiles and stories about the sessions they attended which were about the church in Asia and different topics concerning that. They also were able to attend the young boys prayer meetings on a daily basis and have also said that they are beginning to feel more of an attachment to them.

Tomorrow we will be heading to Sigirya in the northern central part of Sri Lanka so please pray for safe travels and strong, healthy bodies. We will be returning from Sigirya Sunday morning and returning to the 'farm' on Monday morning, allowing us to spend one last week with the kids! Which we are all very excited about. :]

Prayer Requests:

1. Continual prayer for Dr. Gary- His recovery and for God to comfort his family during this crucial time.
2. Teenage girls at the center that they will realize how important their daily walk with God is and to continue to pursue Him in every aspect of their lives. Also, prayer for a constant mother figure to be with the teenage girls and minister to them.
3. Safe travels and strong and healthy bodies for the Team: We realize that we have a week left and we are determined to finish strong in the Lord and have faith that God will protect us from illnesses.
4. For the Spirit to be filled in each of the team members and allow God to speak through us; not only through our words but in our actions. (Especially with the kids back at the 'farm').
5. For God to truly break our hearts and be humbled in His presence recognizing that we alone can not save people, but only Him. Though we do feel privileged to be used by Him as His servant, we can not change these kids pasts but pray that God will use their pasts for His glory.