Hello from Houston on this terrific Thursday!

As the participants went out on their fourth day of work, it was clear they were determined to finish their worksites. Many of the squads have finished their original sites and now, have moved locations to help other squads. Even in high heats, participants were safe and made sure to drink lots of water. We are blessed to have such a dedicated and hardworking group of servant hearts.

Tonight, our project’s worship was a bit different. This service is a self lead service, and is often known as one of the best nights of worship. The band plays music throughout and our speaker does not give a message, but rather he helps the listener evaluate their relationship with Christ. This service was especially beautiful with His presence. Speaker Herman challenged the students and adults to consider the love from Jesus they have rejected and think about how they treat their relationship or the lack of. Our glorious God is continuously searching out for us because He is a loving God.

We have had a wonderful week so far and are sad to say tomorrow will be the last day. We ask you continue to pray for safe travels and healthy participants. In addition, let your participant know you are thinking and praying for them with Servemail!

Best Blessings,

Lauren and Sam

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Happy Friday folks!

I am so sorry to say it is already Friday which means tomorrow churches will be packing up and going home. However, what a blessing of a week it has been. We are so proud of our participants and are overjoyed to share that all the worksites were completed today! The work ethic and servanthood of these participants is a blessing to everyone they encounter.

Tonight, worship was wrapped up with the closing ceremony and a final challenge from our speaker, Thomas Herman. Pastor Herman shared the impact of God’s love regardless of comfort. He challenged the participants to go back to their homes with the intention of sharing the Gospel with not only their words, but also actions in every situation. We have been blessed to hear Thomas’s messages this week, and we pray these participants will continue to challenge themselves to embrace their relationship with Christ as they have this week.

We pray that all participants, volunteers and staff make it home safely, and we would like to ask you to do the same.

Till Next Time!

Lauren and Sam

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Happy Hump Day!

Our God was present on the worksites today as many of the squads were able to finish their work and talk with their homeowners. We have been blessed with this beautiful half day! Youth groups will be setting off for fun activities such as NASA, the beach and delicious dinners after a great day’s work.

There is no worship tonight, but the Holy Spirit is continuously present in the hearts of our participants. Tomorrow, we will pick right back up on worship with the concert of prayer. This is one of the participant’s favorite nights of the week, and they are looking forward to the self lead service.

Participants will go out tomorrow to continue work on their sites. We ask you continue praying for and send Servemail to your loved ones.

Toodles,

Lauren and Sam

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Warmest wishes to all on this lovely Tuesday!

Participants went off for their second day of work with even more enthusiasm than yesterday. Regardless of weather conditions causing some squads to come back early, a tremendous amount of work was accomplished today.

Tonight, we had a very special night of worship. In addition to taking up the offering, we had a homeowner give his witness to the distress Hurricane Harvey caused to the Houston area. While short, his speech was moving and helped the participants hear first-hand how someone was affected by the natural disaster. It is not only his story; all the homeowners this week have had the opportunity to share their devastating stories and experiences with their squads.

After hearing many of these stories, a common ending was an explanation of a community coming together to love which provided many homeowners an opportunity to share the gospel to neighbors, friends and strangers. This is a living example of the love God places on our hearts to fill the void of another’s – to support them and ultimately fill their life with joy and hope in difficult circumstances.

Pastor Thomas Herman spoke on the power the Holy Spirit can have on our lives if we slow down to witness. In his message, he highlighted Acts 9:17 in which Ananias travels to Paul’s house to transform him with the Holy Spirit. Herman emphasized the abundant presence the Holy Spirit can have in our lives. However, the power of the Holy Spirit can often be suppressed by the mundane small tasks in our daily lives or be completely overtaken by fatigue, desire, pride or numerous other road blocks. Herman challenged the students to live with servant hearts and in connection with Jesus even when the uncomfortable or desire otherwise.

We ask that you continue to pray over our project and for the safety of everyone involved. Of course, Servemail is a wonderful resource to spread your love for any and all people attending this week’s project.

Wishing beautiful blessings,

Lauren and Sam

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Greetings from Friendswood on this wonderful Monday!

Today, squads departed eagerly to their worksites after a cheerful great send off. These homes are in need of various jobs including drywall, flooring, roofing and cabinetry. Squads came back with the wonderful stories of their homeowners and how the hurricane has impacted them. We are praying for amazing works from God in the hearts of not only the homeowners but also the participants.

One of our speakers, Pastor Therman, continued to talk in Acts 9. Tonight, the focus of the message was our obedience in our relationship with Christ. Pastor Therman used a visual of a car to explain how we need to let ‘Jesus take the wheel’ rather than allow ourselves to steer away from his will and way. Instead of giving into our needs and wants, we need to use faith as our foundation in trusting His road of our life. Therman challenged the participants to evaluate who is guiding them in their life — Jesus or themselves.

We are looking forward to what God has in store for us this week. Please pray for those who are spending their time with us this week and the lives they will spread Jesus’ love to. In addition, participants love receiving ServeMail to encourage and uplift their day.

Signing off

Lauren and Sam

Mission Serve Summer Staff

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Howdy from Friendswood, TX!

Today, churches arrived from Maryland, North Carolina, Tennessee, Georgia and Louisiana. We are so blessed and excited to get to work with such servant hearts. It is clear from the opening celebration that these participants are eager to get to worksites tomorrow! The band lead games and pumped the kids up with worship songs.

Pastor Thomas Herman got our project off to wonderful start with Acts 9. He spoke of how Saul was blinded by Jesus’ light and brought to Damascus using only hands to guide him. By the grace and mercy of Jesus, Saul regained his eyesight and was made into a new creation. Connecting to popular culture, Pastor Herman tied the message together by emphasizing a popular song, “Blinded by the Light”. He used this song to bring awareness to the caution we must take as Christians in following our own path instead the Lord’s mindset. He challenged the participants to become more aware of the obstacles and challenges that drive us mentally and emotionally away from our relationship with God. In order to connect with the reason each of us are here whether it be to embrace a homeowner or to spread love to a spectating neighbor, we must lay down ourselves, pick up our crosses and walk the path Jesus wishes us to follow to spread His word.

After an amazing worship service, the squads had the opportunity to meet and chat before they depart for worksites tomorrow. Squad positions were assigned to keep this week moving smoothly. We cannot wait to see what God has in store for our squads!

As we come closer to tomorrow morning, we ask you keep the participants, squad leaders, construction captains, volunteers and everyone in between in your prayers. Please pray for safe travels for the squads and for opportunities to connect with their homeowners. As always, Servemail is a great way to let your participant know you are thinking about them and sending your warmest wishes.

Keeping you in our prayers,
Lauren and Sam
Mission Serve Summer Staff

Thank you so much for following along with us! Make sure you’re following us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to stay up-to-date on the latest Mission Serve news.