Here in Lancaster we are FEELING FRIDAY!

Today has been absolutely incredible. From the start, our participants were extremely motivated and excited to take on the final day. We are incredibly excited to announce that not only did each of our eight squads finish their projects, but we were also to complete two additional projects within the community. How awesome is that?

We have been so blessed this week in the sense that so many of our participants were able to meet and form a relationship with a home owner. The Construction Captain from Charlie squad decided to invite their home owner to dinner and worship. It is awesome that they were able to work on her house in the morning and worship with her in the evening.

This evening was super fun and upbeat as we all collectively gathered to celebrate all that God has done this week! We all enjoyed reliving several fun moments from the week by watching this week’s Mission Cam! Additionally we took time to recognize each and every adult that played a pivotal part in our project. The students were so excited to see their leaders being recognized. It is so wonderful to get to the end of the week and see the unity that arises among a squad. What a great thing!

Our final night of worship with Trey Duncan was fantastic as always. We are so glad that he was here serving with us this week! Tonight Doug spoke about being prepared for the enemy to come and being rooted in Christ for when that time comes. He left the participants with the challenge to go into church group devotions and be bold and share with the group what their life verse is and how it impacts there life.

Thank you so much for checking in everyday! We have really enjoyed this project and the church groups who attended. Please pray for safe travels as everyone heads home.

Signing off,
Jack & Alexis

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Hey, hey, hey! It’s Thursday!

It has been an incredibly productive day in Lancaster. There were reports of several projects, such as wheelchair ramps and roofing jobs, coming to completion. How exciting! Several squads have even combined to help ensure that each of our projects is completed. Even the rather large ones. We are so overwhelmed by how exceptionally hard all of the participants have worked this week. Also, we are super excited to see how much more can be finalized tomorrow.

The weather today was a true blessing. The sun stayed hidden for the majority of the day and temperatures were even in the high sixties for a majority of the morning. The perfect conditions for a busy morning! Participants were also so thrilled to have a visit from Trey Duncan and the rest of our band who arrived at sites with popsicles!

Tonight we experienced an incredible time of reflection during the concert of prayer. Doug Barrett helped us understand that if we continue to allow ourselves to be crippled by the way we think about ourselves, we cannot follow through with what God has called us to. There was time for the participants to pray. Following this prayer, they were able to write a prayer of what they believe God is calling them to on the wall with their church groups. Finally, to end our time together, the church groups prayed together for their communities back home. It is amazing to see God move in the lives of these participants. He is so good!

We are sad that tomorrow is our last day, but hoping that it will be the best day. Please pray that our squads will have opportunities to share the light of Jesus with their homeowners as well as the surrounding neighbors in this community.

Our participants have loved receiving your ServeMail. Tomorrow is the last day to send it! Check out our blog in Lancaster again tomorrow for a full day’s review.

Blessings,
Jack & Alexis

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Happy hump day, friends!

It is our half day, here, in Lancaster which means that our participants worked until 12 pm and then returned to the facility to prepare for a free afternoon full of fun! We have experienced several rain showers early on in the day. However, despite these conditions, our squads were dedicated and still managed to make progress on their projects.

Today at Delta’s job site the squad was able to spend some quality time inside of the house with their home owner.  She explained that without these students she would not be able to have these necessary repairs on her home. She was overcome with gratitude and expressed that the students were making such an impact in her life. They ended their time by praying over her, and as a result, she cried tears of joy. What an incredible experience!

Due to the rain, several squads were able to spend extended time doing longer devotions and discussions. Additionally, they were able to take time to get to know each other better and some even shared their testimonies.

Around 1 pm our church groups left the facility and were able to go do several exciting activities such working together in an escape room, bouncing around at the trampoline park, and even relaxing while seeing a movie.

Tomorrow morning we start again, bright and early. But in the meantime, be sure to continue sending us lots of ServeMail. Please continue to pray for all of us serving in Lancaster as we press on and continue to work hard!

Your Summer Staffers,
Jack & Alexis

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Hello again from Lancaster!

Today was another hot, yet productive day. We were blessed with a strong breeze in the afternoon which motivated the participants to keep up their hard work.  There were also several reports of projects nearing completion.

A participant from Bravo squad reported that their squad ran out of water, luckily a nearby neighbor offered to fill up their water cooler. While doing so they were able to share with the lady why they were working on that house. What a great picture of God’s provision!

Several of our squads also informed us that the Lancaster sheriff showed up at the sites to check in on the projects and ask if there was anything that they needed. We have really enjoyed interacting with the people in this community and getting to shine the light of Christ with each person that we come in contact with.

A reporter from The Lancaster News stopped at one of the job sites today to interview several participants, as well as our local coordinator. They were interested to learn more about what Mission Serve is and what construction projects we were taking on this week. Additionally, the reporter was intrigued to learn why these high schoolers and middle schoolers where willing to give up a week of their summer. It was great hearing their responses!

This evening we heard a fantastic message from Bliss Steele who presented the bold challenge to trust God despite uncertain circumstances. He unpacked Matthew 14 and revealed the capability that Jesus has to overcome the storms in our lives. He finished our time of worship by daring us to step out of the boat, just as Peter did, with faith knowing that He will take care of us.

Also during tonight’s service an invitation was extended to give an offering. This summer, Mission Serve is giving to the Lord by continuing to fund projects to provide relief in Puerto Rico. We are excited to see how God blesses this generosity.

We are almost half way through the week, and our participants have loved hearing from you! Please continue to send more ServeMail to your friends and family.

It has been so incredible seeing God move in the lives of our participants as well as those within this local community. We look forward to sharing more with you tomorrow!

Stay cool out there!

Jack and Alexis

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It’s Monday, fun day in Lancaster!

All of our squads were up early and ready for work! We began construction at eight different job sites. We also avoided the rain for most of the day with only brief showers in the afternoon before departing from the work sites. It was a busy day and each of our squads made big strides in the completion of their projects.

A member of the Delta squad reported that several of the neighboring homeowners saw the Mission Serve Labor Provided By sign and came over to visit with everyone on site. It was a great opportunity to not only highlight the mission behind Mission Serve, but also to shine the light of Jesus within the community.

Tonight during our worship service, Doug Barrett read from John 13. He then displayed a flawless representation of Jesus’ love for us and how he eliminates sin from each of our lives by washing the feet of one of the participants. Doug ended his message by challenging us to serve one another in love as a result of the love that Jesus has extended to us. It was truly a moving time.

After service and church group devotions, the participants enjoyed spending free time playing basketball in the gym, hanging out with friends, and visiting the Mission Serve Promo Table.

We look forward to sharing the details of another spectacular day, tomorrow. But in the meantime, be sure to send ServeMail to your friends and family.

Blessings,
Alexis & Jack

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Hello Lancaster!

It is day one and our project is already off to a great start. Participants arrived from four different churches ranging from Ohio, Maryland, South Carolina, and Georgia this afternoon.  They were all eager to get inside and hear of what the week would entail. They settled into their rooms and made preparations for the busy week ahead.

Shortly after arrival, we dove straight in and played several games at the opening celebration. The participants were able to see new faces and start making friends right away! Following dinner, our speaker, Doug Barrett, presented the overarching challenge for the week: to share our faith with those we meet. The participants were overwhelmed with excitement upon meeting their squad members and learning which construction projects they will be assigned. Several participants took on the challenge of being a Chaplain, Break Master, Reporter, Medic, or Safety Inspector for their squad.

We are thrilled to begin work on the job sites early tomorrow morning and to see what all God is going to do this week in Lancaster, SC! Please be sure to remember to pray over our project this week and also to send your participants ServeMail! Check back tomorrow for another fun-filled update on the action here in Lancaster!

In Christ,
Alexis and Jack

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