January 31,2011
We started out the day with our lovely continental breakfast, and many people wondering what was in store for us for the day. We had no idea what to expect. Around 9am we got into "the crack van" and went to The Dream Center. We started out with a sermon and prayer. We talked about our destiny and how we have to choose to follow God's plan in God's timing-not our own. The pastor had us go to our own areas and have alone time with God. I really enjoyed this. I was able to listen to what God had to say to me, instead of doing all the talking. I was happy with that, but I felt that God wanted to say something to me to say to the team. I was having some doubts about how much of an impact that we could make in such a bad place. God answered me by telling me Jeremiah 33, which talks about the promise of Restoration! One of the verses says "And I will give them one heart and one purpose: to worship me forever, for their own good and for the good of all their descendants....I will put a desire in their hearts to worship me and they will never leave me." (verses 36-41) God promises that He will be the desire of the people, no matter what city, or nation. Then I STILL felt that there was something more. I opened up my heart and the Holy Spirit started pouring more into me to tell the others, so I wrote it all down in the form of a letter. I was too nervous to tell anyone though, so I kept it to myself.
We ended the alone time and split into two groups. One group went to a warehouse that used to be a furniture factory, that is a part of the Dream Center. The other group stayed at the Dream Center and painted the kitchen/foyer area. (I was a part of the painting group, so, I won't have stories about the warehouse until tomorrow.) We had a lot of fun painting, and bonding with each other. There was only one roll of tape so we had to be careful painting in some areas that couldn't be taped off. It was a lot of work, but we got it done, and we had a lot of fun! The other team came back and we loaded up in the van and decided it would be a cool experience to go to the pawn shop that is on the TV show "Pawn Stars". We went BACK to in-n-out burger AGAIN! Then we had some down time at the hotel before we went to Fremont. It is similar to the main strip, just a little more clean. It was a...neat experience for us first timers. They were VERY careful since there are more girls than guys, so, Mrs. Lidyard made the guys our "body guards". It was an eye opening experience seeing the more gruesome stuff, but it was also cool to see people using their talents. We saw this guy who used spray paint to make art, but it didn't look like the spray paint we are used to seeing on the side of buildings, it was actual art! I couldn't have painted anything as nearly as beautiful as he did, even with regular paints!
After that we went back to the hotel and had our nightly meeting. I still kept thinking about the letter from God to our team that I had in my journal. I finally decided to share that and Jeremiah 33 with the group and people were really touched! It was definitely God, not me! Everyone felt so encouraged, and we had only been here for 24 hours! We all know now that this trip is going to be even greater than we imagined! A lot more people shared with the group, and it was one of the best experiences I have had in a group setting like that! I feel like this letter isn't just for our team out in Vegas, but also our team at home!!! So, here it is (and remember, it has nothing to do with me, this is God!) :
"My sons and daughters,
You are here for a purpose! You are not here to be silent! I have already given you this city! Some of you doubt what I have already begun doing. Remove all doubt in my name only! Some of you are struggling, but know that you are not alone. Remember that I have gone before you. I am beside you always! You are my people, why would I leave you empty handed? I have given you my word, why would I take it back? Let Satan have nothing! Don't let him take anything that I have given to you! Do not fight against me for I am not smaller than this city, I am not smaller than this nation, I am not smaller than this universe! I AM, and you are mine!"
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