Two very different Church Services

Today our group did church twice, both were very unifying and worshipful, but they were two very different experiences.

We started the morning off largely leading the service at Salem Baptist Church, which is the home church for the Going Up staff. Chris K. and Todd G. shared their testimonyies. A makeshift choir sang a couple of songs, with Andy playing the guitar. Lisa Hamer sang a solo with Andy playing the piano (didń't know he could play piano). Then Matt preached through Peep Saar. It was an enjoyable service.

Afterward we headed to a local Italian restaurant for calzones and coke. Then we packed up and headed to Kääriku, the site of the camp. The trip was short and the camp is located in the beautiful, hilly and forrested part of the country. The camp is located next to a lake and the snow began to fall as we arrived. There must be nearly a foot of snow on the ground out here. We set up for the camp and then had a planning, prayer and worship meeting. The leadership, both Estonian and American, shared a hunger for God to reveal himself and for the Holy Spirit to come in such a way that dead hearts would be awakened to the life giving power of the gospel. It was indeed a church service.

So tomorrow the campers will arrive. Most all of the kids coming will not be Christian at all. Pray that kids would not back out or find an excuse to come to camp tomorrow. Pray that we leaders would quickly bond with students and that our Small Group discussion times would be full of discussion and that the kids would open up to us quickly.

Picture Summary:
(1) The Northwest choir is singing at Salem Baptist. (2) Matt preaching on "Remembering" from 2 Peter 1. (3)Tiffany, Rachel, Todd and Amalee Vinalaas eating lunch after church. (4) The team gathers for a pre-camp meeting in Kääriku.