The End For Now

3 weeks, 5 groups, and 1 crazy wild later, YWAM Las Vegas Mission Adventure Summer 2015 program has officially ended. And here is the finale photo recap.

Half of my small group. The week was difficult for me, but my small group contained joy. Their worship filled and encouraging words were a true reflection of the treasures they have stored in their hearts.

Crosswalk outreach. Each group came back with a minimum of three positive conversations with strangers. Another bonus: the cross did not hit any pedestrians in the head!

We had another Foster Connect babysitting night. The family we babysat for had five children and were excited to go to the Home Depot for their date night, I guess without children that could be fun...?

This little guy liked to snuggle and be tickled. 

In honor of National Cheesecake (July 30th), a group of staff girls went for half-off cheese cake. It was fellowship in a wonderful, delicious sense of the word.

Video survey outreach. We use the tactic of video surveys with three questions (What is love? When do you feel most loved? What do you think when you hear, "God loves you"?) to engage in conversation. The location we choose attracts many foreign tourists. One of the pairs was able to have a conversation and pray for a lady in Korean. 

YWAM LV's base founder gives a two day lecture on evangelism. He speaks on us being commanded by God to evangelism (Mark 16:15, Matthew 28:18), we are compelled by His love (2 Corinthians 5:14), and compassion (Mark 6:34) being driving factors to why we do what we do. One fun acronym many MA groups typically remember as to why we do not evangelism is the BARF factor: bad experiences, apathy, "run-belief"/unbelief causing us to run away, and fear of man. Through the lecture, groups gain an understanding of the importance of telling a lost world, are more prepared in approaching strangers, more prepared to share the Gospel and their testimonies, and are more confident when failure does come.

Viva La Worship outreach. Out of unashamed faith, we take worship, the Gospel message and testimonies to the Strip of Las Vegas and loudly proclaim who He is. 

Wordless sign outreach. These boy's sign is showing our chains being broken in Perfect Love. 

Thursday evening we have Commitment Service. It is a time of worship and reflection on the week and who God is. We challenge the groups to listen to His voice and make a commitment to something; long term missions, leading a small group, telling a friend about Christ, going to a specific country, no commitment is "small". 

The two wheels represent our circle of influence. The wheel on the left contains different ministries YWAM LV currently has, and other spheres different staff members have a heart for. The right wheel is different spheres the MA missionaries distinguished as ministry opportunities; some include farmers, musicians, hipsters, basketball team, and long boarders. It is easy to identify our spheres: where our passions are. 

The crazy group. Best part: the two groups are merged. When the family comes together, there is no distinction of skin, age, geography or denomination. 

And then come the good by's. Each hug is a reminder to be present and invest in others lives. It is not about me. It is all about Him. Every tear streaked face walking away is a testimony to the moving power of God. The family gets a little bit bigger each week.

9 weeks away from Iowa came and went, and just like that, it is over. Now I am off to finish my laundry, pack my suitcase, and board a plane tomorrow morning. Farewell for now Vegas.