Well I know that I said I would have a great post for you a week ago. I didn't think that It would be this good though. So here it is....
We had our two day youth camp last week and were blessed to have 20 youth aged 14-18 attend. Not all were there for this picture but anyway. God really showed up and it was an awesome experience. We had Dave Harvey from Scripture Union as a guest speaker who has a great gift from God to speak into the lives of youth. We had one 15 year old give his heart to God and a number of others make commitments to bring God into their schools. Very exciting times ahead this year with the youth of Swan Hill.
So here was the best moment on the camp...
Background: Everyone by now should know that Australia is experiencing it's worst drought in recorded history. Up until last week we had not received even an inch of rain in 6 months or more.
On the first day Dave spoke to the us on the true meaning of taking up our cross and true repentance. As we entered a time of prayer for repentance it started to spit (Very Light rain). I will never forget the words that Dave then shouted.
"This is not happening by chance. The WORD of GOD says that 'If me people hear my word, repent and turn from their ways, then I will heal their land!!!' "
My hair stood on end.
At that moment the heavens opened and the rain pored down. This was not your average shower. I have NEVER felt rain drops that big in my life. As I lifted my head the rain drops hit my eyelid and each one was as large as my eye socket. This rain spread across the entire State. It helped ease the Bushfire crisis in the south east. This truly way a Heavenly Downpour.
We also hadn't unpacked our bags or set up tents, there was stuff lying around that would be ruined if it got wet.
NO-ONE moved, NO-ONE said a word. everyone just stood there in silence, PRAYING. It was at that moment that I knew God showed up to our little part of the Murry River. The youth noticed too, though they may not have said it, they felt it.
Final blessing,
For those of you who go camping near rivers a lot, you'll know that a lot of rain isn't good. It's a great way to turn a 2 day camp into 3 or 4 days. On that one afternoon, Swan Hill (15km from the camp site) had an inch of rain. Woorineen South (5km) away had just over an inch. Woorineen (3km away) had an inch and a half.
(Our camp site, all over the road in were made of clay. Too much rain and we have to walk out and come back for the cars.)
We had 7mm of rain!!! That's not even a quarter of the amount that people received 3km away!!!
We truly were blessed.
The next task...
Building our youth up in Christ so that they can change their schools, family and friends. And showing them that this type of experience can happen everyday. This year is going to be amazing. We could use all of your prayers for our youth, it will not be easy but with GOD on our side the battle is already won.
18 comments:
Sounds like a wonderful moment - and what an awesome sermon illustration!
Were you trying to hide the boat in the picture - I looked at it a few times before I even saw the boat.
Okay really this should show you how committed I am to commenting. B/C I had a great comment all ready to go--all inspired and go-go-go Mark and then I could NOT remember my new sign in on the new version of Blogger. So I had to go searching and try to remember and it took forever (dial up remember) and finally I got it all sorted out and came back to comment.
I am done with inspired and go-go-go Mark though now. That moment has passed...
Actually if you WERE trying to hide the boat you did pretty darn good b/c I had to go back and enlarge the picture to see it.
Also though it was amazing it took you this long to put a picture of YOU on your blog. I haven't had that problem.
Sorry girls but I really dn't now what you are talking abot. There wasn't a boat there, we never took one. That's just a trailor with bags, tents and swags in it.
10 points to the first Canadian that can tell us what a swag is!
Nice one Leigh
In Australia and New Zealand, a swag is a rolled cloth bundle of belongings carried by a foot traveller in the bush. Before motor transport was common, foot travel over long distances was essential to workers who were travelling in the Australian bush.
Wikipedia, Google.
That's cheating Glenna!!!
I see no rules opposing Google-ing. Therefore, since I am first and Canadian, I win ten points.
That doesn't look remotely like a boat, y'all are blind.
That's a COOL story, Mark. Thanks for sharing it. :)
Ok, Glenna fair enough. But I'll only give you 5 points because you didn't find out what a modern Swag was.
5 points are still up for grabs!!!
Are you happy with that Leigh?
Thanks Ariana.
It's nice to know that someone can see as well. A boat, in mean really!!!
I'm fully in support of using Google. It's the answer to all of life's questions.
Boat, no boat, who can tell...the main thing is that I WON 10 POINTS!!!!
Thanks brother for being in support of me and Google. Don't know why Mark's against us but whatever, I won, I won, I won the TEN POINTS!
You can't give her 10 points Leigh. She gave the old version of a swag.
Mark I feel like maybe you'd do anything to take my moments away. Do you not remember how poorly that turned out for you last time? Just back off and let me have my 10 points.
Oh and don't you think it's time to post a new something on your blog?
So no, you don't feel like it's time to post something new then?
Maybe you should get your students to write blog posts for you as homework. Because i's been a long time since we've seen anything new.
Nice Leigh. Haven't seen a post from you in months. You guys have promised a new video. Where is it?
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