Ohhh Nashville, what to do for a week...on a college student budget?

Nashville, TN is my home for a WEEK! We arrived here on Thursday with no absence of drama of course. We arrived at our first hotel (yes I said first) which was actually a motel...not exactly World Changers approved. After being assigned to two rooms five feet from the pool and a door that looked like it had been kicked in at some point- no lie, we got two more rooms. At this point it had already been decided that we would stay there that night and then we already had reservations at a different hotel for the rest of the week. Well the room the boys got was wrecked. I mean beds unmade, trash everywhere, not to mention underwear on the floor...disgusting! Long story short...we asked for a refund and we moved hotels. Easier said than done, when leaving I took a turn out of the parking lot that the trailer couldn't make and then we spent fifteen minutes amusing the already intoxicated gentlemen (it's not even dinner time yet, mind you) trying to back up repeatedly so we could leave the horrid La Quinta on Sidco Drive, Nashville, TN. Don't ever stay there!

On a happier note...my team and I got to spend Friday with my team leader from last summer, Brian and his lovely fiance, Tracy. We enjoyed glow in the dark putt putt which was a lot of fun and spending time with them. Meg and I went shopping yesterday (go figure?) and then we enjoyed dinner in downtown N-ville. I got the best ever strawberry-banana smoothie from a place called Mike's downtown. PS Thanks Chris for the recommendation :)

This afternoon we are going to see Transformers and I am stoked! Aside from that the Kentucky team is trying to figure out how to spend a week here in N-ville on a college student budget any suggestions? Meg and I do have pedicures on the agenda, but that is about it. I am not opposed to spending some money...but wisely. I do want to enjoy being here.

We start setting up our next project on Thursday for Henderson, Kentucky. I find it a bit frustrating to have had only one project so far this summer. Half the summer is gone and we have only done one project...it doesn't even feel like I am working for World Changers. That just means the last half of the summer is going to be BAM, BAM, BAM! and amazing no doubt. I think we are all just ready to feel like we are having an impact.

Quick Update

We finished working the convention today...thank goodness! We head to Nashville tomorrow for a week until we start our next project, Henderson, Kentucky. Wanted to include some of the final numbers from our Owensboro project:

8 students accepted Christ
2 people from the community accepted Christ
over $2000 raised for missions by the students- this was
about $300 over the goal, what a great group of students!
Countless seeds planted!

Southern Baptist Convention '09

We have been working the SBC for the last two days. The boys have been working opposite shifts of Meg and I so we haven't really seen much of them. They have been long shifts of standing and handing our World Changers and Powerplant schedules and using a rehearsed sales pitch that actually comes out quite nicely. However, some of the people we have educated or reminded of WC and P2 seemed very receptive and interest, so that is exciting! A few, who Meg and I have termed, "SBCers" have declined our schedules, blatantly bipassed our corner of the NAMB booth or quickly grabbed their cell phone when they see us standing there. That's okay it is their loss! Just kidding- I know, I know there is a little truth behind every just kidding.

Today was a bit slower...and Meg and I got to talk with a lot the the North American missionaries at the NAMB booth. Let me tell you...these are some very special people. They are warm and easy to talk to. I even met Willie Jacobs one of the "spotlight?" missionaries for the Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. I am learning more about different mission opportunities provided through NAMB the IMB and other organizations. My passion for missions is definitely deepening.

Goodbye Owensboro

Today we left Owensboro, KY after finishing our first project of the summer. All of the students were out of the school by 7:30. It was an AWESOME week! Despite the weather issues I really couldn't have asked for a better first project. Troy Doster was the speaker for the week and he really challenge the youth and adults. I know there were about 7 professions of faith and countless other decisions. And one those salvations was from a youth from my home church!

I found myself a little saddened last night during the last crew chat. These youth and students get to know each other so well in such a short amount of time and then they have to depart knowing they will probably never see each other again. So I have decided there should be a World Changers reunion. For everyone that ever participated in World Changers. Wouldn't that be crazy? Meeting up with someone you became best friends with in a week, but never saw again. It is just a thought.

Now, it is time for us to work at the Southern Baptist Convention in Louisville, KY. We head there tomorrow (we are in Elizabeth Town right now.) We still aren't sure what to expect at the SBC, but it will be fun- I hope?

Project is underway...bad weather anyone?

Things have been going overwhelmingly wonderful...until bad weather decided to come our way. Our Project Coordinator- Ryan Horrell and Construction Coordinator- Roger Tippett have been beyond fantastic and have the Kentucky Team's first project of the summer going very smoothly. The only issue we have run into is bad weather. Something about thunderstorms and rain affecting roofing and painting...not sure? (sarcasm) Yesterday was the first day of work and we pulled crews early due to heavy rain and storms. Though the storms weren't as bad as anticipated (Thank you Jesus!) we loss half a day of work. Today (Tuesday) the weatherman is forcasting even worse weather in the afternoon. (Like yellow, orange, and red radar worse). Therefore we have revamped the "normal" World Changers schedule. Typically the groups take Wednesday afternoon off for relaxation and fun. For this project the students will be taking Tuesday afternoon off and working (a hard) full day on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.



Moral of the story...please pray for the weather and that all of the homes will be finished this week. On the flip side...this weather is an opportunity for the crews to evangelize in their neighborhoods. If they can't work on the home they have more time to share the gospel with those around them. Speaking of so far this week:



On job sites Monday there were-

14 presentations of the gospel

3 people had questions about a relationship with Christ

1 person wanted more information

6 people requested prayer

24 tracts were handed out



How awesome! And for those of you back home, KLBC is a part of this! How exciting! I will you all posted and sorry for writing a novel.

ARRIVED

We have arrived in Owensboro...and I am very excited! Meg and I drove us safely through the mountains of GA and TN. I am pleased to inform everyone back home that my trailer driving skills are quite good. I drove us from Chattanooga through Nashville and almost into KY. You would all be be proud :) We survived Nathan's song selection and as someone put it, "tango with a semi." Tomorrow we meet with Ryan Horrell our PC to begin the set up. Pray for us as we begin getting things together in preparation for our nine youth groups en route.

My home church KLBC will joining me at my first project...so please pray for their safety and preparation for the things I know God has in store for them. Though they had me a little nervous with all of their threats I really am very excited about being a part of their World Changers.

Lucky Kentucky

My summer has started! My team has endured a week of training at Truett McConnell College of Cleveland, GA and an off week spent at the school (still haven't figured out what there is to do here and we leave tomorrow.) Tomorrow the Kentucky Team will officially start our travel to our first project Owensboro, KY. I think we are all very excited especially about finally doing the stuff we spent a week being trained to do.

We have had fun hanging out with various teams over the past week. We filmed a hilarious Rules video with the Middle East team which will be debutting on Facebook soon! We also had several teams over to FBC Cumming our "home" for movies, guitar hero, and pool. When we traveled back to Truett we met up with the California team for dinner and some games. It was really nice being able to hang out with other teams and it saddens me there will be no debriefing at the end of the summer to recap with all of our new friends.

As far as the team goes...I can already tell they are amazing. Though I am sure there will be trying times I feel confident that we will all work well together...it helps when they are pretty much awesome. Meg Mendell will be serving as the Missions Communications Specialist. She has a passion for missions and students and I have no doubt she will represent World Changers well throughout the summer. Nathan Edwards is our Audio Visual Technician (aka Techninja) and he has some mad editing skills that will be used for the Action Cam and he will also make sure things go smoothly during worship. Jared Fincher is our Music Leader who I am confident will emulate an authentic worship experience for all of our participants this summer.

I am blessed to be on such a great team and I know God has a lot in store for us this summer. My prayer for us is that we remain humble and focus on our job of serving others as a way of reflecting Christ's love for them.