Hey !
Last week was the best week I've had all year. I, and about 50 other volunteers, got to spend 5 days with foster children between the ages of 6 and 11.
As you probably already know, Royal Family KIDS is the biggest missions project at Mercy Vineyard. The children we reach have experienced more trauma in their short time than most of us will experience in our entire lives. It's an honor to be the hands and feet of Jesus to them!
During chapel one day, I was teaching about Jesus walking on the stormy water, and how Peter walked out to him.
This story has always troubled me. While in the boat, Peter says, "Jesus, if it's really you, tell me to walk out to you."
Really? That's how you're going to verify the identity of someone walking on the water in the middle of the night? I'm sure I would have huddled with the other disciples, afraid it was a ghost.
The campers had the same concern I did. Whoever it was standing on the waves could have lied to Peter. Why did Peter request an invitation??
When I asked the group, there were the usual Sunday School answers. "He had faith." "He believed."
Then, a little boy raised his hand. (Let's call him Jack.) "Why did Peter ask the water walker to invite him to step out of the boat?" I asked again.
Jack answered, "Because he knew Jesus so well, that he would be able to tell if it was a fake when he spoke to him."
Mind. Blown.
For 2 summers Jack has come to Royal Family KIDS Camp and heard all about knowing Jesus. It was sinking in. He was owning it. His life was being changed by our kindness, generosity, and sharing the Good News with him.
That makes it all worth it.
This year, there were only 17 camps that took place (out of 236). The pandemic pretty much shut them all down.
There was lots of deliberating, careful decision making, and prayer. In the end, we heard the stormy water walking Jesus calling out. Because we know Him, we recognize His voice. He called, we answered, and the cycle of abuse was interrupted in the lives of our campers.
Thank you for helping to make it happen! Thank you for loving the vision! Thank you for making a difference in the lives of the next generation!
I can't wait for next year's Best Week Evar!
You rock. God bless you and yours.
See you Sunday!
Living a passionate mission,
Lee Bezotte
Lead Pastor, Mercy Vineyard Church
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