SUMMER RECAP: VII

One of the neatest and most unexpected part about this summer was my interaction with fifteen Russians that were also lifeguards. They were all on work and travel visas and God gave us an awesome opportunity to minister to them. Constant pressure from our boss and higher standards for them made working at the Lagoon difficult for them. Crusaders were practically the only Americans in our work area that had shown them kindness or love. Most Russians come from religious backgrounds that didn't really think of christianity as a relationship with God. 

(Matt, the Russians, and I Left to Right: Matt, Andrey, Ty, Bulat, Sergey, and Vaschilly)

Matt (another Crusader) and I went out of our way to learn the language and customs of their life and were later bold in sharing the name of Jesus. None of them accpeted Christ, but we both learned a lot about sharing with someone from that culture. These people, both the guys and gals, were our friends and we defintely had an impact on them. Matt is thinking about going to Russia this summer and it is clear that he has a heart for the people of Russia. We were both spekaing Russian well, but Matt was reading it better than I was. 

I never wanted anything to do with Russia and often thought of it as a boring country, having close friends from there changes. Matt and I also learned that Russian people have access to many countries that Americans do not. The need for the Gospel in Russia is clear to me now. 

Prayer for Russia

I have been praying about my upcoming summer and God is calling me to Russia. Please join me in prayer as I prepare for this journey. Pray for the people I will encounter and that their heart is ready to receive truth from the Lord. Also, that the travel arrangement and visa preparation is effortless and not time consuming. Pray for my safety as I travel overseas.

Russia is one of few cities that have practically unlimited access into other countries. Places like China are among one of the areas that Russians can easily go and Americans can not. A high percentage of Russians have not heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and I ask you to pray with me in fulfilling the mission that all may know the saving power of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Russian faces from this summer. Please pray for their souls.

 

SUMMER RECAP: VI

The City of Daytona

It is clear that our summer project has had a positive effect on the lives of people in the Daytona area. God provided jobs for all of us, from working as housemaids, to being social cordinator for a theme park, God is Faithful.

God created such a fellowship with the students on project. The relationships that we formed are ones that will last a lifetime and thankfully, they'll last into eternity. Some of the men on this project will be in my wedding one day. We all still keep in touch and keep each other accountable. I feel like Paul and know understand the love he had for his fellow brothers and sisters. I can now see why he wrote all those letters.

Greater things are yet to come in the city of Daytona. We were just a fraction of what God has in store for the people. God will continue to bless them and I thank you for helping me be a part of God's plan for my  life. 

48 Students and 24 Staff 2008

Please keep Danny and my fellow Russian friends in prayer.  Thank you for taking this journey with me and may God continue to bless you as he is blessing me.  I'm now in the last weeks of this semester and I ask for your continued prayer of the awesome things God is doing here in Morehead. 

Our Crusade Movement has doubled in size and student are actively sharing the gospel with others. Thank you for helping me equip my life for future work here on campus. Please keep in touch. Love you guys!

SUMMER RECAP: V

One individual from Daytona God had laid on my heart. Danny is currently a freshman at the University of Southern Florida. Danny is not a believer but is one the guys that I worked with as a lifeguard. We began to hang out and I invited him to all our services we held as well as socials. He fell in love with us Crusaders here in Daytona. I don't know if he realizes it, but what he really fell in love with this summer was the love of Jesus Christ working through our hearts. 

There were times where I was hanging out with Danny and we would run into some friends of his in the community and he would introduce me as a Crusader. The next thing out of his mouth was always something like, 'you have got to meet these guys! They are the coolest people I've ever met.' And man, did we love on him.

 

God truly answered prayer. I actually began discipling Danny this summer, and the funny thing was he asked me to do it! It was exactly what I had asked God to arrange. I have never discipled a non-believer, but boy did Danny have some questions for me. We both took Fridays off and met in the morning to pray and learn about God and then fellowshipped for the rest of the evening. I shared the Gospel with Danny and we both shared some really personal parts of our lives together. Danny feels he is not quite ready to give his life, but I pray o

ne day he will. I love this kid and this is the first time that God has given me such a burden for someone's life. We still keep in to

uch frequently, and I'm praying for him daily. Please join me in praying for his salvation.

SUMMER RECAP: IV

When I tell people I was a lifeguard this summer, I often think I was saving lives in tow different ways: spiritually and literally. I had five rescues this summer and was almost named lifeguard of the week! But the true excitement was not in rescuing people from water, but from eternal death. 

I worked with eleven other crusaders in the waters at Daytona. Together we shared the gospel with our coworkers and ultimately showed them the love of Christ. We took steps of faith and were vulnerable in sharing our pasts, where we had come from, and how Jesus is restoring our life. It was the first time they had seen real authentic Christians. And to be honest, for some of us on project we were learning to be real and authentic. God was using our stories he had given us to make the Christian lifestyle real and a concept that was clearly tangible for anyone. 

Sharing our faith was such a focus in our workplace that I now can see how this habit has carried over to school. I've shared with many since I've been back to school. 

(Some of the guys I worked with and loved on this summer from Daytona. right to left: Cardie, Me, Danny, and Dylan)

SUMMER RECAP: III

Words can't express the work that God had been doing in the lives of college students in Daytona Beach, Florida. So I have asked some of my friends on project to help out a little. You'll see what God has done in the lives of some of these students who are all close brothers and sisters. Here is what they had to say. 

"The greatest challenge for me would be going to work at a daycare center, but it has been from that area that I have grown the most through the struggles I have faced." - Hannah Smith 

Southern Charleston 

University

"Project has been an awesome chance to experience the Christian walk in a real way and is what I desire for the rest of my life."

- Nate Downs 

Eastern Carolina University

"Amazing fellowship, time 

to study the Word, opening up with others, cooking food was just some of what sumer project was to me."

- Josh English

North Carolina State University

"This has been life-changing, eye-opening, mind-boggling, one of a kind, and just simply awesome."

- Kirby Daniel

Eastern Carolina University

"This summer has done so much; growing, seeing how I affect others, my family and my girlfriend. It's amazing to see how God works. He really knows what he is doing."

- Jordan Taylor

Eastern Tennessee State University

SUMMER RECAP: I

For 30 years Campus Crusade for Christ has been sending students to Daytona Beach on summer projects. For 30 years hundreds and thousands of locals and tourist have come to know and trust Jesus Christ. This year was no different. Thank you for your support financially, but especially for your support through prayer. 

This summer has provided and opportunity to go deeper and further in my relationship with Jesus and has better equipped me to share what has impacted my life with others. While there seemed to have been little "free" time, through personal study, discipleship, devotionals, testimonies, relationships and reflections I have become stronger in the faith and feel empowered to be a more effective witness for Him as I return home and to my campus.

From capture the flag, traveling to local colleges, cookouts and spending time with co-worker, we have been given the chance to share the gospel with a variety of different people in a variety of different places in a variety of different ways. When we visited the juvenile detention center for the first time we did not get the opportunity to go into one of the buildings because it had just been placed on lock down. But God still provided us the chance to share the Gospel with boys and girls from age 8 to 21. I personally lead seven people to Christ during our visits here. the second time we visited we got to go back to the places we went before and to the building that had been closed off and the response was tremendous. Again, thank you and may God Bless you!

SUMMER RECAP: II

I can't begin to tell you the benefits from this summer spiritually. I found my best friend and He was always there in the first place. Project is often described as a spiritual greenhouse, and that couldn't be more correct. A staff member from Crusade disciples you through out the first 5 weeks of the summer. Chad Young was this staff member and mentor. We analyzed d

eep areas of my life and implicated new habits to correct these areas. Jesus became a best friend and someone that I came to know on a more personal level as well as someone I rely on. 

I would like you to know that I am continually in prayer for you and your request that you had sent me this summer. Every morning I prayed over each one, and I would love to hear an update on how I can continue to pray for you as well as how God has answered our prayers. I came to rely on him this summer as your support came in. there were times I doubted him, but he faithfully ALWAYS provides. relying on him for finances, only strengthened my prayer life. 

Chad Young (my staff discipler) and I:

Sammie is Saved

Today in Sunday school we were learning about the seventh commandment (Thou shalt not commit adultery) and how it meant that we needed to keep our promises. Noel (my roommate) was presenting the gospel through a little game that we were playing with our snack, pretzels. We had the kids break the one pretzel (of the ten given to them) to represent breaking a commandment.  The kids then began asking a lot of questions about sin and if you were going to heaven if you broke a commandment. 

In the middle of all this, Sammie asked Elizabeth 'how do I make Jesus my friend?' It was so humbling to see such childlike faith and innocence realize the sin in his life and realize that Jesus really does love him. What a humbling experience and worth teaching his Sunday School class all summer! Praise God!

God of Wonders

God has really used Matt and I here in Daytona to reach out to our Russian co-workers that lifeguard with us.

We have been able to share the gospel with a couple of them, and have definitely won their hearts as they have won ours. 

Here on the left is Matt (another Crusader), Andrey, Me, Boolat, Sergay, and Vaschilly.

Things are going well here on project! God has blessed me with putting such unique individuals. Here on project. 

I've formed so many solid friendships here in Daytona. Some of my buds here will be in my wedding no doubt! There is an awesome sense of community and unity that God is pouring into our hearts. My prayer is that it will overflow into out campuses back home. 

We had a cookout for the guest and staff of the El Caribe (the hotel we live in) and I got to share with a senior from Oklahoma named Zach. He plans to attend college and is pretty young in his faith. I was able to share with him about how to walk in the spirit in your daily life and encourage him. I called him today to check up on him back at home and he just got baptized a week ago! Praise God! It's amazing to see how our obedience as christians can cause others to be obedient to God as well. 

Things to Pray for:

• Danny's Salvation
• Lasting Spiritual decisions and conversations with my Russian co-workers

All That has happened!

God is moving quick here in Daytona! 

I'm discipling Danny, but he is not saved! I've never had a heart for someone's salvation like this. I'm going through some lessons for the unsaved! Their good! Just pray that they go well.

Also, we went to another trip to the juvenile detention center here and I lead four young men to Christ! God is a humbling God. The most memorable part about this experience is that these guys were hungry in seeking more knowledge about their new faith! the started asking so many questions! They were reading in Revelations about heaven and Matthew about Satin and Jesus resisting temptation. 

Dylan is a co-worker who is a good guy. He really needs some encouragement and is hard on himself and is worried for when we (Crusade) leave. 

Pray for:

1. Danny's Salvation
   
2. Dicipleship with Danny
3. Our time here in Daytona would have a lasting impact on our co-workers lives
4. Dylan's walk with the Lord
5. Salvation for Dylan's dad

(Picture: Danny on left and Dylan on the right)

God is Good!

After my baptism on Saturday, Chad and I decided to share my faith at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical College. We met a guy named Nick and really got to sit with him and hear about his life. 

He is a christian and is seeking for some answers about his faith and we shared how to walk in the spirit and how that can be an applicable thing everyday. 

Last night was awesome. We went sharing in some of the juvenile detention centers here in Daytona. I led three guys to Christ! God is good and I feel so humbled that he would use a sinner like me to do that. 

Pray for:

• The 3 new believers who accepted Christ yesterday. That they would continue to grow in their faith and be a witness to those in the prison around them. 
  
• Continue to pray for Danny's relationship with Christ.
• Pray that we are able to follow up with  Nick from Embry-Riddle and that God works it out so that we can meet up with him again. 

(Picture - Nick from the Embry-Riddle.)

Happy Fourth of July!

God is good! I was baptized today and God truly has blessed me with some friends that love me! Here are some pictures from that event.

A woman walking by was so encouraged by our obedience she decided to take the plunge too! Check out that picture as she came up from the water!

Danny

Yesterday afternoon was our coworker game afternoon. My friends Danny and Cardie from work got to come. They're both lifeguards and we have seemed to make a pretty quick bond. There was lots of games and some testimonies were given in the middle of the afternoon. Although I didn't get to share the gospel during the event we did go out to eat to Chilli's for dinner. Danny then cam back to my room and I shared the gospel with him. 

We got into some pretty good conversation. He is really receptive of what I have to say and is very curious about it all. He says that he is a christian, but the confidence I would love to hear in his voice is not there. He's a great guy and pretty smart. I love him!

Danny also joined us for our Prayer and Praise meeting right after I shared with him! It was such a shock for me to hear him say that he wanted to come! Praise God for his curiosity. 

Things to Pray for:

• Danny assurance in his salvation and for him to grow closer to Christ wherever he is in his walk. 
• Cardie to be open to some spiritual conversations.
• I would continue to be bold in sharing with others.
• My friendships I have made here to continue to grow through the love of Christ.
• That our coworkers would see Jesus in all of our actions and give him the credit for it, not us.

Where I'm reading: Proverbs 31:10-31

Danny

Yesterday afternoon was our coworker game afternoon. My friends Danny and Cardie from work got to come. There was lots of games and some testimonies were given in the middle of the afternoon. 

(left to right; Cardie, Ty, and Danny

International Dinner

This was a really neat experience that the staff set up for us one night on summer project. We all received passports from a specific country telling us what to wear and where to meet and at what time. It was a top secret mission type of thing. Walking in the doors to the dinner we had no idea that we were about to be separated.

As we walked in one by one we were escorted from security to our respective parts of the world:

The Americans walked into the dinner late and with a grand entrance. Music was turned up, food was already in their hands and they all were dressed nicer than we were. They were served first and the food never stopped coming. 

Latin America was in the far left corner of the room and taped off with a huge round table with festive colors and a bowl of, fritos, and cheatoes on the table. We also had diet pop. That is what we served. Oh, and a l diritos ittle bit of chicken on a plate.

Russia was served next. Huge raw potatoes and water. Their borders were patrolled by a man with a gun, so we didn't watch them much of the dinner. 

Asia was on the left as you entered the room. To enter the country you had to crawl under a table into a very small and heavily populated area. They were served lots of rice and water.

The Middle East was in the opposite corner of the room...

More info and pictures to come.

God is Working in Daytona!

Wow, what an awesome week it has been for me. God truly has blessed me.

Friday night I really got to fellowship with some of the guys here on project. God has blessed our conversations immensely and we are all learning from each other's past and how God is currently working in our life.

Friday during work was a blessed day. I got into some spiritual conversations with another lifeguard named Tyson. He is a current student in the medical field and he has spent time in the medical field in other countries and unfortunately seen a negative side of christian missionaries. He couldn't believe that people would give bibles to starving people instead of food. 'It doesn't make sense to me. Those people couldn't read english anyway.' He believes there is a god out there, but believes that Allah, God, and Buddah are all the same. I only had a 30 minute lunch break, but spent a lot of time just listening to his heart. 

This weekend is share weekend here on project. The Outreach Team I'm on is putting together a coffee house for our coworkers on Sunday afternoon. It's going to be a fun time of game days and we are hoping that God will use this time to open a door as two or three students share their testimony in the middle of the event. 

There has been one guy at work that I really have had the opportunity to hang out with. Danny and I have formed a really close friendship and he has quit his other job to hang out with us on Sundays. Praise God for that! 

Things to Pray for:

• That the students here on project will continue to unify and bond as the staff begins to leave for the summer.
  
• Pray for more time with Tyson and when we do meet that God will give me loving words to soften his critical view of christians. And Christ will allow me to present the gospel to him in a positive light. 
• Pray that the coffee house will have a good turn out with a lot of spiritual conversation and representation of Christ's love. 
• Pray that my time with Danny is filled with Spiritual conversation. 

Where I'm reading:

Matthew 5

Psalms 8-16

Acts 13 -17

Last Friday

Last Friday was an awesome experience. After working at the Lagoon Matt Stanfield and I invited some Russian lifeguards back to our place to hang out for the night. 

We got into some spiritual backgrounds with them. Bulatt (pronounced Boo lot) is a muslim and takes his religion very seriously. I really let him talk about his beliefs this night. I didn't want to force anything down his throat. 

Anyway, they made us a russian meal at our place. We made Pelmini. It's kind of like ravioli and tasted like spiced beef and dumplings. It was really good. It was a special time for us. Both Bulatt and Sergay said that making Pelmini was a special thing that they did with their family. It was a russian tradition. They thought they would never be making it here in the USA with Americans. It was an amazing bonding time. Thanks be to God! 

Where am I reading:

Acts 10 - 12 

Awesome Day at Work!

Hello to friends and family! 

I hope that all is well. Life is going great here in Daytona and God is working in all our lives and is answering prayer. I just wanted to let you know what I have been up to. This blog will enable me to communicate with you what I'm learning and what I have done for the day! Hope you enjoy it! Let me know what kinds of things you want to hear about! Just e-mail me tycarver@insightbb.com. 

I received a job at the Daytona Lagoon where I'm a lifeguard in the waterpark. I'm work with many Russians who also lifeguard with me. Today was an awesome day for me. I had two saves!

The first save was a little girl named Nevada. She waded out too deep and began to swallow a lot of water. When I got to her and pulled her out of the water she puked all over me. That was a blessing! I didn't have to do any CPR to get that water out of her lungs! 

I also saved a little dude named Ian. 

A typical day for me looks like this:

7:00 AM Quite Time with the Lord

8:30 AM Pray with my co-workers and leave for work. (One of the Russian guard now meets with us in the morning to pray. I don't think that she is a christian, but it's awesome to see God putting curiosity into Julia's life.) 

8:50 AM A 200 meter swim to start the day and then some sort of cardio work out. We are assigned positions and put on Stand at 9:50AM.

10:00 AM Park Opens

5:00PM He back home for various Cru activities. 

So this summer I'm learning a lot of Russian and surprisingly a huge amount of sign language. I knew some sign language before project but a girl on project is teaching me daily some new words. I've gotten really good. I actually am interpreting for the deaf guest that come in to the park. I give directions to them or welcome them when we have deaf summer classes come in on a project. God is blessing me in this language. 

Where I'm reading:

Acts 7-9