an unexpected trip to the beach

Friday morning and afternoon were good at Kitty's Road, as we continued with Treasure Hunters with the kids, football with the teens, and coffee morning with the adults. The afternoon was filled with a ladies' day and a men's day, where some of our girls did hair and nails and Allison washed feet and painted toenails. Dave and Matthew led some sporting activities with the men, including some golf and wrestling.

The evening threw us for a bit of a loop. We had known beforehand that many of the adults in the Kitty's Road community were planning to go out drinking this Friday evening, but what we had not expected was that they were planning to have drinks at the Community Center beforehand as well. Our leaders were not comfortable with our being present under these conditions, and so we called off our evening session and instead spent some heavy-hearted time in prayer for our dear friends at Kitty's Road, cleaned up the church hall, and then headed to the beach and for ice cream.

It can be discouraging, especially for team members who have come back to Kitty's Road year after year, to see people we've been ministering the gospel to choose to seek fulfillment in alcohol rather than Jesus and continue to resist the gospel. As Allison put it, one begins to fear, because they are no longer ignorant; they've heard the good news, but are choosing not to walk in it. We remain hopeful, however, because God is on our side. We know he is at work here. "Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart." 2 Corinthians 4:1 Thank you for your prayers.

The team is enjoying a day off this Saturday. Most of us were able to sleep in, and then we met up at the Chestnutt's house for a barbecue. Some of our number are now hanging out in Newcastle, which is a touristy, beachy town, but Kristy and I are off now to hike a mountain with our host home. More later!