God’s love was shared in Myrtle Beach during the week of July 21 - 28. The team members used their God-given skills and talents to provide an array of unique experiences at The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club. He gave the team an extra dose of energy to keep up with many active, challenging children and extra love to share with them. The children enjoyed using power tools and sewing machines. They will go back to school in style with school supplies that they individualized for themselves. Wacky science experiments led to biblical applications as they explored and sometimes exploded! Outside play included balloon animals, sand play, football patterns, water balloons, shaving cream fun and much more. In devotions the children learned about making wise choices using Biblical examples. The littlest children were met with smiles, stories and creative activities in centers everyday. Early in the week, one little boy asked when we would return. When he was told we would be there every day that week, he responded with “Wow, how much are they paying you?” Oh, we were paid - with many blessings and hugs. Another youngster asked, “Where do you find all those exciting Bible stories - I can’t find them in my Bible?” He beamed when he received a Bible story book the next day and read 125 pages that very night!
God also gave the team a creative and uplifting spirit to share with the folks at Street Reach - a rehab and homeless center. On Sunday evening, the team used a local church’s kitchen to cook mounds of macaroni and spice up canned vegetables. These tasty dishes were combined with delicious ham that had been cooked by ladies back at Springhill and served to over a hundred folks at StreetReach. The folks there were touched by the addition of placemats decorated by the children’s Sunday School classes at Springhill and by the willingness of the children on the team to serve folks at their seats rather than lining up to serve themselves. Team members chatted with individuals as we shared the meal. On Wednesday, our team led in worship at StreetReach with an amusing drama about God using ordinary people in extraordinary ways, a stirring quartet, an uplifting message and a crowd-pleasing rap about salvation. God’s presence was truly felt in that worship service! On Saturday several team members were privileged to attend a graduation ceremony for eight folks who have completed the four to six month rehab program and are making a new beginning. The graduates shared inspiring stories about their time in the program.
Thank you so much for your support of this trip - through donating supplies, collecting recycled items, cooking hams and most of all, prayer.
The Myrtle Beach Mission Team
Matt, Shawna, Sam, Billy and Kaitlyn O’Driscoll
Chip, Melinda, and Abby Smith
Rae and Thomas Smith
Al and Gerrie Cox
Jim and Pat Mullins
Russell and Gwen Bowles - Caleb Medders
