Weekend of Praise

Bret's quote of the day:  "I'm changing Thailand one car at a time."  Bret has gotten a bit more comfortable with the horn on our motorbike over the past 5 weeks.  In the States, he regularly talked about forming The Bret Hardin School of Driving, and I think he's begun to see a need for that same school here in Thailand.

This was actually just one quote from today, but he did say many more important things.  We were on a retreat this weekend - as many of you know.  Thank you so much for praying for our time, those of you who were.  We got so many e-mails saying people were praying, and we are so thankful for that!

The retreat was wonderful. I cannot believe the caliber of these middle school kids.  We had a time of worship on Friday night - pretty standard worship through song and then we did an activity where they broke up into 3 groups and wrote all the names and characteristics they could think of for God on a big piece of paper.  Then they spent some time praising God in their groups for those characteristics, and then broke out into impromptu worship singing for about 30 minutes...incredible!  

Bret did an awesome job with everything, too.  He led all kinds of games which kept the kids moving and laughing.  Even better though - he led the devotional time this morning.  It was powerful - shared his testimony and talked about making choices now (while the students are in middle school) that will lead to massive rewards instead of massive consequences.  He talked about identity (which is the theme of the chapel time this year) and used Paul and Stephen as biblical examples.  He talked about what an awesome picture it was when in Acts 7:54-60 Stephen was getting stoned and Jesus is recorded as standing rather than sitting.  He challenged the kids (and the adults) to do things and live in a manner that might possibly lead Jesus to stand in approval.  It was great!! 

Please keep praying for these 33 kids as they lead the rest of the middle schoolers during the weekly chapel time.  They are the leaders, and we're praying for their growth throughout the year and for their influence to be Godly.  Many of the kids are in our mid-weeks bible studies, so please for us to be able to encourage them in their walks with the Lord.  

Blessings to you guys this weekend!  And I want to send a shout-out to mom and say "Happy Birthday! Thanks for being the biggest and most godly influence on my life!"