Challenge Update

Hello Parents and fellow Wichita friends! We are having a great time in New Orleans! We apologize for the late communication with this blog...we just got hooked up with internet. So we have lots to fill you in on...so I'll just hit some of the main points.

Let me start by saying...your students are awesome! They have gone with the flow, been flexible, had great attitudes. They are a great group to travel with!

Saturday we started the day off hunting for alligators...well maybe not hunting...but we did find some!

I was not able to go on this swamp tour...but I heard lots of cool stories. A lot of the kids got to hold a baby alligator that was a few months old. I am sure you will hear all about the tour...if you haven't already  :)

Yesterday we spent most of the day serving. What a cool day that was! Our group was split up all over the place helping the Challenge staff get ready for the conference. There were several groups standing out in the hot sun welcoming people and directing them where to go, they were groups helping carrying luggage in, there were groups helping with set up...and all of them were excited and ready to work!

Francis Chan hit us hard with some truth of Scripture last night and this morning. We have studied Colossians 1:15-23 in the last 2 sessions.  *You check out some short clips and pictures of that here.*
You can never be told to often or too much who Jesus is and it can never get old. Jesus is the image of the invisible God, Jesus is the firstborn over all creations, all things were created FOR Jesus. WE are made FOR Jesus. Jesus holds ALL things together.  Jesus is our everything and everything belongs to Him and is for Him! The cool thing about all of this...we rejected this magnificent, perfect, holy, Jesus but instead of Him just walking away from us...He reconciled himself to us. He made a way for us to be in unity with Him...the almighty God. Jesus made that sacrifice for us on the cross and paid the penalty for ours sins...so that God could reconcile Himself to us. COOL! It's all about Jesus who has made everything right on the cross.

I am so excited to see God continue to do a work in students and leaders. I know God has already been rocking my heart big time. I will try and give you guys an update every day to let you know what is happening. In the meantime, here are some things you can pray for:
1. God would break down walls and break and humble us.
2. Students would be responsive to God's voice.
3. As we serve tomorrow all around the city that New Orleans would come alive with Christ...that people would encounter Jesus and the freedom He brings.

Check out the challenge Face Book page for more pictures and videos....but here are a few to keep you entertained :)