We're back - and busier than ever!

Wow - we are back from NYC, and slightly rested. The trip was GREAT and I personally can't wait to go back. It is always such a joy to partner with Sterling & Luis and the folks at CCLI.

In case you were bored, and looking for something to do, we still have a few spots open for the Astro's Game tonight. But sign up soon, space is going to run out!

Monday, July 21 - Astros Game. Come with us as we go downtown to Minute Maid Park and watch The Astros vs. The Pirates. Tickets are only $35 and include your transportation to and from the game. Space is limited, so sign up today by going to ww.FBCKaty.com/Astros.

Wednesday, July 23 - Putt Putt Night @ Pulse. We know you love it because WE LOVE IT! Its Putt Putt Time! On Wednesday night from 6:30-8pm we will be at the new Mason Road Miniature Golf, located just south of Mason Rd. & Highland Knolls. Bring $7 and play all the putt putt you want. There is no limit on attendees, so invite your friends!

Friday, July 25 - FIESTA Night (HS Only). And of course, this is the one you've all been waiting for... FIESTA Night! FREE FAJITAS! Wrestling! & Much Much More! Come up to The Studio on Friday night as we eat and chill with friends. Some amazing entertainment is lined up for the night that you simply won't want to miss! This event is absolutely free. Oh, and in case you wondered, the fajitas are from Los Cucos, so you know they'll be good!

For More Information on any of these events, check out our website, http://www.fbckaty.com/, or call the Student Ministry Office at 281.391.1100.

Tired...

As the above photo depicts, the sun is setting on this trip, and the word "tired" doesnt even come close to adequately describing how our team physically feels right now. But God is good, and has been so faithful throughout this week. As we spend these last few hours preparing for our Kidz Camp Family Night, and then our eventual 4am train ride to the airport, please join us in praying that God is not done working. There is yet much to do here, and many souls to be won for the Lord in this community.

As Paul shares with Aquila and Priscilla in Acts 18:21, "he promised, 'I will come back if it is God's will.", so is it our desire to return again to Farmingdale, NY to be a part of the mighty work taking place.

Stay tuned for a late night update this evening.

--bryan

Photo Album Update

So we have been here almost a week, and we have PLENTY of pictures to share with you.

Albums 9-13 are from our Manhattan Afternoon yesterday.

Album #1 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32332&l=8ae50&id=505438223

Album #2 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32333&l=6ec14&id=505438223

Album #3 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32334&l=e8d68&id=505438223

Album #4 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32458&l=3871d&id=505438223

Album #5 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32460&l=b8dba&id=505438223

Album #6 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32602&l=929b2&id=505438223

Album # 7 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32743&l=da6f8&id=505438223

Album #8 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32744&l=8ef08&id=505438223

Album #9 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32745&l=a6d37&id=505438223

Album #10 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32842&l=4d2eb&id=505438223

Album #11 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32843&l=ee183&id=505438223

Album #12 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32844&l=7f8f2&id=505438223

Album #13 - http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32845&l=2235c&id=505438223

--Bryan

Day 6 :: July 16, 2008

29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:29-30

In the end of Acts 16, we find Paul and Silas in jail for casting out a demon from a girl who was being used as a fortune teller. Apparently, her 'owner's didnt approve of her transformation, and faught to arrest Paul & Silas. Once arrested, these 2 were sitting in jail when a loud thunder rolled out and the prison gates swung open. In versus 27 and 28, we see Paul call out to the jailer to not kill himself, for the prisoners were all there, none having escaped. And then, the best part is verses 29 & 30.The jailer sees how powerful a God that Paul and Silas serve, and he immediately recognizes God's amazing ability to wreck, or restore your life.

Think about that today. Do you believe the Lord has enough power to do incredible things in your life that would draw others unto him? Do you treat Him as so?

Join us this week in being reminded that God is far bigger than our little situations. And he is more faithful that we could ever imagine. Please pray that when Friday comes, we would be able to sit back and say "wow, God, you did something amazing" and know that He is able to do exceedingly more than we could ever imagine or hope for.

--Bryan

Day 5 :: July 15, 2008

36Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us go back and visit the brothers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing." Acts 15:36

Having "grown up" in the church, I have been blessed to be able to attend numerous mission trips over the years. From Atlanta and New York, to Middlesburough, England or Matamoros, Mexico, I have been to and seen may different churches, and I must say the body of Christ can be a beautiful thing. The above scripture does remind me however, that in all of our "doing good", we ought not just treat missions as a one-stop shop. I believe that is why I love the folks at Crossroads. When I first came and met Sterling and Jenna Edwards in November of 2006, I also met Luis & Jessica Rivera. At the time, they were just new friends of the Edwards and fellow believers. In the 2 years since, Luis has become the first additional staff member at CCLI (Crossroads Church of Long Island) and Jessica has taken an extremely active role in helping with Kidz Camp programing, as well as many other duties around the church. That first visit was the beginning of a relationship between all of us. Though I am not on staff at CCLI, I definately feel like part of the team. We are partners in this journey together, I just happen to live 1500 miles away.

And that is how it ought to be. With a common heart, likeminded in spirit, we work together as the body of Christ to see His kingdom spread.

Please pray today for the efforts of CCLI in this community. There were 60+ children present today at Kidz Camp, each representing a home with a mom, dad, or both, all of whom need to know about the God who created them and loves them. Pray for this week and the children as they learn first hand about Jesus, and for the parents who hear about the activities and stories secoind hand from their children. Also pray for our team, as we serve at Kidz Camp, and in the afternoons on our various work projects. (Talking with Sterling today, we definately see the scope of work this year much larger and impactive than any of our previous projects.) And lastly, please pray that we do not forget Sterling, Jenna, Madison, Emma, and Luis & Jessica. While we are here for the week, they are in this for the long haul. Let us be reminded to encourage them along the road, as did Paul in Acts 15:36.

--Bryan

Day 4 :: July 14, 2008

19Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. 20But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city. The next day he and Barnabas left for Derbe. 21They preached the good news in that city and won a large number of disciples. Then they returned to Lystra, Iconium and Antioch, 22strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to the faith. - Acts 14:19-22a.

Today was/is Day 4, and well, it has been a day. We had our first day full of children at Kidz Camp this morning. I know we had at least 50+ kids presesnt, which is amazing, as last year there were only 58 kids on the highest attended day!

After Kidz Camp, we spent the entire afternoon cleaning up all 4 flower beds, removing some bushes and removing grass and rocks. What a project! Tomorrow will be mulching and installing the posts for a new campus sign, as well as priming the walls for the soon-to-be Welcome Center. I will attempt to post a few pictures of some of our progress in the landscaping. It will depend onhow much Blogspot wants to cooperate.

So, just to be honest, today has been kind of a scattered day. Right at the beginning of Kidz Camp, I recieved a call from my mom saying that my grandfather was on his way to the hospital. Details were skethcy, but he appeared to be having a heart attack. Sure enough, approx an hour later, we recieved word he had passed away. Throughout the morning, and rest of the day I have been taking random phone calls from family about services arrangments and plans. All in the midst of being here in NY, working at a Kidz Camp, and spending my afternoons landscaping. Now, I know I am not Paul, nor have I been stoned unto the appearance of death, but sometimes, our days feel like it. It is encouraging to me to see how Acts 14 shares that even when Paul was beat down, literally, and at his lowest, almost dead, he rose up and continued to proclaim the gospel.

Would you join me in praying that for our group? Wether it be sore backs, the passing of loved ones, or being rejected when sharing the gospel, the Lord is in control, and we must get back in the game. Let us no grow weary of sharing the gospel.

Finding sufficiency in Him alone,

--Bryan

Day 3 :: July 13, 2008

Acts 13:38"Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.

This morning, shortly after posting the below entry, I entered the worship service to hear Sterling preaching on forgiveness based in Matthew 18:21. Knowing that tomorrow is the first day of Kidz Camp, it is heavy on our hearts and minds to know that we have a great gospel to share with those present. The very same message that Sterling and Luis try to live out in their day to day lives here in Farmingdale. There is a God who loves you. Simply put.

Please be with us in prayer for Kidz Camp. There are 57 pre-registered children, which is as many as all attendees last year alone! God is at work in this place and we are so excited to be a part of it.

And for the record, we have begun our work projects. This afternoon we spent several hours clearing out some garden/bush areas in preperation for new landscaping. As you can see the in attached photos, we removed 5 very large boxwood bushes. While they were healthy, they were just too big for the space.

Tory Brown did a great job manning the chainsaw, even in spite of its frequent ability to loosen the chain. And the girls were just outright hardcore at removing the root clusters. Dom mentioned that he definately knows who to call when he needs yardwork done.

Part of our time was also spent preparing the old pastor's study for its new name, The Welcome Center. After clearing out some clutter, Luis, our newest friend and addition to the staff at CCLI, spackled the holes in the walls so that we may prime and paint tomorrow.

All of this is fun. and it is also work. Our students have done an incredible job at serving this weekend. We cannot wait to see what else God has in store for us, and CCLI this week!

Please pray for us.

--Bryan & Dom (sitting next to me)

Day 2 :: July 12, 2008

Wow, so Saturday has definately come and gone in true whirlwind fashion. But I guess that is what happens in NYC! This is definately a city that never sleeps, and I am starting to think that is how this trip will be!

We awoke early and had some of the best dunkin' donuts, and then made our way to the train station. After a short 45 minute ride into Manhattan, and a long 45 minute fiasco with the subway ticket machine, we finally were on our way! We visit Battery Park, and took a harbor cruide that took us past the Statue of Liberty, Ground Zero, Ellis Island, Governer's Island, and the Brooklyn Bridge. Then, we took a stroll to ground zero, St. Paul's, and Trinity Church. There are definately some beautiful churches in NY. After our ground zero stroll, we made our way onto the subway and headed to Rockefeller Center where we took the NBC Studio tour. Then we quickly made our way back to Penn Station to catch our train home. We arrived back just in time for a kick off party with the Kidz Camp volunteers and many families from the surrounding area.

Well, as I type this, the first song is beginning to be sung in the morning worship service, so I better get in. Grace and Peace.

--bryan

PS - Photo Links

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32332&l=8ae50&id=505438223

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32333&l=6ec14&id=505438223

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=32334&l=e8d68&id=505438223

Day 1 :: July 11, 2008

So today is the first of 8 days on Mission Trip to Farmingdale, NY. Our team of 11 (7 students, 4 adults) met and departed Houston in the wee hours of the morning (read 5am meeting, 8am flight - way before i suggest waking up). The timing worked out great and we arrived, checked our bags, and boarded the plane. No waiting, no long lines, no complaints here. The 3 hour flight was fairly uneventful, sans some slight turbulence, and we arrived on time.

Sterling met us at the train station, and we were quickly reminded that we were in a very different place. While waiting for the train to arrive, we made a quick run to McDonalds (located a block from the station). THIS was the New York I remember. Queens, NY. People everywhere. A mass of chaos that somehow flows all together.

As I sit here and think about that scene in my head, I also am reminded of my seatmate from the plane. We could not have been any more different, yet the Lord saw fit for us to share an armrest. Pratt (assumed spelling) is a 30 something computer/server technician for Microsoft. Now, that seems fairly bland, but the cool part is he is from India. Yes, I said India, not Indiana. I was blessed to share a conversation with him about why he was in Houston, and in turn, why we were headed to NYC. Though there was no profession of faith, or extreme radical conversion, I believe a seed was planted. In the little conversing we did, I shared with him about our mission and why we cared so much about helping this church.

Sterling (lead pastor at Crossroads Church of Long Island) shared with us tonight that it is exactly these seeds that God has been using to bless their ministry here. Just when you think "how can God use me? in this situation?" he shows up and blows us away.

My prayer for this week is that we would live out Habakkuk 1:5. Please join me in praying this for our students, the staff and members at Crossroads, and the many visitors who will be here this week.

"Look at the nations and watch—
and be utterly amazed.

For I am going to do something in your days

that you would not believe,

even if you were told.

~Habakkuk 1:5

--Bryan

Bored?

Wow. It is hard to believe that it is July. It feels like just yesterday we were counting down the days to graduations, camp, and vbs. And yet, here we are, with half of the summer gone.

If you feel like you haven't fully experienced the lazy days of summer yet, and are looking for something fun to do, then we have just the things!

While some of us are away next week on Mission Trip, Nathan will be here holding down the fort. Be sure to join him Sunday evening for Sand Volleyball frmo 6-8pm. And then on Wednesday night, he will continue our series on The Call: Just What Is Missions All About.

We also have 3 big events coming up the week after that.

Monday, July 21 - Astros Game. Come with us as we go downtown to Minute Maid Park and watch The Astros vs. The Pirates. Tickets are only $35 and include your transportation to and from the game. Space is limited, so sign up today by going to www.FBCKaty.com/Astros.

Wednesday, July 23 - Putt Putt Night @ Pulse. We know you love it because WE LOVE IT! Its Putt Putt Time! On Wednesday night from 6:30-8pm we will be at the new Mason Road Miniature Golf, located just south of Mason Rd. & Highland Knolls. Bring $7 and play all the putt putt you want. There is no limit on attendees, so invite your friends!

Friday, July 25 - FIESTA Night (HS Only). And of course, this is the one you've all been waiting for... FIESTA Night! FREE FAJITAS! Wrestling! & Much Much More! Come up to The Studio on Friday night as we eat and chill with friends. Some amazing entertainment is lined up for the night that you simply won't want to miss! This event is absolutely free. Oh, and in case you wondered, the fajitas are from Los Cucos, so you know they'll be good!

For More Information on any of these events, check out our website, http://www.fbckaty.com/, or call Nathan the Intern in the Student Ministry Office at 281.391.1100.