A few more pictures from our half day christian camp here at the YWAM St Croix base. The first is a pool picture with our older kids. Im sitting on the far right with my feet in the pool (yes I can still save lives from that angle). The second picture is game time, baseball.

Some more pictures from Jericho kids- the next two pictures are from craft time. The picture one the bottom is our group shot from last week with the kids, YWAM Staff and the volunteer high school group from PA.

Kids helping get water balloons ready for Jericho Kids in the morning. You can see me in the background right getting the pool ready and our beautiful sugar mill in the background. David is a volunteer from WA here for two weeks with his wonderful wife Kathy and daughter Lacey (thanks for the great treats!). They've been an encouragement to all the staff during their time here.

Eager kids from Jericho kids arrive in the morning (photo left). Seems to be creeping earlier and earlier each morning actually!

One of the stations is the pool (where I am lifeguarding). The bottom photo are Jericho kids and volunteers from PA. THANKS VOLUNTEERS!

Lifeguard days

So I am officially the pool girl. Joked about cleaning the pool before I came and now I do! For Jericho kids, our summer kids program, I am cleaning the pool and watching that children don't drown. We have strong swimmers so Im not concerned about it and even jump in a play from time to time. Who could ask for more? Last night we had a worship night with the high school group that is here from Pennsylvania. They are a great group of energetic young ones and I have yet to hear a complaint despite the fact that we have them hacking weeds in 90 degree heat. They do get some breaks to visit the island. The kids are amazing. They are learning Bible verses, getting to know each other, participating in everything we ask them to. A few interesting interactions between some of the older kids based purely on which apartment project they are from. So sad that this type of division starts so early. So far everyone seems fairly healthy and we are keeping a close eye on everyone including us running the camp.
Took a trip to Kmart last week wanting a few things, toothpaste, a comb, microwave popcorn... So I walk down the toothpaste aisle and think maybe I turned too soon. Empty shelves lined the entire aisle. Well, no, theres the toothbrushes so this must be the right place. Not ONE box of toothpaste in the joint. Only crest white strips which would not impress my roomates who would have to put up with my morning breath. Shrug it off to the islands. I turn into the hair aisle and walk past the brushes. Again empty racks where the combs usually are. Did they get my list ahead of time and take them all off the shelves? Turn to the food aisle and pick up peanut butter and realize there is no popcorn. *Sigh* Fourth of July weekend, beginning of food stamps, delayed deliveries...all reasonable explanations. Went to Kmart again today figuring the end of the week may be better- and finally- one lonely section of Colgate toothpaste. YEA! Bought some hurrican supplies (I am actually weeks late in doing this)... just some batteries, matches, container to hold valuables... I guess Im offically an islander if I have hurricane supplies sitting under my shelf!
Some of the staff took some pictures of Jericho kids so I will have to see if I can borrow some pictures to share with you guys....

Fourth of July weekend

Today I was able to visit the most eastern point of the United States. Its a little look out point called Point Udall. We have a team of about 25 high school students here from Pennsylvania and they are helping with our children's program this week. We hosted an 'island tour' (I had to drive) so we stopped at Grassy Point, Point Udall and ended at Cane Bay beach. There were quite a few people at the beach celebrating the 4th of July. We might try to make it to Fredriksted pier to watch fireworks. I heard there is a boat parade but haven't heard of any other parades. It's not celebrated as much as the midwest does.

I met some interesting people at the beach today. One man named Ray who grew up on the island but is of spanish decent. He said he is a 'backslidder' but knows of a church he can go to that his sister attends. Another man named Lanel was at the beach with a large group from "the village" which is a rehab (recovering from drug or alcohol addictions). He has been sober for seven months but says its very hard. He also said he does not regularly attend a church. God is so faithful in granting opportunities to speak words of encouragement and hope into people lives...if only for a few moments. One other man was from the US, lived in Hawaii a while and is now here on business. We talked alot about hypocrisy in the church and what it looks like to take God 'serious' to the point of being a missionary for life. He has visited a few churches on the island and knows the pastor's wife at our main church (St Croix Christian) but he doesn't feel comfortable there either. Its so sad to see so many people hurting and yet even when the reach out (for example to a drug rehab program) they are just meeting the surface needs, not the deeper God shaped hole in their souls. SO CLOSE YET SO FAR!! I pray that my words caused their hearts to stir and that the Holy Spirit draws them nearer to Him, for a personal relationship not just a traditional visit to church/religion.

As far as life we are starting our kids programs so things are busy. We've accepted a few applicants for the fall DTS and I personally am getting so excited to start meeting them and begin discipling. We've done a few 'strategic planning' meetings and delegated some other base responsibilities so those keep us busy also.

One of my prayer requests is to find my balance....not some new age 'mind soul body' balance but rather a balance regarding faithfully supporting the base and the work God has for me between these walls to bless and serve, and also the urgency/passion to meet the people on the streets and minister to those who haven't felt the peace of God in their lives. Right now the base has a need for more staff to cover areas such as grounds,kitchen, admin that can release others to full time pursue a vision of outreach. They can both be done but I haven't figured out how yet...

My other prayer request is still for a car. Im hearing many opportunities to volunteer and having my own transportation would make this an option. I would also be able to visit and connect with churches all over the island (taxis could run up to fifteen dollars or more one way).

Also praying for Jericho kids the next two weeks. Its a half day camp open to any child in the community and right now we have at least 30 signed up with more expected-praise God!

Praying in more children for our Kings Kids the last two weeks of July. We are running into a hesitancy with locals because it is an overnight camp and this is something that is not common on the islands. Please pray God moves mightily and brings in kids to be discipled.