God works here in a mighty way!

Today was our last full day of work and of course we started with a great breakfast and fellowship with all of our family here on the hill. Meal times are such a special time here. Multiple tables of about 8 and meals served family style. Our kids will share special thoughts about it when they get back I am sure! The kids all spread throughout the dining room and ate with different people each meal.
Did you ever think that scooping poop would be the job of choice?! For four of our girls, that indeed was what they chose! One job today was moving the hay/manure/mud pile from one location to another. These four CHOSE to do the filling of the truck and then the unloading. So proud of them to do something totally different! They did get the truck stuck in the mud, but were able to get it out with the help of Hank. Jobie, Linda and two other girls worked on a landscaping job which was fun. When it rained it was even more hilarious! Madison and Hailey had quite the mud fight when they were all done, which is shown in the gallery. Mikayla and Lindsay continued working in the kitchen.
The boys continued work on the road building. Apparently, Billy is quite adept at swinging a pick ax, but swung so hard that he ended up breaking it! I think the boys are seriously exhausted. While they had fun, they worked very hard! Mike worked on more computers and while the folks on the hill are thankful, Mike’s frustrated that he still has one thing he couldn’t fix!
Today, our group led Prayer and Share. What a wonderful testimony to what God is doing in the lives of these children. Not only did we lead great singing, several kids shared testimony of what God has done in their lives this week. Billy, Lindsay, Madison and Kaitlyn shared how God spoke to them this week and how they now know that God will always be there for them. It was a very special experience! Several residents also shared how seeing these young people with such enthusiasm and such a love of Jesus really gave them hope. God has pulled this group together here. While it makes us happy, we are also sad to leave tomorrow to rejoin the real world. This truly is a special place.
After dinner, we were blessed to have a very special devotion time led by Billy. Tonight he washed the feet of everyone in the group (well, those who were willing!). Then, he shared his testimony. God has been doing some serious work in Billy’s heart over the last year. He helped all of us to see that outward appearances aren’t always what’s inside a person. God has a plan for each and every one of us, but it is up to us to listen to Him and follow Him. I’m not sure that many dry eyes were in attendance at this devotion time and while it is never easy to see our kids cry, I can assure you that it is because they all really got it. Our kids aren’t perfect. They are struggling with what God is asking of them, but the great news is, they are listening. We are so unbelievably blessed to be able to work with these kids. This is the last mission trip for a few of our kids as God is calling them in other directions. We pray that they will continue to open their eyes, ears and hearts to God’s calling.
I have tears in my eyes as I write this tonight. While we certainly are looking forward to being with our families again, we are sad to leave this place. God’s presence is so strong here. Perhaps it is because the outside worldly influences aren’t around. Perhaps it is because everyone here on the hill are believers who are working towards God’s calling in their lives. Perhaps because we have been accepted without question as members of the His Mansion family and been shown the love of Christ. Whatever it is… we are changed people. You cannot leave this place without a change in your life. I cannot wait to see what God will continue to do in each of our lives from this day forward.