Jim and Robin Clements have been serving us fabulous noon meals each day. Each day they invite 12 of us into their home to eat. We eat, make a mess and then leave.
They have such huge hearts for caring for people!
Today we spent the morning and afternoon canvassing. We were invited to join Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran School for their morning chapel. Pastor Boehm based his message to the school children and us on Jeremiah 31:34b, "For I will forgive their wickedness and remember their sins no more." Isn't it amazing that an all-knowing God chooses to forget our sins? He has done it for Jesus' sake. The final hymn stanza of the morning chapel reminded us that we are given the task that is the envy of angels, sharing what we know with others, and so we prepared for our day of canvassing.
A big part our coordinated coverage of neighborhoods has been the work of Mr. Raasch mapping out our canvass area in consultation with Pastor Boehm. Here is a picture of a typical map produced. We are assured that we are maximizing our coverage and eliminating possibility of overlap thanks to his work.
Each zone averaged about 50-60 houses and typically a two-person team covered that size zone in a two-hour session of canvassing. I have had the privilege of being paired with a couple of the students. It is so encouraging and uplifting to me to see our young people handle themselves so well at the doors. They are thoughtful and considerate and ready to talk about Jesus. Wow!
In any canvassing effort, the majority of contacts do not result in something that constitutes a lead for follow up, but after three days our contact list is just shy of 40. That's just people who have agreed to give us some type of contact (email, address or phone number). We have a left a card that introduces people to the church, invites them for the launch service (March 29th), and directs them to a facebook page and website that has more information about the church at most of the houses we visit.
It can be discouraging, and even overwhelming, to realize how many people do not know Jesus as their Savior and are therefore headed for a judgment of eternal separation from God in hell, but it reminds us of the urgency of sharing what we know with others.
Abby and Olivia directed us to this vista view in the neighborhood we worked today.
I asked for some type of pose. Olivia and Abby got into the spirit. Zach, Clayton and Nate...not so much. San Diego has some beautiful scenery and we have certainly been enjoying the beautiful weather as well.
We are so blessed by our host families. I was able to take pictures with three of the host families after the Lenten service.
Randy and Gail Baker have housed Collin and Caleb.
Gwen Franklin has housed Olivia and Abby.
Harry and Margie Jeffery have housed Clayton, Nate, and Zach.
Pastor and Gena Boehm have housed Mr. and Mrs. Raasch and Andy. Scott and Jackie Lairson have housed Sophia and Linsey. And Jim and Robin Clements have put up with me.
A few more observations on personality developments. Linsey is definitely the voice of reason in our group. Not that the group is necessarily lacking in that regard, but when it has been needed, we (I) count on Linsey to carry the day. Caleb is the explorer. Whether it is finding sand dollars at the beach, bone relics on the road side, dirty socks at a scenic overlook, or books at Barnes and Nobles, he is always looking for, and finding, something. I still am trying to separate and distinguish traits of the three brothers (Nate, Zach and Clayton). Not an easy task but I will come up with something. Sophia is very patient and tolerant (of and towards me). Try as I might, I just can't seem to get her riled up.
More to come. Tomorrow is one final day of getting out to experience San Diego. The plan is to do the San Diego Zoo in the morning and some shopping in the afternoon.
Hello from best pals.
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