More pictures!

We apologize for having the wrong link for pictures on the right hand side for the last few days. Flickr would not allow us to upload as many pictures as we would have liked so we now have both a Flickr (days 1 and 2) and a Photobucket (all the rest!) for you guys to browse! Please check out the new Photobucket link :)

A day of rest at Huntington Beach!

It was a beautiful day at the beach as the students and leaders took a breath and relaxed on the sandy western shores!

We were all prepared for gloomy skies and chilly weather but God provided us with a day full of sun!

The day included boogie boarding, enjoying the water, walking to the pier, roasting hot dogs and s'mores and even catching sight of some dolphins!

Using their hands and feet...

Another successful workday has come and gone. Today, most of the kids were able to see a different work site and gain more connections throughout the community. Work sites included VBS in the park, cleaning and organizing at Helping Hands Pantry and painting at Living Waters church.

Tonight, students were humbled as Jolene shared her story and the many hardships she has faced throughout her lifetime. Hearts were tugged on and God was most definitely alive and working in SERVEants tonights.

Here are a handful of pictures that captured some blessings...

We went "site"-seeing!

Today was the first workday of the week! The day started out with pancakes for breakfast and some personal devotions. The "Captain America Team" sent teams off to their worksites with encouragement, dancing and high-fives.

Worksites included a VBS camp, a free car wash, painting, and yard work. Everyone did a great job!

We're looking forward to another great time of worship and listening to Jolene speak again tonight.

Tomorrow is another workday with some new sites. We are praying for another blessed and productive day.

Shalom!

Redlands SERVE Team

We had a pic-a-nic!

Today has been busy, busy, busy! What a better way to start off a Sunday than with mail and cinnamon rolls? After breakfast, Nick In'tHout, a youth pastor at the River, spoke this morning and our SERVE worship leader, Jeff Mercer, lead us in great worship.

Then it was off to Sylvan Park for a church picnic where the prayer partners of the SERVEants and leaders were able to connect and put a face to a name. It was a gorgeous day and God blessed us with an abundance of delicious food and sunshine.

After the park, the students were sent off into the downtown Redlands area to complete a scavenger hunt - the prize being In-N-Out milkshakes for the winning team!

Although it was hot and several teams forgot their water bottles, Team Shazam came out with the victory, answering a whopping 15 out of 20 questions correctly!

Tomorrow, the SERVEants will begin their first day of work, heading out to places all over town to connect with locals, teach VBS, paint homes and churches and tend to community gardens. Our prayer is that they are able to work together as a team of servants, step out of their comfort zones, spread a little peace and stay hydrated!

Until tomorrow,

Shalom!

Redlands SERVE Team

And so it begins!

Hello all! Our prayer for all our servants to arrive safe and sound was answered!

As each group came in, they were greeted and given a bag with their SERVE shirt, water bottle, name tag and a devotional book they will use for the week. Then they were given a tour of their new (temporary) home!

After time to settle in and relax from the long day of flying and/or driving, everyone grabbed some pizza before heading to worship.

Tonight our speaker Jolene introduced us to the topic of peace, which she will be expanding on throughout the week. Our amazing worship band started and ended the night, leading us in songs of praise and adoration to our God.

Tomorrow, the servants will attend the regular church service at the River and then will head over to a local park for a fun-filled picnic! Little do they know, a challenging scavenger hunt around town is also on tomorrow's schedule :)

Prayers for our Sunday to be a day of servants getting to know their small groups, preparing their hearts, eyes and ears for the coming work days and getting a little bit of much needed rest after all of this traveling!

Be sure to check out the link on the right hand side of the blog for more pictures of today's events :)

Shalom,

Redlands SERVE Team

It's almost here!

Greetings from the Redlands SERVE team!

We are so excited that the arrival of students from around the U.S. and Canada is only days away! Prayers have been abundant as we prepare for the coming week full of fun, adventure, serving and growing together! Jolene DeHeer will be back again and we couldn't be happier to have such an amazing speaker to lead us this week as we learn to have peace in and around our lives, no matter what!

Our prayer is that everyone arrives safely and without getting too lost! :)
Until Saturday, shalom!
Redlands SERVE Team