Pitching our tents for East Asia

The World M Center here at Southwestern hosted a 'pitch your tent' night last night to kick off next week's M week. We have always been big campers, so we couldn't wait to get the tent out and rough it a little (okay, maybe not really roughing it...we had access to a bathroom in one of the buildings next to us). There were many students and even a couple professors that showed and after all the tents were set up, we had dinner - hot dogs, chips, cokes and cookies.

Maribeth and Gabi...we have come to LOVE the Gambill family!! We're so thankful G*d brought us here together.




Justin and Amy...an incredible young couple who have a passion to serve Him wherever He leads!! Justin is a student here and Amy works in the M center and helped organize the night.

We played some games after dinner that involved different aspects of life in East Asia...the most memorable being the "food mystery" game. We divided up into teams (Richard, Maribeth and Gabi completed our team) and each person had to race to the sack of mystery food, eat whatever they chose, and then race back to the team before the next person could go. Maribeth's surprise was DRIED SQUID, which was probably the worst smelling thing there. Below are a few pics of the chopstick race where each team member had to run down to their team bowl and pick up one small item with chopsticks - without dropping it - and bring it back to their team. Game time produced many laughs!!











After game time, we all gathered around a camp fire and sang guiter-led praise and worship songs. We heard testimonies from M who served in East Asia and also broke into groups where we prayed for specific provinces of this country. The temperatures were cool, the winds were breezy, and it was an amazing night to just reflect on G*d and the Light that continues to shine through Je$us, despite a very dark world. We also roasted marshmallows and even made some smores. Around 10 o'clock, we gathered around a big projection screen and watched some Chri$tian reality show where the lives of a couple M are documented on film as they travel the world building relationships and sharing Je$us with anyone who will listen. G*d is good in the ways that He brings little gifts into our lives - last night was such a treasure and one that we won't soon forget!!

The morning after....WE SURVIVED!!!!!