Gorey Update !!!!!!!!

Hey y'all,

We've had an eventful few days here in Gorey spending time together as a team and with the Empire student leaders.  Monday was our free day, where we slept in while Riley and Mike made us a gourmet brunch.  After that,  we all went into town for a bit of souvenir shopping.  It was a day of french toast, fun, and friendship!

Monday night the leaders planned a time of worship for the team as well as the Irish student leaders and our good friend Stevo.  We had a candlelit service where Amy and Jack played some worship songs and Mike gave a talk about the life of Jonah and his ministry, and how we all need to trust God and trust what he is telling us to do here, even when it gets hard.  To end the night, all four leaders washed each student's feet just as Jesus washed his disciples feet on the night of the last supper.  We also washed the Irish leaders' feet and Steve's, which he expressed to us was a huge blessing.  To the leaders' surprise, our kids sat us leaders down and began washing our feet as well, wanting to serve us as we were serving them.  It was an emotional night for everyone and brought us all closer together as a family.  We invited the Irish back to our house for snacks and some silly games of charades.  It was a really fun opportunity to all worship and have fun together, Irish and American!

Here is what Bryan Zeug, a senior student on our trip, had to say about the night:

"Getting a chance to worship with the rest of my team and the Empire student leaders was a unique and special experience because it pulled the entire team closer together and gave us a chance to show the Empire leaders what we believe. While we've been telling them our beliefs throughout this trip, but worshiping with them let us live out our faith in front of them.  It was a powerful experience to see some of the student leaders singing along, praising God with songs that they had never heard before but connected with because of the message of the songs. I also loved the foot-washing experience, as our team was able to show how much we loved each other and were willing to support and serve each other. Everyone was crying and hugging by the end of the night and it proved that we are more than a team; we are a family."

Tonight we are having our annual Tie Dye night and tomorrow will be our second Open Mic/ Coffee and Convo Night, so please be in prayer for that and for the coming nights and activities until our last Empire session on Saturday night.  Talk to you all soon!

Amy & Riley (and Bryan)