Saturday, December 20, 2008

Transforming a City One Life at a Time





This last quarter 6 people from the fellowship got baptized in the beautiful Pacific Ocean right across the street from the Del Playa house – all of them but one had a past with drugs and alcohol. Holly and I feel so honored that the Lord has allowed us the pleasure of seeing His hand of mercy and grace extended to people in such a pivotal time in their life. Jesus said it best when He affirmed to the disciples that He did not come for the healthy, but for the sick; not for the righteous, but the sinner. It is a humble realization that our righteousness before God and the love He fills us with after coming to know Christ all originates in Him. The one guy who did not come out of the party background was a guy who grew up Muslim and had a radical encounter with Jesus that compelled him to give his life to Him. It has been such a place of joy and encouragement watching God transform a city and a generation one life at a time!

My chains are gone
I've been set free
My God, my Savior has ransomed me
And like a flood His mercy rains
Unending love, Amazing grace

(Amazing Grace by Chris Tomlin)

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Christmas in Isla Vista

Just wanted to do a quick post and check in with what is happening in this college town! Isla Vista is a very unique community in so many ways, and one of the unique things about it is that during the holidays it gets almost completely empty! Finals ended last week and now almost everyone is gone! The streets are empty and there will be plenty of parking for the next few weeks!

It is nice to take these slower seasons to just spend a little more "family time" together with the few IVC people who are still around, so we had a fun Christmas service in the prayer shed, complete with Jeremiah playing the baby Jesus :) We sang Christmas hymns, read the Christmas story verses, and even had a cello player! It was beautiful! This Friday we are having a Christmas party at our house with the few people left in town and then we will have a Sunday gathering at our house before we take off for Jason's parents' house in Monday! Should be lots of fun!