Week 1-Briarwood Baptist Church & Mt. View Baptist Church

Rosamond

Bible Club Rosamond had a great first week thanks to the Spirit-filled efforts of Mt. View Baptist Church. With the exception of a few runners, almost all of the children were extremely well behaved, and every one of them enjoyed each station. The games got better and better throughout the week, crafts was always top notch, and I have never heard so many children able to repeat the Bible story to me. I remember one moment, right after hearing the story of Jonah and the whale, little Chi Chi ran away from the Bible story station. I went up to her and asked her what she was doing. She started acting all cute as to not get in trouble, so I started acting like a missionary and asked her about the Bible story. She started telling me all about the story! “This guy who God said go here and he said, "I’ma go here" and a big fish swallowed him three days!” Each part of the story came with its own set of motions and excited movements. She continued to finish the entire story and I was so impressed that this little 6-year-old girl who used to never pay attention was retaining so much of the Bible story. There truly is power in God’s Word. I am so thankful for the hard work of this team and their willingness to love these kids. It really gives me joy to see the kids I had spent a summer growing to love last year continue to be cared for and loved by others. So please, everyone be praying for the next 8 weeks and the next 8 churches who will be here, hand-picked by God, to bring Jesus to the streets. The harvest is plentiful.
-Kaden

National

Towards the end of the week, during one of our morning meetings together as a team, I shared 1 Peter 4:8-11: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace; whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” God reminded me of these verses as a reflection of the attitude this team had all throughout the week. 
To kick off the summer at National, Briarwood Baptist Church from Watkinsville, Georgia came to serve. At the beginning of the week they had no idea what to expect, but had the most willing spirit to serve, unified as a team. It was something special to see such willing and giving spirits in a team right from the start, and that never faded throughout the week. Briarwood Baptist laid a foundation for the summer and for all the teams that will serve at National. They knocked on door after door, and on one route they were bringing back 20 plus kids from just one street consistently! Our record day was on Wednesday when 60 kids came to Bible club. As I was talking to some of the kids this week who had arrived early at Bible club I asked, "Why do you come to Bible club every day?" and they responded "To learn about Jesus." Already, in just the first week of the summer, God’s name is shining forth and these kids are listening to the teams as they share Jesus in word and action. Briarwood took the initiative to leave what may have been comfortable and provide lots of energy for the kids to feed off.
Over the past few summers as I have been honored to be able to write about the happenings at National, I have yet to write about a team that is so willing with servant’s hands open and feet going, doing, and being in this community. Their willingness to serve and love is what made the week a fabulous start to the summer. To both me and Sarah T. (Jr. Staffer), they were a huge encouragement to keep going this summer no matter what the circumstances and there is no doubt God handpicked each one of them to be here this past week to get us ready for the next eight weeks of the summer. Thank you for the encouragement, Briarwood Baptist, that you brought to the kids at National and to us as an entire Street Reach staff. Just as Peter says, all glory to Jesus Christ. He deserves it all! 
-Gaby 

Guernsey

This week, Guernsey Bible Club was nothing short of being incredibly blessed. God had His hand on each home, family, child, and missionary. There was no team to run Bible Club at Guernsey for week 1, but the Street Reach staff willingly and joyfully stepped up to serve the community. We had Bible Club at Guernsey every single day this week, and the numbers blew us away. 77 kids came out on Wednesday! There are already over 100 kids enrolled at Guernsey Bible Club, and the fruit is hanging low for the coming 8 weeks. The kids who came all week were able to memorize five Bible verses that will most likely stick with them throughout the entire summer. They also acted out the Bible stories and understood them as the missionaries put them into cultural context. Games, crafts, and songs were hopping with tons of fun activities—the kids didn't get a chance to be bored, even for a second! It was beautiful to see how many children came back from previous summers and were so ready to be loved on and poured into. Personally, I was so encouraged to see how many kids' attitudes have been changing as they grow older and grow in the strength, love, and light of the Lord. Me, Sarah S., and the rest of the staff are waiting excitedly and expectantly to see what God is going to do at Guernsey this summer. Be praying for our mission teams and children, because God wants to do BIG stuff at G-street this summer!
-Holly

"Walk about Zion, go around her, number her towers, consider well her ramparts, go through her citadels, that you may tell the next generation that this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever."
Psalm 48:12-14