Reflection by Hannah Salami

During our time praying today at Pastor Israel and Mary's house, I got to experience something that I've never experienced ever before in my life. Throughout praying, I gained this feeling of realizing how powerful and how great our God actually is. I felt more accepted by him, and I felt as if everything I've been through this year and the years in my past have vanished and disappeared. I felt like I was in a sort of bubble praying with some of my teammates on the track team and with other athletes that were there.

Hearing especially Chris Klotz pray over Pastor Israel and Mary was incredible because he prayed with such power, love and faith for them. It made me feel as if this was a safe circle.

Some of the athletes also prayed with such love too, over them both for the baby that Mary is about to have. Then, Mary and Pastor Israel prayed over us after we were done praying and that was so cool because they didn't have to do that, but they did.

Getting to experience this was magical because I got to hear Pastor Israel and Mary and their friend pray in their Amharic language which was so cool! They talked so fast and with such deep voices when they prayed. I had happy and exciting feelings while praying at first because it was just so nice to see all my teammates showing strength towards one another.

Then, I changed to sad because I just felt so appreciative towards everything that was happening and the love that everyone on the mission trip had. Also, they prayed over me for my past failed relationships that I've had and that meant so much to me because I felt as if God is protecting me and watching over me throughout all the pain I've had in my past with relationships. I'm glad that I got to experience this!

Reflection by Rebecca Pierce

I saw God today. I saw him in the cool rain as I moved soccer tiles to a trailer. I saw Him in the third-grader named Brenda who asked what the word "jot" meant. I saw God as Evan comforted a stranger with a hurting heart and as Chase comforted a child with a hurting knee.

I heard God today. I heard him speak through a woman praying over us in another language. I heard him in the giggles of children being chased by Sara during tag. I heard him in Mary saying "your home is our home" and Pastor Israel saying "I want to be at your wedding, and I'll bring the food". I felt God today. I felt him in the worship song we decided to sing before discussing our day. I felt Him in shaking the hands of people who serve others relentlessly. I felt him more within me and that will be something that I seek after for the rest of my life.