After 13 hours of driving, some rain in Maryland and slow city traffic we made to to Washington DC! We really were blessed with outstanding driving conditions and safety. Thank you to everyone that was praying for us throughout the day yesterday during our travels!!!

I tried to update this blog last night, however, I was sooo tired and attempted to do it, but my eyes would not hold out.

After we got our stuff settled in we went out for dinner to a Thai Cuisine restaurant. It was sooo good and I did not hear one person say that they didn't like it. Although, we are still not real sure exactly what the meat was (I found out later some of it was Tofu!) Here are some pics from there.














Full tummies make for HAPPY CAMPERS!!!!










After we ate we went on a Prayer Tour of the city. We covered so much area it was pretty unbelievable. Our first stop was the Washington Monument where we stood in the middle of everything and everyone and prayed. It was awesome!




We also sent to a spot across from the Supreme Court Building. There we prayed for our local leaders, presentation of the people in DC and the Judiciary System. We are not able to go on the other side of the road here because if we were caught praying directly in front of this building we could actually be arrested for a public form of protest! In America! Can you believe it??!




We also spent some time in a part of town called Anacostia. This is the poorest part of DC. 80% of the residents in Anacostia are on food stamps, welfare and other government aid programs. This area really seemed to leave a solid impression on the kids. This is actually the part of town that we will spend most of our time (VBS and such). So, I am really excited to see how God works in them as this site.

We also got to see the National Cathedral. It was BEAUTIFUL! We spent time praying there for the churches in DC, our church and the churches of the world.




Each student (and leader) was given the a NLT of the New Testament last night along with a journal and highlighter. Each student was challenged to highlight verses in the bible they thought were important/inspirational. These bibles are not for us to keep, but to leave here in DC. They can give them to someone they met on a ministry site, a student at VBS, a homeless person on the street....basically whomever they feel called to give the book to. I am hoping this will be a key memory of this visit.

Moms and Dads; All the kids are doing GREAT! I have already seen new friendships start as we have randomly mixed up the vans for travel as well as today's work groups. I have not heard yet one negative comment and everyone is all smiles. You should be very proud!

We have some great ministry opportunities today and cannot wait to hear from everyone at the end of the day!!! I would tell you now, but then you would know what to expect from the next Blog.

I would like to encourage you to leave comments for any students or the group here. The kids do think it is cool. Also, if you are a parent or prayer partner, friend or other family member of anyone in the group and want to send a specific message to some one you can e-mail it to them at audreybeute@sblendonrc.org.

I hope you find this update enjoyable and informative! I hope I can make it up late enough tonight to update you this evening, otherwise check back in the a.m. I have also put an update on my voicemail at church.


PEACE!!!

Audrey and Gang

Dear Lord.....

PLEASE let everyone get up and to church on time.


AMEN!

Keep an eye out for an update Sunday night on how our travels went :)

God Bless

Audrey

22 hours from right now....

22 hours from this minute we will more than likely be waiting in the church parking lot to depart....we will probably also be cold and sleepy (much like I am now).

I know, personally, I can say that I have felt prayer directly thru this week and it is awesome. I feel very calm and prepared going into this trip. Thank you all so much for your prayers, cards and words of encouragement.

On another personal note, Nate has had a fever for the past few days. We will more than likely be going to the med center this morning to get it checked before we leave. If you have a chance, please pray that he gets/stays healthy while we are gone....guess that can go on to the rest of the kids as well (and also Mac's kids and Phyl's kids/grandkids). There is nothing worse than having kids at home sick and being STATES away!

We meet at church tomorrow morning at 4:30 a.m! Anyone that wants to come out and join us is more than welcome too!!!

PEACE!

Audrey

4 Days and Counting.....

I am not real sure that any one is checking out this blog before we leave. If you are....

We have 4 days until we leave.

I know that MANY of the LifeQuest students are very concerned about what they are going to encounter while on this trip...

• We are the minority race in the area we are staying.
• We are eating food we have never tried before.
• We are serving the terminally ill, the addicted and the homeless.
• We are sleeping on cots, not in our comfortable beds at home.
• Students are being "cut off" from the outside world as they are stripped from all cell phones, iPods, video games, etc.

I know many students are going into this with hesitation, apprehension and uncertainty.

Please spend some time in prayer the next 4 days for the students specifically feeling this way. Pray that they are able to leave all these anxious feelings, expectations, pre-conceptions and worries at home so that they can just go and experience what God has planned for them. Pray that their hearts be open to feel God's love and grace. Pray that they are able to take in the beauty of Washington DC as well as all the pain of the poverty that is there. Pray that the students will let their guards down to form stronger (maybe even new) relationships within the group. Pray that they will be able to form a stronger (maybe even new) relationship with Christ.

Please pray for the sponsors and their families as we prepare for this trip as well. Pray for them as they prepare to leave their spouses, children, work and homes. Pray that they feel God's strength to help them get thru the week. Pray that the sponsors are also left with some new perpective on things. That we too can form new and stronger relationships.

This trip is intended that we not only help people less fortunate and that we give back to society and that we take time to serve God. Don't get me wrong that all those reasons are extremely important. However, it is also so that these kids will experience the power of God. That these kids will not only know what it feels like to IMPACT someones life....but hopefully come back IMPACTED as well.

Here is a list of people going on the trip.

Audrey B.
Nick B.
Mac D.B.
Phyl V.
Brandon A.
Trisha A.
Jason D.W.
Kari D.W.
Jon F.
Ben H.
Bryce H.
Tiarra H.
Cassidy K.
Brandon K.
Andrea L.
Alyssa M.
Heather M.
Travis R.
Hannah S.
Amanda T.
Jon V.
Alizabeth Z.

Thank you all of you that have given us support as we prepare for this trip....without the financial support, encouraging words, thoughts and prayers we would never have been able to go.

Keep checking for updates while on the trip!!!!

Audrey

Welcome to the LifeQuest Blog. This Blog was specifically created to keep you all updated with photos and stories of our time of service while in Washington DC.

It will be udpated as much as possible (depending on internet availability while we are there). We encourage you to post comments on here while we are gone also. Keep us informed as to what is going on at home, encouraging thoughts and prayers or just funny stories.