Whe have survived yet another exhausting day in Pittsburgh. 

This morning we went to serve the homeless and we met some new and cool peeps. It was very interesting to hear their stories and we all enjoyed it very much. It was not easy, as we were all put in a very new situation but I think we all jumped right in and made a huge impact. I (Annika) found myself sitting at a table full of homeless men thinking "How the heck am I going to keep these people engaged for a full meal." But, soon we were in deep conversation on the finer points of baseball, football, and hockey. It was really cool to see how God could use me to minister to people that I thought I wouldn't be able to connect with at all in the beginning.

Hey it's JOJO again,

Everything Annika said is true and it is all very amazing.  SO after we came back from lunch with the homeless people we all had a meeting about our VBS. We (Dave) decided that we would have our last VBS day tonight....and we did...and IT WAS SO AWESOME!!!!!!!!! God made it so packed with fun things to do and we ended up doing 2 lessons and combining 2 skits into 1 longer skit for the kids. I would have to say that every night was getting better and better. We ALL  became even more exhausted each time, but it was worth it. Serving God's children gives me such a feeling of peace and Joy and I love how everyone of us are all His Children. Praise Jesus for loving us all so much and Praise Him for bringing us here safe and sound. Yes, We are all very tired BUT it feels so good when you are serving the Lord. After serving Jesus each day We feel a tiredness that is satisfying and awesome! This trip is DEFIANTLY helping our team and I grow closer and closer and closer to Jesus Christ! I do NOT regret coming on this trip!!!!!!!!! I want to do this all day, every day, 24/7! Serving Jesus gives me PURE JOY. I have also seen how much our team (family) has become even more on fire for Jesus! I LOVE IT! I LOVE YOU JESUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

OK now it's Annika's turn again!!!

The last night of vbs was great! The kids gave us these gifts and sang a song for us that just brought tears to my eyes because I was able to see the impact that we have already made in their lives that will last forever. I am sad to see our work in the vbs end but rejoice in the fact that God brought us here to touch these kids and that we now have the opportunity to continue our ministry elsewhere. I can't wait to see what God does tomorrow and in the future.

Also short update. Today two members of our team (Joel and Phil) were feeling a little bit under the weather but took some time to rest and are now feeling a bit better (no need to worry mrs kropp and mrs gamble:). It was great to see how God gave them the energy to continue working for him even when they weren't feeling very good. But, please be praying for restored health as we head into the home stretch of our trip.

"well great" -joel kropp 2k17

fin