TruthQuest Journals:

Tim
PACIFIC BEACH, Calif. (BP)--Today began our first real action of California. The first real shocker for the team was the announcement from Joe that they were pulling the plug on all of the electronics. We no longer have movies, music, or Internet, and our phone calls are limited to five minutes per day. I personally do not have a problem with this new policy, but I must admit that it is going to be hard tomorrow on the bus traveling to Yosemite for nine hours. The worst way this will affect me is that I always listen to some music while I’m writing or during my quiet time. Some soothing and peaceful music always lets me relax and concentrate. However, I am not going to let anything of this nature get me down.

We met up with some people from Coastland Church today and helped them with an outreach ministry on the beach called Beach Reach. We handed out free sodas, sunscreen, and water. There was also a surfer’s balance beam and a bunch of drums that anyone was free to play. It was a whole lot of fun, but also quite an experience. It was our first real chance to test our new witnessing technique that Bill Fay taught us. I was a little bit nervous and skeptic if it would really work, but it did. My first person that I witnessed to was named Luke. He was open to hearing what I had to say but did not really respond. What was really cool was that he said someone had told him exactly what I did less than a week ago. I really feel that God wants to work in him. I just hope that someone else can come up to him and talk to him again now that he has his wheels turning.

Surfing was such an experience. I was frightened at first of the stingrays, but after five minutes I forgot my fears out of excitement. It was so much more fun than I expected, and I had high expectations. To feel yourself on top of a wave that is just carrying you at its wish is an incredible feeling. It felt like a mere ten minutes when they told us we had to come in, and I was ready for another couple of hours.

Tonight, after the sunset, we all spread out over the beach and prayed by themselves. It was so powerful to look out over the vast ocean and the full-starred sky above. All the distractions were away for those brief moments, and I had the greatest moments of this trip so far. I felt God’s presence in such a way that I just burst out in worship and joy as I walked down the beach. By this time, all of the other team members had gathered together, but I was so hesitant to leave that moment that I continued walking and singing. I’m almost glad we have such a long trip tomorrow so I can get my Bible out and spend some serious time in the Word.

Today was a great day, and it is followed by a great down day tomorrow. Our first leg of the trip is completed, as we will be leaving San Diego tomorrow. It already seems like the days are getting shorter and shorter and I’m sure the trip will be over before I even know it. I just wish to can change some lives before its over, and hopefully mine.

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