So I recently shared about our summer theme, Beloved! We want our families to know they are dearly loved by the Almighty.  They are also loved by yours truly. The video above makes me smile because these babies have just stolen my heart! Last week, I had a moment while waiting to cross a busy street in the South Bronx where I realized... this is my home.  I live here. I live in the Bronx. I'm a part of Graffiti 2. This is certainly not the first time I've had this feeling and they happened more frequently when I first moved to New York.  While the moments are few and far between, they serve to remind me of how faithful God is. 

Not too long ago I was having dinner with a group from church.  They were all young adults from G2 that were a part of program as children and youth. Soon they began to reminisce and it was not long before they were pulling up videos.  The video above was one that was shown.  They all laughed at how young they looked but I had a completely different realization.  This video was used as a part of Lifeway's Big Apple Adventure, the VBS I learned where I learned and taught about Graffiti 2.  While Proof was the star of the show, the kids in this video stole my heart back then just as my kids in the video have done.  I  knew G2 was where the Lord was calling me to be.  This was in 2011.  Fast forward to 2019 and I am looking around Andrew's apartment at the group of young adults that were some of the kids in these videos.  Talk about full circle! Not only has the Lord allowed me to  serve in the place I fell in love with, but also to be able to share His love with crew I already loved many moons ago! 

Graffiti 2 summer activities are around the corner! July 9th will kick off our annual sports camp and our first ever day long camp! Tuesday through Friday, 9:00AM-12:00, G2 will hold sports camp at People's Park in the South Bronx.  We will get to serve along side amazing mission teams from partner churches.  Each morning will begin with our morning rally where our dedicated interns will pump up the group of up to 100 kids and leaders with energy filled songs and help teach our summer verse, 1 John 4:7-8.  We want our kids, students, and families to leave each day knowing that because they are dearly loved by God they can love others dearly! 

We will have 10 G2 Kids and 10 G.S.A.L.T. stay with us for our day long camp.  We will head back to the church with us for a delicious lunch and our afternoon activities.  In addition to recreation, writing centers, math centers, and field trips our group will continue to dive into God's Word.  Check out what we will be learning: 

WEEK ONE
One Thing: I am dearly loved by God
Memory Verse: God showed how much he loved us by sending his one and only Son into the world so that we might have eternal life through him. 1 John 4:9 (NLT)
Bible Story: The Prodigal Son- Luke 15:11-32
I can trust that: Though I act unlovable, and a sinner, God sent Jesus to sacrifice his life for my sins, whether I choose to follow him or not. 

WEEK TWO
One Thing: God invites me to trust in His love by following Jesus 
Memory Verse: All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God.  We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. 1 John 4:15-16
Bible Story: The Samaritan Woman- John 4:4-26
I can trust that: Nothing else in which I put my trust can save me from my sins.  Jesus can be trusted because He IS the son of God. He rose from the dead and is with God in heaven.  He can live in my life by me simply sharing with others that “I believe he is who he said he is.” 

Week 3
One Thing: By following Jesus, I learn to love like He loved. 
Memory Verse: God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.  And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. 1 John 4:16-17
Bible Story: Saul/Paul Acts 9:1-18, 26-31
I can trust that: Loving others is hard when they do unlikable things.  Jesus not only teaches me valuable lessons, but his Spirit lives inside me helping me to love through all the struggles. 

Week 4
One Thing: By loving like Jesus loved, I can show others how dearly loved they are to God. 
Memory Verse: No one has ever seen God.  But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us.  1 John 4:12
Bible Story: The Conversion of the Ethiopian Official Acts 8:26-40
I can trust that: With Jesus’ Spirit in my life, helping me to love others, I show the world that they are dearly loved by God when I tell them about Jesus and love them like Jesus. 

Please join Graffiti 2 in praying for our students and families as they learn about God's love for them and the gift of salvation we have been given through Jesus Christ! 

You can also use this prayer calendar to help us pray this summer! 

June 30-July 6—Pray for Graffiti 2 in our search to find an individual to serve as Youth Director.
July 7-13—Pray for Clearview Baptist Church (Franklin, TN) who is helping us host a basketball camp.
July 14-20—Pray for First Baptist Church (Dothan, AL) who is helping us host a backyard Bible club.
July 21-27—Pray for Forest Baptist Church (Forest, MS) who is helping us host tennis camp.
July 28-August 2— Pray for Colorado Christian University and First Baptist Church (Kingsport, TN) who are helping us host a soccer camp.