Day 2 started like a normal Sunday for most of us but instead of going to The Compass Church, we got to attend The Mission Church! The Mission Church is the church that Ritch and Laura Sandford planted. It’s been amazing to see the growth and how God is using the Sandfords to advance His kingdom. Our team loved meeting and spending time with the people of The Mission Church.

After church and a quick lunch, we started to prepare for the kids camp we will be helping with. After dinner, we heard the testimony of a husband and wife who grew up in polygamous households. They left that environment to join the mainstream Mormon church. Being a part of the Mormon church did little to satisfy that longing in their heart that only Jesus could satisfy. A little over a year ago, they both surrendered their lives to Christ and soon started attending The Mission Church. And just last week they were baptized! Praise God!

As our team listened to this couple share their story and pour out their hearts, I kept thinking, “How can someone grow up in an environment like this?” The couple said that from an early age, it’s all they know. You can’t help but go along with it because you don’t know any different. As they shared this, a verse came to mind. It’s 2 Corinthians 4:4. Paul writes, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” The Good News is so clear to us as Jesus followers, but the rest of the world literally can’t see it. They’ve been blinded. They can’t see the amazing gift Jesus holds out to them. They can’t see that there is another way. And this should break our hearts. Not because we feel sorry for them or that we are better than them – it could just as easily be us. Our hearts break because they are missing out on someone who loves them so incredibly much. So as we start kids camp tomorrow, pray for the people we will interact with. Pray that God opens up their eyes to His love and grace and the amazing life He offers as His child!

Scott