Sand Blast day 3 part 2

Two years ago we started a tradition at Sand Blast that adds meaning, purpose, and a challenge to many of the students.

We started offering to baptize students in the Gulf of Mexico.

It’s a very emotional and celebratory time during Sand Blast, and I really look forward to it.

This year was no different. We went into this year knowing about some students who had expressed interest in getting baptized while at Sand Blast, but we always have more decide to be baptized while at Sand Blast.

So as Sunday afternoon carried on, we had several conversations with several students about what it mean to be baptized, not just here and now, but when we get back home and reality hits us square in the chest.

So after dinner we came together as a family and worshipped. Immediately after worship we headed to the beach. There was not a cloud in the sky. It was about an hour before sunset so the sky was partially blue and partially orange…it was beautiful.

As I walked into the Gulf of Mexico, I did notice on thing…strong south winds, which lead to another thing…

Big waves!!

As I was waiting for the 1^st student to walk towards me to be baptized, this huge wave that stood about as tall as me (5’9”) crashed into me, nearly knocking me to my knees…I was like oh boy!!

So as we are praying for the 1^st student, wave after wave was pounding us, tossing us around like rag dolls.

I remember thinking after the 3^rd student, “man this would be a lot nicer and calmer in the pool”!

But I could hear God saying “no, I want these waves to be a symbol to every student getting baptized here that this is how it’s going to be when they get home, problems and conflict will want to knock them down, but if they rely on Me, I will get them through it”.

I was like wow!!

And one of the best parts was some of our guy students walked out in the Gulf and stood in between us and the waves to serve as a buffer between us and the waves. They didn’t totally eliminate the waves, but their efforts really did help.

This also served as a symbol. God made us to live in community with each other, we can’t live life on our on, we need the community of friend who are by our side when the waves are more than 6 feet high, trying to break them down with us!

After baptisms, we met back in the gathering room and sang 2 celebratory worship songs…I got to play the djembe, it was awesome…I had so much fun playing the djembe, I was like a kid on Christmas!!

But that wasn’t the end of all the live changing awesome stuff God did at Sand Blast, you will have to tune in next time for a Sand Blast finale blog!!