On Saturday morning, we had our final debrief in the hotel lobby of the Hampton Inn in Southfield, MI.

We answered 2 questions:  "What was your highlight of the week and how did you see God work throughout the week" and then we closed our time praying, thanking God specifically for the ways he blessed us in Detroit.

Below is what each team member said:

Ben - There was a bunch of highlights.  Monday the kids knocked me over it was funny.  On Friday we had the whole cafeteria do the "breakdown" which is a cool hand pattern where we pound on the table.

Naomi - I had a great time ministering with the jr hi.  I love going back to Detroit and reconnecting with people we met on previous trips.  Seeing Anthony's transformation over the past 3 years since we lead him to Jesus was very impacting. Jaque on other team, with his disabilities, was always so happy and praising God.

Josh - I really liked the block party.  I had the chance to talk with Camoni in our junior high day camp.  Towards the end of the week he really listened and understood salvation. Camoni said, "I didn't know I had to ask Jesus, just thought I had to love him."  I had the chance pray with him.

At beginning of week we went to Tony's church.  Some guys were working on a lawn mower in the street.  One guy, named "Iron Man" said to me If you are a real Christian, pray for me - so I did.  I was really blessed by that time.

Allie - Every time I come to Detroit, I think this is my last time.  Here I am 4 times later.  I see why I love the people of the city.  God loves his place.
I saw God work through the jr hi. Every day God answered prayer after prayer.  What broke the ice with the junior high students was when Robin said, "We don't have to be here."  Then they listened.  Everything fell into place.  During the small group times, they were so receptive.  If I come back, I'd work with jr hi again.

Kaity - My highlight of week was block party and seeing the kids again.  They remember everything about me from the previous time I came to Detroit! I saw God working in how the 2 churches meshed really well in how we all got along.

Steve - The block party is always very powerful to see their thankful hearts for hot dog & chips.  Meeting India, Anthony's wife and to see their apartment and the joy in their lives impacted me. See the blog from Tuesday night when Steve, Robin and Renee went to get dinner to see how Steve, Renee and Robin saw God at work.

Renee - (Added details to Tuesday night's blog) Kathy is the grandma & Deann is the granddaughter.  Kathy, the grandma also lost a grandchild at age 2 five years ago who would have been 7 today.  So this grandma had a lot of tragedy in her life.  My highlight was how we bonded so well with Harvest Baptist Church.  Having my husband Chet here to experience Detroit with me for his first time was also a highlight for me.

Robin - God gave me a peace that we were to be here.  Every role was fulfilled by each person in each way. Like Renee with the food, Chet with technology, Anthony and his relationship with Steve.  I feel humbled by the whole trip.

Nate - This is my 1st mission trip.  One highlight was winning euchre series with Michael as my partner against RJ & Josh.  I saw God work by ministering to kids that really didn't misbehave.  This trip also furthered my walk with God.

Michael - One of my highlights was winning the euchre series with Nate and the block party, talking to a lot of kids.  I saw God working through the kids at day camp.  Sometimes don't feel like they are listening, but when you talk to them, you see that they actually were listening.

Cody  - My highlight was block party and the cheese fries I ate on Wednesday night at the wave pool. When I couldn't swim at the wave pool because of an incoming storm, I was disappointed, but I saw God's sovereignty in all of this.  He showed me His supreme power over everything.

Elyse - My highlight was seeing the kids’ think I was Hayley & I was able to meet the kids Hayley impacted. I met the girl that my sister Hayley has same birthday that Hayley writes to every year.
I wasn't expecting to connect with Harvest's student ministry.  I was crying when Harvest left & when left CDC left.

I also was blessed when I pray with the gentleman on his doorstep during our canvassing on Monday night.

RJ - The whole week was one big high.  I was talking with a kid, Omar, about the gospel.  I never saw a lot of emotion from him.  I asked him about this week.  He said that this is the best week out of all of them.  I asked him why.  He said because "You are all fun, never boring." He noticed a difference in us.  He noticed our group was different.  We are here to impact.

How I saw God work - It's awesome to see people like Anthony years after walking with Jesus. It's so encouraging to see how God works years after year.  It was great seeing our team just being willing to serve.

At the block party - we all had a passion to share the gospel.  One guy, Michael, was smiling after Josh shared, giving the thumbs up.  Preaching in that area is not easy.  This is such an encouragement to see Michael man encouraged.

Kayla - There were so many highs & God things.  I loved getting to talk to Anthony. I sat there with Sam & Jessica and talked 20 - 30 minutes.  Our connection with Harvest was also a highlight.

The way I saw God work was in sharing gospel with Calyse and Cree and leading them to Jesus.

Every time I come to Detroit, God points out his plan more and more for me.  1st time He told me to be a teacher.  2nd time in Detroit, it was to serve Him in Detroit for a short time.   This is the 3rd time I'm in Detroit and I believe God may want me to serve Him here long term.

Chet - My highlight was the block party in seeing the playground getting used by the kids and how everything worked out well.  I was really afraid that things with Harvest might not gel.

Kayla - On Monday night I was canvassing and gave a girl a flyer but didn't know she was deaf - her mom told her, and then she was really smiling and happy, and she showed up at our block party.

Mario - On Saturday, RJ told me how he received a call to go into work to clean up flooding in Chicago, and that he could have made a lot of much needed money if he didn't go to Detroit, but RJ didn't regret serving in Detroit for one second.
I also prayed and saw how God gave us perfect weather for the block party and then saw it rain a lot on and off over the next week.  I really saw God working in the hearts of every one of our team members and was blessed.  There was such a willing humble heart that can only come from the Lord!