Our First Official Week of Chapel Programs!

Hey there, folks! Before I begin this blog, allow me to explain the typical Chapel structure. The Boardwalk Chapel Staff stays here all summer, and youth groups or school groups come weekly to contribute to the programs and to learn different skills involving evangelism, music, & drama. The church or school groups run the Chapel programs on Thursday nights, so the staff can have a day off. Though, from what I've heard, this doesn't always work out (esp. if the groups are smaller), typically most staff do get the Thursday day of rest, which helps since the only other true time off is Sunday before evening service at the Chapel. I must admit that though I love working here, I have been looking forward to this day off for quite a while now (Last Thursday, we still worked because we were in training week).

So, now that you've got the basics, here's the dish: We've had a few chapel programs by this point, and things are going great. We had programs on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday (last night). Tonight, a musician and the visiting school group (West Mont Christian) will cover the program, and the chapel staff will be off work. However, a good bit of us will still go watch; I will especially because Ben & I helped quite a bit with their skit prep for tonight (We went in from 12:30-1:45 this afternoon though we're technically off). I am excited to watch and will probably be in an even better mood by the time the program starts since Isaiah & I get to go on a date tonight before the program. (Oh, how I have missed time alone with my husband that doesn't involve sleeping or feeling sick!)

Sarah has done a great job with music and organizing the programs in general, and Ginni has definitely added her own spin to the music as well. Last night some of my favorite songs were "Proud & Humble" (because Ginni showcased her jazz and scatting skills & Charlie--our house dad--played the guitar) and "Build Your Kingdom" (because it consisted of Chapel Staff & the school group that's here for the week & because the Englishes and I sang it when we were here last year, so it holds sentimental value). These songs drew a lot of people from the Boardwalk in, esp. "Proud & Humble." Also, added note, the West Mont Group brought their own homemade instrument which consisted of a stick, bells, and beads in two pans; it was awesome! Oh, and Megan definitely kills (in a  good way) when she sings & plays the piano, esp. because the lighting and the fan that's back there make her look like a princess.

As far as Drama is concerned, Ben & I have brought back some skits like "Lost Sheep & Lost Coin" & "Transformed" and have revamped & rewritten some old goodies in order to make them great: like "The Bill" (which is totally legit now!) and "Great Leap" (although we may work on that one more). We've also added a new one called "The Greatest Treasure," which I wrote. Ben's skit which he wrote, "Parachute" will be coming soon, and we'll add two more new ones this week, including one called "Dorm Life" once Griff-Dawg returns from his bro-bro's wedding. We're really enjoying making the Drama Program here stronger and more professional and hope to leave it in a really good place at the end of the summer. Ben & I have been so lucky to get so many talented actors this summer. They really are making things a lot easier. Alexandra, Teresa, Jed, and Suz are fantastic!

In addition to the skits themselves, set design and prop making is coming along great. The Conrads got us off to a really great start as far as props & sets are concerned by making items for some skits Ben is writing and some pieces for "Cave Life" (one of mine), "Dorm Life," and an extra black box. They also made a wooden cross which we are planning on putting out near the boardwalk area for evangelism purposes. The cross itself will hold about 10 unique art pieces which all concentrate on different parts of the Gospel Story (Creation, Fall, The Flood, Sacrifice of Isaac, Jesus' Birth, Crucifixion, Resurrection, Pentecost, Gospel to the Nations, Final Judgement, and New Heaven & New Earth). People are being given different parts of the story to paint along with corresponding bible verses. If all works out, we'll have a visual outline to evangelize people with and to draw them into the chapel. I got the idea from my old dance ministry, CrossMovement, and I am pumped to see how all of these artistic talents can be used for Visual Ministry.

We've added something called "The Spoken Word" this week as well, which I learned about from my church in Colorado. I started West Mont out with one of my old ones Tuesday & Wednesday, and tonight one their own, Lydia, is picking up where I left off. I reviewed her piece with her today and made a few tweaks. And it is fantastic! Girl has a natural gift for writing and speaking in power and with Spirit! Her friend Amanda, one of the best actors on their team, is helping her with it. West Mont performed a Chapel Classic, "Surfer," last night and will do it again tonight (Of course, we put our own spin on it this summer!) and are also doing "Heart," one that they brought and that Ben & I put to the song "Need you Now" by Plumb.

I'm excited for things starting to come together because one Ben & I are off and running, we can give each other breaks more often, taking turns teaching Staff & Youth Group throughout the week. As per now, we've both been doing everything, which is pretty tiring though totally worth it and good for our team building. Ben & I are pretty different people, but more and more I am seeing how we work together well and also simply how adorable & fantastic he is. After all, he loves Jesus & Dr. Who & writes for "Faking Star Wars," pretty nerdtastic and fabulous! What more could a partner ask for? And I mean that.

On a different note, Isaiah, the pastor's kid here: Claire Brooks, and I went night evangelizing Tuesday night (my first night out doing it since last summer), and it was wonderful. I'm pretty sure I'm addicted. We got the full gamut of experiences (flat out rejection, slight interest, and those willing to listen), and at the end of it, we visited our new friend & Japanese contact, Akira, at his tattoo shop "Oxygen." It was a great visit because we got to talk about Japanese culture, specifically suicide rates and how the Japanese often respond to Westerners (in a positive way).

Now, to get personal, I am happy to finally be in a good place again. After Saturday's program, during which I gave my testimony about lies, shame, guilt, sin & confession, I started being spiritually attacked in a way that I hadn't been in months. satan was really adamant about trying to make me feel that I don't fit here, am unwanted by Jay-Z and the rest of staff, and can't even minister here much less in Japan. he was really trying to get me.

But thankfully, with the help of my wonderful husband, caring and powerful texts from Isaiah's family and my mom, and Sarah & Susie Buckley, I am feeling better. I know that I am meant to be here. That God has me here with my husband to do His good work in Drama and in Evangelism and in Discipleship of the gals here in the Dunn House. I know that I am God's, a child of light & not of darkness! I pray that God would continue to help me fight & to fight for me because, honestly, the past few days were really rough. At one point, I really just wanted to go home to my mom & let Isaiah stay here and minister alone. I knew, after I had that thought, that satan was trying to thwart what was happening here in Wildwood. That was really the first time I realized that it was satan trying to attack me because that is so not a natural Calli thought. I want to  be around my husband always and minister with him. So satan screwed up there....Thank God! Please continue to pray that I speak my testimony and evangelize in boldness and that when satan comes to try to vanquish my light spirit and full heart, God would WIPE him OUT.

Looking forward to what tomorrow brings. Continue to be blessed, dear readers. And pray for ministry here. Not only that satan would stay away from God's children who dwell in this Dunn House. But also for general health, a lot folks are getting sick. And for Wildwood, New Jersey to hear the word of God and believe its Truth. All our love here at the Boardwalk. Until next time. :)