Sandcastle Outreach

Today we hosted a sandcastle building contest on the beach as an outreach event. Wearing our blue project shirts, we canvased he beach inviting literally every person we came across (easily several hundred) to a free sandcastle building contest for small teams; 3 categories with the winner of each recieving a $15 ice cream gift card. The idea was that we'd host the contest and engage and get to know the people that came, with the idea that they might stay around and chat afterward.

We had a good turn out, and a number of us joined up to help the teams. I wasn't on a specific team but went around getting to know the spectators. I first initiated with a family on vacation from Oklahoma, there with a couple of kids. Most of my time though I ended up spending with an extended family of African Americans from the Va. Beach area who were just there for the day. There were probably 6/7 young kids there working on the castle, along with 5 or 6 adults who would chip in and help when needed. Over the 45 minutes or so we were together, I got to meet each of them and make conversation; also helping the kids with ideas and a few rounds of high 5's when they finished. I made sure they knew we were with a Christian organization and talked about what we are doing here for the summer. It was absolutely amazing how much comradarie was developed in such a short time as we teamed up directly with all sorts of people that showed up. In the end, my team ended up losing in a very tight race for "most creative" with their turtle shaped entry, "Tim the Turtle." I was nearly as heartbroken as the little kids visibly were after we'd built such a positive rapport; but in a very kind gesture the winning team presented their prize to these kids as soon as it was awarded.

I wasn't able to talk with this family for long after the competition, knowing they were on their way out soon. They were however very impressed and showed genuine interest and gratitude for our group running such an event. They praised what we were doing with regards to ministry and gave many thanks, even asking if we would be around on other weekends throughout the summer. Before they left I was able to ask if there were any particular ways that we could be praying for them (to which they gave a few small things). Our goal is to always point people toward Christ, and even though I was not able to share the gospel with them, this felt like a hugely positive and meaningful experience that will leave them with very good thoughts concerning our group and faith in general.

After the event I could not believe how many people stuck around to talk. For over an hour after the event was finished, dozens of participants lingered to chat and hang out with us - a few of which extended long after the rest of us left. As I walked around I heard multiple places where the gospel was being shared, and other places where people were just hanging out like best friends even though they'd just met. About the time that you see a couple teenagers wearing all black, "goth" style clothes group hugging several project student teammates before parting ways; or watch as big frat guys pose for funny pics alongside project people; or when you finish sharing the gospel with someone who'd never really heard it on the night before they fly back to California; you know that God is very obviously at work. This event provided such an incredible "high" from the very natural relationships and spontaneous comradarie between so many, the simple joy from a fun activity, and the huge success it was that we were able to share the gospel with people who were honestly loving just hanging out and having a good time.