35 AFLBS students and graduates have just returned from a wonderful summer, filled with opportunities to share Jesus with others. 
The eight summer teams, with 35 Bible school students and graduates returned Saturday from their ten-week tour traveling through 35 states in a ministry of VBS, camp counselors and support personnel, and 75 concerts. It was a joy to hear their reports of lives changed, and Jesus being lifted up among young people and congregations.
Here are a few comments from team members:

• “This was probably the most rewarding summer of my life. It wasn't always easy, but in the end, now looking back I am so glad God put me on this team and used me for His glory. I have also grown to love and appreciate my teammates. Is 55:11-12.”
• “The Lord really opened my eyes to the need of sharing the gospel even more this summer. Matthew 9:37: "The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few," became more real to me. So many children and adults are hungry for God's Word and want to know the truth. A good portion of the kids we taught didn't go to church regularly and it was amazing to see God working in their lives even through a short time of hearing His Word!”
• “The first week…there were four kids who had never heard a thing about Jesus and so we were honored to be the first to tell them about Him. It was great to see their hearts so open. They didn't have Bibles so I called [my friend] and he brought some up for them. Summer team has been a tremendous blessing.”
• “It was really neat to see that God can use us to bless others…This whole summer has been a blessing. It was really encouraging to meet so many people on fire for God and so many churches that are preaching the Word faithfully… the thing that God showed me the most was his faithfulness. I praise God for this great opportunity to do this ministry and grow in Him. I would definitely do it again!!”
• “God showed me how faithful He is, not just in some things, but in all that He does. The Psalms were a great comfort to me, teaching me over and over to trust God, rest in Him, and committing my way to Him. God showed His faithfulness in how He really does use the weak and unwise. There were many times that I didn’t feel capable of another concert. I was either too anxious or too tired… But in all these things, it was so neat and fun (and humbling) to see how God was still working through us, ministering to and encouraging the congregations.”
• “I had the privilege to be with a kid when he accepted Christ and it was the most exciting thing in the world.”
• “God taught me so much of what it means to trust Him especially in situation I can’t understand or have any control over whatsoever. He also taught me to look to Him as my ultimate source of strength on the days I wanted to just give up. I learned that He is my song! God showed me His faithfulness when I felt betrayed, His sovereignty when I was lost, His love when I felt scared. I definitely was stretched and challenged in what it means to live my life as a ministry. There were certainly days I didn’t feel like ministering to others…but God gave me the strength and courage to not give up living for Him!! I felt a lot of the time that I was not worthy of being used by God for ministry; I saw realms of spiritual warfare in myself and others that I didn’t realize existed before this summer. But I also learned so much that Satan is a defeated foe and it was such a joy to proclaim that to others that were going through tough times! Jesus humbled me but then filled me with His love and joy as He continues to teach me what it means to be a follower of Him.”
• “It’s been a blessing every week I’ve been a teacher. When I look at the kids when I’m teaching, sometimes their mouths are wide open, or they’re not looking at me, so I think they’re not really paying attention. Then I hear from a family that one of the kids was telling the memory verse at VBS everyday to his unsaved parents and that he couldn’t stop telling them about the lesson. That was a real encouragement.”
• “I really bonded with several of our host families—a couple of them said they would even like to come visit us at AFLBS! I would love that! We were very blessed all summer with wonderful host families. It was a great part of the summer for me”!
• “It was an amazing summer. I learned and grew in so many different ways! I loved being with the kids and getting to be even a small part of their walk with the Lord or influencing them positively. God really worked through my heart to develop a genuine love for the kids I interacted with…I also learned a lot about how it’s not about me…God reminded me often that I am completely worthless without Him!”
• “It was awesome to hear from the kid’s parents. There was a boy that was really shy and didn’t seem like he was enjoying himself a lot. But the last day I had a good conversation with his grandma and she said, “once I get him in the car, he couldn’t stop talking about Jesus! This is the first time he’s heard all this, and he loves it!” And I was just totally blown away by what God had done there!”
• “I would certainly not be the same person if not for summer teams. Although not always easy, the chance to share the Gospel with kids is a wonderful opportunity and I probably learned more than the kids did.”
• “My favorite part of teaching the youngest group was that a lot of the time I’d be the first one to tell them about Jesus. What a huge privilege. Each time I’d tell them what Jesus did for us, they would be wide-eyed and open-mouthed. To see that fresh wonder each time brought that same wonder into my own mind. A lot of the time I take Jesus’ sacrifice for granted…but then a four year old would ask, “Why did Jesus have to die?” a fresh realization and thankfulness for what He did would come. Summer teams has taught me the importance of daily (more than daily) communication with God. Also, the importance of teamwork. It definitely wasn’t a one-man show. Most of all God has taught me a full-reliance on Him is necessary: His faithfulness to be in front of us and be our rear guard (Isaiah 52:12) was clearly shown. If we fully rely on Him, He’s not going to let us down. All the praise goes to God.”