surf contest!!!

Are we really two months into 2011 already? My apologies for not staying up to date on my blogging. it's been a busy and awesome February.

I'd like to thank everyone that was praying for the christian surfers contest we put on last week. It was a huge success and blessing for all of us who put it on and for all the participants. We know that it was by the grace of God that it went soo well.

To start off, we had 2 weeks of no waves before the contest. And lo and behold the swell came in the day before the contest.

We opened the weekend friday night with an inscription party with two christian rock bands from the capital. It was a beautiful starry night as the bands played, competitors registered, and the bbq was sizzling. The fact that we were right on the beach helped the atmosphere as well. We found out later that evening that it was pouring rain ten minutes down the road.

We began the heats the next morning at 9 AM and the waves were not too big for the juniors or females, but big enough that the real surfers were able to manipulate the wave fairly easily. God allowed everything to begin smoothly and it was great having the christian surfer team from the states helping with judging and beach control. We packed up mid afternoon and prepared to watch the Bethany Hamilton surf movie on the beach that evening.

As we were setting up the screen and all the sound equipment for the movie night - there were dark clouds and wind all around us. I had received phone calls that there was rain close to us and that it was heading towards us. Regardless of the notice, we continued setting up and by the time the movie started there wasn't a cloud in the sky, the wind died down, and we were able to give a surfers care package to all the kids that showed up. We closed the evening with a couple bonfires on the beach.

We met Sunday morning at 8 AM for our normal beach service and after Jesus Perdomo shared some words with us - we began the semi - finals and finals. The waves were still good. Everything continued to run smoothly. We finished the last final at 3 PM and presented the awards to the victors right afterward.

We hosted competitors from all over the country in local christian host homes and there were at least a handful of amazing testimonies through the relationships formed via this weekend.

There were over 70 competitors, 12 volunteers from CS United States, and a beach packed with people hearing about God's love.

All glory goes to Him. Thank you all for your prayers and your continued support.