Well, it was up super early again. 11 am in Spain. But we’re not in Spain anymore, are we? I’m pretty sure the clock read 4 am. So why so early? HAPPY EASTER! Of course.
Seaside’s Easter sunrise service on the beach began at 6:30, so we had to get in gear at dark thirty. For us it has become like the Palm Sunday parade through town was for the tens of thousands of locals and tourists in Málaga. Just a really special time to celebrate Jesus and what he has done for us, as well as to join together with an incredible community of believers and seekers alike. And it’s all done out on the beach.
I have no idea how many people were there this year. It wasn’t Málaga’s tens of thousands. But it was definitely in the hundreds. There was rain all around Galveston. However, for the period of time we were on the beach, no rain. It was cold, too. Pretty strong north wind. But still, to put it scientifically, lots of people came. The music was powerfully. Kel shared the story of the resurrection. The pastor of the church that goes in with us on the event did an altar call. And then came the baptisms.
We were blessed to witness 12 baptisms. Kel knew of about 4 of them. So God called 8 more people of all ages to identify themselves with him. One big strong guy kind of panicked as he was going under, grabbed Kel, and took him under with him! Another was confined to a wheelchair. Kel adapted to that situation by pouring some water over his head.
It was pretty awesome.
After the service we hosted a few hundred people for breakfast. The breakfast team put together an incredible venue in our retreat center. Many brought breakfast dishes. About 800 breakfast burritos were available. Everyone had plenty to eat with plenty left over for the rest of the morning services.
And then … some of us hung around for the next worship service. And how many were at that service? 100. Pretty much maxed out the building. And God didn’t stop there. We had a third service with 90 more people. And those last two services were full of families with little kids. That’s some God doin’s.
During one of the services I noticed a little guy, maybe six or seven seated between two teenagers. He was giving them fits. Mom was seated behind them. She tapped the little guy on the shoulder. When he turned to receive the anticipated corrective measures, instead she gave the boy who was cutting up a handful of candy. His eyes lit up and stared at candy, then at Mom. Not what he expected. Slowly he turned and went to put it in his pocket. She stopped him and signed that he should eat it. Now his eyes got even wider. He started eating and was quiet the rest of the service
Here’s one about a little girl and her mom. Mom was getting some coffee. The cute little girl simply stare at a huge pile of candy in a dish. It was all I could do not to tell her it was fine for her to get some. Mom apparently noticed my struggle. She let her get some. As the Mom grinned at me and started to reach for her now-finished coffee, I told her, “I think I need to leave this room. I am a grandpa, and my answer to everything is yes.” She chuckled knowingly and kind of sighed, “We know about grandpas.” Yep. We are a species unto ourselves.
Matthew 28:6 says, He is not here! For He has been resurrected, just as He said. Come and see the place where He lay.
Father, thank you once again for all those folks you drew to the three services. Amen.
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