God LOVES Fred!

This past weekend we had our family camp, and I will post on the family camp, But, first I want to share a story from this weekend! Fred is a young adult who attends the inner city church. Chris and I have met him a few times! And, we have had small talk in the past. But, on Saturday during the camp, we were playing "The Amazing Bible Race!" Very similar to the amazing race, just this was one that Chris and Darrek (our intern) had arranged for the families and camp attendees to participate in.

I believe some of our prayer partners we're praying for Chris and I on Saturday afternoon! Which would be very Early Saturday morning for all of our prayer partners!

About 1:00 we were to the last leg of the race, and each team had to have one member swim off shore to a pontoon "Dock" for swimming. Chris had swam out there and it was totally calm and like swimming in a pool. However, Fred jumped in the water for his team, and I was the next team up, so I (Melissa) was quick to follow him into the water. The Pontoon was probably 50 meters off shore. As I was swimming I came up and realized I couldn't see Fred in front of me anymore. I immediately stopped swimming and began treading water to look around, Fred was far to my left. He had gotten caught in the current and was being pulled out towards the mouth of the river, where the ocean and river meet.

I quickly turned an started screaming to shore, that no one else come out to the pontoon and that the current was too strong. As I looked at Fred he started to wave both his hands for help, then, one hand, and then he was starting to bob, and go under water. I all of a sudden was VERY afraid for Fred's life. And, started to swim as quickly as I could.

When I got to him he was underwater. Now, Fred is probably bigger than me, But, God is bigger than anything, and stronger than anyone and HE gave me the strength to pull Fred above water. I then continued to speak to him, and tread water for both of us, and tell him to calm down and try to float on his back, he was shaken and continued to wrestle a bit. I was "SCREAMING" to shore for help, and to a boat that was probably 10 metres away. But, the guys were just sitting there and not helping. In what seemed like forever to Fred and I , ( At moments, I was seriously afraid that I may drown as well, if no one helps... There was no way I was going to let one of our own young adults drown with out doing my VERY best, and I was more afraid of the fact that my kids were on shore watching! )

Luckily Chris saw we were in trouble, and he came out to help me pull Fred in. And, as Chris was ripping off his insulin pump, a lady on shore realized we needed help as well, and between the three of us, we were able to pull Fred to shore.

I say all this to say.. God LOVES Fred! God, was giving me the strength I needed to help Fred, I have barely had swimming lessons, let alone I have NO idea what to do to rescue someone drowning. And, God was speaking to me the whole time, telling me that HE was there, and He was going to hold, us up. In my "OWNNESS" I was afrai dand scared. But, when I was calling to God for help, He was speaking to Fred and I and telling us that we were going to be okay!

Today Fred is alive, not because of my actions, but because GOD was looking after us, and supplying us with the strength that was needed!

Fred, is going to be in Australia a bit longer. He is from Korea, and he said he will be in church worshipping God every Sunday! And, he is sooo thankful, God saved not just his physical life, but his spiritual life! Fred, had a head ache the rest of the day (probably from all the stress), and I had a belly ache from all the ocean water I swallowed. But, all in all we were totally fine!
God is good!