Recently, the Great Lakes Adventist Academy (GLAA) gymnastic team, the Aerokhanas (Aeros), experienced Christ's blessings as they helped others.

The Aeros set off for Highland View Academy (HVA) on Sunday morning, January 16, to conduct Week of Prayer for the academy. During the bus ride to Maryland, members of the team spent time preparing for the experience by studying the Bible and watching Doug Batchelor sermons.

Arriving at HVA, the Aeros were assigned to dorm rooms with HVA students, which gave them a chance to get to know each other better. The next day, students from the two schools enjoyed getting better acquainted while shopping and sightseeing in Washington D.C.

Each morning and evening, the Aeros presented worships for their new friends. During the day they provided gymnastic performances at area Adventist elementary schools. Free time was spent catching up on homework and getting to know the HVA students better, enjoying sports and other recreational activities together.

On Thursday night the Aeros performed their play, “Who is He?” This dramatic representation of Christ’s life focused on how others viewed Him. The powerful play incorporates Christ’s ministry and crucifixion. “The play was so real and touching, but I think it touched the team the most because we were a part of it, and it made us realize what Jesus did for us,” said Tom Trubey, a junior Aero.

This spirit continued on Friday night; the Aeros hosted an agape feast. Students shared great food, singing, and testimonies. It was a spiritual blessing for those who attended. Everyone joined together to worship God on His special day as the Aeros led out in the Sabbath school and church service the next day. Saturday night, excitement ran high as the Aeros performed their final gymnastics show for HVA students.

Before the Aeros left on Sunday, students from HVA gave a box to the team, which included many thank-you cards and notes confirming what a blessing the Aeros had been. One card had the names of both academies written on it and stated, “God brought us together,” which truly showed the feelings between the students of GLAA and HVA. In just one week, they grew closer to each other and to God. “We made friendships that we may not keep here on Earth, but we will renew in Heaven,” said Jake Rogers, a senior Aero.

While the Week of Prayer truly blessed everyone at HVA, the greatest blessing may have been to the Aeros who presented it. Jeremy Weaver, a senior Aero who gave one of the sermons, said, “It took a great deal of preparation to lead out in a Week of Prayer, but the more I prepared to tell others about my relationship with God, the closer that relationship became. I agreed to speak expecting God to bless others, but in the end this experience blessed me.”

And so it is through helping others in Christ’s name that we help ourselves. “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Alaina Elder is a development assistant and senior at Great Lakes Adventist Academy.