This post will be short because I'm tired. It's 12:15 am Tuesday and I just got to my room from meeting with people. Here's how the day went.
9 - 12 VBS - Great time. We had 8 kids and the spirit was great. This church has never had a VBS so we were excited to see kids coming. The parents even stayed in and watched and they got good Bible teaching and even did some of the activities with us.
12 - 1 - Lunch and regroup time
1 - 4 - Remodel and Shop Ministry. The remodel is going fast. We have painted over half the building and have started rearranging the furniture per Robert Klemples design. The church members are popping in to see what we are doing and they are pleasantly shocked. Robert the colors look great.
We also had a group go into the Main Street area and sweep, pick up trash, shake hands and just let the people know who Harvest House is. We had a great response and the people were fairly friendly. In fact a few shop owners even let us put flyers in their windows advertising the block party.
5 - 9 - Block Party. HUGE, HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS!!! I can't say it any better. We fed well over 70 people and many more came by but didn't eat. Wewere right downtown and this community walks everywhere so probably 70 more people walked by but didn't stop but they heard our music and watched. harvest House members helped out and the comradery between our churches was wonderful. The church next door (Methodist) even participated by surprise. A gentleman came and ate with us that we believe was the Pastor. He came over and asked what we were doing and we invited him to eat. He did and even sat down and listened to our Youth Praise Team sing. We also had one of the young couples walk by and join us.
We are looking forward to Thursday doing a block party again at the same location. But rain is expected all day. We ask the Lord to change that because we do believe a major impact is possible.
From 9 - Midnight - Tami and I met with the Pastor and their finance people on budgeting, P.O.'s as well as checks and balances within the church. The meeting went well but they are on the front end of a long process to see where God will take them. Pray that the people will get behind the budget and tithe. Thank you Aspen Park for all you do. Your money is making this trip possible. We are using your money for ministry in Towanda.
Person of the Day:
Diane - Diane is a working fool. She jumped out there today and headed up the painting. She started at 9:00 this morning with George painting in a back room and by 4:00 when she stopped she had about 5 people painting and half the building is completed. She didn't even stop for lunch. We brought her back some food so she would eat. Then she made snowcones for 3 hours at the block party in sweltering heat. She is a real trooper and it is evident she was suppose to be on this trip.
Well it's now about 12:30 so I need to get some sleep. A long day again tomorrow starts soon.
God bless you all and keep praying we feel it.
Tom
Monday, July 31, 2006
Monday
This post will be short because I'm tired. It's 12:15 am Tuesday and I just got to my room from meeting with people. Here's how the day went.
9 - 12 VBS - Great time. We had 8 kids and the spirit was great. This church has never had a VBS so we were excited to see kids coming. The parents even stayed in and watched and they got good Bible teaching and even did some of the activities with us.
12 - 1 - Lunch and regroup time
1 - 4 - Remodel and Shop Ministry. The remodel is going fast. We have painted over half the building and have started rearranging the furniture per Robert Klemples design. The church members are popping in to see what we are doing and they are pleasantly shocked. Robert the colors look great.
We also had a group go into the Main Street area and sweep, pick up trash, shake hands and just let the people know who Harvest House is. We had a great response and the people were fairly friendly. In fact a few shop owners even let us put flyers in their windows advertising the block party.
5 - 9 - Block Party. HUGE, HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS!!! I can't say it any better. We fed well over 70 people and many more came by but didn't eat. Wewere right downtown and this community walks everywhere so probably 70 more people walked by but didn't stop but they heard our music and watched. harvest House members helped out and the comradery between our churches was wonderful. The church next door (Methodist) even participated by surprise. A gentleman came and ate with us that we believe was the Pastor. He came over and asked what we were doing and we invited him to eat. He did and even sat down and listened to our Youth Praise Team sing. We also had one of the young couples walk by and join us.
We are looking forward to Thursday doing a block party again at the same location. But rain is expected all day. We ask the Lord to change that because we do believe a major impact is possible.
From 9 - Midnight - Tami and I met with the Pastor and their finance people and budgeting, P.O.'s as well as checks and balances within the church. The meeting went well but they are on the front end of a long process to see wher God will take them. Pray that the people will get behind the budget and tithe. Thank you Aspen Park for all you do. Your money is making this trip possible. We are using your money for ministry in Towanda.
Person of the Day:
Diane - Diane is a working fool. She jumped out there today and headed up the painting. She started at 9:00 this morning with George painting in a back room and by 4:00 when she stopped she had about 5 people painting and half the building is completed. She didn't even stop for lunch. We brought her back some food so she would eat. Then she made snowcones for 3 hours at the block party in sweltering heat. She is a real trooper and it is evident she was suppose to be on this trip.
Well it's now about 12:30 so I need to get some sleep. A long day again tomorrow starts soon.
God bless you all and keep praying we feel it.
Tom
9 - 12 VBS - Great time. We had 8 kids and the spirit was great. This church has never had a VBS so we were excited to see kids coming. The parents even stayed in and watched and they got good Bible teaching and even did some of the activities with us.
12 - 1 - Lunch and regroup time
1 - 4 - Remodel and Shop Ministry. The remodel is going fast. We have painted over half the building and have started rearranging the furniture per Robert Klemples design. The church members are popping in to see what we are doing and they are pleasantly shocked. Robert the colors look great.
We also had a group go into the Main Street area and sweep, pick up trash, shake hands and just let the people know who Harvest House is. We had a great response and the people were fairly friendly. In fact a few shop owners even let us put flyers in their windows advertising the block party.
5 - 9 - Block Party. HUGE, HUGE, HUGE SUCCESS!!! I can't say it any better. We fed well over 70 people and many more came by but didn't eat. Wewere right downtown and this community walks everywhere so probably 70 more people walked by but didn't stop but they heard our music and watched. harvest House members helped out and the comradery between our churches was wonderful. The church next door (Methodist) even participated by surprise. A gentleman came and ate with us that we believe was the Pastor. He came over and asked what we were doing and we invited him to eat. He did and even sat down and listened to our Youth Praise Team sing. We also had one of the young couples walk by and join us.
We are looking forward to Thursday doing a block party again at the same location. But rain is expected all day. We ask the Lord to change that because we do believe a major impact is possible.
From 9 - Midnight - Tami and I met with the Pastor and their finance people and budgeting, P.O.'s as well as checks and balances within the church. The meeting went well but they are on the front end of a long process to see wher God will take them. Pray that the people will get behind the budget and tithe. Thank you Aspen Park for all you do. Your money is making this trip possible. We are using your money for ministry in Towanda.
Person of the Day:
Diane - Diane is a working fool. She jumped out there today and headed up the painting. She started at 9:00 this morning with George painting in a back room and by 4:00 when she stopped she had about 5 people painting and half the building is completed. She didn't even stop for lunch. We brought her back some food so she would eat. Then she made snowcones for 3 hours at the block party in sweltering heat. She is a real trooper and it is evident she was suppose to be on this trip.
Well it's now about 12:30 so I need to get some sleep. A long day again tomorrow starts soon.
God bless you all and keep praying we feel it.
Tom
Sunday, July 30, 2006
What a Great Day in the Lord
Today started off like any other Lord's Day. We all got in the cars and headed off to church. But when we started interacting with the people God started opening up the lines of communication. We attended Sunday School and Worship with them this morning. Then after lunch the work started. Here was our day in a nutshell.
12 - 1 Lunch
1-3 Unload the trailer, start setting up for VBS, Setup for evening service, Sound check for Praise Team and Youth Praise Team, move furniture in preschool and childrens area in preparation for tomorrows remodeling.
3 - 5 Conferences with Harvest House members and staff. The following Conferences took place all over the building: Praise Team, Worship, Media Library, Childrens Choir concepts, Youth Leadership and teaching, Sound and Vido Projection, Computer Basics.
5 - 6 Get ready for evening service
6 - 7:30 We led out in evening service and had fellowship time with members afterward
7:45 - 8:30 Dinner
8:30 - 10:00 met with Pastor Arnie and Peggy at their house - Great fellowship time.
As you can see it was a great day. I mentioned that I would share something unique about why somebody was to come on this trip. I have 2 for you.
George - A young lady has wanted to participate and maybe lead out in library ministry but didn't know how to do it. George was the man for the moment. He came ready and now there is excitement in this young lady for what God can do in Media Library
Ashleigh - There is a young lady that is into demolition derby and hunting. This was right up Ashleigh's alley and there is a real connection being built there.
There's more to say but it's 11:00 right now and VBS is fast approaching. So I will close. Please pray for us as we are hitting some resistance. Even this evening a local basically told me off in a restaurant about how things are done. When I tried to deal with a buffet situation of cleanliness by not using a utinsil that fell on the floor he proceeded to tell me that "we don't have health rules around he and I needed to get over it." There was a reference made to me that I'm not from around here and (then he stopped). So I just smiled, said I was sorry for the confusion and went to my table.
We are just nipping the iceberg to the anger that abounds here towards God's work. But we expected it and as it says in Joshua 1:9 ". . Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go". We claim this verse and will stand on it this week.
Have a great day and I will talk to you tomorrow.
Tom
12 - 1 Lunch
1-3 Unload the trailer, start setting up for VBS, Setup for evening service, Sound check for Praise Team and Youth Praise Team, move furniture in preschool and childrens area in preparation for tomorrows remodeling.
3 - 5 Conferences with Harvest House members and staff. The following Conferences took place all over the building: Praise Team, Worship, Media Library, Childrens Choir concepts, Youth Leadership and teaching, Sound and Vido Projection, Computer Basics.
5 - 6 Get ready for evening service
6 - 7:30 We led out in evening service and had fellowship time with members afterward
7:45 - 8:30 Dinner
8:30 - 10:00 met with Pastor Arnie and Peggy at their house - Great fellowship time.
As you can see it was a great day. I mentioned that I would share something unique about why somebody was to come on this trip. I have 2 for you.
George - A young lady has wanted to participate and maybe lead out in library ministry but didn't know how to do it. George was the man for the moment. He came ready and now there is excitement in this young lady for what God can do in Media Library
Ashleigh - There is a young lady that is into demolition derby and hunting. This was right up Ashleigh's alley and there is a real connection being built there.
There's more to say but it's 11:00 right now and VBS is fast approaching. So I will close. Please pray for us as we are hitting some resistance. Even this evening a local basically told me off in a restaurant about how things are done. When I tried to deal with a buffet situation of cleanliness by not using a utinsil that fell on the floor he proceeded to tell me that "we don't have health rules around he and I needed to get over it." There was a reference made to me that I'm not from around here and (then he stopped). So I just smiled, said I was sorry for the confusion and went to my table.
We are just nipping the iceberg to the anger that abounds here towards God's work. But we expected it and as it says in Joshua 1:9 ". . Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go". We claim this verse and will stand on it this week.
Have a great day and I will talk to you tomorrow.
Tom
Saturday, July 29, 2006
We're in Towanda
Well after 23 hours of driving across 2 days we are in Towanda. We rolled in about 4:00 this afternoon. Satan continued to throw things at us even as stupid as cancelling our rooms the day before. But God knew it and kept them from being rented out even though they are sold out. Diane flew and beat us to the hotel and she took care of getting us rooms. God is still in control
We met with Pastor Arnie and his wife Peggy. We toured the church and settled a group into their basement. We drove around the city and went out to eat. We then had a relaxed time and while some swam in the hotel pool others met and we laid out a plan of attack that will start tomorrow.
We will be attending Sunday School at 9:15 and Worship at 10:25. Then the fun begins after lunch with the unloading and setting up.
But for now all is good and we are settling in for a relaxing evening. We are praying for you and ask you to pray for us. We don't know what will happen tomorrow but we do know God is in control and we know we are to be here. Already I am seeing why certain ones were to come on this trip. Each day I will share with you some unique things that are related to why certain people were to come.
Have a great day tomorrow in God's house wherever you are and I will talk to you soon.
Tom
We met with Pastor Arnie and his wife Peggy. We toured the church and settled a group into their basement. We drove around the city and went out to eat. We then had a relaxed time and while some swam in the hotel pool others met and we laid out a plan of attack that will start tomorrow.
We will be attending Sunday School at 9:15 and Worship at 10:25. Then the fun begins after lunch with the unloading and setting up.
But for now all is good and we are settling in for a relaxing evening. We are praying for you and ask you to pray for us. We don't know what will happen tomorrow but we do know God is in control and we know we are to be here. Already I am seeing why certain ones were to come on this trip. Each day I will share with you some unique things that are related to why certain people were to come.
Have a great day tomorrow in God's house wherever you are and I will talk to you soon.
Tom
Friday, July 28, 2006
First Day on the Road
Well today started off great and the excitement was high. But as the day progressed we could see that we were going to have to entertain ourselves to make sure we take things as they go. We ran into countless miles of construction and then we got word that the bridge at St. Louis was down to 1 lane with a 2 hour backup. We detoured around it for an hour and then ran smack dab into stopped traffic on the freeway in Illinois. We sat there for about 45 minutes.
Long story short we got to our hotel in Ohio 2 hours late. It is now 10:40 and we are checking in and settling in for a short night. All are well and God is going before us so keep up the prayers. and we will do the same for all of you.
Tom
Long story short we got to our hotel in Ohio 2 hours late. It is now 10:40 and we are checking in and settling in for a short night. All are well and God is going before us so keep up the prayers. and we will do the same for all of you.
Tom
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Mad Dash to the End
Well it's 11:00 Thursday morning and people are all over town picking vehicles, supplies and food. The dash to leaving has started and we are about ready. Now for the unexpected. That is the stuff satan will throw at us to derail our focus. Pray that we will all stay focused on the task at hand.
For those wanting to know our itinerary. We will be leaving tomorrow morning at 7:00 and going to Dayton Ohio area. Then we will leave Dayton Saturday morning and arriving in Towanda about 4:00 that afternoon.
Have a great day and I will update this when possible along the way.
For those wanting to know our itinerary. We will be leaving tomorrow morning at 7:00 and going to Dayton Ohio area. Then we will leave Dayton Saturday morning and arriving in Towanda about 4:00 that afternoon.
Have a great day and I will update this when possible along the way.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
It's Coming Together
After 2 days of emailing, cell phone calling and running around town it appears that all the details are coming together that we can do on this end. There are a few details we have no control over that we need your prayers for on the front end.
#1 The rain is still a factor and we don't know what it will be like when we get there.
#2 Jupiter Jump and other planned equipment is not going to be arriving so we are attempting to make other plans.
#3 Block Party land is still questionable due to rain, flooding and other parameters we can't control.
Start praying and we will let you know as we find out more details.
#1 The rain is still a factor and we don't know what it will be like when we get there.
#2 Jupiter Jump and other planned equipment is not going to be arriving so we are attempting to make other plans.
#3 Block Party land is still questionable due to rain, flooding and other parameters we can't control.
Start praying and we will let you know as we find out more details.
Monday, July 24, 2006
It's Time to go to Towanda
On Friday we start our journey to Towanda Pennsylvania. We are following God's directions to reach out. Over the next week or so I will attempt to post daily to update everyone on what is happening in Towanda. If there are no updates it will be because we don't have internet access.
Pray for us as we go with plans but are willing and able to change as the need arises. Recently they had massive floods so we may be in the middle of disaster relief. But whatever God wants us to do we will do.
Pray for us as we go with plans but are willing and able to change as the need arises. Recently they had massive floods so we may be in the middle of disaster relief. But whatever God wants us to do we will do.
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