We just finished our last block party. It was great. I lost count but there were many more then Monday's party. We had a Nascar group bring some games and Jupiter Jump we served hot dogs with all the extras and sang.
The day started with the usual VBS experience. We were back up with 15 kids.
We took the afternoon off and many of our team did some sightseeing.
Tonight we heard many stories of how we have given life to a struggling church. They are beaten down and tired. We were sent by God at just the right time. You will here many stories when we get back.
Person of the Day"
Carla has been a trooper. She has popped popcorn, sang, served snacks, painted, etc. etc. Whatever was needed she did. She even went on a journey to find a store and when she got lost she kept looking until she found it. We couldn't have done it without her.
Tami is the organizer of all organizers. She put this thing together months ago and it showed as we went through the week. I can never say enough how critical she was to the success of this week. Thanks Tami.
Denise is the partner of all time for me. She gave it all and kept giving. At every turn she was loving the people and encouraging them while sweating to death at times. I thank God for giving me a partner in ministry with the love of His work like she has.
This team has been blessed by God from the beginning and it showed this week. We had our struggles but in the end the hearts stepped forward and put aside personal differences.
See you when we get home.
Tom
Thursday, August 03, 2006
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Midweek
Well Wednesday is over and the excitement continues. We did what some said was impossible. We remodeled the entire building and had it ready for a grand opening by 6:00 tonight. In fact we finished by 3:00 and went back to the hotel to rest. Then we went to the church and cooked dinner for them while they wandered through their "new" building. They were so excited. Person after person shared their thanks to the team and our church in Broken Arrow.
Today in VBS we were a little down with 11 kids. But it went great and the kids are learning alot. Parents continue to sit in the Bible Study and learn right along with their kids.
Then we spent the afternoon finishing the building.
This evening we had a grand opening and a celebration service in which the Youth Praise Team and Praise Team sang. We shared a few testimonies and then fellowshipped with their congregation afterwards with donuts.
Great day in the Lord.
Person of the Day:
Steve - From sound to electrical to carpentry. He does it all. On this trip he has quietly plugged along and is always looking for the next thing to do. He runs errands, gets supplies, cooks for the whole church and much more. He is a real blessing.
Michael - A witnessing example, a blessing to our youth, a cook, a painter, a singer, (you get the idea) he has a heart to help. What more can I say. We are all better off by knowing him.
All the youth - from helping in VBS to the shop ministry to serving food to singing. They have been willing to work nonstop wherever they were needed. We have the best youth and they really showed their stuff this week.
Well I share more tomorrow.
Tom
Today in VBS we were a little down with 11 kids. But it went great and the kids are learning alot. Parents continue to sit in the Bible Study and learn right along with their kids.
Then we spent the afternoon finishing the building.
This evening we had a grand opening and a celebration service in which the Youth Praise Team and Praise Team sang. We shared a few testimonies and then fellowshipped with their congregation afterwards with donuts.
Great day in the Lord.
Person of the Day:
Steve - From sound to electrical to carpentry. He does it all. On this trip he has quietly plugged along and is always looking for the next thing to do. He runs errands, gets supplies, cooks for the whole church and much more. He is a real blessing.
Michael - A witnessing example, a blessing to our youth, a cook, a painter, a singer, (you get the idea) he has a heart to help. What more can I say. We are all better off by knowing him.
All the youth - from helping in VBS to the shop ministry to serving food to singing. They have been willing to work nonstop wherever they were needed. We have the best youth and they really showed their stuff this week.
Well I share more tomorrow.
Tom
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
To God Be the Glory
Today was one of those days you wait for and pray for and when it happens you just say thank you God.
VBS grew from 8 kids to 18 and when you add in all the staff, kids and parents participating we had over 40 people involved.
Shop Ministry cleaning the street continues to minister and love the people. Now we have been labeled the street cleaning people. Shop owners are looking for us every afternoon now. That allows us to talk even more to them. A few shops even give donations to Harvest House for our gift to them. The field is growing. The reaping may not happen while we are here but I know it will be ready soon.
Today we had 2 different familes say they are coming to "checkout" the church Wednesday night and it was all due to the block party last night.
The remodeling is flying by. We have the entire building painted and now we will start recreating the rooms and sprucing them up. The sound system and new Computer system is up and running and today Tami taught 2 people how to run the computer projection system. We are going to refine the wiring of the system and then it should be completed.
Tonight our team night turned into ministry night but that's what we wanted. We did go out to eat and went to a mall but we invited 2 families that needed encouragement and support. We took them to dinner and treated them and then walked around the mall talking to them and getting to know them. Satan has been tearing them down for some time and this was the first time in a long time they felt loved by Christians that loved them for them and not because they probably had to. The church has loved them but sometimes God uses others to make a greater impact.
It was the best day of the week and the kids are responding in a great way. Keep up the prayers.
Tomorrow has VBS, more remodeling, Shop Ministry, Cookout for the Church, and an evening service. A full day but we pray a successful day for our Lord.
God Bless and I will talk to you tomorrow,
Tom
VBS grew from 8 kids to 18 and when you add in all the staff, kids and parents participating we had over 40 people involved.
Shop Ministry cleaning the street continues to minister and love the people. Now we have been labeled the street cleaning people. Shop owners are looking for us every afternoon now. That allows us to talk even more to them. A few shops even give donations to Harvest House for our gift to them. The field is growing. The reaping may not happen while we are here but I know it will be ready soon.
Today we had 2 different familes say they are coming to "checkout" the church Wednesday night and it was all due to the block party last night.
The remodeling is flying by. We have the entire building painted and now we will start recreating the rooms and sprucing them up. The sound system and new Computer system is up and running and today Tami taught 2 people how to run the computer projection system. We are going to refine the wiring of the system and then it should be completed.
Tonight our team night turned into ministry night but that's what we wanted. We did go out to eat and went to a mall but we invited 2 families that needed encouragement and support. We took them to dinner and treated them and then walked around the mall talking to them and getting to know them. Satan has been tearing them down for some time and this was the first time in a long time they felt loved by Christians that loved them for them and not because they probably had to. The church has loved them but sometimes God uses others to make a greater impact.
It was the best day of the week and the kids are responding in a great way. Keep up the prayers.
Tomorrow has VBS, more remodeling, Shop Ministry, Cookout for the Church, and an evening service. A full day but we pray a successful day for our Lord.
God Bless and I will talk to you tomorrow,
Tom
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