All week long forty-two kids sang a song that began, "When you want to quit, when you wanna give up - Press on! Press on!" These words describe well the experience each child shared in rehearsing, singing, and cooperating to produce an unforgetable musical, "Sticks and Stones", for thirty adult members who watched each child sing, play music, and act.
We've been having a great time working with the chlidren each morning with music games, music lessons, choir, Bible study, worship and snack time. The afternoons are filled with sport activities and a picnic lunch. Our missionaries are busy tonight planning and preparing for a closing celebration where all our campers will share their gifts with their families. Friday, June 30th, we'll gather in the church worship center at noon where the chidlren will play recorders, play guitars, present the dramatic musical, "Sticks and Stones" for all the families. The camp has brought three new families to Canyon Baptist Church, according to Pastor Jim Burdett. "These families have never attended here since I have been pastoring here", said Burdett. "They heard about this through the publicity we've done in the community these last few weeks", he said.
One of the highlights of our recreation time the last couple of days (for both kids and adults) has been the water balloon toss. It's been quite competitive and Coach Don Purdy has done a great job of "encouraging" everyone!
The kids have been great and have been enthusiastic participants in all of the activities, music classes, and Bible studies. Some of their stories are quite touching, but it is so encouraging to see the spark of God's touch in their lives - it comes out through their smiles!
Continue reading "We're not afraid of a little water, we're Baptist!" »
The kids continued to learn about Nehemiah on Tuesday, rotating through our morning worship & praise celebration, group music lessons, bible study, choir practice, and drama. It's so amazing to see the faces of these children, many of whom are so excited about camp that they are already asking us to stay another week. We had 32 children Tuesday, and we are encouraged that among the campers are children from four families that have never before visted Canyon Baptist.
We had 31 children, ranging from kindergarten to youth, at our first day of camp. It was thrilling to see how receptive they were to the Bible and the various music activiites that were planned for them. How rewarding it is to see months of preparation finally paying off as God's children worship Him through song and learning from the Bible!
This morning we led in worship at Canyon Baptist Church...there were 13 children, 5 adults, and our group of 17. We led in many songs with guitar, complete with choreography! The kids loved our songs from the 2006 Arctic Edge Vacation Bible School! Our group really began to bond with the children, and after eating lunch at the church we spent the early afternoon planning for our camps to go on this week and driving throughout the town promoting our activities.
The Montana mission team left from the Nashville Airport this morning, June 24, one day after our own church VBS ended! They are flying Southwest Airlines to Spokane and will drive this afternoon 240 miles from Spokane to Kalispell in rented vans.
Please pray for the following 17 team members: Wayne Causey, Carrie Causey, Kristie Young , Donna Willis, Melinda Parrish, Everette Parrish, Russell Parrish, Lydia Mulkey, Dora Ann Purdy, Don Purdy, Rob Ivy, Lee Stockstill, Scott Stevens, Annie Stevens, Debbie Stevens, Tanner Stevens, and Todd Young.
Continue reading "And They're Off! - Montana Mission 2006" »
Our team gathered tonight to finish packing t-shirts, musical instruments, sporting goods, and various Bible Study needs! We will gather at 9:15 Saturday morning, and fly out of Nashville at 10:50! We covet your prayers as we look forward to being used by God this coming week!
June 24 - July 1 are the dates for the Forest Hills music, VBS, and sports Mission Trip to Hungry Horse, Montana. Located north of Kalispell and just outside of Glacier National Park, Canyon Baptist Church in Hungry Horse will be the site of our VBS and music camp each morning, and the local school playground will host our sports camp each afternoon.