Random Stuff of Our Week

My intern, Jeremiah, and I had the opportunity to go to the Boys and Girls Club this week and read books to the kids. They are having a read-a-thon. It was fun to see several of "my kids" who attend there and they were very excited to see us. Jeremiah works in a kindergarten classroom back in Iowa so he is an excellent story reader. I'm supposed to be volunteering once a week there but the director has failed to get me the info and schedule. You would think they would be jumping at the chance for a volunteer but it seems they really aren't in as big a need as I thought.

We are preparing for CAMP next week. Anyone who knows me knows camp is my thing! There is just something about 5 concentrated days of worship, crazy games, challenging services, point totals, contests, new friends, altar time, no sleep, mediocre food and no outside distractions that just gets me going! Kids can leave behind the crud of the world and the things of life and just be kids who seek after Jesus. Camp is one of THE best spiritual investments you'll ever do for your kids. Churches that don't want to mess with sending their kids to camp are MISSING it! We have eight kids going plus me, Jeremiah and Hailey. Please pray for us next week. I know some powerful things are going to happen....my spirit is so stirred. And bonus...I get to meet some more of my Tennessee tribe-mates!

Jeremiah and I rearranged my office this week. I love it! Garrett added a little "muscle" to the mix....as much muscle as Garrett has. Hee hee. I'll have to take a picture. If nothing else it was great to clean and get rid of all the sports camp stuff that was piled up.

We made some home visits this week. The kids are always so excited to see us when we come even if it's only for a few minutes. Jeremiah is getting a taste of what some of our kids live in and with. We have several from Sports Camp we need to go see. We got the follow up postcards out thanks to my friend Darla! She typed up all our contacts for me. I'm still praising God for such an awesome week.

Jeremiah did a great job preaching last Sunday and is speaking again this Sunday. He has been a huge blessing to me and I'll be very sorry to see him go back to Iowa. I know he is getting a workout but I hope it has been a worthwhile journey for him as he prepares to be a children's pastor. It has been fun to brainstorm and bounce ideas around. It's been nice having him around the house, too. I miss our kids and love to have extra people stay with us. He's been a wonderful housemate....neat and tidy! :) It's also been a blessing to have some live worship while he is here. I love it for our altar time...makes a big difference in the flow of things. I've tried to convince him to just move here but I guess he better stick to God's plan and not mine!

The Last Night of MEGA Sports Camp

What a great week! The last night brings mixed feelings....we had sooo much fun I hate that it's over but I'm so tuckered I can hardly blink without dozing. Tonight we had 8 more first time salvations which brings the week to 24 kids coming to accept Christ. It excites me, humbles me, and drives me. Excites me to see the beginning of their new life, humbles me to think that God allowed me to have a small part in all of it and drives me to stay focused on the vision God has given me for the children of Union City.

My intern, Jeremiah, and I were kinda debriefing the week and deciding what if anything I should change for next year. We thought of a couple of small details but overall it went so well. I think two of the keys were that everyone jumped in and was enthusiastically ready to serve kids and empowering and trusting people to take ownership in the tasks assigned them.

Water games were a big hit and I think a smart way to end the week. Ironically it was the mildest day of the whole week. :) Still warm enough to make getting wet a treat. Of course, I was a target but I took it like a trooper...it's just water after all. The youth kids got me with three big buckets of water while they were running full steam ahead towards me. Good times.

Sunday night after church, we are having a big pizza party to honor all of our volunteers!

Night #4 MEGA Sports Camp

So I'm reading through the lesson for night four of MEGA Sports camp and am thinking it's kinda wimpy. We may have one night with a child and you want to have a powerful message and not waste an opportunity. The theme for the night is sacrifice and I decided that I was going to change everything even down to the huddle time with is a segment where the teachers do a small group story and reinforce the message. The team just went with it and were totally on board. No one panicked that I made a last minute switcher-roo! We even tweaked the schedule. Result....following the leading of the Holy Spirit brings 16 kids to salvation. Can I hear a big AMEN! We had 13 new kids and another beautiful night. I still have not heard one single complaint about the weather being too hot. I'm so proud of our team! We are having a celebration pizza party Sunday night after discipleship to show appreciation and hear some testimonies of how God moved in the hearts and lives of our kids AND even the team. We will do Sports Camp again next summer - FOR SURE!

MEGA Sports Camp Day #3

It keeps getting better and better! 17 new kids last night! So awesome to see so many new faces and watch the kids having such a great time. Of course with it being the first year, I knew there would be areas to tweak if we do it again but not too many. The "normal" time frame to do a camp is during the day and for three hours so our evening event is different as it is only 2 hours. We definitely could use a little more time but I think the 6:30-8:30 time slot is really better for the kids than trying to make it later.

We have had perfect weather and no injuries other than a slightly jammed finger. Our camp nurse administered the right amount of ice and TLC and all was well! I think 2010 will be having a Sports Camp for sure! I'll add more pics later...blogger is taking too much time to load and I have tons to do!

Mega Sports Camp Day #2

Night 2 of Mega Sports Camp brought us 16 new kids!! Can I get a woot woot for Jesus? We are having way too much fun and the kids have just been awesome. Dealt with one slightly sassy mouth but other than that we've had angels. I cannot tell you how incredible all the workers have been! So many have gotten behind the vision we have to reach kids in Union City. I'm overwhelmed with gratitude, inspired to do better, and so excited to see what God has in store for all of us at First Assembly of God. I'm going to bed....I'm tuckered!

Mega Sports Camp

Night one of Mega Sports Camp was great! How great you may ask? How about a team of people who are so excited to serve Jesus and Union City kids that we had more volunteers than kids attending? 30 kids, 38 workers and a few visitors! How about new families that have never been to the church? How about a smooooth day one with no glitches except a pesky, gi-normous horse fly that dive bombed the kids right at altar time. Stinking devil! Anyway...I'm so happy with how everything went and can't wait for tonight. It was HOT and I did not hear one single complaint from the team! I am so blessed!

My intern, Jeremiah, was such a HUGE help! He is doing a great job and ready to jump in and do whatever it takes. He's preaching in Building 2-52 this weekend and I'm excited to hear what the Lord has laid upon his heart.

Too many pics to post here but enjoy a couple!

Turkey Thoughts

So I was expecting an ah-ha moment when I was in Turkey. It never came. I thought when I got there that God would clue me in on why He wanted me to travel over 10,000 miles to do that thing I do. It may remain a mystery this side of Heaven. I totally know I was supposed to go and I cherish the opportunity and experience and trust that my obedience brought about the goal He had in mind.

The missionary kids that I got to spend my week with were the sweetest, most appreciative kids. I had a small tribe so our time together was very personal. There were kids who serve in Moldova, Armenia, and Russia. We worshipped, played games, did crafts, prayed, and heard from God. I could tell that they are slow to trust new people and I think I understand why but they were starting to open up to me when, of course, our time was almost over.

Turkey is beautiful to look upon but hard to feel a part of. The country is 99% Muslim and I could feel the oppression when I arrived. It gave me an expanded appreciation for the freedom of religion we have in the USA! I felt guarded all week. We were careful as to not announce we were pastors or missionaries as we are frowned upon. I'm not used to watching how I speak for fear of my safety.

The resort where the retreat was located was so nice and the view from my room was something from a Hollywood movie. It was pretty warm and it is common for places to not air condition the hallways, restaurants, lobbies as we do in the states. Our rooms had swamp coolers that only ran when we were in our rooms and had the key inserted into the slot that gave us power. Randy would have died from the heat!

I didn't get to see much because of my schedule and leaving as soon as the retreat was over but I wasn't on vacation...I was there to minister. I did get to go to Kusadasi for a few hours and that was very interesting seeing all the people and little market shops. I heard so many different languages during that week!!

I had a wonderful experience and am so thankful I got to go. So many people helped with raising the money and I cannot begin to thank you all enough. I heard from the missionaries that their kids were really blessed by our time together and that was the most important part. I was honored to work with a young couple who love kids, too, and are learning children's ministry. I hope I was an encouragement to them in their call.

Gettin' Ready

Well, I'd love to say that my bags are all packed but I'm still working on all the details of going to Turkey. I'm leaving tomorrow. I have so many different emotions right now. Mostly, though, I'm just excited to see what God has planned.

I'm going to try to blog at least once from Turkey....mainly just so I can say that I did! :) I don't think I'll be able to use my phone but thank God for blogs and e-mail.

Thanks for praying. Thanks for giving. Thanks for your encouragement. Thanks to my church and husband who happily support me leaving for six days. (Randy may be a little too happy!)

Much love to all!

Turkey Bound

I cannot believe one week from today I will be flying to Turkey! It has come up so fast. I now have enough support raised to cover all my fixed expenses plus a little pad for those expenses that are hard to plan for. If I'm careful, I should have enough for the whole trip. THANK YOU to all who given towards this opportunity to minister. You have made an investment that, I pray, has eternal rewards. You are sending me where you cannot, at this time, go yourself. I promise to do everything in my power to represent you well and carefully listen to what the Lord would have me to preach.

Please continue to pray for traveling safety, good health and that the Holy Spirit will really move in our services. I will preach seven services with the kids. There is a young missionary couple who are coming to help me. I'm excited to meet them. Val in an MK and has lived in Latvia, Russia and Belgium so I know she will be a huge help in the cultural differences I'll experience. I'm so thankful that the Lord has opened this opportunity to me.

I'll leave from Memphis on Saturday evening and fly all night to Amsterdam. Then onto Istanbul and finally to Kusadisi, Ephesus, Turkey (airport is at Izmir). I'll get to the resort about 8 PM their time which is noon our time. My total air time one way is between 13 and 14 hours. I'll be returning Friday from Izmir to Istanbul to JFK (three hr. layover) and then into Memphis about 10 PM. It takes about 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. to get to Memphis from Union City. My flight schedule is actually pretty good. No sleeping in airports!

I'll take lots of pictures and if I have internet access will blog from Turkey. Blessing to all!