Yes, we doubled in attendance tonight. We had 60 kids and the energy was really up so it was a fun night. Sparky made an appearance along with Judah the lion telling the story of Daniel.
Tomorrow will be decision night so our prayer is simple. Pray for hearts of all the children to be open to His voice.
Blessings,
John
We made it to the church yesterday (Sunday)a little after 3 to begin setting up for the opening night of VBS at Mt. Oliver Baptist Church outside of Forest, MS.
Everything went well. There were about 30 kids and the leadership said that typically on Mondays, at least in the past, they will double in attendance due to the other churches. Because they begin on Sunday night, the other churches, of course, do their own services.
Following our opening night, the church had what they call a Tailgate party. All the church joined in bringing their pickups and dropping the tailgates, offering various foods from pulled pork to cupcakes, chips, fruits, and home made ice-cream. There was even a contest for decorating your tailgate in the theme of the week. Lots of fun.
Keep up the prayers for strong attendance and I’ll let you know how Day 2 comes out!
Blessings,
John
Thanks, friends, for checking in so faithfully. You bless us and I don’t want to consider where we would be or ineffective, perhaps, if we didn’t have your prayer coverage.
We had a great time with my little brother Jeff, and his wife Suzy. We went out to eat several times and grabbed a movie. They pulled out this afternoon for Destin and we got busy. Patty ran errands as well as laundry and I got on the yard and equipment checks that needed doing. We will pack and load most things tonight so we can get a 9 a.m. departure. The plan is to arrive at the church at 3 p.m. in Forest, MS, where we will set up and kick off VBS at 5 p.m.
We will go through Thursday night with the curriculum then have Family Night on Friday. I’ve been to this church for a Sunday only event and am not sure how many children we are to be working with so we appreciate your prayers that many will respond to the church’s invitation and advertising.
I will try and keep you posted throughout the week, as I usually do, but, again, I’m not really sure what will be available!
Blessings,
John
The first part of this week was busy preparing for the latter part of the week. I wanted to get a little rest and some yard work done. So, I did so then decided I would get a head start of the July events I have scheduled. I got a pretty good start on that end of things and now am ready for a visit. Yeah, the “latter part of the week” thing I mentioned.
My youngest brother and his wife drove to Yazoo City this past Sunday to see mom. They live in San Antonio where he is a band director and she, a first grade teacher. Obviously they don’t get this far east except in summer or Thanksgiving/Christmas time. The drove down here today where we’ll get to spend a few days together before they head on to Destin and we get back on the road.
So, not much else going on. We appreciate, as always, you checking in on us and praying for us!
Blessings,
John
Well, the day began a bit earlier than “ideal” since I had orchestra rehearsal at 8 a.m. I’m usually up early anyway but have to say the alarm actually woke me up from a sound sleep. Trying to recover from last week and the travel will have to happen over the next several days or at least before we head out again.
Tonight the kids of Hillcrest kicked off VBS with the VBS Musical. Although I’m not working the VBS here they are certain to have around 600 kids bright and early in the morning. We pray the weather holds out. There were severe storms and heavy, heavy rain and a 90% chance tomorrow.
Patty will be working toward our guests that are coming in Wednesday. My little brother and his wife are driving in for a few days. They live in San Antonio and we see each other around the holidays at best so this will be nice. She will be putting her menus and shopping plans together. I’m going to take some time to continue my work on the VBS material for next week these next few days. Of course I have a very busy July schedule that I need to begin working on as well.
Sure appreciate your continued prayers. It was a great week last week and we are looking for the Lord to do a great work in the upcoming weeks.
Blessings,
John
We wrapped things up in grand fashion as the two summer interns got creamed. Literally! A celebration of collecting a nice sum of money for missions!
It’s been a nice visit with mom this week and Patty has enjoyed her visit with her dad. We will head home in the morning to handle things there for a week before heading out again.
As you pray for our safe travel, please pray that our time a home this next week will be a time of rest and recuperation as we ready ourselves for 2 more weeks of VBS.
Blessings,
John
The kids have kept up the enthusiasm although the teachers were dragging a bit today. We continue to do follow up counseling and although we haven’t had any professions of faith, God is certainly working on a number of little hearts. We would appreciate your prayers that the seed that’s being planted with come to fruition.
This past Tuesday Patty’s dad asked me to go fishing with him at a farm pond of a relative in the middle of nowhere. Gang, I’m here to tell you I have never had a bass fishing experience like that. I think the smallest fish was a little more than a pound but I caught, as did he, many, many fish in the 3-5 lbs range. Unbelievable experience. He, at 90 yrs of age, pulled in a whopper. Had to go close to 10 lbs. Monster fish!
We kept just enough for supper and fried them up last night. Mom joined us so it was a night night.
He wants to go back out this afternoon and I don’t blame him so we are heading back out around 4. It takes about 35-40 mins to drive it but extremely worth it.
We’ll wrap things up tomorrow, load up at noon then take it easy for the evening, leaving Saturday morning.
Blessings,
John
It was another good day with the kids at Yazoo City. Of course this, being Wed of VBS, is the first decision day of the week. There were no actual professions of faith today but many were counseled so we pray we will see fruit from that in the days ahead.
The kids continue to be responsive to the music and my friends and of course, to their Flight Leader. Ha ha.
We would appreciate your prayers as we continue this work.
Blessings,
John
Well, the kids are beginning to get it now so it’s getting fun as they continue learning the songs and Bible stories.
It’s kind of hilarious just talking with the kids and hearing reports from their teachers. Each morning as the kids are coming in, I am standing on the platform with my flight helmet/dark shield on which I take off as soon as all have entered.
The VBS leader came up after the opening session and told me about a question she was asked by a 1st grader. “Mrs Barton, is Darth Vader going to be here today?”. Yep…sometimes they get it, sometimes not so much.
I have 2 flight suits loaned to me, one sand color, the other olive. Wore sand yesterday, olive today. A 3rd grader asked; “are you going to wear the same thing everyday?”. Ha ha Gotta love it.
Tomorrow, of course, is the first decision day. We would appreciate your prayethe that the kids will truly GET IT if they forget everything else!
Blessings,
John
Fun today. As with most VBS first days, things were a little later getting started but we soon got on schedule. It was a nice group of kis for the first day. We had 70 kids on day one and a good balance of ages.
The kids seem to really pick up on the music pretty well so we will feed off that energy tomorrow and see what God does.
A friend of mine loaned me a flight suit and helmet and the kids thought that was awesome. I thought it was pretty cool too!
Pray that I can keep all the motions straight! Ha ha ha. It’s crazy, for sure, and the kids are following everything I do so I need to be a little more accurate!
Thanks,
John