Load Up !

Wow, we are already at Friday morning! This week has flown by for all of us. The teens are saying they have a mix of emotions as we leave. They will miss the chance to serve South Point Baptist, but they also want their own beds!

Last night was the final night of VBS, and with 16 in attendance, it was a great way to end the week. Each child was so diligent with memorizing their verses, doing their worksheets and then bringing them back, and inviting friends. The 3 visitors came EVERY NIGHT, and Pastor Matt is looking forward to the chance to touch base with them this week. The Lord was so good to bless this VBS in the way He saw fit.

We "plan" to leave at 9am, and pray the traffic in Atlanta on a Friday will allow us to pull in between 4-4:30pm. I find it funny this morning of how we are already thinking about next year's trip, and we're not back from this one yet ...

More Pics!!!

Craft time

We cut a lot of yarn....wig worthy amounts!

Mrs. Howell gets the audience involved in the Bible story Kyle is attacked by the local mosquitos! Head to toe!
Three people and one wet youth pastor later, an 8lbs bass was caught! At least I think that's the way the story goes...

~Tara Martindale

Pics!!!

We love GOASIS!!!
VBS General Store



Jed doin' his thang
St. Simons




Annelise and her Boys
mmmmm....yummy!
Low Country Boil
Keys locked in van while running.....good one, Pastor Darrin!

~Tara Martindale

VBS is Off and Running !

What a great start to our VBS week! We had 14 kids last night, 2 of which were visiting children. The teens did a fantastic job getting everyone excited, and then keeping them organized. Each night we will have the opening time, then crafts, then games, then Bible Time, and lastly store/snack time. The skit was a BIG hit and we look forward to seeing Justin, Dewey, Willie, and Dusty again tonight. Yeehaw!

Our mornings start with a Bible study on the true purpose of a Mission Trip, followed by canvasing of the neighborhoods closest to the church. The heat is awful so we'd love your prayers for what we are fondly calling "cloud cover."

One moment of great encouragement for me this week was the special music on Sunday. Pastor Matt and one of the church members sang a song I had not heard before, "O Great God"...the words brought back to mind how undeserving I am of God's mercy and therefore, how precious it is to be part of a team sharing that message of love and redemption with others.

"O Great God"
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven's joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Help me now to live a life
That's dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your name through me

Thank you for your prayers! ~CiCi

We're here!

So what happens when you put 11 teens in a van for 6 hours....? A LOT OF FUN!!!! What a great day of hanging out as we made our way down to Brunswick. As we pulled out of the church at 9:30am, we wondered what time we'd finally arrive...and with one lunch stop and one bathroom break, we still made it in 6.5 hours. And yes, we stayed at or under the speed limit...

After checking in and getting settled in, we went over to South Point Baptist and met Matt Howell and his sweet family. Our group instantly filled their church and we look forward to meeting his members tomorrow. I was reminded of how much we have to be thankful for in Lebanon. A big building with rooms to host every possible function we could think of.

Tonight we have dinner, a group meeting, a little chill out time, and then off for bed as we have church in the morning at 10am. Tomorrow also holds a Low Country Boil for lunch, hosted by the members of South Point, and then canvasing for VBS. Pray for us as we get acclimated to the more "humid" heat of coastal Georgia, and continued excitement as we reach out to the Brunswick community. ~CiCi

'Twas the Night Before...

We find it hard to believe that it's already the Night Before the Mission Trip. Excitement is mixed with thoughts of final details, and worries of "did we forget something." Knowing our heavenly Father is in control brings great comfort, and we are anxious to see how He will choose to use this week for His glory.