I know, I know,
Start strong and finish weak. I blogged so well, then fell off the map. I formally apologize!
SORRY!
While we were not as "ministry" busy. We were all over Boston, seeing the city, doing Bible studies, and going wherever Pastor Edmundson wanted us to go.
I would tell you all about it, but then you would not come on Sunday night to HEAR all about it.
So, see you SUNDAY @ 6pm!!
Pastor Dave
Friday, July 10, 2009
Sunday, July 05, 2009
SATURDAY!!! JULY 4th!!!
I will try to divide this up into two parts.
First, Team 1. The One Weekers had to take up an awesome, yet big task. Because Team 2 left so early, the campers would only be able to love on/say good bye to Team 1. At this point, I will assume they had a lot of goodbyes.
With Mike and Stuart in a van with all the girls, they headed home. The trip included singing If I Were a Butterfly, and sending Team 2 an audio text of it, plus doing devos. They arrived home @ 4:30PM, and all apparently are safe at home.
Now, about Team 2.
Boston was only a 5 hour drive. After saying Hi, and Bye to Deanna Parker, and those from Team 1 who had got up early, we headed off. One stop for gas and Dunkin' Donuts and another for a bathroom break (good bus discipline!) got us to Boston by 12:20p.
Our first stop was Matapan, MA. It was a very tough neighborhood, that a couple starting to work with Bill Edmondson (Our missionary for the week, and former prof of Pastor Dave) lives in. I will not be able to give all the wonderful info, it would take WAY too long, but I will take a shot at giving a good overview.
This is church planting at ground zero. Adam and Heather are the first and only white couple to move in to this neighborhood in a long time. It had caused quite a stir. (they even had their tires slashed on an almost daily basis for the first three weeks) They had invited all they had met in the neighborhood to a 4th of July BBQ in their backyard. Their home has been being slowly redone by Adan, the Edmondson's, and friends.
According to Doc Bill (our name for our missionary) All the people who arrived were new contacts accept for a number of people from his church. The local Community rep came, Mabel Graham. The state representative for the area came, and probably 9 or ten families/couples as well. Many races, many kids, two missionary couples, two interns from FBBC, and our team in the backyard fellow shipping hardcore and having a great 4th BBQ! Most visitors were unsaved, and Dana and I ministered to a special needs young man that came, Stevie (we determined God was getting us ready the week before, because he was very hard to understand, but once he knew we were getting most of it, he came out of his shell and really talked our ears off)
We also met Steve, from Doc's church. He is Harvard grad with a masters in Archeology. He helped us through Boston for the remainder of the day.
We left Aaron, Jared, and Derek with Doc's intern from FBBC, Andy to help clean up. The rest of us jumped into the bus (whose tires WEREN'T slashed!) with Doc, his wife, and Steve for a tour ride through the streets (lined with 4th celebrators) of Boston. I was nervous, the streets were tight, but we had NO incidents! (please tell Pastor Quick)
We all ended up at the Edmondson home. After I parallel parked the bus in an alley (WHOO HOO!) we all brought the luggage in the house. It filled their living room!
We all crashed and waited for the guys to return. (they were coming by subway) Supper was hoagies, and then we were prepped for the evening.
We were going to go downtown by rail/subway, walk through the streets downtown, tour a bit, then end up on the Charles River Bridge for Boston's 4th of July fireworks!
Doc lives two blocks from the rail, so we all got our week-long rail passes, and headed off!
What an exciting evening. Too many stories! After taking a coffee/ice cream break, we tried to find a spot to get too. It was shoulder to shoulder people! We had to make a train to get through the crowds. We went over fences, then back over fences, and finally got to the middle the bridge (or close to it) for the 10:30pm fireworks.
They were AWESOME! And we had a great time. Little did we realize the MASS of humanity we would have to weave through (in a train of 19 people) to get back to the station! The kids sang songs all the way back at the top of their lungs! (obviously fatigue was setting in) We sang, and laughed and some people in Boston probably were thinking that there were some really nutty Christians downtown!
A crammed train ride home, a walk up the street, and we were all (19!) back home. Floors had bodies everywhere, and finally we were all down.
Doc - Bill Edmondson is an incredible man. He has such a passion for this city, and has a dream of starting a church planting movement from here in Boston. He is a Baptist Mid-Missions missionary, who a reaching into a truly cross-cultural center. He has Bible studies @ Harvard, MIT, Harvard Medical, and multiple other schools. Just sitting and walking with him and letting us tell what God is doing is incredible. The guys were impressed that he had a study going with some of the New England Patriots and their strength coach. One of the new believers in his church is a former Top Gun instructor who is getting a Masters @ Harvard. After weeks of meeting in Doc's home, and after blasting Doc for believing in creation for weeks (Doc starts in Genesis with his Bible studies!) this man finally came to know the Lord. This is one of many stories. This ministry is reaching poor neighborhoods, and side-by-side are some extremely smart, talented, heavy thinking Harvard students.
It is the exposure to the wonders of ministry I was hoping for. I pray the Lord would take this ministry and encourage our teens to be all about reaching the world. Doc needs more team members to work here in Boston, and to reach out.
These teens are equipped to be eternity impactors! (is that a word?) As they see it happening before their eyes, may God call them to be ready to do whatever He wants, because there is no place more exciting than to be where God is working!!!
We are thinking about staying longer!! - But we will follow the Lord.
OH YEAH! Here are the pics for those of you who are scrolling down!
SATURDAY, July 4th
Pastor Dave
First, Team 1. The One Weekers had to take up an awesome, yet big task. Because Team 2 left so early, the campers would only be able to love on/say good bye to Team 1. At this point, I will assume they had a lot of goodbyes.
With Mike and Stuart in a van with all the girls, they headed home. The trip included singing If I Were a Butterfly, and sending Team 2 an audio text of it, plus doing devos. They arrived home @ 4:30PM, and all apparently are safe at home.
Now, about Team 2.
Boston was only a 5 hour drive. After saying Hi, and Bye to Deanna Parker, and those from Team 1 who had got up early, we headed off. One stop for gas and Dunkin' Donuts and another for a bathroom break (good bus discipline!) got us to Boston by 12:20p.
Our first stop was Matapan, MA. It was a very tough neighborhood, that a couple starting to work with Bill Edmondson (Our missionary for the week, and former prof of Pastor Dave) lives in. I will not be able to give all the wonderful info, it would take WAY too long, but I will take a shot at giving a good overview.
This is church planting at ground zero. Adam and Heather are the first and only white couple to move in to this neighborhood in a long time. It had caused quite a stir. (they even had their tires slashed on an almost daily basis for the first three weeks) They had invited all they had met in the neighborhood to a 4th of July BBQ in their backyard. Their home has been being slowly redone by Adan, the Edmondson's, and friends.
According to Doc Bill (our name for our missionary) All the people who arrived were new contacts accept for a number of people from his church. The local Community rep came, Mabel Graham. The state representative for the area came, and probably 9 or ten families/couples as well. Many races, many kids, two missionary couples, two interns from FBBC, and our team in the backyard fellow shipping hardcore and having a great 4th BBQ! Most visitors were unsaved, and Dana and I ministered to a special needs young man that came, Stevie (we determined God was getting us ready the week before, because he was very hard to understand, but once he knew we were getting most of it, he came out of his shell and really talked our ears off)
We also met Steve, from Doc's church. He is Harvard grad with a masters in Archeology. He helped us through Boston for the remainder of the day.
We left Aaron, Jared, and Derek with Doc's intern from FBBC, Andy to help clean up. The rest of us jumped into the bus (whose tires WEREN'T slashed!) with Doc, his wife, and Steve for a tour ride through the streets (lined with 4th celebrators) of Boston. I was nervous, the streets were tight, but we had NO incidents! (please tell Pastor Quick)
We all ended up at the Edmondson home. After I parallel parked the bus in an alley (WHOO HOO!) we all brought the luggage in the house. It filled their living room!
We all crashed and waited for the guys to return. (they were coming by subway) Supper was hoagies, and then we were prepped for the evening.
We were going to go downtown by rail/subway, walk through the streets downtown, tour a bit, then end up on the Charles River Bridge for Boston's 4th of July fireworks!
Doc lives two blocks from the rail, so we all got our week-long rail passes, and headed off!
What an exciting evening. Too many stories! After taking a coffee/ice cream break, we tried to find a spot to get too. It was shoulder to shoulder people! We had to make a train to get through the crowds. We went over fences, then back over fences, and finally got to the middle the bridge (or close to it) for the 10:30pm fireworks.
They were AWESOME! And we had a great time. Little did we realize the MASS of humanity we would have to weave through (in a train of 19 people) to get back to the station! The kids sang songs all the way back at the top of their lungs! (obviously fatigue was setting in) We sang, and laughed and some people in Boston probably were thinking that there were some really nutty Christians downtown!
A crammed train ride home, a walk up the street, and we were all (19!) back home. Floors had bodies everywhere, and finally we were all down.
Doc - Bill Edmondson is an incredible man. He has such a passion for this city, and has a dream of starting a church planting movement from here in Boston. He is a Baptist Mid-Missions missionary, who a reaching into a truly cross-cultural center. He has Bible studies @ Harvard, MIT, Harvard Medical, and multiple other schools. Just sitting and walking with him and letting us tell what God is doing is incredible. The guys were impressed that he had a study going with some of the New England Patriots and their strength coach. One of the new believers in his church is a former Top Gun instructor who is getting a Masters @ Harvard. After weeks of meeting in Doc's home, and after blasting Doc for believing in creation for weeks (Doc starts in Genesis with his Bible studies!) this man finally came to know the Lord. This is one of many stories. This ministry is reaching poor neighborhoods, and side-by-side are some extremely smart, talented, heavy thinking Harvard students.
It is the exposure to the wonders of ministry I was hoping for. I pray the Lord would take this ministry and encourage our teens to be all about reaching the world. Doc needs more team members to work here in Boston, and to reach out.
These teens are equipped to be eternity impactors! (is that a word?) As they see it happening before their eyes, may God call them to be ready to do whatever He wants, because there is no place more exciting than to be where God is working!!!
We are thinking about staying longer!! - But we will follow the Lord.
OH YEAH! Here are the pics for those of you who are scrolling down!
SATURDAY, July 4th
Pastor Dave
Friday PM
Well we finished off the week with a huge night. After supper was the Who-Knows Annual Camper/Counselor softball game. Campers won. 15-2. Keystone Capers in the field, and I mean when the COUNSELORS were in the field! The video tells the story best, but I must say, it was some of the worst softball played, possibly ever!
Next came special music. The campers were allowed to sing special numbers. It was a very sweet time, with a lot of focus on songs about heaven and God's love. My mind went to the calling of eternity a BLESSED HOPE, and it surely is. Jen and Mike and Patty and I discussed what a blessing it thrill it is going to be to see these fellow believers in heaven with sound bodies and minds. (we will be way better off, too!)
Our team kept our part short in the interest of time. But we did review the 5(!) verses the campers had memorized. Gen 1:1; Ps 45:6; Matt 19:26; Col 1:16; Acts 16:31. Ethan the puppet (every one's favorite puppet) made his final appearance and let us know that he had won the Okomonji High Science Fair, then we sang our favorite two songs. If I Were a Butterfly and My God is So Big.
After this came the candles (too wet for campfire) and testimony time. Each camper that wanted to told us their name, cabin number, and when they were saved. I believe the count is up to four this week. One guy Roy, proudly proclaimed, "My name is Roy, from the Missionary Hut, and I got saved by Jesus Christ this week, WHOOO!" And we ALL cheered at the top of our lungs! Roy (who Mike Griswold helped lead to the Lord) definitely made an eternity changing decision! Smiles were everywhere.
This time continued with many declarations of salvation from YEARS ago. This ministry at the camp (we had found out) had been started by a church years ago who started a "Precious Jewel" ministry that got as big as 90, and they took a day at camp, then just had the crazy idea to do it for a whole week.
After the testimony time, it was the standard end of the night. Unmedicated campers out, then the medication lines. (The nurse had QUITE A WEEK)
Then your tired, but energized team packed up and loaded everything up they could from the tabernacle. Puppet stage, props, etc. Instructions wer given concerning the morning (Boston team would pull out @ 6:30am) and then an FBC Missions Trip tradition: Our First weekers lined up, and the Second weekers gave them hugs and said their goodbyes. We made Reilly cry, along with some unnamed others.
More pics from the night have been entered into the Tue-Fri picture album, so, here they are again!!
WHOOO! Now for the Saturday post!!!
Next came special music. The campers were allowed to sing special numbers. It was a very sweet time, with a lot of focus on songs about heaven and God's love. My mind went to the calling of eternity a BLESSED HOPE, and it surely is. Jen and Mike and Patty and I discussed what a blessing it thrill it is going to be to see these fellow believers in heaven with sound bodies and minds. (we will be way better off, too!)
Our team kept our part short in the interest of time. But we did review the 5(!) verses the campers had memorized. Gen 1:1; Ps 45:6; Matt 19:26; Col 1:16; Acts 16:31. Ethan the puppet (every one's favorite puppet) made his final appearance and let us know that he had won the Okomonji High Science Fair, then we sang our favorite two songs. If I Were a Butterfly and My God is So Big.
After this came the candles (too wet for campfire) and testimony time. Each camper that wanted to told us their name, cabin number, and when they were saved. I believe the count is up to four this week. One guy Roy, proudly proclaimed, "My name is Roy, from the Missionary Hut, and I got saved by Jesus Christ this week, WHOOO!" And we ALL cheered at the top of our lungs! Roy (who Mike Griswold helped lead to the Lord) definitely made an eternity changing decision! Smiles were everywhere.
This time continued with many declarations of salvation from YEARS ago. This ministry at the camp (we had found out) had been started by a church years ago who started a "Precious Jewel" ministry that got as big as 90, and they took a day at camp, then just had the crazy idea to do it for a whole week.
After the testimony time, it was the standard end of the night. Unmedicated campers out, then the medication lines. (The nurse had QUITE A WEEK)
Then your tired, but energized team packed up and loaded everything up they could from the tabernacle. Puppet stage, props, etc. Instructions wer given concerning the morning (Boston team would pull out @ 6:30am) and then an FBC Missions Trip tradition: Our First weekers lined up, and the Second weekers gave them hugs and said their goodbyes. We made Reilly cry, along with some unnamed others.
More pics from the night have been entered into the Tue-Fri picture album, so, here they are again!!
WHOOO! Now for the Saturday post!!!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Thursday and Friday
Hello FBC Youth Missions Trip Followers.
Photo collection has been not really happening with such little "off" time for the teens. I hope to get some more up after lunch.
Yesterday was a pretty crazy day. It was cold, and then it cleared up a bit,and then it POURED! DELUGE style. We all went to the closest cover and then got everybody to the new dining hall for inside games. About an hour later, clear skies, and the pool even got reopened.
Our days (not including the rain) have been pretty consistent. Keeping to a tight schedule helps the campers. SO...here...is a run down of a non-rain changed schedule.
6:30 - staff devos (that's right! the team has been up and ready by 6:30)
7:00-7:30 - cabin devos - but actually it has been finish getting ready time.
7:30 - flag raising and morning exercises and prayers
Breakfast (and each meal) - the staff leaves to prepare the food. Including cutting into small pieces and making sure dietary requirements are being met. While this is going on, our team takes all the campers to wash their hands and make sure they have used the facilities. Then we take the campers to the dining hall. We eat on our own side of the dining hall, while the staff sits and assists the campers in eating. After that, the staff stays to eat while we take the campers to whatever is next - breakfast - cabin clean up, lunch - rest time, supper - an activity.
After breakfast
Cabin CleanUp - puppet and Bible time prep for some of us
Bible/Missions Time - We have 50 minutes with the girls and then the guys. This is when we do our puppet time. Ethan and the Science Fair (our new puppet productions recorded by you very own teens). We also teach a Verse (5 this week!) Dana does her creation story (in parts, if I remember!), we sing songs (If I were a Butterfly, My God is So Big, Lord's Army, God Bless America, etc.) and a Bible Story TIme with Pastor Dave.
Wrapped Around lunch and rest time (which is not necessarily restful)are different stations that the campers are divided up to do:
Lake Front - Speed Boat and Paddle Boats (they LOVE the speed boat)
Pool - We either swim or stay close
God's Helpers - Doing different work activities around the camp
Crafts - Building a lot of stuff
Snack Shack - Lots of goodies
Within these times many campers choose to just sit around and relax/color/play, which is allowed and encouraged. The teens stay with their campers where ever they go, and just interact all day.
Finally, there is supper, then an evening activity, and we do a final quick review chapel.
Campers to bed, Our team together for devos, then a snack and time with the camp staff, then to bed by about 10/10:30.
Now I am tired just typing this. Rain is starting up again!!
Off to lunch.
Pastor Dave
Boston Bound tomorrow!
Photo collection has been not really happening with such little "off" time for the teens. I hope to get some more up after lunch.
Yesterday was a pretty crazy day. It was cold, and then it cleared up a bit,and then it POURED! DELUGE style. We all went to the closest cover and then got everybody to the new dining hall for inside games. About an hour later, clear skies, and the pool even got reopened.
Our days (not including the rain) have been pretty consistent. Keeping to a tight schedule helps the campers. SO...here...is a run down of a non-rain changed schedule.
6:30 - staff devos (that's right! the team has been up and ready by 6:30)
7:00-7:30 - cabin devos - but actually it has been finish getting ready time.
7:30 - flag raising and morning exercises and prayers
Breakfast (and each meal) - the staff leaves to prepare the food. Including cutting into small pieces and making sure dietary requirements are being met. While this is going on, our team takes all the campers to wash their hands and make sure they have used the facilities. Then we take the campers to the dining hall. We eat on our own side of the dining hall, while the staff sits and assists the campers in eating. After that, the staff stays to eat while we take the campers to whatever is next - breakfast - cabin clean up, lunch - rest time, supper - an activity.
After breakfast
Cabin CleanUp - puppet and Bible time prep for some of us
Bible/Missions Time - We have 50 minutes with the girls and then the guys. This is when we do our puppet time. Ethan and the Science Fair (our new puppet productions recorded by you very own teens). We also teach a Verse (5 this week!) Dana does her creation story (in parts, if I remember!), we sing songs (If I were a Butterfly, My God is So Big, Lord's Army, God Bless America, etc.) and a Bible Story TIme with Pastor Dave.
Wrapped Around lunch and rest time (which is not necessarily restful)are different stations that the campers are divided up to do:
Lake Front - Speed Boat and Paddle Boats (they LOVE the speed boat)
Pool - We either swim or stay close
God's Helpers - Doing different work activities around the camp
Crafts - Building a lot of stuff
Snack Shack - Lots of goodies
Within these times many campers choose to just sit around and relax/color/play, which is allowed and encouraged. The teens stay with their campers where ever they go, and just interact all day.
Finally, there is supper, then an evening activity, and we do a final quick review chapel.
Campers to bed, Our team together for devos, then a snack and time with the camp staff, then to bed by about 10/10:30.
Now I am tired just typing this. Rain is starting up again!!
Off to lunch.
Pastor Dave
Boston Bound tomorrow!
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Wednesday continued...
Ahhhh. I am relaxing in front of the camp office, where I get the best web access. I can hear campers and teens singing songs (Amazing Grace and I Have Decided plus the ever present I've Got a Mansion - camper favorite)
Today started COLD and dreary. It was looking to be a tough day, but the clouds have parted, no rain was to be seen, and it is quite nice. campers are swimming and doing crafts and relaxing.
Our team has been getting quite the compliments from the staff. I have had multiple BaYouCa staff members say how patient and great our teens are. They think we are doing GREAT!
The campers are starting to ask of all if we will come back next year. They are even praying for it! This is quite a compliment, as this is one of the highlights of their year, and they would love for us to continue to be a part of it.
I am not sure how I can best explain how proud I am of these teens. They are spending almost 22 hours out of the day in the presence of the campers. They sleep in the same cabins, help them get from place to place, assist in bathroom breaks, showers, seizures, changing for swimming and pool time, Bible time, etc.
This creates a very exhausting atmosphere. Physically, mentally, and spiritually this team being pushed. Yet, they are really shining.
The only breaks are for meal time and for team devotions at the end of the night. This devotional time we review our devos (which everybody is doing very well at) and then talk about our best moments from the day. Each team member shares something that was very special to them. It is a time that we all have enjoyed very much. With lots of smiles and almost some tears. They all will have quite a few stories to tell after this week!
Tonight will be quite a night. We have the BaYouCa county fair, which involves a bunch of booths that the campers will go to. Your teens will be doing all sorts of things including being in a dunk tank, dressing up as clowns (I am looking forward to photographing that) and running different fun events.
Next up will be the WORLD FAMOUS BaYouCa Chicken BBQ! I already had a little taste, and it lives up to the billing. They have been basting and BBQing the chicken for almost 2 1/2 hours! The whole camp smells WONDERFUL!
AND, after that we get to watch the BaYouCa Precious Jewels Talent Show! It is sure to be a bunch of skits that will have us in total laughter.
One teen commented that he doesn't think he has frowned in a few days, there is just so much to smile about, and so many people are hugging and having fun.
I am trying to compile all the photos from the teens, but it is already reaching up around 400, so I will be getting the memory cards tonight and trying to sort through the best of the best.
Those will be online soon...
Thanks again for all the prayers. Thank you to those who are caring for our kids! And thank you for the encouragement by comments and by email!
We love you guys!
Today started COLD and dreary. It was looking to be a tough day, but the clouds have parted, no rain was to be seen, and it is quite nice. campers are swimming and doing crafts and relaxing.
Our team has been getting quite the compliments from the staff. I have had multiple BaYouCa staff members say how patient and great our teens are. They think we are doing GREAT!
The campers are starting to ask of all if we will come back next year. They are even praying for it! This is quite a compliment, as this is one of the highlights of their year, and they would love for us to continue to be a part of it.
I am not sure how I can best explain how proud I am of these teens. They are spending almost 22 hours out of the day in the presence of the campers. They sleep in the same cabins, help them get from place to place, assist in bathroom breaks, showers, seizures, changing for swimming and pool time, Bible time, etc.
This creates a very exhausting atmosphere. Physically, mentally, and spiritually this team being pushed. Yet, they are really shining.
The only breaks are for meal time and for team devotions at the end of the night. This devotional time we review our devos (which everybody is doing very well at) and then talk about our best moments from the day. Each team member shares something that was very special to them. It is a time that we all have enjoyed very much. With lots of smiles and almost some tears. They all will have quite a few stories to tell after this week!
Tonight will be quite a night. We have the BaYouCa county fair, which involves a bunch of booths that the campers will go to. Your teens will be doing all sorts of things including being in a dunk tank, dressing up as clowns (I am looking forward to photographing that) and running different fun events.
Next up will be the WORLD FAMOUS BaYouCa Chicken BBQ! I already had a little taste, and it lives up to the billing. They have been basting and BBQing the chicken for almost 2 1/2 hours! The whole camp smells WONDERFUL!
AND, after that we get to watch the BaYouCa Precious Jewels Talent Show! It is sure to be a bunch of skits that will have us in total laughter.
One teen commented that he doesn't think he has frowned in a few days, there is just so much to smile about, and so many people are hugging and having fun.
I am trying to compile all the photos from the teens, but it is already reaching up around 400, so I will be getting the memory cards tonight and trying to sort through the best of the best.
Those will be online soon...
Thanks again for all the prayers. Thank you to those who are caring for our kids! And thank you for the encouragement by comments and by email!
We love you guys!
Tuesday
The first FULL day of camp is complete. We are getting into the swing of things for Wednesday.
Yesterday had plenty of rain, and a little sun. Tuesday included men's and women's chapel time. We had puppets, Bible story time (Lazarus and the Rich man.
OOps, there was the bell for TODAY'S puppet and Bible time.
More Later... (hopefully)
Yesterday had plenty of rain, and a little sun. Tuesday included men's and women's chapel time. We had puppets, Bible story time (Lazarus and the Rich man.
OOps, there was the bell for TODAY'S puppet and Bible time.
More Later... (hopefully)
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