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SATURDAY-
We had a great start to the week of ministry in Jonesville! Folks began
arriving for the community rally almost a hour in advance! The bikes were a
real motivation to attend! Most folks registered and the names will be given
to local churches for followup. We believe there were approximately 200
people there. While waiting for the bike distribution, adults and children
had an opportunity to listen to our handbell choir and singers, play games,
have their face painted, get a balloon animal, make a witnessing craft, play
games, enjoy a cookout and most importantly just chat. Many stories were
shared and opportunities for us to witness abounded. The mission team
volunteers did a fantastic job of making people feel comfortable and many of
them promised to return for our other events during the week. Every child
received a Bible story book and many adults received Bibles. Some children
spent the hour and a half just sitting on or gazing at their hoped-for
bikes. Approximately 80 bikes were distributed - it was in God's plan that
the right size bicycles were available for every child. Even some college
bound students were able to receive a bike. What a joy it was to watch them
ride around on their new bikes and see their faces!
We had about a dozen bikes left - we suspect they will be gone soon as the
word spreads. A special word of thanks to Bike Doctor, Steve Terry for
making sure every bike was in tip top working order and to Bill Klimmeck for
designing/building a platform to go into the truck so that all bikes were
transported without damage! Another word of thanks to the Greene County
football team who helped load both trucks.
More later... God has special plans for this week!!!
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ Wednesday Update Below _ _ _ _ _ _ _
We now have 46 people serving in Jonesville (I didn't count
Berdanine and Lynne Crotts(handbell folks - and Kaitlyn O'Driscoll was there
Saturday-Monday, Sam O'Driscoll came with the Terrys today) - we also have 3
dogs doing their part for ministry!!! Seems like we always have a unique
ministry team!!!!
SUNDAY-
Sunday was a day of worship. Team members attended various worship
services throughout the day at local churches and at Chestnut Grove. The
handbell choir performed in the afternoon at Chestnut Grove - a home for
folks with special needs. They performed one song and then it was declared
to be snack time!!! Don't mess with snack time - the team sat down to enjoy
the time with the residents and then started again after snack! The
residents greatly enjoyed the performance. The handbell choir and Steve
Banning performed again that evening at Rosedale Church. The church folks
were amazed as none had ever heard a live performance on the bells. In
fact, they are trying to recruit the choir to return for a Christmas event!
As usual there were no dry eyes in the church during Steve's performance.
The mission team had a special time of worship during their devotions lead
by Mary Layman. Ask a ny team member about "brushing someone's hair."
MONDAY-
Early Monday morning the second truck of donations was unloaded.
Even as the team was unloading, folks were being given items. One young
couple had a burnout in their apartment the day before and another lady who
had come to the community rally got some furniture. Her children had been
sleeping on the floor. She describes herself as a "baby Christian" - just
started attending church and she needs a lot of love/attention. She's asked
for Christian pen pals from the team since her old friends have rejected her
because of her new faith.
Also on Monday morning
-the baking team got busy and made cupcakes and cookies for Tuesday's events
- the handbell choir performed at a low income apartment complex
- MANY baby gifts were wrapped in preparation for the community baby shower
- bookbags were packed with school supplies
-the construction team picked up windows/supplies (also getting lost several times but that's another story!)
- multiple shopping trips for supplies, food, etc.
AND THAT WAS JUST THE MORNING!!
Then in the afternoon
-folks decorated church for VBS
-a team went to Chestnut Grove to entertain with singing and gospel music for the residents there and FELL IN LOVE! The privilege of praying for specific prayer requests with those special folks was a highlight.
-the construction team started on the windows replacements
-the cooking team worked on a yummy meal for 40 with the ease of a meal for 2.
AND THAT WAS JUST THE AFTERNOON
That evening the team gathered for sharing stories of their day, devotions and supper before many headed to Rosedale church for VBS. We had a small number of children but a wonderful spirit and a large adult class! Ask Rebecca and Ryan about ice fishing!
TUESDAY-
- The construction team got down to business on the window replacements.
- At the community baby shower, a dozen new mothers in addition to their mothers and grandmothers had a wonderful time with the women of the team. Melinda Smith had made a quilt for each new mother and God saw to it that we had exactly the right amount! Other folks had crocheted, knitted, sewn and bought baby items as well so there were many gifts to open along with games and refreshments. It was hard to tell who had more fun - the
folks attending or our folks who hosted the shower!
- Approximately 15 children attended activities outside while their moms were at the baby shower. They had devotions with science experiments and lots of water fun!
- In the afternoon, folks worked in the thrift shop organizing for the association and then it was back to VBS in the evening.
FULL WONDERFUL DAYS OF MINISTRY!!!!
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