He is the vine, we are the branches...

Wow, I can tell this one's going to be long so I apologize in advance.

We've been leading VBS in Paterson, WA over the past few days and here is a recap of what's been going on. I have four 5-6th graders in my class- Trevor, Hunter, Antonio, and Cristina- and two helpers (who are pretty much their age)-Bre and Sela. Wednesday is the day in our curriculum when we teach about Christ's death and resurrection and what that means for us. We teach about forgiveness. And we teach the ABC's of becoming a Christian. So it's a pretty intense day what with the responsibility of communicating the most important information a child will ever hear all within two 25 minute segments and all the while keeping them engaged through games and activities. I'll admit, I got really frustrated. I got frustrated that we had so little time to actually spend on our Bible stories and prayer but got rushed off to crafts or games. I got frustrated that my kids wanted to play games and compete more than they wanted to focus on discussing how Jesus died for us and rose from the dead just as he said. And because of that I think I was really disappointed that none of my kids wanted to ask questions or learn more or pray with me. I know they're the oldest ones there and have the best chances of fully understanding what it all means. I passed out little cards to each student and asked them to check off which option was how they felt. The options were 1) I feel like God wants me to accept Jesus as Lord right now and am ready 2) I have more questions 3) I have already accepted Jesus 4) I'm not ready right now and want to wait.

It broke my heart to see that while 4 of them put that they were already Christians, 2 said they were not ready. I wanted to invest and make a difference and see the fruit of the labor now. But those two, although they participate in the class, haven't made a decision yet. So please pray for Antonio and Cristina.

However, through all this frustration God revealed that He is God (of course) and is bigger than a curriculum or a schedule. He is capable of invoking child like faith in the short time we have to teach. He is able, although I am far from perfect. He's given me peace to know that sometimes we don't see the fruit of the labor. Sometimes we simply plant a seed and trust that God will send workers into the field- to the harvest.

And we've also been enjoying all that Paterson has to offer while we're here. Tuesday afternoon the children's director Mimi and her husband Sam took us out on the river in their boat! We spent the entire afternoon being dragged behind on a really nice intertube. I read somewhere that we weren't supposed to exceed 20mph but the way those waves felt super fast. I had never done that before so it was a really awesome first experience. And thank goodness I did not fall out! Joelle did though... Well it was more like somersaulted out of the back of the tube. Ha but thankfully no one got hurt and she got right back on. The water was really cold but a thousand shades of blue and sparkled like diamonds in the bright sun. We were surrounded by great hills on both sides and were able to just sit and marvel at God's creation.

After it started getting dark, we headed back to Mimi's house. She is a viticulturist-which means she grows wine grapes- at Canoe Ridge Vineyards. She has 500 acres of vineyards all along these huge hills. It was really interesting because she is a very wise woman of God and used our tour of the vineyards to teach us some spiritual application. First of all, the vine is really thick and sturdy while the branches from the vine are more malleable and are what bears fruit. So when Jesus says that "I am the vine and you are the branches," it's clear to see that the vine is what provides all support and nourishment. The vine is the basis of the entire plant. BUT it is the branches which bear fruit. As Christ's followers, WE are the ones responsible for bearing fruit. When Jesus says, "Apart from me you can do nothing," it's very evidently seen with the grape vines. If you cut a branch off the vine it's no good. It can't do anything alone. An interesting fact from the viticulturist- once branches have matured and produced fruit, they are pruned back so that new branches can grow. Mimi told us how important it is to let God renew us daily. He is not a stagnant God but a living God! So following a truth He revealed to us ten years ago is good, but He has a plan and purpose for today and more/better fruit is produced when you daily seek God's will.

So our tour of the vineyard was breathtaking and vivid- we watched the sunset from atop the huge hill they live on and could see not only ALL of the sky but also acres and acres of grapes, the river reflecting the sun's colors, and the Blue Mountains in the distance. I have never seen such amazing views! But honestly when we heard about Mimi it was our Baptist instinct to wonder about a woman in the church working for a wine company. But as she shared her story with us my heart was convicted for that judgmental attitude. She started out working on potato and corn farms but was asked by her company to become the manager and viticulturist of Canoe Ridge Vineyards. As she prayerfully considered the options she opened to Proverbs 31. A chapter all of us have read and reread. But as she reread it again, she found that the virtuous woman buys a field and plants a vineyard with her earnings (vs 16). And throughout the gospels, Jesus used metaphors of grapes... in fact his first miracle was turning water into wine. Not just any wine though, Jesus made AMAZING wine. And Mimi told us that's her goal- to make amazing wine like Jesus did. Also as the manager she has a position to protect the employees which work on the vineyard. Many are immigrants or migrant workers and are easily taken advantage of so she has taken responsibility for their well being as employees.

Overall it was a fantastic day, full of words of wisdom and God's beauty. As the week continues we have been in prayer for the community of Paterson and their ministries here. Their church is so small that there aren't any youth centered ministries so we were excited to be able to have a Bible study with them this week... however, today was our last day to do that and none of them stayed :( But we went ahead and the four of us summer missionaries had our study.

I will have pictures coming soon! Comments and encouragement is very appreciated!
Love in Christ

Pray for tomorrow!

We've had a pretty good start at Vacation Bible School in Paterson, Washington. It's amazing how since the summer missionaries know the songs and are young, we get used for EVERYTHING! It's great though, as challenging as it is. We do the Worship Rally, we teach full classes, we do skits, songs and prayers, and we close out the service each day. And then we stay for lunch and a Bible study with our youth helpers- that study is really neat. It's a lot like what the VBSers are going through with a much deeper look. We have 9 girls and the 4 of us summer missionaries, all ranging age from 11 to 20.

Tomorrow curriculum covers the story of Jesus dying for us but rising again! Our memory verse is Romans 6:23- "for the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord". And we're also discussing the ABC's of becoming a Christian. It's going to be an intense day, both with our little ones and with the youth. Please pray for my class! I have Hunter, Trevor, Antonio and Cristina. I so want them to come to know the Lord! Please pray that the Spirit will soften their hearts to His word and that I won't freak out or make it too complicated or try to use everything in the Lifeway material. Thank you so much for your prayers! We are about to go boating on the Umatilla River!

Pictures and Review of Last Week

My favorite picture of the week! Arron, Mason, Shane, Ben, Naomi, and Shannon

Katherine and I studying for our Backyard Bible Club lessons

Reanna, Elizabeth, Shannon and Naomi

On the last day of Backyard Bible Club, all our kids gathered around us for a picture!

Me with Reanna and Naomi, and Tira in the back.

The kids had a big surprise Friday- a firetruck! Here are Arron, Angie, Shane, Mason and Garrett waiting to spray the big hose!


Well last week at Grace Baptist Church in Hermiston, Oregon was awesome! We had about 22 kids total attend Backyard Bible Club, averaging about 21 a day. We know one boy for sure accepted Christ so be praying for Shane as we celebrate his new life centered on Jesus! It was an amazing experience getting to know the congregation and their needs as well as having the opportunity to minister to children from the community. Please pray that this church will continue to seek God's face and grow.

This week we are in Paterson, Washington- right across the river and we are doing Vacation Bible School in the only church for miles and miles on this side of the river. Pray that God will send children- those who have never heard the good news before- and we will be used in great and mighty ways. Paterson consists of a school, post office, general store/restaurant, and the church. It's mainly a farming community and many supply grapes for local wineries. We are in an amazing host home with the other two summer missionaries- Lara and Joelle. I'm teaching 5th/6th grade this week and we're all helping with a youth Bible study afterward which integrates a lot of the VBS theme.

Thank you so much for your prayers!

my room in our Paterson host home!

Hallelujah!

I have a new brother in Christ!

Katherine and I have been investing a lot of time into a relationship with Shane, a twelve year old at our Backyard Bible Club. His grandmother brings him to church but his home life is anything but stable. He's really smart and energetic. Pastor Bill, our host, picked him up every day this week for BBC so we immediately took the opportunity to show him some love! Monday he was able to stay and have lunch with Katherine and I and our hosts so we got a chance to really gauge where he was spiritually. Since he is one of the oldest kids at BBC, I let him be a helper in my kindergarten-3rd grade class. And he has also been joining us going to Pendleton every night for their evening VBS. While at first he was apprehensive about singing silly songs and participating he has grown to love the songs and stories we discuss. Last night was Pendleton's night to push for salvations. Katherine and I took notes because that was in our curriculum this morning. I was nervous about making the gospel understandable to young children but finally had to just give it to God. I kept making things too complicated when God treasures child-like faith. So we had our lesson during BBC today and went through the story of Jesus dying and rising again, as well as the bridge illustration and the ABC's of becoming a Christian (Admit, Believe, Confess). It was very encouraging to see Shane participating more and more in our discussions (when earlier in the week he didn't really want to associate with the class). He answered about definitions of admitting, confession, sin, and salvation. I was so excited because I could see him getting close! Then at the evening VBS in Pendleton tonight Shane told his teacher that he accepted Christ this morning! On the ride back he showed me a cool little book he'd gotten that had the ABC's on it. We talked through it together and he recited all the steps to me and then he said- I accepted Christ this morning right before our Bible club. We are SO excited to have been used in Shane's life!

Please pray for Shane! Pray that this decision will take root and grow into a life! Pray that he will be surrounded by godly people to help him in his walk. And pray that somehow he will be able to go to Boys Camp in July that we're working at!

Psalm 36:5-6 "Your unfailing love, Oh Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds. Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; your justice is like the ocean depths."

What a week!

I feel like I have so much to tell since the last time I wrote! Thursday and Friday Katherine, Lara, and I traveled with our supervisor to Camp Touchet in Dayton, Washington. It's right at the base of the Blue Mountains and is absolutely beautiful. Unlike most of the areas we'll work in, Camp Touchet is lush and green with lots of vegetation! The Touchet River runs right through it and we could hear it from our beds. While we were there we were able to do some preparation for the summer- cleaning out the kitchen, moving supplies to storage, sweeping and vacuuming- but we were also able to meet the camp managers (Dale and Alisha) who live on sight and take care of the camp. They were amazing to work with! We got to take a nature hike up the mountain and roast hot dogs around the fire. Dale even shared with us how our summer is like Moses' journey with the Isrealites. It was a refreshing couple of days, the weather was beautiful (even when it rained) and the company was inspiring.

Then Saturday Katherine and I headed to Hermiston, Oregon with our new host family while Lara and her partner Joelle went to Pendleton, Oregon. Saturday night the church in Pendleton had a big block party for the kids to kick off VBS week so we all went over to help them. It was lots of fun- a bounce house, dunking booth, free hot dogs and snow cones, and lots of carnival prizes. Then Sunday morning at Grace Baptist, we got to meet all of the congregation. We are staying with Bill and Bea Griggs- the pastor and his wife who have been there about a month. The Griggs are amazing people! They love the Lord and they love children. Even though they are in their 70s, Pastor Bill still runs around with the kids during recreation and puts on daily skits that have the kids in fits of laughter. Keep him in your prayers please because today he hurt his leg during Backyard Bible Club- we think he popped his ham string?

Anyway, Sunday night all of the youth groups in the CBBA had a summer kick off party in the Tri Cities so we all got to meet a lot of the kids who will be at the three camps we're working in July. Plus we got to visit with all of the youth pastors. We had a time of worship with a youth led worship band which was really cool.

Monday kicked off the first day of Backyard Bible Club in Hermiston. There hasn't been a lot of success with VBS in the past so there weren't very high hopes in terms of numbers. However, we had 19 kids come the first day! Katherine and I were surprised to learn we're in charge of quite a lot. We each teach a class: Katherine has 4-6th graders and I have K-3rd. We lead the songs at the opening rally and make up all the motions. Luckily we've got some great curriculum and the kids seem to be responding really well to it!

We're also helping out wherever we're needed at Pendleton's evening VBS this week. They have the "traditional" Lifeway version which is lots of fun AND it's really nice because next week we're teaching classes with that theme! Two children's events a day is pretty exhausting but we are so blessed to be part of it!

Please pray:
-that Katherine and I keep up our energy and enthusiasm all week
-that the atttendance at Hermiston's Backyard Bible Club is greatly increased and more kids hear the good news!
-that Pastor Bill's leg will miraculously be healed
-that God will continue to change us and mold us for his purpose
-for Shane, a 6th grade boy who has taken an interest in VBS and is going to both Hermiston and Pendleton's. We've taken him under our wing- just pray that he finds good role models and begins to grasp God's truth for him

Thank you so much for your prayers and support!

What's Coming Up

This morning we had our first orientation and planning meeting where my partner Katherine and I, along with Lara who came through IMB, got details on our activities this summer. The rest of the week will be spent preparing the CBBA campgrounds for the three camps held in July (boys, girls, and youth). Then starting Monday, Katherine and I will be helping with a Backyard Bible Club with Hermiston Baptist Church in Oregon. We are very excited to see what God will accomplish this summer!

Everyone in the CBBA (Colombia Basin Baptist Association) Office is very warm and welcoming and have made feel at home. Several of the people we work with are originally from Texas so we have a lot in common, including our accents. I have been so blessed in the way they have already shown us love and service and look forward to opportunities to serve them as well.

Please begin praying for the three camps in July which we will be assisting with, as well as for Hermiston's Backyard Bible Club next week. Pray that us summer missionaries will find opportunities to show love and service to the people in this office who have already done so much for us. And pray that we will be sensitive to God's presence and seek Him wholeheartedly, not getting caught up in schedules or curriculum. Thank you all so much for your support and prayers!

On the way!

I am writing from the Denver International Airport where I am waiting for the final flight to Washington. It is exciting and nerve-racking and surreal that the day is here and I will be gone for two months. I want to thank everyone who has had a part in making this trip possible- everyone who has partnered in prayer or financially or offered wisdom. I so appreciate your support. I am experiencing some definite jitters so these are things I would ask you to pray for me:

• A Spirit of flexibility as I adjust to the culture
• A heart that is broken for the people
• A desire to deny all of my rights for the sake of the Gospel of Christ
• Unity within my team
• Boldness in sharing the truth of the cross with people
• Health for myself and my team members
• A heart to serve Christ, my team members, and the people I will meet
  
• Strength to withstand attacks from the enemy

I am scared and unsure, but this I know. God is much bigger than my idea of what a summer should be. And in my weakness, God can be glorified. It is my prayer that this experience will expand my view of who God is and what is means to be a follower of Christ. I want to see my faith take action, where He becomes more and I become less. Thank you so much and I will update you when I get to Washington!