It's hard to believe that in just two weeks I'll be in Alaska! I am sooo exicted and I can't wait until the day that I leave! Please keep praying for me as I prepare for the summer. Prayer is a key part of this summer! Thanks so much!
Now, here's one of those stories from Washington that I promised. This took place in the last week of June 2007 in Walla Walla, Washington. At the time, I was serving with Blue Mountain Baptist Church. During this week I was the Bible Story teacher for 4-6 graders during the mornings for VBS, and at night I got to hang out with the church's small group of youth.
Here's a little background info on the church I was working with. It was small church (they were excited if 50 people attended a service) with an older congregation. Probably about 95% percent of the congregation was over 65 and there were only 2 kids, brothers, that came regularly. However, this church was passionate and dedicated. I have never seen a church that wanted to have a VBS so badly. Before my partner and I even arrived, they had gone out and hung door knockers on every door near the church and had commited to pray for at least 28 kids to attend their VBS. THOSE PRAYES WERE ANSWERED!! On the first day, we had 7 kids. On day 2, we had 14 kids. By the end of the week, 30 kids were not only enrolled, but excited about Jesus! It was such a blessing to see all of this! I can't believe that God allowed me to be a part of it. However, this is not the best part of the story.
In 2002, there was a 16-year-old girl that delivered twin girls about 1 month early. One little girl was born healthy, but the other baby had some serious health problems. The doctors didn't expect her to live. The Lord had other plans though. A few monthes later, little Miracle joined her sister, Precious, at home. Yes, their names were Miracle and Precious! Five years later, a young married couple brought these two adorable girls to VBS. Their mom had found a door knocker on their front door a few days before and decided to bring her girls to the VBS. "I want my girls to be involved in something. I thought that church might be a good place to bring them."
Here is the real miracle of the week: both of these girls received Christ!! On Family Night, their mom told me that each morning, the girls got up so excited about VBS and Family Night. They would squeal, "Mommy! Daddy! I want you to come to my church!!" She and her husband were more than willing to come and see what had their girls so excited, and they were thrilled with what they saw. In fact, they decided that they would start coming to Blue Mountain Baptist regularly! What a blessing!!!
Isn't God incredible? He uses whoever He wants to grow his kingdom. In this case, He used two little 5-year-olds. What will be in store for this summer? We'll just have to wait and see! KEEP PRAYING!!
2 Chronicles 7:14
