SWC Mission Tour - 2011

Ensemble "I Will Follow"

Mission Trip Video #1

Update

Lots has happened since my last post. Our schedule has been non-stop! I'll try and hit the high points.

Wednesday

VBS continued with great gusto. The children from both Rosemont Baptist Church and Northbrook Villas learned about faith and the love of Jesus through bible study, music, crafts and recreation. The theme for this year's VBS is The Big Apple. Our students and adults engaged the children by showing love and exhibiting a real passion for the Lord. The connection between them is so evident.

The second group finished painting the Sharing Ministries Food Pantry to the delight of the entire community. A front page article in the local newspaper fueled excitement among the locals. Many people find it hard to believe that we've come in goodwill and expect nothing in return for our service. They are pleasantly reassured that good people DO exist and that is so much more blessing in giving that in receiving.

We presented a concert at Rosemont Baptist Church for the families that are participating in VBS. Many new families of were in attendance for the concert. Dr. Kim was very encouraged by their presence. It was a wonderful evening of worship.

Thursday

The last day of VBS. We enrolled more children at both sites this year than ever before. The missions offering received was more than ever before. To say that VBS was a success, is a complete understatement.

We spent Thursday afternoon cleaning the church and returning everything to its original state. We also packed out suitcases in preparation for loading later that night.

In the midst of all of the positive and encaging things happening we encountered something that threatened to derail it all. However, the Lord's power and might were displayed and things were restored quickly and without interruption.

The one thing we've been looking forward to the whole trip has been "Main in Motion". A community-wide street festival every Thursday night through June, July & August. Meeting with officials in February were very positive and we had been given open access to anything we wanted to do. The officials described the event to us but nothing could have prepared us for what we experienced. We were told that upwards of 3,000 to 4,000 would be in attendance. They were right!

We invited each child that had attended VBS to be our guest at Main in Motion. We prepared 2,000 hot dogs, 2,000 bags of chips, 2,000 bottles of water and served it all served on 2,000 bright yellow frisbees. The children, under Ms. Laura's direction sang the VBS songs and praised the Lord amongst the huge crowd in attendance. Our students worked by preparing the food, serving the food, working the inflatables, assisting with the VBS children and various other tasks. It was and incredible experience and we praise the Lord for giving us the vision and resources to accomplish what has become the largest single event we've ever produced on a mission trip to date. I found it humorous while chatting with a local when she said "I'm sorry that more people didn't turn out tonight." I responded with bewilderment as to where we put another single person in the midst in the wall-towall crowd!

Friday

Another very early departure! We loaded the bus at 4:45 and headed toward Amarillo, TX. Upon our arrival we would go to the Amarillo Sox baseball game where we sang the National Anthem and cheered on the hometown boys. Unfortunately our support was not enough to put the Sox in the winners bracket.

Saturday

We are currently en route to Spring! We are praying for continued safe travel and for us to be able to maintain our schedule.

Day 5

Tuesday proved to be a very productive day. The VBS's are running very smoothly and we are seeing new faces every day. The Lord has been gracious and allowed us to see some

fruits of our labors. Last year many relationships were formed. We are seeing that those relationships have stood the test of time and distance. Many of the children from Montrose have waited all year for us to return. We saw a mother that came to know the Lord last year, now leading a ladies Bible study. Children that came to know the Lord last year, telling us how different their lives are. We hear citizens of the community say "you guys were here last year!" It's not often that the Lord allows us to see things like that. We feel our job is simply to plant the seed and allow the Holy Spirit to do the rest.

We continued painting the Sharing Ministries Food Pantry building yesterday. We have made significant progress and feel sure that the project will be completed this afternoon.

Last night (Tuesday) we went to Valley Manor Nursing Facility to present a concert. We have never done anything like that before. The students were a little anxious about what to expect. The residents were simply wonderful. Before we sang the students greeted the residents and what a joy it was to see their faces light up as they began to interact. The residents loved seeing the students and loved talking to them.

It was requested that a small group do a mini-concert for the residents that live in the Memory Care unit. These are folks that have Alzheimer's or dementia. About 12 students and adults went to the unit and shared with the residents there. The students were a bit apprehensive at first but quickly warmed up and began connecting with the people. We sang a few songs and left with wet eyes.

The trip has been so good thus far. I am constantly amazed by our students. They work hard, and do so with joy. I have been privileged to watch many of them grow to become mature young adults through the years. It is such a blessing to see the Lord grow them and use them for His Kingdom.

Thanks for your continued prayer support. We feel them!

Until then,

Buck

Day 4

Tonight will be a short post. However, tomorrow I will be posting several pictures and possibly our first video.

VBS began today at Rosemont Baptist Church and Northbrook Villas. Rosemont had 9o in enrollment, not counting SBC kids and adults. (On the first day last year we had 73 on the first day.) Northbrook Villa's had 63 in enrollment today, not counting SBC kids & adults. (On the first day there last year we had 18!) Needless to say it was a very successful first day of VBS.

This afternoon we went to Sharing Ministries, a food distribution ministry in Montrose. We scraped, primed and put a single coat of paint on the exterior and part of the interior. It was hard work and the students did a great job! The folks at Sharing Ministries were so impressed with the spirit and attitudes of our students. They were also amazed that they would give up and entire week of their summer to come and do work for people they've never even met! To illustrate this, a total stranger drove by and inquired what we were doing. One of our students explained that we were on a Mission Trip and he reached in his wallet and gave them some money right there on the spot. We happily gave the money to the food pantry.

Tomorrow we will divide in half. One half will continue painting and the the half will go river rafting. Then on Wednesday we'll all switch.

Thank you for the continued prayers. Keep 'em coming!

Until then,

Buck

Whew! What a day!

The day began bright and early. We joined together with Rosemont Baptist Church for worship this morning. Our students led in the worship service and the presence of the Lord was obvious and predominant. Dr. Kim's sermon regarding miracles was excellent and timely for our trip.

After a delicious lunch of homemade chalupas, we began setting up and getting things ready and organized for the beginning of VBS tomorrow. Students were going over Bible lessons, organizing craft projects, learning song motions and making sure all the recreation equipment was ready for tomorrow's VBS children.

Late in the afternoon we loaded the bus and went to Northbrook Mobile Home Park where we hosted a VBS Kick-off Block Party. The students led the children in games, made sno-cones, popcorn, cotton candy and presented a concert to the residents of the park. Many of the children that attended VBS last year were waiting for us as we exited the bus. The smiles on their faces were enough to melt our hearts. They were singing songs from last year's VBS and some of them brought some of the small gifts they had been given by students last year as remembrance's. Many of the children's parents came and it was a wonderful way to start the week.

As we made our way back to the church we had the blessing of assisting the new associate pastor's family by unloading their moving trucks! This was something that we've never done before. Tim & Lori and their children Micheala and Rowen are moving to Montrose from Edmond, OK. They will serve alongside Dr. Bearden to spread God's love to the people of Montrose. We unloaded 2 moving trucks and a u-haul trailer. You haven't lived until you carried a refrigerator and piano downstairs to the basement! Just sayin'...

Tomorrow VBS will be in full swing at Rosemont Baptist Church and at Northbrook Villas. Tomorrow afternoon we will be doing a community service project with the Montrose Community Food Pantry.

Thanks so much for the prayers. We are thankful for each one of them.

Until then,

Buck

Saturday has been a great day! We were able to maintain our schedule very well today. Many times we are able to do so for a single day, but it's rare that we're able to do so for 2 consecutive travel days. A great driver (Rex Brown), beautiful weather and a bus load of incredible students and adults is a great combination for making the impossible, possible. The students have been awesome. Their attitudes and dispositions have been wonderful and have made the trip thus far very enjoyable.

Today was seriously, all travel. Aside from 2 pit stops, and 1 lunch stop, we pressed onward. We arrived in Montrose around 5:30 PM. Got everyone checked in and walked over to Rosemont Baptist Church for a delicious lasagna dinner. Got the equipment unloaded and set up, made a Walmart run and got back to the hotel in time for everyone to be able to get a good nights sleep. We have a big day tomorrow and need for everyone to be on top of their game!

Since today was just a travel day I'm posting a few scenic pics I took along the way today.

Pray for us tomorrow as we lead worship at Rosemont Baptist Church and host a VBS Kick-off Block Party at Northbrook Mobile Home Park.

Day 1

Day one began very early and ended very late. The day went very smoothly and without interruption. We thank the Lord for His watch care over us as we traveled and managed to stay on schedule.

We departed SBC at 5:00 AM and pulled into Wichita Falls around 11:15 AM for a quick lunch. After lunch we were back on the road and arrived in Amarillo at 4:00 PM, right on schedule! After freshening up quickly and getting room assignments we were back on the bus for a short 30 minute trip to the Palo Duro Canyon.

Once at the canyon we set up for a pre-show concert and enjoyed a fabulous steak dinner prepared by the world famous Big Texan. We were blessed for the second year in a row to be able to present a pre-show concert to the guests as they were arriving to see the outdoor musical presentation of "Texas".

Our students were simply amazing. This was probably one of the best "first concerts" we've ever done while on Mission Tour. Following the concert we were bombarded by people commenting on "those wonderful young people". Their lives, their faces and their voices were used as living testimonies to Jesus Christ and his immeasurable love. We enjoyed the presentation very much and were finally back at the hotel around 11:30 PM.

A very quick night, a delicious breakfast and a very cool morning set the stage for a great day 2. Yesterday we traveled 586 miles from Spring to Amarillo and today we will travel 564 miles from Amarillo to Montrose. We know that the Lord is with us and know that He will use us to His glory in many ways, some we're not even aware of. Please continue to lift us up as we travel and as we minister in Jesus' name.

Montrose Update

Just spoke with Donna from Montrose and she gave a great report regarding the current state of things at Rosemont. She has been all over town delivering thanks-yous to people and business' that make a contribution to VBS and all of them have had something great to say about "those kids from Texas". She went to the ROTC to see if they could get a color guard for their July 4th service and even the man there had heard about us and read about our visit in the newspaper and was talking about how great is was that we came to help. 2 grocery stores and the Chamber of Commerce have also had many great things to say.

That was our hope and prayer. We wanted for Rosemont to be able to increase their ministry and visibility to the people of Montrose. We wanted for more people to know that they exist. We can only praise the Lord for the way He works through His willing children.

In two weeks they are going to begin an on-going Mom's class. One of the ladies that attended the class while we were there has been coming to church regularly, with her 2 children.

The Lord is continuing what He began with us.

She also updated me on Dr. Kim's health. He is not doing well at all. He is in constant pain and is needing to make a decision very soon about what to do. Please be in fervent prayer for him. He has some major decisions and obstacles facing him. I know he would appreciate your prayers.

Until then,
Mr. Buck

Spring Baptist Church Montrose Day 4

Commendation

I thought you might enjoy seeing this letter we received from the mayor of Montrose. Our goal and purpose of the Community Service Projects was to help Rosemont Baptist Church establish an identity in their community and to cast a positive light on their ministry. I believe that through the Lord's power & provision, we accomplished what we set out to do.

Until then,
Mr. Buck

News : Baptist church from Texas helps out community (Montrose, CO)

News : Baptist church from Texas helps out community (Montrose, CO)

Spring Baptist Church Montrose Day 2/3

Waxahachie

It is 6:00 A.M. and we have just left Waxahachie. We are anticipating an arrival of 8:45 A.M. Should things change we'll update as merited.

Wichita Falls

It's a little after 3:00 A.M. and we are in Wichita Falls. The drivers are taking a quick break and we'll be back on the road shortly. The next update will be after we've come through Dallas and are on I-45 Southbound.

Update

Dear Friends and Parents,

We are currently en route to Houston. We were able to obtain a new bus along with a new driver and relief driver. We left Amarillo around 11:30 P.M. Future updates will be via this blog, Facebook or you can call (281) 353-5448 x106. The next update will be posted upon our arrival in Wichita Falls.

Students and adults are all safe and sound and doing well. Please continue to pray for our safety and expedient return home.

Until then,
Mr. Buck

Change of plans

This morning began without a hitch. We were still praising the Lord for the amazing night we had witnessed at the block party. Over 400 people were in attendance and we continued to receive reports of people coming to know the Lord. We were still floating on air.

We departed the hotel on time after picking up a few newspapers to read the front page story about our students being in Montrose and all the work they had done this past week. A colored picture accompanied the story that contained several quotes from our students.

We even had a departure committee present. Several members of Rosemont were there in the wee hours to say good-bye.

All went well until we began to climb Monarch Pass. One of the buses lost power and was chugging up the mountain at a snail's pace. Once the first bus reached the summit it went back down the mountain and shuttled the troubled bus's students to the summit. After a 2 1/2 hour wait and a temporary fix, we were back on the road. But not for long. We were able to limp to Canon City where we purchased additional materials to try and fix a busted turbo hose.

It wasn't long before we realized this fix was not going to work. Bus #1 went ahead to Pueblo to try and find a more long-term solution. We were able to find one and soon we were once again back on the road. But not for long.

Once again trouble had reared its ugly head and we were going nowhere fast. It was determined that a new bus would have to replace the ailing coach. So, now the search was on for somewhere to take the students during the wait. We began to call local churches in the area to see if anyone had a family life center that we might be able to hang out in until the new bus arrived. We called Belmont Baptist Church not knowing anyone there. In addition it was 5:00 P.M., on Friday. The pastor answered and was so gracious and kind. We invited us to come to his church and crash until we were able to board the new bus.

With a park across the street many of us played kick ball to pass the time. Some watched a movie in the Worship Center and others played basketball on the church parking lot.

As the minutes turned into hours we realized that there was not a bus within a reasonable distant to reach us in time. It was then determined that we would need to go ahead and secure rooms for the night in Pueblo. Yeah, right!

With a major convention in town there was not a room to be had, much less 27! We were beginning to feel the pressure. On a long shot I called Colorado State University in Pueblo. Without a direct number I called the County Sheriff's Office and began to track down a number of someone that might help us.

Upon reaching the Sheriff's office, the deputy told me he would be glad to help us and called the university for me. Within a few minutes I received a call back from a member of the university's housing staff. I was told that rooms were available but that the housing director would have to approve it, since the dorms were closed this weekend.

Within 30 minutes I received a call inviting us to spend the night at the university. The student workers had determined that we needed their help and they were willing to work to find a solution.

The very nice lady said an officer would meet us within minutes to escort us to the university. Keys had already been organized and were waiting, along with the students on staff.

In the meantime sponsors had gone to KFC and picked up 100 boxed meals for everyone. No small feat in and of itself.

Once at the university we began to find rooms and eat some much wanted chicken. By now it was around 9:30 P.M. While organizing keys the housing director once again appeared and told us that she had called food services and told them of our plight. They told her that they would be here bright and early in the morning to serve us breakfast. (The cafeteria is closed until Monday) BTW, the housing director lives in Arvada, a Denver suburb 100 miles away and usually goes home on the weekends. Today she had stayed late at the office to catch up when she received our call requesting her help.

By all accounts we could chalk today as being a total disaster. But as I told our students tonight, the enemy would like nothing better than for us to do that. However, we still were able to see God's provision in such an awesome way. He placed people in our path that were able to provide the assistance we needed, in just the way we needed it. He is to be praised! He is still on the throne and in the business of taking care of His children!

Tomorrow morning a diesel mechanic is scheduled to be here at 7:00 A.M. to make the necessary repairs so that we can return to Houston. We are scheduled to depart at 9:00 A.M. and begin the 14 to 15 hour journey home.

Please pray for our continued safety and that the Lord would be glorified in everything we do. Even though it looks to some like a disaster, it's all part of His plan and we're thrilled to be part of it.

Until then,
Buck

Amazing!!

I have taken many mission trips in my life and all of them have been amazing experiences. I have always gone expecting to see the hand of God move and change lives. Sometimes that happens in grand style and sometimes it happens on a smaller scale. Each trip is different in it's own way, and has it's own unique qualities.

I have to say that this trip has indeed been different. Different in a good way. One of the major differences has been the level of preparation from the host church. Rosemont Baptist Church has been working for months preparing for our visit. Major & minor details have been discussed and planned with the finest precision.

Another visible difference is that they have been praying and asking the Lord to show up in a major way. Well, He has answered their (and our) prayer. We have seen His Hand move right in front of our eyes. We have seen so many people come to know Christ as their Lord and Savior that we are humbled by His might and presence. Children and adults. Our students, and adults, have been so bold and willing to share their faith with the people of Montrose. It has been so inspiring. It has been so awesome to see the Lord change people's lives.

Our team has done an amazing job. They have worked harder than any other group I've ever been with. We have had the ability to diversify our skills and minister on a whole new level. Everything from computer skills to parenting classes have been offered. We have had the opportunity to invest in people in a very different, yet practical way.

At the same time the Lord has allowed us to be blessed in many different ways. Ways that have made the logistics of our trip flow very smoothly. Everything from allowing us to stay in a hotel that has an incredible staff. They have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help us in so many ways. Everything from using their commercial washers & dryers to launder our shirts and t-shirts multiple times this week, to completely rearranging their schedules to accommodate ours. They have made arrangements to have breakfast ready at 4:30 A.M. tomorrow morning so the kids can fix themselves a to-go box to eat on the bus. I have never seen a hotel staff work with such a personal and giving spirit.

We have also had some very giving bus drivers. Our schedule is very complicated and demanding. Rex & Jeff have taken it all in stride and done it with such joy and willingness. They can't say enough good about our kids and how wonderful they are. Even though I already knew it, it makes my heart swell with pride to hear them talk so favorably about them.

I praise the Lord with my whole heart for allowing me to be part of such an amazing group of people. Our students are the finest anywhere, and there are simply no words to adequately describe our adults and the way they work so tirelessly to serve the Lord and to invest in our students.

I am reminded of Paul's writing when he said "I thank my God in all my remembrances of you, remembering you constantly in prayer. We recall, in the presence of God our Father, your work of faith, labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ."

Thank you so much for your prayers. We are not done yet. Tonight we will be hosting Family FunFest, our closing celebration for VBS, and the plan of salvation will be presented to the parents. Pray that the Spirit is strong and that people will hear the message of salvation and will accept it!

Until then,
Buck

Day ???

Will someone please tell me what day it is? I woke up this morning wondering "what is that noise" (my alarm) and "what day is it?" I then realized it was my alarm but still haven't figured out what day it is. It's funny how they all begin to run together after a while.

We have had such a great time. Yes, we've had fun, but we have really seen the hand of God moving over this city. Today (Tuesday) we had 102 children at Rosemont. That's 2 1/2 times more than they've every had before. At Northbrook Villas Mobile Home Park they had 20 on the first day and 32 today. At Olathe they had 4 the first day and 8 today. Each location is having wonderful experiences and witnessing the power of the Lord work in the lives of the children that come their way.

This afternoon our middle school students went river rafting and we are praying they're having a great time. The high school students worked with the city of Montrose cleaning up public hiking trails.

Last night, we had the opportunity to go to Ridgeway Reservoir. Some of our braver (or crazy-er) students and sponsors swam! Yes, swam in the icy lake. The snow run-off is caught in the lake and believe me, it's very, very cold! They were trying to warm up by standing under the hand dryers in the the restroom!

Tonight we will be doing a concert at Northbrook Villas. We have an opportunity to minister to their physical needs by providing food and their spiritual needs by introducing them to Jesus. Your prayers are appreciated!

Until then,
Buck