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
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
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
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
Monday, June 14, 2010
Day 3
Sunday we saw the Lord bless mightily. In the morning we divided into 3 teams and spread out all across the city of Montrose to minister and lead in three local churches. All three groups had great times of worship and saw the moving of the Holy Spirit. The students and sponsors were living testimonies for the Lord.
During the afternoon, we went to our 3 VBS locations and began to make preparations for the week ahead. Many times this is the most difficult task, since we never know how many kids will be at any given location.
The students are working hard and serving the Lord through their each and every step. Our sponsors are also working hard and are such amazing examples to our students. I thank the Lord for their wonderful participation and for the sacrifice they make to come on the trip. They lead our students by example and love them whole-heartedly.
After a supper of sloppy joes we had our first VBS kick-off celebration at Rosemont Baptist Church. The purpose of the Celebration was to pre-register the children, but to also introduce the parents to Rosemont. Mission accomplished. Everyone had a great time and at that point the enrollment numbers were higher than ever before.
We are seeing lives changed forever! What an honor and privilege to serve the Lord by giving of ourselves. Please continue to pray for us and the people of Montrose. Tuesday and Wednesday we will be working with the city of Montrose on some service projects. This will be a significant opportunity for Rosemont Baptist Church to establish a presence in the community that they are striving to reach for Christ.
Until then,
Buck
During the afternoon, we went to our 3 VBS locations and began to make preparations for the week ahead. Many times this is the most difficult task, since we never know how many kids will be at any given location.
The students are working hard and serving the Lord through their each and every step. Our sponsors are also working hard and are such amazing examples to our students. I thank the Lord for their wonderful participation and for the sacrifice they make to come on the trip. They lead our students by example and love them whole-heartedly.
After a supper of sloppy joes we had our first VBS kick-off celebration at Rosemont Baptist Church. The purpose of the Celebration was to pre-register the children, but to also introduce the parents to Rosemont. Mission accomplished. Everyone had a great time and at that point the enrollment numbers were higher than ever before.
We are seeing lives changed forever! What an honor and privilege to serve the Lord by giving of ourselves. Please continue to pray for us and the people of Montrose. Tuesday and Wednesday we will be working with the city of Montrose on some service projects. This will be a significant opportunity for Rosemont Baptist Church to establish a presence in the community that they are striving to reach for Christ.
Until then,
Buck
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Day 2
We're here!!! We had a very uneventful day. (we like it that way) After a very cool morning in Amarillo, we stopped for a pit stop around 10:00 A.M. in the Northern part of the Texas panhandle and were about to freeze! We had to put on our jackets and hoodies on to keep warm.
We ate lunch in Pueblo and were again surprised by a guest. Kyle Fluker (Donny & Vickie Benkendorfer's son-in-law) is there while doing some Air Force training. It was great seeing him and I think he enjoyed seeing us. After lunch we crossed Monarch Pass and got snowed on!! The outside temperature registered 42 degrees. We put some of the cool weather in a jar and are bringing it home with us!
We pulled into a rainy Montrose around 6:45 P.M. (remember, we're on Mountain Standard Time). After eating a lasagna dinner at Rosemont Baptist Church, a Wal-Mart run was in order before turning in for the night.
The students are amazing. I couldn't be prouder of their behavior and attitudes. Their willingness to help and be used is truly inspiring.
Tomorrow is a going to be long day, however, a lot of ground work is going to be done that will enhance our ministry the rest of the week.
You prayers are being felt, please keep them coming.
Until then,
Mr. Buck
We ate lunch in Pueblo and were again surprised by a guest. Kyle Fluker (Donny & Vickie Benkendorfer's son-in-law) is there while doing some Air Force training. It was great seeing him and I think he enjoyed seeing us. After lunch we crossed Monarch Pass and got snowed on!! The outside temperature registered 42 degrees. We put some of the cool weather in a jar and are bringing it home with us!
We pulled into a rainy Montrose around 6:45 P.M. (remember, we're on Mountain Standard Time). After eating a lasagna dinner at Rosemont Baptist Church, a Wal-Mart run was in order before turning in for the night.
The students are amazing. I couldn't be prouder of their behavior and attitudes. Their willingness to help and be used is truly inspiring.
Tomorrow is a going to be long day, however, a lot of ground work is going to be done that will enhance our ministry the rest of the week.
You prayers are being felt, please keep them coming.
Until then,
Mr. Buck
Saturday, June 12, 2010
2010 - Day 1
Day 1 was a great day! After an early start, we were able to stay on schedule all day. We had surprise visitors at our lunch stop in Wichita Falls when Lucian & Deanna Stohler walked into McDonald's. They were on their way to the Texas panhandle to see their kids and grand-kids.
We rolled in to Amarillo around 4:00 P.M. We checked into the hotel and after a quick change we were back on the bus and on our way to the Palo Duro Canyon to see the outdoor musical production "Texas". While we were there we had more surprise guests, Mike & Teresa McCaskill and Gary & Rhonda McConaughey met us there to enjoy the evening.
Before seeing the musical we ate a wonderful meal by The Big Texan. Salad bar, fresh fruit, potato casserole, hot rolls and either grilled steak or chicken breast were on the menu. And for dessert, hot peach cobbler!
This evening the Lord provided us with a wonderful ministry opportunity. We were able to do a 30-minute pre-show concert as guests came into the amphitheatre and found their seats. Our student were amazing! The Lord blessed as we sang and ministered.
We returned the hotel around midnight and it didn't take long before everyone was fast asleep.
Thanks for your prayer support, we can tell that people are lifting us up. Please continue! Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post on flick'r later today.
Until then,
Mr. Buck
We rolled in to Amarillo around 4:00 P.M. We checked into the hotel and after a quick change we were back on the bus and on our way to the Palo Duro Canyon to see the outdoor musical production "Texas". While we were there we had more surprise guests, Mike & Teresa McCaskill and Gary & Rhonda McConaughey met us there to enjoy the evening.
Before seeing the musical we ate a wonderful meal by The Big Texan. Salad bar, fresh fruit, potato casserole, hot rolls and either grilled steak or chicken breast were on the menu. And for dessert, hot peach cobbler!
This evening the Lord provided us with a wonderful ministry opportunity. We were able to do a 30-minute pre-show concert as guests came into the amphitheatre and found their seats. Our student were amazing! The Lord blessed as we sang and ministered.
We returned the hotel around midnight and it didn't take long before everyone was fast asleep.
Thanks for your prayer support, we can tell that people are lifting us up. Please continue! Hopefully I'll have some pictures to post on flick'r later today.
Until then,
Mr. Buck
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