Praying for Fairmont

We prayed for a pray-er and God answered that request! Barbara Cartledge felt God's tug on her heart to coordinate prayer efforts for the Fairmont project and she said yes. We are so grateful. Barbara has begun recruiting folks to join her in praying for trip preparations and for the activities that will happen during the project week. It has been fun to have folks at church come up and say I will be praying for you and would like to be a part of that team. Barbara is getting them all organized and praying specifically. Wow! What power.

Last day in the hall!

Sherry, pictured to the left, has led the fund-raising effort for the team, and I think she would tell you it has been an experience that has been spiritual and relational. For her, the organizational part probably has been a layup. She did it all with grace and the help of many others.

The artwork is amazing: hammers, saws, paintings. The talent our church has is amazing. It has been very neat to see people react to the creativity. Even if they did not desire the art, the art allowed us to make new connections and tell the story about the mission trip.

It was also a lot of fun to watch team members introduce Mrs. Ann, whose house we will work on in Fairmont, to the church. The Becketts will know Mrs. Ann the moment they meet face to face after all of the time they have spent introducing her photo to others!

This is the last week we are camped out. I hope the church has not seen the tables as an intrusion but as a welcome mat to participate, pray, and yes, support the trip. My personal prayer is that next year, many of those introduced to Fairmont through these tables will be called to go!

Team Meeting...and hot dogs

If swimming and hot dogs can be called a meeting, then we had one! (Denny, what's with the cool desert hat?)

The gang gathered poolside for a few hours of swimming and then the team leaders had conversations with their folks. It is getting very, very close and feels very real.

The fund-raising report was good. Nearly 18 of the 24 thousand has been raised. The stories are many and varied but the consistent thread has been God's faithfulness and creativity! See the Emily and Thomas post for a REALLY cool story (coming soon).

Construction team: Greg Hartley, fearless leader AND a bunch of workers...or are they backup singers?

Bug Camp man Dan. (No, it's officially NOT Bug Camp)

Ballet...Katy Beckett leads the pilé (rhymes with "way"), but will she teach all cinq positions des pieds?

24 days until we pull out!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yardsale...part 2

I think the yard sale was, for me, more of an experience of team building (fancy term for making new friends, and having fun with old ones, while working toward a common purpose) and observing humanity. It is true, one man's junk is another's treasure. It was wonderful to see the donations become cash that will allow our team to go to Fairmont!

West Virginia Missions Trip Garage Sale!

Folding, Fellowship, Food and Fun!!!

Fun Times at the Garage Sale!









And the TOTAL is.......!!