Mission Vermont 2008

Thursday - Saturday
The Knox Family flew from San Antonio on Thursday morning and arrived first. Kay Bacon, Cindy Blundell and Dianne Burkes came on the 6:30 a.m. flight from Austin. After picking up the first van, we drove in later after a stop at SAM's for supplies.

Three carts turned into five carts and a flatbed! Loading all that into the van was a challenge!

En route to Barnet Center, Kay had a phone call from Ken and Sandy Hale of Trinity Baptist Church. We stopped there and she insisted on feeding us.

We finally arrived at the Retreat in Barnet Center, Vermont at 9:00 p.m. Now to put away the groceries! It seemed like loaves to bushels at Sam's, but there was a great Team Effort at the Retreat.

But wait! There's more! SAM's did not have everything, so a trip to WalMart in Woodsville came on Friday morning for half the crew. The others drove to the home of Glen and Wendy Hatch for soccer supplies and other equipment that they store for us. While we were gone, men from Barnet Center set up more bunk beds for those yet to arrive.

Glen and Wendy showed up at the store for a quick visit! Jan Tyroch had a quick conversation with an employee of the Subway Restaurant in WalMart. As her transaction was completed, the young lady told Jan, " I just love your accent. I know you can't help it."

The remainder of the day was spent in the kitchen prepping for meals to come: slicing vegetables, grating cheese, sauteing onions, cooked chicken and browned hamburger meat.

After all that cooking, we had dinner out! Ice cream on the way home was a real treat! Although, we sensed that the dairy was nearby...

After more cooking and prep on Saturday, the rest of the group arrives on Saturday night. Everyone settled in and dinner was served. After Kay gave instructions for the week, Richard Stearns gave a devotional. Every year, we draw names for Secret Prayer Partners. Encouraging notes and simple gifts are given with prayer support during the week. Last, the long-awaited lottery to sign-up for cooking and clean-up chores for the week.

The vital tools needed for the day: scissors, Sharpie and 'duck tape'

Sunday
Yes, it is cool with a lovely breeze.
Someone asked, "Which church are you attending?"
Reply, "Piermont."
Someone, "Why?"
Reply, "They have indoor plumbing."

Most of the youth attended church in Concord. They led in worship with singing and Martin preached.

In Piermont, the day was beautiful, so we stayed outside as long as possible. Finally the church bells rang calling every one inside to worship. Russell Jones preaching in Piermont and Abby read the scripture. There was a very passionate prayer for missions by a young woman in the church who had just returned from a mission trip.

As Russell began, he asked how long he could preach. The reply from Mr. Roby was, "I don't know, but the rest of us will be having lunch in 20 minutes!" It began to rain during the service and we wondered about home...

Many in the Concord group stayed to prepare for the Bible School they would lead during the week. Others came back to rest and play.

On Sunday evening, a large group drove to Granby for a special service. Most of the group drove first to the home of Edna and Dave Faris. They noticed a large amount of wood stacked in the yard. Immediately the youth started a line to pass the wood to the pile and stack it for them.

The special service was to honor Kay Bacon, Linda Kyle and all those that have helped with the Bible school over the years. This was a surprise to Kay and Linda! Four of our young men led in worship with guitars and song. Once again, the rain came as we worshipped singing "Majesty". This was a very traditional, liturgical service in contrast with the contemporary service in Piermont.

Monday
Everyone left for their assignments after group pictures.

The Wells River Soccer Camp workers left first to set up equipment and prepare for registration.
The Piermont construction group left next. They are building a deck on the church parsonage addition where Bible Studies are held. The Concord and Granby VBS crowds set off last.

At soccer camp, there were four groups: young girls, young boys, older girls, older boys. Local high school teens came again to help. Each camper received a t-shirt and had a picture taken for the certificate they would receive at the end of the week. The skills stations began and included a stop for refreshments and for a "character" lesson.

Please, be in prayer for the salvation of a young man that has attended for several years and came as a helper. He will graduate soon. As the workers gathered to pray, he was invited to join them. Cheryl Jones said, "You're family" and he replied, "Yes, I know."

The Granby VBS kids had a great time and stayed late! At Concord there was a family that moved away, but sent their kids for VBS. They look forward to it all year and did not want to miss even though they did not live there anymore.

In Piermont, the work progressed much more quickly than any one expected.

Tuesday
It was another beautiful day in Wells River. The mother of a few soccer campers offered to help with a Bible study for the ladies in Concord later in the week. After another great morning of soccer and VBS, the youth wanted to return to Granby and do more work for the Farrises (sic).
A group of ladies travelled to Trinity Baptist Church in Hanover, NH. Pastor Ken Hale and his wife Sandy were there with a few members to learn about "Casseroles for Christ." We made Chicken Spaghetti and put them in their new freezer. With a quick ceremony, we prayed that this new ministry would glorify and further Christ's mission.

Thank you for supporting the work of Home Missions.

Sending a few pics at a time.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008
It was a good morning for oatmeal: nice and cool!

The construction crew, wearing their new t-shirts, completed the deck at Piermont and traveled to Hanover, NH for a landscaping project at Trinity Baptist with Ken and Sandy Hale. This turned out to be much more: cleaning gutters, painting eaves, cleaning basement mold, painting tar on the drive. Sandy fed them well, as usual.

Admit - Believe –Confess was the character study at soccer camp. There was a scrimmage between the boys and girls. Although there was no official score or winner, we were informed at lunch that the boys had more goals.

VBS attendance at Granby has been between 5 and 14 for these three days. Today was the small group and two children prayed to receive Christ as their Savior! Dave and Edna provide a wonderful ministry from their home. Dave wanted to be sure that we saw all the logs cut and moved by our youth.

At Concord, the A-B-C’s were covered, too. There have been between 11 and 16 each day. A favorite game during recreation is Dolphin, Dolphin, Sea Turtle (yes it sounds familiar… changed slightly to match the island theme). Another recreation is the parachute: children hold the edges in a long circle and bound objects in the middle. Later, the chute is whipped up while the children take turns running under.

In the afternoon, a VERY excited group rode to Littleton and The Candy Store. This is an annual trip to the longest candy counter “in the world!” (www.chutters.com) Every kind of candy that you enjoyed as a child is there. They also have fudge. Who will be hyper tonight?

After Littleton a splinter group drove on to the Cabot Cheese factory for a tour and samples…

Three men went fishing. No tales, yet.

Another annual pilgrimage is to “Mr. Bubbles”, the laundry mat in Wells River. There were soccer, VBS and group t-shirts to wash and be worn, again. Several ladies did the chore and worked in a bit of shopping, too.

Tonight’s dinner is chicken spaghetti that we use in FBC’s casserole ministry. It sure smells good!

After a devotional and singing, there will be cards, dominoes, laughter, discussions about the day and preparations for tomorrow.

They just rang the dinner bell! Please, be in prayer for open hearts in Vermont.