The Atlantic Team

The VBS closing program was brought to a close this morning. Eric challenged us with his sermon, which he "Kid-a fied" and Cory shared her children's story about how Christians are like butterflies... we start out as caterpillars, and change into a beautiful butterfly when we accept Christ. We become a new creature... and are born again. What a cool reminder.

After the program, Vic and his wife, and others from the church made the best slip and slide ever! The children ( and ob children =) ) enjoyed this for hours. It was one of the highlights of this trip so far because we were not only having a blast, but the church people were right there with us the whole time. It was a great time of fellowship down here in TN this afternoon and morning.

We headed downtown Johnson City this afternoon to an underprivileged development to do a park program. Ashley shared her children's story and Beth challenged the kids with the Cross Illustration. Many of our students got into some good conversations... Including Kelsey with a man who claimed to be a Christian and had some of the right ideas, but then seemed very confused about other issues. Also, Beth got the chance to talk to a younger lady who sat and watched from the sidelines today.

When we wrapped that up and packed to head back to the church, we stopped for dinner. Tiffany and Laura got a chance to talk to a man named Ben who was lost in his faith. They got the chance to encourage him and invite him to the service tomorrow morning!!!!

Daniel also talked to a man for awhile and challenged him in his thinking. Some of our other boys, Trenton, Michael, Casey, and a few others, talked to a so-called evangelist, who had some interesting view points. Please pray for these hearts that heard the gospel today!

Thanks again for your prayers.

We head to Georgia after church tomorrow. Pray for safe travel to the Marietta church.

God Bless....

Atlantic**

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July 13, 2007... Considering it was Friday the 13th, nothing unusual happened here, and all went very well.

The most unfortunate thing is that it rained and we were supposed to be heading to the Fun Fest in downtown.... so instead we went out to different restaurants and had opportunities to talk to people of all kinds. Many of us ran into other Christians who encouraged us by praying before their meals. This made it very easy to start conversations! It was good to see others living out their faith as well.

We had a beautiful morning! About a dozen of us woke up early and took a hike up the mountain and could see the pink covering the sky before the sun peeked out... It was incredible to be in God's creation to start the day.

The rest of the morning was spent discussing the hot topics of today's culture. Matt challenged us to be thinking of what is the Biblical way to approach certain people and issues rather than viewing them like the rest of the world.

The afternoon, since it was raining, provided us a chance to have a question and answer time with Dr. Vic. ( the senior pastor of Fountain of Life Bible Church, Johnson City, TN).
Of course the evening of VBS, the rains stopped and cleared in time for us to start. THANKS GOD! Again, all different students were involved in the classes and a part of the teaching.

The campfire was encouraging as we all sat around and shared about what God was doing... and that discussion continued as the church people left and just the team was left. Students shared their concerns about how to continue these habits when they get home. It was a good time of honest sharing and prayer requests. It left time for packing up and getting ready for bed... and we hit the sack.

Thanks for your prayers... Honestly, we wouldn't be able to make it unless people like you were praying for us.

Tomorrow we have 2 programs... one for the closing of VBS where we are presenting the gospel and then another at an underprivleged neighborhood, where we will also be presenting the gospel. Pray that the children's hearts will be receptive, as well as, their parents!!!

Thank you...

ATLANTIC.... going strong**

p.s. we have all the pictures ready, but unfortunately we are having wireless troubles and the pictures are not able to be loaded. Sorry again... I hope you can understand about being down here in the southern hills.... =) We are all doing very well!!!!

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...and going strong! Yesterday was a day of refreshment, as we did laundry, a day of sweat, as we passed out flyers, a day of cooling off, as we took a dip in the pool with the chuch volunteers for VBS, and a day of excitement, as we helped kick off VBS for Fountain of Life Church. We were so excited to be a part of their VBS. We were able to interact with a lot of different kids. Casey led the 5th and 6th grade class because the original leaders were in the hospital having a baby!!!! So thanks Casey for stepping in. Trenton also stepped up and led the youth group for VBS. It was a great time of encouragement for all of us. Some of us got to attend the Men's VBS and the Women's VBS, and it was incredible to fellowship and learn with their church body. We ended the night with Christie leading a time in worship, and allowing people to share. Then of course, we spent time roasting marshmallows over the fire... YUMMY! Amen to a great day! Pray for us as we go out in the public tomorrow to a local festival to talk to people about Jesus, and experience some good southern food! Thanks for all you do~ ATLANTIC**

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Sleepy eyes loaded the bus this morning as we took off toward Warrior State Park for our day off... the morning left us with high hopes of relaxation. We arrived at the park 3 hours later to pouring down rain.... so PLAN B.... we took the chance to go to a local mall and do some shopping, we also had the challenge to buy one thing from the dollar store and make it into a spiritual application that we shared later in the day. We wound up at an Applebees for our nice dinner out and had a great chance to talk to some of the waiters and waitresses. We got to Fountain of Life in Johnson City, TN, and shared our spiritual applications and also had some time in D-groups. Then we spent the evening getting to know some of the people from the church after their service. Tonight we are looking forward to some good rest! Pray as we head out to the community tomorrow to hand out fliers, as well as help their VBS Thurs, Fri, and Sat. Pray for the children's hearts as they come this week.... pray for preparation for our hearts as well. Today was a nice and refreshing day... where our kids took the initiative to still talk to people about their faith! AMEN! Please keep praying as we are reaching the end of tour! Thanks.... ATLANTIC** pics are coming!

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A hot and humid day led to the most amazing thunderstorm last night. It was an incredible sight to see the lightning and to hear the thunder bounce off the surrounding mountains... and it poured. The morning was spent doing surveys in the neighborhoods of Patterson Memorial Church in Roanoke, VA. Then we had the chance to eat at the mall and spend time talking to people. Back to work we went as soon as we got back to the church. We painted and painted.... As we were enjoying a niec spaghetti dinner, the rains came down. We prayed that the rain would not stop people to coming to VBS, and it didn't hinder any of those plans. However, the gym had some problems with a pipe that burst due to the rain. We were very fortunate that nothing was permanently damaged and there were enough volunteers to make sure it got cleaned up well. VBS continued on as normal and all was well!!!! PRAISE JESUS! Tim and Carrie took team time to discuss some relationship issues and how to have a healthy relationship in God's eyes. The teens were challenged to look at their own relationships and also take notes for when they get in a relationship, so they have the truth already in their minds. We wrapped up the evening by packing all our stuff and cleaning the church so we could have an early start the next day. Pray for the people who were surveyed about spiritual issues. Pray for the seeds that were planted in the mall, as well as, in the neighborhoods in Roanoke. Pray for the church as they finish up VBS. Thank you.... ATLANTIC (now movin on)

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Three group Ga-Gau was played tonight in a round robin tournament for team time..... Gau-Gau is an Israeli game that we learned in Denver, PA at Camp Conquest. It is a very awesome game that can be played anywhere.... and it involves everyone. (Ask the teens about it sometime)

Today, we had some time in the morning for an hour with God. It was a beautiful day here in Roanoke, VA. Our teens then spent time sharing with each other about their testimonies and some of their home backgrounds. It was a very positive time for our teens. We then got a quick bite to eat and got to work.

After a delicious dinner, thanks to the wonderful people here, we had a full night with VBS, where Nikole shared her children's story. Then it was team time and bed time for all....

Tomorrow we will be going out to the community to talk to people at the mall and around the streets. Pray for divine appointments.

Signing off for now,

Atlantic....

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We prayed the bus would run smoothly.... and it didn't have any mechanical troubles, but in no way was it a cool ride to VA from MD.

Hagerstown, MD - Maranatha GBC. The morning was full of fellowship in many different aspects. The teens split up to go to different sunday school classes. Some were with young adults, others with the Senior Saints, and then the rest of the OBers were in with the Youth or younger children. Cari played the drums with their youth group band during sunday school during their praise time. A good example of practicing being a "body".
The service was 2nd hour, and McKenna blessed us with her special music, while Ben shared his message about what God has been teaching him lately about loving God with all your heart and being dedicated to sharing his word.
The morning went very well...Maranatha blessed us in so many ways it was incredible! Thank you Megan for all the delicious food, and thank you again Doy and Janet for the way you blessed us with your giving attitude.
After an afternoon of travel and memory verse madness, we arrived in Roanoke, VA.
We were able to make a fast transition and get ready for VBS. We did a small program of just choir songs to close out their VBS night. Many people from the church were there to have a picnic with us after the program. Brandon was able to challenge everyone about putting others above themselves. I think the people in the service were truly touched.
We enjoyed a nice time of fellowship and a good southern meal.... including some tasty homemade desserts!!!!
After all had calmed down, we loaded up the bus and spent the rest of our night together at the Roanoke star. It is perched up on a hill that overlooks the entire city. It's about 75 ft. high, and a magnificient view! It was relaxing and a stress reliever to just sit and enjoy it all.
It was also a time for the leaders to work on some of their mid- tour evaluations with the students.
Pray as we continue to minister this week with work projects and VBS!
We appreciate the prayers.... more than you know.
Thanks again.
ATLANTIC..... going strong.
p.s. pictures are not going to be posted for a couple days due to wireless issues due to the location we are presently at. Wednesday is our day off, so hopefully by that night you will be able to view some pictures of what's been happening our last day at Maranatha, and here in Roanoke. =) Sorry... but parents, your kids are doing well!

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