The Potomac Team: 6/24/07

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Potomac in Palmyra

This morning the Potomac team got some work done! The team split up into three groups and headed off to do some manual labor wherever it was needed. One group led by Stacie F. went to a nursing home and did some cleaning, especially with the outdoor furniture. Another team led by Matt W. helped pack and move a family from the church here in Palmyra into a new home. The dad was sick and in the hospital so the team served Jesus by helping to meet their needs. Lastly, a team led by Connie P. and Jenny J. stayed here at the church to clean up after a great VBS event last night.

In the afternoon a family from the church kindly invited us over for a pool party. We quickly accepted the invitation after a long morning of manual labor and used the opportunity to build relationships with people from the church and also to cool off a little in the pool.

The evening was filled with teaching and learning. First up was Mike P. teaching the teens about what the Bible says about 'Confrontation and Discipline'. Then Stacie F. led a teaching time about 'Priorities and Discernment'. Our prayer is that God would be teaching the students about important topics that Scripture addresses, all summer long.

Please be in prayer as the students leads worship here tomorrow at Palmyra. We will also be doing a program for the children's ministry. Right after the program we will be leaving for Winchester,Virginia, so asking God for safe travel would be appreciated.

Josh gets to use power tools (with caution, of course).

Lindsey B. and Kimmie L. support decorations during tear-down.

Sam H. and Andrew R. help in cleaning up VBS materials.

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Friday, June 29, 2007

No Playing Around as the ob'ers Help Build Playground for Pre-School

Operation Barnabas Builds Playground and Heads out for Palmyra.

All morning today the students helped dig out a playground and then spread mulch as the playing surface for Lancaster GBC's Pre-School. I'm not 'playing around' when I say this, the work was hard and muddy (due to the rainy conditions) and lasted until lunch.

Lunch was a surpise from the leaders. We took them to a local, favorite, 'Good and Plenty'. This was a cool experience for the students as they ate lots and lots of good country cooking; one of these unique dishes being 'shoe fly pie', an excellent dessert that I personally have only eaten in Lancaster, PA.

After lunch, a couple of the leaders led two teaching times. Connie P. taught about the importance of journaling. This teaching time was followed by a discussion about relationships and 'cliques' by Matt W.

The team left around 2 P.M. from lunch then headed for our next stop, Palmyra GBC, PA. The ob'ers helped set up and served during the VBS here called "Nick at Nite". The VBS was a huge success with about 220 people showing up (including adults; not bad for a church of 150). After VBS, a program, some clowning, and some games with the kids, the ob'ers headed off to host homes for the evening.

Please pray that the students would grow in Jesus as we have lots of teaching and team times tomorrow (Saturday). Ask God to encourage the Palmyra GBC congregation through us.

Elizabeth G. and Allan D. play with some kids.

Kimmie L., Jes H., and Josh K. visiting with a couple.

Briana D. braids a girl's hair.

Morgan M. finds a connection with her new friend (another Morgan).

Andrew S. chatting over dinner.

Watermelon and laughter were enjoyed by Hannah B. and Jen A.

This little guy was really entertained by Lindsey B.

Mr. Quimper (Ben A.) dances around for the kids during the program.

This girl had the chance to smear whip cream all over Dan D.'s face.

Annie M. and Samantha M. hang out with some kids.

Jay D. helped with leading one of the teams during games.

Jes H. and Andrew R. were 2 of the clowns who got to act extra crazy while playing with kids.

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Thursday, June 28, 2007

From Camp to Lancaster GBC

Today the ob'ers left Camp Conquest and headed out for Lancaster GBC.

The morning started at about 7:30. The team ate breakfast with the campers. Late morning consisted of manual labor and team building exercises.

Next was our final meal with the campers at Camp Conquest. Once dessert was served (we couldn't leave early and miss out on the best part), ob packed up and left for Lancaster GBC about an hour away.

Once arriving the students went straight out into the community to pass out flyers for the program that was going to be put on later that night. But before doing the program, we helped serve here at the church by helping run the final night of VBS.

Please pray for the church here as they are trying to kickstart their youth and children's ministry. Pray also that the students would worship well tomorrow as we do manual labor here at the church and pre-school center.

Team building at camp.

Beth F., Allan D., Andrew R., Morgan M. and Lindsey B. arrange themselves by birthdate without talking.

One 3-Group works together to get a tire onto a tall pole.

This group had to get all teammates from one platform to another without touching the ground.

Welcome to our program!

Kellie W. translates for the clown who cannot talk (Morgan M.)

Heather S., Josh K., and Monique A. visit with students during crafts.

Beth F. and Erica S. help some girls with their projects.

Hannah B. gave her children's story during our program.

Johnny S., Jes H., and Sam M. hang out with some kids after the program.

Morgan M. and Andrew S. made friends quickly.

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Wednesday, June 27, 2007

ob Arrives at Camp Conquest

The ob'ers spent the day at Camp Conquest. We arrived at lunch, perfect timing if you ask me :), and got to build relationships with kids from the ages 12-14 for about an hour or so.

Then after lunch we split up and did some manual labor. Today was another hot one, so it was a great day to serve Jesus by doing chores around the camp. Some students were pulling weeds, others digging holes, and some even raking gravel.

The morning started at 7:30 when the students were dropped off by their host homes at the church. Once arriving and saying their good-bye's the students cleaned up around the church then headed out and got on the road.

Today was a very positive experience for our students being able to practice pouring into the lives of kids from the ages 12-14. Please continue to pray for us that God would be encouraging believers through us, not only here at Camp Conquest but also as we head out tomorrow for Lancaster GBC. We will be helping with VBS tomorrow once we arrive, then doing an ob program.

Annie M., Monique A. and Jes H. leading a song before lunch.

Joe H., Sam H. and Ashton R. doing manual labor.

Aaron C. and Ben A. spread mulch.

Playing blob tag with the campers.

Jake R. connecting with a student.

Kimmie L. hanging out with a girl during free time.

Jackie L. talking with her Mom (who is a counselor) and a camper.

Hannah B. and Lindsey B. hang out with their new friend.

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Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Picking up Trash, Evangelism, and Programs in Jackson= All worship to Jesus

The first ever ob visit to the Baptist Church here in Jackson, New Jersey, was a good one. The students had the opportunity in the past day or so to be out in the community serving and sharing their faith. Today the students went to the 'Boardwalk' by the beach here in NJ. The students' goals were to pick up trash and to start conversations with people with the intention of transitioning to spiritual things.

This morning was powerful. The ob'ers arrived back here at the church for some team time from their host homes at about 8:30. Stacie Fay lead the team in a challenge by talking about how God uses broken people. In brief, during the challenge the Spirit of God was moving and it was very neat to see how the students responded.

In the evening while most of the team was out at the Boardwalk sharing their faith and picking up trash, some of the students stayed back at the church to help with manual labor. It was a hot day here in Jackson so, needless to say, the potluck this evening was amazing, considering the fact that it was inside with air conditioning, praise the Lord.

After the evening potluck, the ob'ers put on a first ever program here in Jackson. It went well and the congregation here seemed to be encouraged greatly by it.

In closing, we leave tomorrow morning for Camp Conquest back in PA, and so this brief stay in Jackson, we are hoping, was the beginning of a great relationship between Operation Barnabas and the Jackson Baptist Church.

Please continue to pray that the students would be gaining a heart for God and a heart for encouraging believers during our next trip to a Christian Camp tomorrow.

Jackie L. and Joe H. talking with a man at the boardwalk.

Jake R., Briana D., Monique A., Morgan M., and Ben A. during the skit "Time to Trade Up."

Kristen A., Heather S., Kimmie L., Lindsey B., Jes H., Sam H., Annie M., Johnny S., and Andrew R. sharing about "Miracles."

Kellie W. holds the microphone while Jenifer A. shares her children's story.

Ashton R., Dan D., Kellie W., and Aaron C. act out a skit about Job.

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Monday, June 25, 2007

We're going to Jackson! (for all you Johnny Cash fans out there)

Today the students packed up and headed out for our first 'official' day of tour.

After a long day of ministry yesterday the students slept in 'til 7:25 and then started packing and cleaning and loading the bus and headed out for Jackson Baptist Church, New Jersey[not exactly the Jackson Johnny Cash had in mind, yeah i know, but hey, at least I got you to read the blog:)].

After a few hours on the road the team arrived in Jackson and set out into the community. The students went door-to-door asking to help out with chores in the neighborhood here in New Jersey.

Then the students got to practice sharing their faith in a local mall here in NJ. Next was dinner; then the team was sent off to host homes for the evening.

Please pray as we have a program here at the church tomorrow evening. Ask God to encourage the staff and congregation in the faith through us.

Students walked around doing 7-min. servants, passing out fliers, and going on a prayer walk.

Samantha M. and Sam H. after passing out fliers.

Dan D. and Johnny S. have the opportunity to talk with a guy at the mall and pray for him.

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Rodeo Reaches thousands in Lititz community; First Program

Sunday was an exceptional first day of tour.

This was our first program of the summer. In fact, it was the first three programs of the summer. Our first two programs were at the Willow Valley GBC in PA. Andrew S. and Joe H. had an opportunity to give their sermon. Ashton R. gave a brief solo during the program also.

The students had a quick lunch and headed back to Lititz for the long awaited Rodeo event at the GBC of Lititz. The church has been planning this event for a long time now so this has been a big deal since the ob'ers arrived on the first day.

The ob'ers got to help out as volunteers during the rodeo. They were involved in greeting people, playing with kids, and some were even clowns.

In the afternoon, the team did their third program of the day. This program was high energy, with lots of puppet action.

Overall it was a great day and really set the pace for the summer. Please continue to pray that God would bless our ministry this summer, planting lots of seeds, training the students how to do ministry, and even reap a harvest with a first time decision.

"Does Anybody Hear Her?" pantomime with Monique A., Briana D., Morgan M., Elizabeth G., Erica S., Jake R., and Joe H. (in front).

Ashton R. and Jen A. help a girl during the candy scramble at the rodeo.

Erica S. and Jake R. gathering face painting materials.

Sam H. and Aaron C. talk with a couple watching horse jumping.

Praying for the ob bus the night before leaving for tour.

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Friday and Saturday at Urban Hope

Friday and Saturday were two awesome days of ministry for Team Potomac.

Friday afternoon, the team headed out for Urban Hope, which is an inner city church plant and training center, in Philadelphia, PA. All of this takes place in an area, known as Kensington, where drugs, gangs, and poverty flourish.

Both days were a success as the students were taking part in quite a bit of ministry: going door to door signing up kids for VBS, helping with a teenage park program run by Urban Hope, and manual labor Saturday morning and afternoon.

As the students went door to door in an area of Philadelphia known as Kensington, they were exposed to a fair amount of poverty. The ob'ers were amazed by how many homes had burned down in the past year due to poor living conditions such as not having a smoke detector and old, outdated electric supplies. These are things that we often times take advantage of, and these former houses now leave a vacant place in the neighborhood, and a vacant place in the hearts and memories of the people of Kensington. Because a simple, inexpensive problem like this, the gospel is needed and the body of Christ needs to be there to bear the burdens of the people in Kensington. Because of this, the ob'ers often times ministered to people simply by listening to the hurting people and their traumatic stories.

Heather S., Jay D., and Elizabeth G. were just a few students that had an opportunity to share their faith with people. These three were exceptional, however, because they shared the gospel and got to pray with a group of admitted drug dealers. Praise the Lord!