Archive for July, 2008

This year we took a different approach to VBS. A year ago several of us attended a conference on Creation. At the same time, Candi wrote a few children’s songs on that topic. We discussed and prayed about writing our own VBS curriculum on God’s creation, but “the pieces weren’t all in place.” This year we considered doing it because our church finances had been tight; we looked to God and He turned on the “creative juices.” A couple of ladies spent several days redecorating our church. Candi & I recorded the songs and developed PowerPoint for them and about a dozen other songs. We put together a curriculum guide with lesson outlines, Creation themes, subjects, goals, and memory verses for each day. The Lord provided teachers who took the challenge and developed their lessons and crafts. Then God raised up support staff – kitchen help, a recreation leader and helpers, and classroom helpers.  The Lord gave us kids – it was the largest VBS in recent years! And the program was so fun; the kids showed how much they enjoyed VBS and how much they had learned, and the parents could tell.  Several told us this was the best VBS and VBS program ever! Three children trusted Christ and several others made rededications – Praise God!  Stephen & Candace Hill

Things are going well in Kettle Falls. A great mentoring relationship has formed between Tony (Pinkham) and me. Under his guidance, I have been able to do several things. I’ve gone on calls with Tony, helped with the music worship of the church, led in prayer on several occasions, and led communion one Sunday. I’ve also had opportunity to preach one Sunday. The time has been good to build relationships and rapport, so that I can minister more effectively in the future. Travis Cochran, Intern

God has been blessing here in some very special ways. A young couple asked me to marry them. In our first session together I shared the gospel with them, and they both trusted in Christ as their Savior & Lord. One Sunday in June, we had a church picnic and baptism. Fifty people attended and five people were baptized. I had personally led four of them to the Lord, and one had just trusted in Christ that morning. It was a wonderful time of sharing in God’s grace and mercy. Tom & Karen Douglass

It’s been very busy here. We spent a lot of time at various camps that went well, even though there was a lot of traveling involved. We had a great time at Rodeo Bible Camp, and the following week I spoke at a Child Evangelism Fellowship leadership camp. After a week off, we all went to the local Bible Camp for one more week. In between camps, we’ve had tornados, birthday parties, ‘interesting’ EMT calls, and we’ve also tried to keep up on things around here. All in all, we’re tired and ready to relax, but that won’t happen for awhile! J We’re planning for upcoming travel to conference and to WA for a family wedding.  Ed & Sarah Vesser

Recently the Marine Corps Logistics Base called us to see if we wanted some of their surplus items. It seems that they were demolishing some old base housing and had refrigerators, freezers, and a bunch of home maintenance parts including plumbing, electrical, paints, etc. They heard that we liked to help the people in our community and wanted us to have first shot at this stuff. We got about eight pickup & trailer loads of stuff, and we’re now in the process of categorizing and distributing. We praise God that our church has a reputation in the community of helping people. Dick & Pam Bosworth

We held our annual Spring Tea in May, with Lorna Powell as our guest speaker. We had a great turnout of around 60 ladies, and the evening was well received.  One lady marked on her card that she prayed with Lorna in the prayer of salvation! Praise the Lord that He was working in the hearts of the ladies here. Alan & Bonnie Klein

About five years ago a young man started dating a girl that had grown up in our youth group and attended our church.  I can’t say I was thrilled about him dating one of “my girls.”  He didn’t know the Lord and had as secular a mindset as anyone I have ever known. But her consistent testimony, along with several Q&A times between him and me, but mostly God working on his heart, eventually led him to the throne of grace.  About a year later I officiated their wedding and they moved out of the area.  Just recently I got an email from him.  He was very excited because he is signed up to go on a short-term mission project to Peru.  Talk about encouraging a pastor – what a blessing!  Paul & Mary Lou Canady