“The time is coming”, declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah…”-Jeremiah 31:31( NIV)
Outdoor Games in Duffield, VA @ VBS
Last Friday, when we drove around Appalachia here throughout Tennessee and Kingsport before our teams arrived, we were driving back from our last home visit when we started seeing a giant rainbow form. As we kept driving it became closer and closer. Until it was on the road right in front of us. It was a good reminder of the week to come & of the Father’s goodness in the lives of these teams, in the lives of the people that live here in Appalachia. He reminded us throughout this week that His covenant promise remains; despite hardships, despite circumstances of life, despite any kind of spiritual battle we may face. All of our eyes were really opened when we arrived here in this region of the Appalachia. We felt the Father’s heart for his people & for an unreached population thumping, until it became louder and louder…We had three large groups come in from 3 different churches,one in New Hampshire, one from Detroit(wayne county), and another from Wisconsin. When we were setting out tables we noticed that one of them was broken & it was like the Father was setting the tone for the week to remember to love people when they are broken. To pour out love and redemption and give hope where there is very little. To remember what the Father did and remember his Covenant promises.
Our teams were involved in so many ministries & in two different states. It was incredible to see all of the people the Lord had sent out and called to come here in unity for the Kingdom. Seeing these teens love on kids during their first VBS experience, “Cave Quest” was incredible. The themes we taught on were Jesus giving us courage, hope, love, direction, and power. We learned songs, danced, discovered, and heard stories. It was incredible to see the way the Lord was moving in the hearts and lives of the children and the teens who came to share the love of Christ.
Some things that the Lord taught our teams were to “Be still” to listen for the Father and find peace, to not let fear override the Father’s love, and to take courage. To choose honor and love, and preferring others. Our missions groups discussed how it is hard to quiet their minds and to be still to listen for God, but the Lord really showed up to both leaders and youth that our Father is speaking and that the we are His sheep and that we can hear our Shepard’s voice. We had a lot of fun doing VBS as you can see and we pray this church will continue to do VBS even after we leave! We know the Father planted a lot of seeds in the hearts of these little ones…
We learned Jesus gives us “Hope”, “Love”, “Direction”, Courage, and “Power”…”FOLLOW HIM!!!”
