And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

And of course, there was ice cream but they almost didn't get any! While lunch was going on, the mission co-leader told me he was advised that there would be no ice-cream as the funds for the week was all used up. After a quick chat, we decided there was no way the kids were going home without ice cream so between us both we put up the required amount so Pastor Dave could go make the purchase.


Being a kid and having ice cream go hand-in-hand...






Jamaican beauties...

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives








Ice Cream line up...

[Peasie]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Dude, the children's faces are so beautiful

Thank you for sharing your photos

[MsExced]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Very cool pictures and report ChurchDude

Sorry about your mom

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Peasie</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Dude, the children's faces are so beautiful

Thank you for sharing your photos </div></div>
My pleasure. Thanks for tagging along.

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ms Exced</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Very cool pictures and report ChurchDude

Sorry about your mom </div></div>
Thank you

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

There are not enough words to describe what I felt watching the final hour of VBS 2010 unfold. The excitement of the kids huddled in groups comparing the contents of their gift bags, the diligence and patience they showed standing in line waiting for their ice cream cones, the efficiency of the mission team as they dealt with the army of kids who wanted their pictures taken with their leaders and wanting assurances we would come again next year. Yeah, as tiring as it was it was worth all the effort.


Our team leaders were always working...


There were a few kids who hadn't registered on the day so we had to put together a few more bags.


Recognizing our adult helpers who worked tirelessly in the kitchen and with the teams. They did an awesome job.


They also received special gift bags.

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives


The slogan on her shirt says: &quot;Forget it, you'll never get it.&quot; Way too cool...

Even the balloons we had to share out...

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

Our driver was waiting and as we said our final goodbyes to the kids, it was a time of mixed emotions. We were tired. It had been a long week and ministering to over 100 kids for the past four days did have its share of challenges. But it was also extremely gratifying. To be able to &quot;sow&quot; into the lives of these young people was not only a tremendous investment of time and resources on our part, but it was something we felt was also a privilege. A God given one at that. Because while we were with them for one week of the fifty-two in the year, we also recognized that it had the potential to be a life changing week. The lessons we taught them in 2009 some of them still remembered, and as long as they knew that they are special, beautiful, unique, talented, gifted, had God given wisdom, and that despite the challenges He had a good plan for their lives, it was a great foundation on which they could build their lives.

The importance of having good self-esteem was something we continued to reinforce in them, and this more to the girls because the absence of it and feeling unloved could be their undoing as they navigated the turbulent teen years. To feel good about themselves, to be loved by God were strong emotions that could counter the negative and superficial attention they would receive from those who would see them only as objects of desire. So as we headed out for the last time, some of the older ones exchanging email addresses with different team leaders, we loved on them. It was important to us that they know that we did.


A leader in the making...


Watching us board our bus...




The hardest part - saying goodbye...

[Stormmey]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Compray</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: ChurchDude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">

</div></div>

Sweetie...something about her. </div></div>

Compray.....even though I have never seen a pic of you, I think this is a mini you at that age

[Compry]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

No, I wasn't that pretty...but I do connect with her for some reason. Let me see if I find the picture of the other sweetie that you said I might have looked like as a child.

[Compry]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

This year



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stormmey1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CD!! enjoyed your report immensely

This kid reminds me of Campray, dont know why I seen a couple pictures of Compray here on the site. Thinking Compray would have looked like this when she was a wee one.

</div></div>

This is me....no comparison to either. They are adorable.

[Compry]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

CEW, the Bible says we are to go. I truly admire your church for going and especially making Jamaica your mission field. It's been very refreshing following along again this year to see the differences being made in the lives of these children. I felt like I was right there with them.

Now I'm definitely ready to go with Dr. Rucker and HOPE.

[Diplomat]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Compray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CEW, the Bible says we are to go. I truly admire your church for going and especially making Jamaica your mission field. It's been very refreshing following along again this year to see the differences being made in the lives of these children. I felt like I was right there with them.

Now I'm definitely ready to go with Dr. Rucker and HOPE. </div></div>
You're welcome and it has been a pleasure. I believe every believer should go on at least one mission trip as not only is it a part of fulfilling the great commission, but it really has the potential to change our perspective and give us a reason to live outside of ourselves. In other words, for at least one week, to live our lives with purpose. Looking forward to meeting Dr. Rucker.

Interestingly, I recently heard about another mission trip to Jamaica (Gregory Park) that took place in July, only to discover that the person leading it is my cousin who also happen to live in my neck of the woods. I've never heard of him but am now eagerly looking forward to meeting him. How weird is that???

Still a few more pics and clips from the last night's service to come..

[Stormmey]

Re: And the Kids Came: Touching Hearts, Changing Lives

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Compray</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This year



<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Stormmey1</div><div class="ubbcode-body">CD!! enjoyed your report immensely

This kid reminds me of Campray, dont know why I seen a couple pictures of Compray here on the site. Thinking Compray would have looked like this when she was a wee one.

</div></div>

This is me....no comparison to either. They are adorable.

</div></div>

Lawd Compray my head prolly did teck me dat day..... I dont even remember posting the first one.....I still think you look like this little girl at that age......