all within a week post # 4- NC Visits and the Shaw Move

Forrest and Micheal came for a few days to visit, we had a great time talking, singing and hanging out. We enjoyed having the guys join us on Sunday night for bible study. Also, they provided some nice company in the kitchen while working on Maddy's cake. I fully expect them to know how to make fondant and butter-cream icing now. hehe

 Laura stayed with us a few nights to sign and finalize closing on their house. Olivia kept Sandy busy playing games. The big move is quickly approaching in a few days for the Shaws, our new neighbors.  

 On Friday night the Huffman's, Micheal and his son joined us for the weekend. We worked on planning and handing out information/flyer's in the community for the Tae Kwon Do Sports Camp they will be doing here July 9-13th.
We are so thankful to have them as partners in the ministry here in PA



We discovered we can comfortably fit at least 10 extra people in the basement (they said so themselves) and Cindy and I fed 20 people on Friday night as some neighbors/friends joined in on our activity.
(My camera exposed many pictures including the group picture rrrrrr!)

 The girls hanging out

It was so sweet to look through the camera and see how in less than a year, there are people eager to serve and welcome the Shaws into the body of Redeeming Grace Church.  The Shaws had many from FBC help with moving and it was nice to see and share the moment with them. It's difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that the Shaws live on the same street just a block up from our house and only a few blocks from the Shays.  As the truck was being unloaded one of our neighbors passed by and we talked for a few minutes. They were baffled at the sight of all the busy bodies and how the RGC family is growing. Folks...our neighborhood is changing, changing for eternity.  The connections have already begun with neighbors. 

 Sunday morning we gathered together as Billy spoke a challenging and encouraging Word.  (Romans 12:9-13) . Many people, for many reasons gathered together, but one purpose - to advance the gospel.

 We spent a few minutes gathering around the Shaws praying for them...

We pray and continue to pray for more workers in PA:  Luke 10:2  He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ^"

"The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8

It seems like yesterday this van pulled out from our move. Seeing it three times within a year in the same neighborhood moving in...well, we serve a big God for sure.  We had some personal reflection time as this Saturday last year we closed the door to our home in Wake Forest. As I look back at the post

Empty but so full 

I can't describe how full our home is here in Harrisburg PA.

To God be the Glory for the great things He has done.

Redeeming Grace Coat Distribution

We had the privilege of distributing coats to the homeless/poor Saturday.  It was more than distributing coats, blankets, bags, and bibles. It was pouring out the love of Jesus in every way possible. It was to listen to the life stories, to care, and to look in the eyes of hurting people and share the hope of Jesus Christ.  We were able to grip a hand and pray for that person by name for Almighty God to draw their hearts and to thank God for meeting needs today.   No matter the story, Jesus loves them and the Lord allowed our paths to cross with each person.  The Lord knows their pain, their past, their needs, He forgives, He redeems and He restores.

So as tears streamed down a few faces and welded up in our own eyes, the Lord was present in that dirty, breezy alleyway.  It was not neat and tidy, it was real.  My heart aches for the faces I flip through in my mind and the stories we heard.  I pray each person will feel the Lord's comfort every time they put on their coat or cover up with a new blanket. I pray it's not our faces they remember, but they remember words spoken about Jesus and perhaps even an encounter with the Lord in the alley. An alley that some call their home tucked under the stairwell that appeared so dark, scary, and dirty was bright with smiles, laughter & tears of happiness.

Thank you to Blanket America Ministries & Appalachian Outreach for your resources to love on the people of Harrisburg, PA. Thank you to all the wonderful folks that came to help serve and brought their time and resources to love on people in the name of Jesus. We are overwhelmed seeing pieces of the puzzle come together that God continues to assemble for the work in Harrisburg.  May God receive ALL the Glory for ALL He is doing in His church.

119  people served

Over 200 coats and blankets

Nearly 20 Bibles

80 gift bags

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:5

In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. Matthew 5:16

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Redeeming Grace and YMCA partner for a family fun night

Prayer team setting out to prayer walk in preparation for the Community Event at the YMCA

Sharing stories of the people we talked with, even familiar faces in the neighborhood that we were able to snag a hug and catch up on life.

As soon as chairs hit the floor during set up, we had people to hang out with around the tables.

Kids filled up the basketball court during set up

The kids "warmed up" the games during set up. Nothing like bashing people for Jesus!

preparing (lots of) popcorn

Playing street hockey with the kids

The art tables stayed very busy throughout the night.

We were so thankful to have Debbie and Tom (Billy's parents here)

By the end of the evening the tree was filled with handmade ornaments

Sack races were a hit! plenty of laughter, plenty of falls and thankfully everybody got up!

Do you hear the laughter? OH wait, my ears are still ringing! 

Shawn organized the kids with a few competitions.

Ready, set......GO!

hula hoop contest!

Family picture time! pictures were taken, printed and handed out

We had a great time talking to folks one on one, and seeing lots of smiling faces.

Two of our volunteer helpers for the night.  So glad to have some friends stop by to participate. 

What a fun family this is, so enjoyed getting to know them and looking forward in hanging out more soon!

Some of the kids are sporting their new stocking caps donated through Appalachain Regional Ministries.  Great friends and partners in the Gospel.

We made some new friends tonight and the cool thing is we don't have to say goodbyes....

We are thankful for the partnership with the Camp Curtin YMCA. We have enjoyed working together to have this community family outreach party. We are also thankful for the Baptist Resource Center where we rented the block party trailer for the event. All in all the night was great, the Lord provided enough hands (could always use more) for the people that came. At times it is overwhelming when you have a warm, talkative crowd and you just wish you had more people around to love on them. However even in the midst of it God has a way of reminding me this is His gig. God has been so faithful in placing us in the middle of the culture here, we learn more everyday.

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^{[a] 38} This is the first and greatest commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself Matthew 22:37-40

Faith Vision team

Our sending church Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville NC brought a team up last weekend for a vision trip. The group looked at many cites in PA for possible places for the next work to begin. Here are just a few pictures...........

The team's first night in PA was spent at our house sharing stories, shedding a few tears, praying and being completely overwhelmed with God's plan. It was an emotional moment to hear and see how the Lord has woven and continues to weave people people into the work in PA and beyond.  It was certainly a sweet time.

The team split up between the Shay's street and ours to prayer walk. We were overwhelmed seeing yet another group walking through our streets praying. It is humbling, it is powerful, it is where all the work begins. We are quickly reminded of the sweet celebration of our new brother in Christ across the street that accepted the Lord this week. We are thankful the results are not in our hands and we thank God for allowing us to see  His faithfulness of prayers.

Here is a picture of the group after driving many miles here and many more miles in PA visiting different cities. We anticipate the stories of how the Lord is moving in many of the hearts and getting a small glimpse of the plan unfolding.

The team is heading out, Thank you Faith Baptist for your support, visits, encouragement and prayers. It is always a welcome visit when that white van from Youngsville pulls up in the driveway.

O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you and praise your name, for in perfect faithfulness you have done marvelous things, things planned long ago. Isaiah 25:1

Your love, O Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Psalm 36:5

It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, Psalm 92:1-2

Global Impact Conference 2011 - Yes indeed a great week!

What a wonderful week we had at Colonial Heights Baptist Church in Colonial Heights, VA. It was a privilege for our family to participate in their annual Global Impact Conference. The Theme was Here + There: At home, across the nation, around the world.

We enjoyed sharing our story, vision, model and our love for the people and city of Harrisburg PA. We all had many opportunities to share in front of a variety of groups and venues throughout the week. We enjoyed the time spent with many church members, staff and the other missionaries. There were missionaries from Winchester, VA (fellow church planters), East Asia, Europe,China, Ukraine, Costa Rica, Russia, Cambodia, Petersburg,VA, Nicaragua, S. Korea and many local ministries as well.

To God be the Glory of how is moving among people at Colonial Heights Baptist Church to make an eternal impact "Here and There."

At Home.Across The Nation. Around The World.

Acts 1:8

They kicked off the conference Wednesday night with a rockin' worship service. I only wish I had tissues in hand! The Gospel Choir from VA State University joined the kick off as well as guest speaker Bob Sjogren. What an awesome time of worship and teaching.  

We had the opportunity to talk with many folks who stopped by our booth to learn more about Harrisburg and PA. It was a privilege to pray with many folks whose hearts were being pricked by The Lord to make difference for the Gospel.

We were so blessed by the other missionaries. We spent time with many talking about the cultures in where they have served, serving and going to serve. We were challenged and our love for the people in Harrisburg and beyond grew deeper. This is Jack and Janet Burns, they have served in Brazil, South Korea and many other nations.

So many faces across the world represented.

We took a day trip with the other missionaries to the original Jamestown Settlement and to Williamsburg Friday afternoon.

Maddy and Logan watching the glass being blown in Jamestown.

The kids spent time talking to the missionaries about different people groups and culture. Here Maddy is walking with Sue Singleton serving in Cambodia with Khmer people. Sue has faithfully served and is looking forward to returning to the field as she is in the process of building a new school in Cambodia.

We quickly switched gears after we returned from our day trip in from Jamestown/Williamsburg. We headed off to "The Dinner with a Mission."  Billy had the opportunity to be interviewed about church planting in the North East and to share the scattered to gathered model for planting.

He also participated in a game during dinner. A very creative staff! He and Andy, the Middle School pastor were smashed by the Pastor and his son. It was probably wise to let them win since he is in charge.

The kids fell in love with Mike and Trish serving in East Asia. The kids are ready to take up the invitation to visit them and the Tibetian people they serve.

Maddy...Maddy....she just can't get enough of learning all the different cultures. I pray they will grow up to know life is not about serving themselves and that they will have much more joy and indescribable peace by loving and caring for others because of the love Jesus has shown to them.  

It was great to spend the week with Nana and Papa and getting to know many of their friends at church.  Debbie coordinated the food for the entire event and they certainly took very good care of us on that end.

So many opportunities to share. This was the World briefings luncheon with a couple Sunday School classes from the church. Billy and I had the opportunity to share at a mens and ladies breakfast as well. God is so good, so faithful.

It was a privilege to share our stories and for the Lord to challenge many to serve "here & there."

  

Breanna had an opportunity to share at the Youth Coffee House: World Edition Saturday night. (God is going to use many of thier teens talets/gifts to add to HIS kingdom) She was interviewed about being a missionary in the States and what is it like moving to be part of a church plant. God certainly continues to work in each of the kids hearts and have expanded their view of knowing they have a  clear purpose with sharing the love of Jesus.

We wish we would have snapped a few pictures of Maddy and Logan sharing with peers at the dinner around the world.  We were getting the kids ready for bed that night and I asked Olivia our 4 year old. "What are missionaries?" and she replied "Us!" while pointing to her chest. I followed up with a second questions and asked her what do you do when your a missionary? She responded by saying ..."they hang out!"  Love her

 

 Thank you for the prayers and we appreciate the prayer partners as we continue to minister in Harrisburg.

We shared in a few Sunday School classes as well. Many prayed for the work in Harrisburg as well as the Shays as they transition to PA this week!

Although very tired at this point in the weekend....it just never gets old sharing the story of how the Lord is moving and the work HE is doing.

Nana was very busy feeding the group all weekend. Now we must get to the gym!

Breanna practicing her Spanish skills with the missionaries from Costa Rica.

 Maddy and Logan learning how to use chopsticks correctly with Mike..

We had a special and unique time of prayer with all the missionaries.  We had the opportunity to listen to our prayer request in the the different languages from the countries represented at the conference. It was very moving and special time that I will not soon forget. I do believe I could sit around and listen to all the stories from everyone but.....we have work to do! 

Breanna enjoyed talking with Trish from East Asia.

During our weekend away, several times we cought ourselves missing our neighborhood and community in Harrisburg. We had a wonderful time visiting, sharing and participating in the conference and we look forward to seeing how the Lord orchestrates His plan with the people at Colonial Heights to be part of the work in the Northeast and beyond. But, it is good to be back home! We love this city and all of our friends here.

He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation"

Mark 16:15