Hey ya'll, were settled in and pulling up our bootstraps as we start out the week. But I'll begin where I left off friday night.

Saturday morning we were able to sleep in for a bit before hitting the road again. We pulled through our stops, picked up groceries and gathered together all the food we needed for the week. Brandon guessed closest to the amount of the bill, even with the extra food we needed to get since we are serving breakfast this year at VBS.

We pulled into Cary around 5:00 if my memory serves me well (which it usually doesn't). We quickly unloaded the groceries and most of the baggage until Care came and gave us the orientation. She helped explain to us the mission of Cary Christian center and what they have been up to. As we've done in our church in the past, she helped teach the new serve members what entraps people down here into poverty. There is a mindset and a lifestyle that Satan uses to entrap people; with fear and poor self-esteem, the individuals here need help accomplishing things in their lives, to break the cycles of poverty.

After the orientation, we finished unloading the vehicles, found our beds and made it our temporary home for the week. After a good meal and a little fellowship, we had singing time with devotions and share time to end the night. There was some fears from the new teachers and a few fears from the teachers who have been here before. Each year it is exciting and scary to think of our upcoming lessons and how the children will be. Some are well behaved and listen well, others... well don't. New situations are always frightening.

Sunday morning came, again it was an easy going morning since church didn't start until 11. The clouds concerned us a bit in the morning whether or not it would rain. But we went on anyway.

The church service was moving and powerful. The pastor preached on God getting our attention with different trials in life. He was moving and the church was expressive. A new experience for many of us. Pastor Sparks as well had the experience of sitting up front with the rest of the pastors. (There was the young speaking pastor and the older Pastor Baily who is the church's own pastor since forever, Pastor Bailey's health fails at time but for those who have met him they know he is always praising and always thankful).

We quickly came back to eat and headed out again for the carnival--our first day of VBS. I was chasing around stores and my things to find a way to get the church's stereo system to work with our system... we ended up finding another way which ended up working. The kids enjoyed playing the games and a few of the adults had alot of fun playing with the kids. The children here love to dance rythmically together here, and of course Phil Gorter and Pastor Sparks tried to go along with them. The key word there is tried. Needless to say, it was halarious and fun for all.

The first VBS lesson was the beginnign of the Christmas story. We had Mary and Joseph and all the animals and sheperds at the manger scene. I had a wonderful time being the donkey, carrying the blessed virgin mother in. We sang some songs and had alot of fun.

After VBS, it rained... hard. And it is a blessing for those down here in Cary. Their crops this year is mainly corn due to the higher prices. However, much of it has been burning up in the hot mississippi sun and Care told us the need to pray for rain. There is some more talk of rain yet to come, we'll see how it goes. Please keep this in your prayers as well.

We ended our night by putting up the walls in the church for the VBS classes for the rest of the week. The teachers prepared there rooms and we settled back into the dorms and had our own talent night.

Many had alot of talent, a few--just some funny things about themselves. It was again good to grow as a church family in this way.

We ended the night again with devotions and sharing time. A wonderful conversation bloomed about the differences of church life down here compared to the same things we all face and have in common. Pastor Sparks commented wisely how we all share the same task every day--and that is to live the life every day of the week. We share in the tasks of our brothers and sisters down here in Cary.

The night ended with some Mafia game playing and some sleep.

This morning we woke up on time so that we could get to VBS on time. Harold Van Hulzen went with Nathan Sparks to help a man's house with some sheet rocking and plumbing. Pastor Sparks went with Phil Gorter and Todd Faber to another house this morning to work on some unfinished plumbing.

VBS at first was a little slow, the first days usually are but more came in throughout the morning. We turned in mabye about 25-30 kids. The morning went well as they learned about Elizabeth and the birth of John. My class is working through the 4 main parts of the biblical story: creation, fall, redemption, consumation (of course in easier terms for them to understand). I'm trying to help them understand where they fit into God's story, and what the Bible is all about. Tessa even mentioned how the young children did not know about Mary (Jesus' mother) at all. Generall spritual life here is knowing Jesus and that he saved them... but thats all. Its difficult to help them learn the basics, but its very worthwhile.

This afternoon now, Cal is in charge of putting everyone where they need to be. Harold and Nathan are again working at the same house but now with Todd. Pastor and Phil G are again working on finishing the plumbing at the house while many of our girls are beginning to work on painting it. More of the guys stayed behind here at the thrift store to unload a truck of used clothes and goods. It's going to be hot and humid again today, especially with yesterday's rain. Please pray everyone stays well hydrated and isn't harmed from the heat.

I'll be finishing up with this and uploading some picutres and then I'll be working as well on some small projects around the Cary center. There are always some small jobs here and there that need to be fixed and Cal is working hard that everyone has a job.

That will be all for now though. I had a lot to write to catch up from the past few days. I'll have more pictures of today put up tommorow as we are all busy working on the projects right now. Again keep checking out the page, with the extra help along this year, I'm able to pull away more to keep you all updated.

God's blessings to you all, keep us in your prayers.

Merrick