Each year, just before Easter, the fellowship of churches founded under Paul's dear parents, come together for family camp. It is a real blow-out event. Entire families travel many hours in order to make this annual happening.
The focus this year was "What Matters Most in the Christian Family?" Teachers prepared topical lessons, Choirs and soloists alike present their best specials, Musicians play their hearts out, Preachers preach God's Word with power, Sports teams bring their uniforms for "official" play, Bible school students prepare their thesis presentation, Children come for a week of VBS fun, Trophys are purchased, Hearts are challenged, Souls are saved, Lives are surrendered...God moves in the midst of His people! It is a wonderful experience and we were even more grateful to play a part this year than the last.
This year our special guest speaker would be Pastor Steve Brown and his wife Cathy from 1st Baptist Church of Meadowview. What a hoot! Ptr. Steve was in no lack of excitement and interest from the get go. Oh, we had so much fun watching him with these other pastors. He had developed a plan to surprise the crowd each night as he arrived to preach. He rode in on a motorcycle, he was delivered in a tricycle, he was carried in on a stretcher, then the final night he intended to ride in on a karabou, but the crazy thing ran away on us, so the pastors pulled him in on the work cart instead....like I said, what a hoot! Let's not forget that he challenged dad and, the MC for the week, Ptr. Garcia to go down the mudslide with him on Friday afternoon. And I am happy to say, that yes, they went! I have the pictures to prove it! There was definately not a dull moment.
Aside from his silliness, his messages were wonderfully prepared and God spoke directly through him to the hearts of the people. After each service, there was no lack of bent knees at the altar...what a beautiful sight to behold. 26 became new believers while over 20 surrendered to fulltime service {there were a couple of men ready to start preaching had they been given the chance}! We also witnessed the baptism of 5 on Friday afternoon. Praise the Lord!
I didn't even mention Mrs. Cathy yet....Let me tell you, that lady was a wonderful encouragement to me personally, but from the sounds of our ladies, she blessed their hearts just the same. She brought 3 beautiful lessons to the pastor's wives and graced us with her singing each service. We didn't get her down the mudslide, but it wasn't because we didn't try! She was an overall blessing; we were all so grateful that she was able to accompany Ptr. Steve on his visit.
Photos are in the posting process, so be sure to check back for the mudslide chronicles. Available now are albums for the following {just click on the photo}:
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