VBS!

Today at VBS the topic was "Give Happily." The highlight of VBS, for me, would have to be the conversation we, um, "actors" had with the 3rd/4th grade classes after our skit. The question was, "What are some ways that we can give happily to help others?" It was so cool to hear their answers.

In the K/1st session we got responses like "I could give them my house!" (Um, yeah, let me know how your Mom & Dad respond to that suggestion!)

The older kids, though, especially the 3rd/4th graders, clearly had some experience with giving; "I knit hats for cancer patients." "I grew my hair out long and cut it to give to Locks of Love." "We could go help at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving again." Seriously! None of these answers were given by my kids, so I don't think I'm patting myself on the back to say I think it's so cool that these are the children of our church! That missional message is reaching down into the growing generations, and that, my friends, makes Jesus happy.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go think about how my kids can learn to serve. :-)

VBS and Jubilee Service Day

Oops, I missed a few days blogging. I have a good excuse, though; I've been preparing to do VBS drama again. Today I get to be "Ms. Festival of Weeks" in a, um, beauty pageant? Heheh, it's a fun gig, and equally fun to see how many of the kids have brought neighbors and school chums in for the fun. Pray that many kids would be drawn to the love and hope presented this week.

Did you take the chance to sign up for Jubilee Service Day yet? On August 13, our church will join with several other Eastside churches to spruce up 9 Bellevue Schools ahead of the new school year, as well as refurbishing several area homes. It's our chance to share the love of Jesus with our neighbors here in Bellevue. It's also a great way to introduce older kids to Christian service. We have a great time with our oldest, cleaning chairs and tidying up a school he will never attend. It was really neat to see him shift, that first Service Day, from "Why aren't we cleaning MY school!?" to loving that the kids at Cherry Crest Elementary would never know that a fifth grader from Rose Hill Elementary had cleaned their seat for them. Good, good stuff. I encourage you to enroll with your 10-years-old or older kids. You will see God at work in our Eastside Christian community, and in your own kids. Good stuff! Did I say that?

Register Here.

NTM & the Moi People

Tomorrow, our friends Rich & Karen Brown, missionaries with New Tribes Mission, are coming for a visit, along with their three daughters. We are so excited to see them! They are here just to hang out and visit with us as they move between church speaking engagements, but I just had to share these cool videos Rich has made with the new Moi believers.

The Moi people are stone-age tribespeople living in the mountains of West Papua, Indonesia. They have lived somewhat shut off from the world for centuries, living in extremely dark and difficult situations. Rich and Karen have lived among the Moi for several years now, and have been involved in bringing a large number to Christ, along with helping them develop a written language, improving their infant mortality rate, and helping reduce the astounding amount of intertribal violence. The work they do is extraordinary, to put it mildly, and we are so priviledged to count them as friends.

The Auto Angels Car Show is tomorrow, and I have three boys who are very excited to take Dad to see Mater and all the other cool cars. Rain or shine, it's always a good time at the Auto Angels Car Show!

Oh, and the burgers are great, too!
See you there!

Rwanda 2011!

It's time to start thinking about going to Rwanda this fall! Are you being called to visit this amazing place where BelPres has been so deeply involved these past years? The team is going to be visiting and working with The Center for Champions and other missions supported by FPCB.

I know a few people who have gone on these trips, and every one of them had no regrets. In fact, most people feel that it was one of the most positive life-changing things they have ever done. If you've been looking for a chance to step out of your comfort zone and meet Jesus on the faces of his people in a new way, this may be it!

Check out the details here. Edit: I found out that this is only accessible with a Microsoft Live ID. If you are interested in more details, please contact Julie St. Peter. Leave me a message and I will forward her information to you. Thanks!

One Dress Protest

One Dress Protest is a blog following the life of a 26 year old woman who, for various reasons, has chosen to wear one dress, the same dress, every day for this year.

I have been thinking a lot about fasting lately, and how it can allow God to move not just in our personal spiritual journey, but how much God moves through those who are dedicating themselves to fasting. Then, today, I saw my sister recommend this blog to her daughter, who is also 26. I am encouraged and challenged by Kristy Powell (that's the 26 year old woman wearing the same dress for 365 days) and her passion for change. On her "Why" tag she goes into some detail about this being a "clothing fast". What an amazing way to let God move through you for the year. She began in January, and now that I know about it, I will be watching to see how the year progresses.

Fascinating stuff!
Nan

Missions Fair Coordinator?

BelPres is looking for a new Missions Fair Coordinator. If you've ever attended church on Missions Fair Sunday, you will realize the importance of this position. Is it you? If you are interested, please check here.

Car Show!

Not only will MATER be there, but there will be a semi-truck kids can actually climb up into, and a couple of real race cars, complete with semi-trailer! Oh, and plenty of classics for Dad to enjoy. One of the most fun events at church all year, and for a very cool cause. See you there!
Nan

Jubilee Service Day

It's coming! Jubilee Service Day 2011 is just around the corner, this August 13th! We've done this before with our older kids, and have found it to be a great learning experience for the kids, and very encouraging to all of us! I cannot stress enough how fun and cool it is to be with other Christians serving the community this way. Register here.

Thompson's Update

Some great pix of the clean-up work Peter and Wendi have been doing. I am so glad to have someone I know involved in the Japan rescue effort. Such good stuff!

MAF in Africa

Sweet story from an MAF friend living in West DRC, Africa.