Summer Memories

We enjoyed a special family vacation this summer! It was our first ever week long vacation, and it was a big treat! We stopped in South Carolina to visit all the grandparents, and then we headed to Hilton Head Island. (Thank you again, Becky, for allowing us to stay at your uncle's condo! What a blessing!)

We loved playing on the beach, swimming in the ocean, and relaxing by the pool! I've been wanting to blog about this trip for nearly a month now, but there were just so many wonderful memories, I didn't know what to write! I have thought it over, and I think my favorite beach vacation story is about broken seashells.

For weeks prior to our trip to the beach, the girls were anticipating the ocean waves, sharks, dolphins, crabs, sandcastles, and of course- seashells! I had my own daydreams about walking along the beach at sunset, holding David's hand, while our girls ran up ahead of us with their little buckets, picking up beautiful shells and squealing with joy. (Wouldn't that be so sweet? wink.) We had big plans for those seashells, after all. We were going to make a necklace or a picture frame or give them as gifts or keep a few for souvenirs.

On our first day at the beach, the girls began collecting shells. Oh, they kept even the smallest pieces of shells! I kept tucking away the little shell chips in our beach bag, figuring we'd just quietly dump them out once we found some 'real' shells. As the week went on, however, we didn't find any beautiful, perfect shells. We were at the beach every morning and evening. I was disappointed. I wanted to watch the girls find a shell that they could hold up to their little ears to hear the ocean! Wouldn't our girls be so sad to bring home these pitiful shell chunks, most of which were just plain white?

But you know what? God really taught me about His grace while I watched our girls gather those shells. Even though those seashells were broken, overlooked by many other vacationers, and plain, my girls t.r.e.a.s.u.r.e.d them as if they were beautiful, priceless, and precious! I was reminded about how much God loves me. Even though I'm a sinner and I couldn't EVER earn the privilege of becoming one of His treasures, He sent His son to die on the cross for me. He doesn't overlook me because of my (many) imperfections- He loves me!

What a sweet blessing, when the Lord uses your own children to teach you about His perfect love. I hope you'll enjoy a few of our pictures!











"This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."- 1 John 4:9-10

Ministry Visit #4

***Before I write about yesterday's visit, please accept my apology - I didn't get to blog about 'Ministry Visit #3' because our family was out of town. The team had a great visit last week and five adults accepted Christ! And to date, there are a total of eight people who have asked Jesus into their heart! Praise the Lord! ***

We arrived at camp yesterday morning and there were no little friends running out to greet us. It appeared that no one was home and I have to admit, my heart sank. We've known this day was coming soon- when the families would be moving on to the next farm, the next state, etc. But I wanted to hug my little friends one more time, and since I missed last week's ministry visit, my heart was very heavy.

However, there were two older girls, asleep in the back of one trailer. They woke up and explained that some of the children were at another camp about 20 minutes away. Our team loaded back into our vehicles and headed to the second location.

At the second camp, we were greeted by many smiling little faces! We sang and danced to fun praise music, we made bracelets with beads representing the colors of faith, we ate snacks, and we took pictures and immediately printed them out for each child to keep. It was so sweet to watch the anticipation building as we would wait for a picture to print out! Those pictures were like little treasures for these children. ( And I was fortunate enough to get one picture taken with my precious little amiga, Pearla.)

One thing I heard multiple times throughout the morning, from different members of our ministry team, "These children have just blessed me so much." Isn't God amazing? Not only did He invite us to be part of His plan for these children and their families to hear the gospel, but God brought these beautiful children into our lives to teach us.

If you attend Faith Baptist Church, you may have seen many of these migrant families at church last Sunday. Several families will be joining us again this week! Thank you, thank you, thank you for praying for these families!

"From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked."- Luke 12:48b

Ministry Visit #2

Thank you for praying for our time with the children again this week! God blessed our time at the farm in so many ways! Please read all about this morning's visit...

Our team drove into the 'tent community' at the exact same time as last week. However, this week we were greeted by several little friends waving and anticipating our arrival. We enjoyed warm hugs and smiles, while more excited children came out to join us. Thank you, Lord, for growing our relationships with these precious children.

Several of the men were not working in the field today. About a dozen men were playing a volleyball game, and others were relaxing in the shade. They watched us from a distance. Thank you, Lord, for allowing these men to observe us loving on their children. We know it was Your sovereign plan to have them home this morning during our visit.

We spread out our blankets and poured two jugs of water into small tubs. Then we gave each child a few plastic capsules to drop into the water. They squealed with delight as the capsules grew into little sponge animals. Every child was also given animal crackers (placed inside paper plate 'boats') and a juice for a snack. Can you guess what Bible story we were preparing to share? wink.

After some kickball, bean bag toss, and parachute games, we met back on the blankets for storytime. The children were all given animal stick puppets to use during the story of Noah's Ark. Our Bible story was told using a felt board and an easel; the children were very interested in the changing scenes and colorful felt shapes. It was then that a peculiar thing began to happen. Some of the men began to inch closer and closer to our story area. Thank you, Lord, for drawing the men of this camp to come listen to your Word. We pray for more opportunities to share Your Truth with these men.

After our story, the children created a rainbow (a sign of God's promise) craft and we ate our lunch. As we were cleaning up our area and preparing to leave, one of the men, Guadalupe, came to speak with Patrick, a member of our ministry team. Guadalupe wanted to give Patrick a Gatorade as a gift, and he asked if we could bring him a Bible next week. We praise You, Lord, for the work You are doing within this man's heart!

We said our good-byes and gave out many hugs. In the car ride home, I was riding with our translator, Dorian. She said, "Did you see me talking to Pascuala?" (Pascuala is the mother of a 6 month old baby boy. Her boyfriend works in the field. She has other children, who live in Mexico with her family.) "Pascuala told me she wanted to have Jesus in heart. We prayed together, and she accepted Jesus as her Savior! She wants to learn more, and she was so happy because I promised to bring her a Spanish Bible next week." We praise You, Lord, for the Holy Spirit moving in Pascuala's heart. Thank You for her decision today!

Thank you for loving these children through your faithful prayers, and your generous donations of the items needed each week. The Lord is doing a great work and it is a joy to be able to be a small part of His big plan!

"Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my convenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. So God said to Noah, 'This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth.' "- Genesis 9:14-17

Amoxicillin

Question: What happens to a child when they are prescribed amoxicillin for an ear infection but they are simultaneously diagnosed with the mono virus?

Answer: An unusual rash/ allergic reaction.







Luckily, Wubs isn't running a fever and she doesn't seem to mind her 'polka dots' one little bit! wink! The doctor said it will clear up in a few days by itself, and we are no longer taking the amoxicillin.

ps- Tomorrow is our 2nd ministry trip to visit the 'tent children'! We will be sharing the story of Noah's Ark this week. Please continue to pray for these children and their families. If you would like to donate books, clothes, or food for the sack lunches we are providing each week during our visit, please email me at sarahmc@faithnc.org. Also, if you live in the area and you would like to come help prepare the sack lunches and pray together, please email me as well. Thank you so much!

"Love each other as I have loved you." John 15:12