Time to Wash the Bus

 

One of the great things about volunteer work is you don't always know what you are volunteering for!! Today there was an abundance of teens at the food pantry, so many of them headed outside and wash the bus. 

 

Rather than being just a stationary location where people need to come to for help, Metro Relief has a bus to go and meet where there is a need. On Friday afternoons they make soup and drinks, load up socks, hygiene items, clothes, supplies and head to Unity Park in Ft. Worth.  After opening in prayer, from the back half of the bus they pass out soup, drinks, snacks and from the front of the bus they set out clothes, socks, and hygiene products.  The guests come thru and each person is prayed for, it is such a great ministry.  Metro Relief holds the same type of event on Friday evenings in The Colony at the Budget Suites and also one night a week at a local church parking lot.

 

So today, the kids headed outside to wash the bus and a few of them like Abigail and Roy cleaned the inside of the bus. 

If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites

in any of the towns of the land the Lord your

God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or

tightfisted toward them. Rather, be openhanded

and freely lend them whatever they need.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8

Caleb is Home!

One Happy Momma!

The boy is back!!!  After a week in South Texas, Caleb is back home!  He is such a calm spirit and a gentle natured young man that you often don't know he's in the room.  But, wow did I notice when he was gone! 

 

Don't get me wrong, I love my girls and every chatty, enthusiastic moment with them.  But Caleb's demeanor seems to temper the room and balance the energy.  He is his father's son!



the bus ride home

 

The mission trip went wonderful and I have already heard great stories about the work they accomplished and can't wait to hear more.  For now, I'm just thrilled to say, 'Caleb is home!"

My son,’ the father said,
‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours.

Luke 15:31

Mission Trip - Day 7

 

The kids began their trip home today.  They drove from the Mission Center in Pharr, TX and headed to San Antonio.  Big Lou's Pizza was the site for lunch, with four 42" pizzas to serve the 34 kids!  Yes, they do serve normal 10" pizzas but what fun is that when you can have a 42" pizza!

 

The kids were able to check out the Alamo, but since Caleb has been there before he headed out with a group down the Riverwalk. Apparently some of the girls helped him get his swag on.  What! :)

 

The finished off their day with a devotional back at Hilton Palacio del Rio. 

he sent for him and had him brought in.
He was glowing with health and
had a fine appearance and handsome features.

I Samuel 16:12

Mission Trip - Day 6 - South Padre

With the hard work behind them, the kids headed to South Padre for a little fun.  This was Caleb's first time to see an ocean.  He said he was amazed at how far he could see nothing but water.  He enjoyed building a wall of sand to watch the ocean take it away. 

 

He loved swimming in the water but wasn't a big fan of the salty water.  I think it took him by surprise the first time he swallowed a big gulp. 

Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

Psalms 148:7

Pool Time

 

So what is the best part about summer in Texas?  Lounging around the pool! Yes, it's hot here.  Yes, it is humid.  But there are lots of spots to cool off and take it easy.  With Caleb in South Texas, we took the girls to hang out at the nearby pool.

 

I'm not sure how I managed to get pictures of Jon and I and not the girls, guess I was too excited about having Jon join us for the day. 

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19:7

Mission Trip - Day 5



9 kiddos in this home

Singing VBS Songs

 

This was Caleb's last day for painting and playing Pack Mule for his group.  Along with his new nick name, Mrs. Edwards also taught Caleb and the group the secret of  La Chancla.  Very funny, check it out on the link for a quick 1 minute video.  

 

This was the largest night for Vacation Bible School attendees. Don't you know these kids are worn out.

one party took off his sandal and
gave it to the other. This was the
method of legalizing transactions in Israel

Ruth 4:7

Back at the Food Pantry

It's Wednesday so we are back at the pantry volunteering.  I usually don't post multiple posting of repeat events but this something that is close to our hearts.  Most of you know our oldest was delivered to us via. adoption thru the State of Oklahoma's Foster Care system.  Frankie suffers from multiple developmental delays many stemming from poor nutrition and lack of nutrition as a child.

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We have done a lot of volunteer work with the needy from Christmas Angel Trees, Salvation Army sorting facilities, Shoes for Orphans Soles, and various food pantries.  You do not have to be wealthy to make a difference, if you can donate money or food that is great.  But I really enjoy helping, greeting families; loving on their kiddos; watching my two younger children pass out food like I wish someone would have done for Frankie and her sisters. 

 

No system is perfect, and I am sure there are people who abuse the system, but their are innocent kiddos that are hungry.

 

If you are near us and would like to volunteer, visit their website for great ways to help out. If you are not local you can always donate money on-line to Metro Relief.  They get special pricing on canned goods, so sometimes it is more economical to donate and let them purchase food.  And if you have a bag of canned goods, hand them off to us at church, a ball game, or homeschool event and we will see they get to this worthy organization.

You gave no water to the weary
    and you withheld food from the hungry,
though you were a powerful man, owning land—
    an honored man, living on it.
And you sent widows away empty-handed
    and broke the strength of the fatherless.

Job 22:7-9

Mission Trip - Day 4

This was day two for working in the morning and VBS in the evening.  Caleb's group completed the coat of primer on their house and then began with the house color. 

 

Yesterday they had 83 children from the area attend Vacation Bible School and for today they had over 100 children.  The adult sponsor drove to the communities loading up the church vans and bringing them to the church and taking them home.  So many sweet faces!

 

During this trip Caleb and the other youth do not have their phones with them, so they can focus on the work and the people they are with.  I am blessed that Ms. Edwards has been posting pictures on Facebook along with notes from their day.  I can't wait to hear Caleb's stories!

“Let the little children come to me,
and do not hinder them,
for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.

Luke 18:16

Mission Trip - Day 3

Today the real work began.  At 7:30am the kids left the Mission Center for the various job sites.  They were broke up into several different groups, one group poured concrete blocks, another worked on the roofs and three groups primed and painted various houses. 

Caleb was on one of the painting crews.  His adult sponsor, Mrs. Edwards nick named Caleb 'Pack Mule' because it was his job to lift and tote.  Each of the kids in his group had their own nick names along with funny stories to accompany. 

In the evenings the youth group members were cleaned up and conducted Vacation Bible School for the area children.  Caleb and other youth acted out the Bible story followed by crafts, snacks and play time. 

My mom heart is so grateful to the adults who accompanied these kids on this wonderful adventure! 

Blessed are those who fear the Lord,
    who find great delight in his commands.

Their children will be mighty in the land;
    the generation of the upright will be blessed.

Psalm 112:1-2

Mission Trip - Day 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This morning the youth began their day leading worship services at the Iowa Road church of Christ.  It was a new experience for many of the kids as Matt presented the lesson in English and Jesus and Andrew would translate into Spanish. 

 

In the afternoon today the youth passed out fliers inviting residents to the Vacation Bible School they would be leading throughout the week.  What an eye opener!  These homes some much smaller than most of these kids living rooms.  Inside the home would be six to nine children plus their parents. 

 

There is no way to walk away without feeling so blessed!

 

Now you have been pleased to
bless the house of your servant,
that it may continue forever in your sight;
for you, Lord, have blessed it,
and it will be blessed forever.”

I Chronicles 17:27