7/10/2005

It's been a busy week at the Power House in Baltimore, Maryland.

It started out Sunday with Morning Worship where we continued our series on being
stewards and learned about sewing seed. As the service began, though, the smell of sewer
gas began to enter the building again. By the time we were ready to start the sermon the
fumes were unbearable. We propped open the door while keeping the air conditioning
running and the fumes cleared out in a matter of minutes.

That afternoon we packed the kids in cars and vans and headed to camp. 19 of the 23
registered showed up. We had some local drivers with cars and vans, the church rented
two minivans, plus Mark from the Laurel Congregation brought up a minivan up to help get
everyone there in one piece. With the gracious outpouring of financial support in the
last couple of weeks to get our kids to camp we were able to pay for all 19 to go plus
all of our unexpected transportation expenses.

Robert was on staff at camp this year. Part of his summer job this year is to represent
Graceland University at camps around the country. He was able to come back to his old
camp as staff rather than as a camper.

Danny was in charge of Evening Worship. With so many involved with camp and/or camp
transportation he had a small gathering.

I got a call from camp on Monday. A person on staff from the Hampton Congregation had
found a way for her group to sponsor a third kid from the Power House to participate in
the upcoming International Youth Festival (IYF) in Independence, Missouri and Spectacular
in Lamoni, Iowa. We quickly bought plane tickets and began the registration process.

I met with the builder on Tuesday morning. We spent about an hour at the church coming
trying to figure out what was causing the problems with the sewer gas. After much
frustration we found a potential source and arranged for it's repair. So far it's been
fine, but that's what we said last week, too. He's not 100% certain we've got the
problem fixed but he's hopeful.

I transported the font to camp on Tuesday afternoon. With new road construction in the
area they knew that the water would be turned off much of the day on Thursday (the day of
the baptisms) so we got it down there so it could be filled before the water was shut
off.

Wednesday brought curriculum work. We worked on the summer/fall curriculum for the three
Pizza Church sessions and Kids' Church. We also outlined a plan for our upcoming Bible
School. That night the Adult Disciples group continued their study of the book of
Isaiah.

Throughout the week the builders made progress on their work. As of this moment, a large
section of one wall stands about 20 feet high. They've also made some plumbing and
electrical connections.

Thursday was the baptism service at camp. I was responsible for the message. Afterward
was the talent show. Several of our kids participated in it, including four of our
junior high boys who wrote and performed a Christian rap.

We had a storm that night. The wind and rain caused a leek in the ceiling of the church
near where some of the siding had been removed due to the new construction. It's not in
immediate danger, but that portion of the ceiling will need to be replaced once we start
using the new building.

On Friday I took Josh and Shawna to the Motor Vehicle Administration offices so they
could get state photo ID cards. Neither had them and they are required for boarding the
airplane to IYF. We followed the instructions as posted on thee MVA's web site but that
site failed to give all the necessary information. We were not able to get their ID
cards. We'll be trying again next Friday.

We had a different set of drivers and vehicles ready to bring kids home from camp
Saturday morning. Just as we were getting ready to leave, one of our girls passed out
due to dehydration and heat exhaustion. The nurse was unable to revive here so she was
taken by ambulance to the local hospital. Fortunately, Patty from the Dundalk
Congregation was able to help transport some people back to Pigtown so Vonceil was able
to stay in Virginia at the hospital while the rest of us took the other 18 kids home. We
left Jenn's car at the hospital so that Vonceil could bring the girl home once she was
released. They got back into town around 9:30 that night.

Looking to next week we have our full schedule of activities. In addition we'll be
taking the kids who came to church an average of 10+ times per month last year to Six
Flags. We'll also be going back to the MVA to get photo ID cards for out IYF travelers.
Next weekend is our Mission Center Reunion and leadership team meeting. Danny and I are
scheduled to be there on Saturday.

In addition to the people and activities mentioned as well as continued progress on our
building project, please keep the following individuals in the forefront of your prayers:

Raymond
Justin
Jordan
Bradley
Anthony
Sylvia
Pat
Fred

Thank you for your continued prayer support.

Jeff and everyone at
The Power House
"Building the Kingdom of God Here and Now"
PowerHouseMD@Juno.com
www.pigtownchurch.org