8/19/2007

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

It started out with our three services on Sunday. Along with the regular activities in each service, we gave people a few fliers to give to friends and neighbors to encourage participation in this week's Bible School activities.

About 1:30 the next morning the group arrived from Maine after a very long day on the road. Susanne, Buzz, Tricia, and Noah unpacked their car and headed straight to bed at our house hoping to get some sleep in preparation for the week ahead.

On Monday morning we distributed fliers throughout the neighborhood. I estimate we handed out about 1400 fliers in about 90 minutes time. When we had finished Tamara had lunch ready for us at the church. We spent the afternoon planning out the Bible School activities, preparing the crafts, lessons, music, etc., and setting up the building.

Tuesday morning brought 48 kids out for Bible School. After lunch we prepared the activates for the next day. This was our basic procedure throughout the week.

That evening the folks from Maine, Tamara, and the Anderson went to Ron and Carol Gillilan's house for dinner. They had invited out for a picnic and we shared in food and fellowship together.

We had 35-37 kids participate in Bible School each of the remaining days. On Friday we had our "laugh and play and sing" day with fun centers throughout the building. These included a moon bounce, an obstacle course, a Lego table, an instruments table, a jump rope area, a coloring table, a jewelry making table, and a snack area. Before the kids left we gathered them together to distribute prizes and offer a blessing.

Throughout the week many people from the congregation worked to make Bible School a success. Patricia, Shirley, Gloria, Karen, Shawna, Shannon, Tamara, Jenn, Robert, Vonceil, and Kathy all provided staffing and/or lunches for Bible School.

An unexpected benefit of this year's Bible School came through the connections with members of other local churches. Grandparents and Great-grandparents of some of the kids came and stayed during some of the sessions. They were active in the AME Church, the Salvation Army, and a local Catholic parish. They were happy to have an additional week of quality church activities for their kids and wanted to be supportive in whatever way possible. One woman surprised us on Friday by bringing prizes for us to give to the kids and gifts for all the staff.

Tamara and Jenn drove to North Carolina Friday afternoon. They'll be participating in a Young Adult Retreat sponsored by the mission center.

Friday night brought Pizza Church. We had small groups that night which gave the folks from Maine an opportunity to do some good visiting with those who were present.

With their car packed full, Buzz, Susanne, Tricia, and Noah pulled out of Baltimore a little after 6:00 a.m. on Saturday.

Looking ahead to next week we have our full schedule of activities. In addition, we'll be making our teacher care packages on Wednesday during Adult Disciples. We'll distribute them on Thursday. We'll also be making our final preparations for our school supplies distribution which is scheduled for Sunday, August 26. Next Saturday is our monthly Sundae Church.

Along with the individuals and activities mentioned, please keep the following individuals in the forefront of your prayers:

Yasmine
Autumn
McKinsey
Sarah
Michelle
Mike
Durrell
James

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