VBS Day 5 - CELEBRATE!

Our day was very special as it was the wrap up of the week's events.  It wasn't what we originally planned but it was even better because it involved many members of the community!    The Holistic Health Services Clinic hosted a picnic that would bring the kids, the parents and our team together for fellowship.    What was really neat was that we helped them with the preparation of the food (i.e. grilling the meats, making lemonaid).   We worked side by side with the Southend parents and felt like part of the community.  They have decided to make this an annual event for the last day of our VBS.

Our interaction with the adults was a lot more this year and for this we are thankful.  It was a bittersweet goodbye as we had to leave yet wanted to stay.  We had one final sing along in the driveway as we said our "see you laters" with the assurance of our return next summer (God willing). 

Redeemer Lutheran Church in Prince Albert billeted us on our first night out of Southend toward home.  The hospitality shown to us by the Church members was greatly appreciated. 

We would like to thank everyone that has supported this trip through prayers, financial support, supply donations and encouragement.  It is the Lord working with ALL of us that has made this mission trip a success!  Please continue to pray for the community and children of Southend along with Father Mark.

We are already starting to make plans for Southend 2012 and hope that you will continue to follow us on this journey!

Doing VBS crafts at the picnic

 

The final view of Reindeer Lake from Father Mark's yard...until next year.

VBS DAY 4 - I Thank And Praise God

Today was a special day with each of the kids that attended being given a New Testament Bible.  On the inside cover of it each team member wrote their favorite New Testament verse.   We also highlighted them so the kids could see what we all liked.   Followiing are our verses:

Father Mark - John 10:11
Brian Doyle - Hebrews 11:1
Sandy Doyle - John 14:6
Kate Doyle - Ephesians 2:13
Jeff Knutson - John 15:5
Hanna Knutson - 1st Timothy 4:12
Alex Knutson - Luke 8:5
Bob Vrudny - Revelations 11:15
Vernice Dabu - John 14:1
Dominique Dabu - Philippians 4:13
Angela Dabu - Matthew 19:26
Gwen Veldhuis-Kroeze   Philippians 4:4 - 7
Celia Veldhuis-Kroeze    John 3:16
Barb Durst - 1st John 3:16 & 18
Bree Hagen - Hebrews 13:8

Today was also our last full day in Southend and after VBS it was spent swimming, cliff jumping and playing ball.  The Messiah kids on our team have been wonderful this week and have been a key factor in connecting with the kids of Southend.  We know we have been able to be a positive influence during our short time here.   We are grateful to have the opportunity to give back because of what God has done for us.  Father Mark says we are a "living Thanksgiving in service by teaching others that they belong to God's kingdom". 

Tomorrow we will head out of Southend on our journey home.  It will be hard to leave but as we learned from one of the locals, it is not "goodbye", it is "see you later!"

New Testament Bibles were given to each of the kids today

Each Bible had our teams favorite New Testament verse



Cliff Jumping!

Father Mark and the Messiah Mission kids

VBS DAY 3 - God Uses Me

Today we another great day with good attendance (81 kids) and a great message to share about us uses us.  Already the kids have become very attached to us, and us to them.  They have been asking how long we can stay or if they can go home with us.  Even though storms were forecast for the week, God has held those storms off until after VBS each day.  Today there were torrential rains that started as we were getting ready to leave the school.   The Southend kids enjoyed surfing Saskatchewan style in the very large yard puddles.  We are amazed at the opportunities we have had to connect with other members of the community and are trying to reach as many people as we can while we are here.

Father Mark and the bell he rings each day to let the kids know to go to VBS



Jesus (Alex) provides fish and bread (bannock) for the multitudes reaching out

Together time before VBS begins...

Spray painting activity making wall hangings



Joyful faces during the water balloon game

Autographed arms as requested by the kids

VBS DAY 2 - God Cares For Me

Today was another fun filled day that started with Ron and Marty from LAMP ministries flying in to meet  and pray with us.    We had 80  kids attend  VBS today.  For those animal lovers that might be wondering, we had 6 dogs join us!  The power went out during VBS but that really didn't stop anything.  Thankfully the weather was nice and we were able to take the kids outside for watermelon and water games until the power returned.  We are finding that more adults are showing interest and that is encouraging.  

Southend was having a fundraiser for a local woman who is hospitalized with serious injuries from an accident.  Our team members contributed to the telethon as it was another way we felt we could support the community.   Later in the evening someone arrived at our home to give us a hand painted picture which we would like to have framed and hung at Messiah.  Once again it demonstrates that we often receive blessings by being a blessing to others.

Dinner tonight was a Caribou roast that was provided by Joseph, who became a friend of ours last year when he drove us into Southend and took some of our team members fishing.  Chef Jeff cooked the Caribou for the team and once again, he outdid himself.  He has spoiled us with great food and has shown us his excellent cullinary skills that we really appreciate!

 Singing the song about how Jesus is a friend...

Learning the new Bible verse! " Leave all your worries with God because He cares for you."  1 Peter 5:7

Listening attentively to the skit! As you can see, we had face painting today too.

Outdoor Fun!

Music Fun...

The craft of the day...God's Eye.  Even the boys enjoyed it!

VBS DAY 1 - God Created Me and Gives Me Life

The day started with devotions and some inspiration from Father Mark.  He reminded us that we are reflecting the image of Christ for the community of Southend.  It was a day of anticipation and excitement as we were putting our plans into place for VBS Day 1. 

The children streamed in with their furry friends and the Lord blessed us with 94 kids and 5 dogs!  It was fitting since the days lesson was about God's creations.  The kids were asked to share something that they saw on their way to VBS that was good....one boy answered "Bob".    Bob Vrudny is the team member that the kids are drawn to because of his kindness and especially his handlebar mustache!

It was really fun to see the kids responding to the songs from last year and they had a great time.  It was a successful day of sharing the story of Creation.  It is amazing how He uses simple people like us to spread His message of hope and love.

LAMP SOUTHEND TEAM 2011

REGISTRATION WITH HANNA & ANGELA

EVEN THE DOGS WANTED IN ON THE FUN!

MAKING MUSIC FOR THE LORD!

ONE OF THE SKITS OF THE DAY

SIDEWALK CHALK CROSSES

  

SUN SETTING ON GODS CREATION

SOUTHEND!

Yesterday we arrived in Southend!   Father Mark met us in LaRonge.  We had a team meeting there in which Father Mark said in his prayer for us to strive to have gentle and joyful hearts.   Follow the footsteps of Jesus into the heart of the children....and so here we are.

Within 20 minutes of arriving we had Southend kids at the house ready to greet and hang out with us.  It was like a big family reunion!  Father Marks house was full!   Full with people (about 25 of us), full of laughter, and reminiscing.  Linda Knutson couldn't join us this year but she sent two photo albums with pictures from last year.  Everyone loved seeing them!

We worshiped with Father Mark and his congregation today.  It was a full Church and some of the Southend kids even came and sat with us.   Today is a day of kick baseball, swimming, cliff jumping, face painting, nail painting, and a tour of the town.  Tonight we will distribute flyers door to door inviting the kids of Southend to our VBS which will start tomorrow.  

Unloading and wondering why we brought so much!

The Southend kids arrive before the bags are unpacked

Father Mark in his Caribou Vestment

Father Mark's House and the Church

On The Road Again....destination Prince Albert

Everything is working out great so far!   We are thankful for good roads, good weather, good travel time, and excellent hosts along the way with our most recent being Redeemer Lutheran Church in Prince Albert.    We got a great night of rest at a hotel in Prince Albert.  We are preparing for today with last minute supply shopping and will be departing for Southend shortly.  A few days ago we received notification that the road and bridge to LaRonge would be closed due to flooding.  Our prayers have been answered and we have learned they are open and we will not need to be ferried across the river!  While that is great news...an adventure like that would have been fun.   No doubt we will have other adventures along the way.  Thank-you for praying for us and keep it up!

Flight Pictures

An aerial of the Piper home and their plane hanger

Up, up, and away with Nat and the cessna 182!

Road Warriors

Southend or Bust!

The trip is off to a great start!

       Thursday:  

• Left Minneapolis at 6 AM
• We traveled a total of 700 miles today
• Enjoyed lunch in Bismark at Bethel Lutheran church. A wonderful lunch hosted by Vernices parent, sister, and niece. We were happy to have Andrea Urbach(former Messiah member) and her kids join us! Vernices brother and his family also stopped by to visit!
• Cleared customs in 20 minutes(unlike last year!)
• Arrived at the Piper home in Estavan where they are hosting our team of 14. They served us a wonderful meal, and we had fellowship with their family and friends.It was a really fun night.

       Friday :

• Woke up to a beautiful morning and plane rides. Nat was gracious enough this year to give our team plane rides in the cessna. Once again some of our team members got to fly it!
• Our next stop is Prince Albert where we will be having dinner at a church with friends we will billet with on the way home.
• We will spend the night at a Days Inn hotel with pool fun for the kids and restful sleep for the adults:)

Ready, Set, Go!!!!!

In one more sleep we will be heading to southend!! Tonight we will be packin the U-Haul, Eating pizza, and swimming at the Knutsons!! Then tomorrow at 6:00 AM we will be starting our journey to Southend, Saskatchewan!! It is going to be a fun 10 days with this team!



~Angela

Six More Sleeps and We're Southend Bound!

The excitement in our team is building and we are ready to head back to Southend one week from today!   The LAMP theme for VBS this year is JESUS IS THE ROCK!  There are many uncertainties in life and we desperately need the hope and peace found in Jesus alone!  Please pray that God would work mightily through His Word amongst the children of Southend.  ~Brian, Sandy and Kate

                                                                 Team Planning

Gwen and Celia

Hanna, Dominique, Angela, Kate and Bree ~ Craft Preparation

Joy in Preparation

The Lord provides great joy and extra hands to help in preparing VBS materials for the precious children of Southend.  My mom, Sue,  stayed with our family for a while and loved helping out in any way she could.  In this photo, she is preparing the Bible verse booklets the kids will make this summer.  The booklets will help the children remember the Bible verses that we will share with them this summer!  Nothing in this world brings more hope and joy than the Word!  "I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You."  Psalm 119:11.

~Sandy

What do you see?

When you look at this picture of Southend Saskatchewan you might see different things...maybe a vacation like setting, a fishermans dream, a small village, a track,  or evidence of Gods creation.   What you don't see from this angle is:

• That this is the home of the Cree natives who are the First Nation of Canada
• That the Cree are special people that value relationships over tasks
• That they are a culture that shares everything and are not materialistic
• That the population is about 1000, with half of them being children under the age of 12
• That this in a remote community in northern Canada which provides a challenging climate
• That we need to share the love of Christ and Hope for the future with them

We had the privilege of serving the Cree last year on our first Mission Trip to Southend and learned so much from them and about them.  Our mission is to serve this remote community of Canada for at least five years and this is our second year.  We will be teaching VBS to the children, building relationships in the community, and we will be sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We are looking forward to sharing His Word and His Love and giving them Hope for the future. 



~Vernice~

Going to Canada `eh?

In a little less than 2 months we will be on our way to Southend, Saskatchewan in Canada! We are going with a team of 14: Vernice, Dominique, and Angela Dabu, Kate, Brian, and Sandy Doyle, Hanna, Alex, and Jeff Knutson, Gwen, and Celia Veldhuis-Kroeze, Bob Vrudny, Bree Hagen, and Barb Durst. We are leaving August 4th and will be coming back on the 14th. It is a 23 hour drive, so we are driving 3 days-there and back. We are doing Vacation Bible School for the kids.


                                                                                                                                ~Angela