Block Bash

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 1 Corinthians 3:8

A big thank you to all who prayed and otherwise played a part in today's Block Bash. God's answers were evident in ways both big and small. (A big thank you to my parents for watching our two youngest children for 5 hours during the event and running Rachel across town to a birthday party!!!) Can I say enough about the weather?!!! Who but God could override the forecast by 10 degrees and send a cool breeze?? We felt His blessing on all that was taking place today.

Eric and Micah had a steady stream of kids line up to play their beanbag toss. I could hear Eric's whoops over the crowd so I think they just might have been having a good time. Their station was right next to some people who were telling Bible stories to kids. Eric said he noticed they didn't have much business at first so he started telling the kids to go there next, and many did. Micah had a great time helping and did so cheerfully.

I was amazed at the number of people who visited our prayer station. We were asking as people walked by if they had anything we could pray about for them, and many stopped and said yes!! It seemed that many health concerns were shared, and I heard one lady ask our pastor to please pray for health and prosperity for her and her family!! Every 15 minutes to half hour our pastor would give away a gospel basketball, which had colors on it to share the story of the Bible. We would go round up the kids and they would listen for 5 minutes and one would get the ball. They apparently loved this and some came back 2 and 3 times to listen, pulling parents along. After the ball give-away everyone would get gospel bracelets and the tract that also told the story. We gave away several Bibles and even more New Testaments, and at least one boy prayed to accept Jesus as his Savior.

About halfway through the afternoon, 2 former NFL players gave their riveting testimony before a small audience. Two girls sitting in front of me went forward with about a dozen others to accept Christ, and I stayed behind with their tearful mother and got her information about churches and a Bible for her and some New Testaments for the girls.

After that the afternoon was a quick blur, but what will stick with me are the three kids that came just as we were getting ready to tear down the prayer station. While one person prayed with their mom, I shared the gospel bracelets with the kids. The oldest, a girl about 12 years old, told me that they had just arrived back in town after being stuck in Chicago for 3 days, and that her brothers had almost been kidnapped. Another adult with them verified this story. My heart aches for the trauma they have been through.

So many precious and hurting people got a glimpse of God's love for them today. Everything offered was free of charge including face painting, school supplies, food, a bounce house for kids, and lots of fun for kids and their families. Please be in prayer that those who came to Christ will be protected from the evil one and begin to grow in Him, that those who were given information or heard any message of the gospel would respond, and that those who follow up will do so in God's power and with His love.

We serve a great and mighty God!!!!