John and Gladys and the nursery

My apologies for not blogging last night. There were some things that got completely out of control causing our dinner hour to be 10:30PM and the blog just didn't happen.

Today we are back on track and God is pouring His blessings all over the place.

Monty was busy all day working with one of our electricians in a local apartment complex. He will have that same blessing tomorrow.

Our Missouri team arrived very late last night and got right to work this morning. There are 16 of them and all are filled with enthusiasm and excitement about going out and blessing the people of this city. We were going to divide them between 2 locations but when given the opportunity they all chose to go to the same job; introducing John! You may have read about him a couple of nights ago (if not, go back and check him out). They went in like a steamroller and what a work they did! They managed to get his dining room, kitchen, hallway, bathroom and spare back room completely torn out, new flooring installed and started on the sheetrock! John was right there working with them and if he thanked them once he thanked them 10,000 times! Tomorrow he will be cooking up a pot of fish that will for sure introduce them to real southern cooking! They all immediately fell in love with John and are now sad that they only have 3 days to spend with him! As I have said before, real servant hearts and what an incredible example of Jesus to show to not only John, but to the entire neighborhood! Thanks Missouri!

Our California team is still bulldozing through our school nursery and Gladys's house. The nursery has been transformed to something even the school director didn't recognize! Today they finished the trimming with wood, installed what turned out to be a true "California" kitchen complete with sink and cabinets, all brand new! This will enable Miss Ruby and her staff to keep more supplies at hand for the babies and to get more enrolled and off of the waiting list! Another outreach that cannot be matched! If you reach the children you will reach the parents and thus the growth of God's kingdom!

The rest of their team is in Gladys's home and getting closer and closer to completion. They are still painting, installing cabinets and doors and transforming what could easily have been condemed into a beautiful home for a wonderful woman of God!

How in the world do you thank people such as this? The Bible tells us that for each blessing we give out we will be blessed back ten fold. God doesn't lie and these teams will surely have their cup of blessing overflowing! Praise God!

We had the pleasure of being included for dinner with the California team this evening. Each time a team comes here they become a part of our family and the thought of them leaving is physically painful! When you are working and living in these conditions you become very close and really get to know each other. It's an awesome experience and we are so blessed to be a part of it!

We also welcomed Tim and Sheri back this morning. They drove all night to get back here. They do children's crusades and just finished one late last night. They came in tired but they came back and are ready to go out and bless God's people once again. We missed them while they were gone as they also have become a part of our family! Glad you're back guys and we pray God's blessing on your futures!

I have mentioned before that we see God's hands in so many ways here. There was alot of wonderful discussion at dinner this evening and we shared how we feel so blessed to be used by God to accomplish His will. God has always given the command to go out and be disciples to His world, bringing people to Him. What better way to do just that than to be reaching out into the community and setting examples of Jesus Himself to those in need. Jesus told us that when we feed or clothe others in need we do the same for Him. We are humbled each and every day while on this mission at the servant hearts of others! They come from all over the nation to be a blessing in whatever way they can. And all we can do is say thank you! It just seems so small!

As I have said before, and will say again: this blog is nothing more than my heart poured out for anyone else to read. If you do not agree with what you are reading, if you have adverse opinions, if you do not believe in what we are doing in this mission, if you find it objectional in any way, DON'T READ IT! It's plain and simple! I write because I love what I do and God told me to share it with others. For those of you who do not fall into the above categories, thank you and thank you and thank you again!

If you feel as though you would like to help support Monty and I in this mission and work of God you can send your tax deductible gifts to: Vineyard Community Church at PO Box 3277 in Bloomington, Indiana 47402. Please make a notation of "Katrina" on your gift as 100% will be used directly in this mission. May God bless you for your giving and loving hearts.

Until tomorrow....Susan and Monty