Convention Preparation

We are beginning to shift a couple of gears. Shifting them into an even higher gear than normal -- if that's possible!

Next week the National Convention for Vineyard Pastors will be held in Galveston. It was scheduled before the storm and they decided to keep it there. We're really glad they did as we hope it will raise some awareness and let the Pastors see first hand what happens in a disaster and what Mercy Response is involved in.

The convention will start on Tuesday and end on Friday. Part of the schedule required each Pastor to sign up to play a part in the "Renew Galveston Festival" that will be held on Wednesday. Together with Convoy of Hope we will be throwing a huge outreach for the community. It will include a hot meal, BBQ smoked pork loin with the fixins, a free kids zone with all kinds of things to keep them busy and wrapped up in fun, groceries to be taken home, a health fair with all sorts of things going on, haircuts, a prayer tent, live music and more. And the best part -- it's all FREE!!!! Yes, not a single penny will be charged! Monty and I have participated in outreaches like this in the past and its absolutely amazing to see the faces of those being blessed and having so much fun.

BUT -- there is alot of planning that must take place beforehand. Diane has been working on this for a couple of months now and the time is ticking. Today we all headed to the school where the outreach will take place. We took our chemicals and covered the block with fire ant killer. These are quite the nasty insects here and can wreak havoc on a persons feet within seconds. We shouldn't have any trouble with them now! It was more than a bit warm but we "got er done".

From there Monty and Phillip headed back to camp to get the BBQ wagon ready to be transported. One of the burners isn't working properly but the company assured us it will be ready and corrected in time.

Diane and I headed out to cover more local businesses with our flyers. She and others took over 6,000 flyers into the schools last weekend and the phone calls for information have already started.

Monty and I are especially excited as our own Pastor Dave will be coming down for the convention and we hope to get to spend some time with him and take him on a tour of homes.

These next days will be filled with preparations along with continuing the work in homes. Hai understands all that is happening and content to wait for it all to calm down. Marie is also her usual patient self. Victor's team continued putting on his new roof today, we actually made it through the day without rain!!! Praise the Lord! They will be back there again tomorrow.

Please keep this convention, all the Pastors and all the volunteers in your prayers.

Until next time . . . be blessed. Susan and Monty