Fellowship of Believers

First things first: the contest.

Lajean was first to ring-in on the second plant. It is, of course, the Oleander. Well done, Lajean!

Kerrie Steiert correctly identified the first plant. (Drumroll, please!) It's common name is "Pride of Barbados." It has a fancy name, too, but I don't have a clue what it is.

Congratulations, ladies! We'll be sure to bring home an El Paso prize that you both can share. Maybe a bumper-sticker we can cut in half . . .

Today was a great day. We did a sports camp this morning and we helped with construction of a new home in the afternoon. This will be our routine for the next two days as well.


Sports camp had 30 or so participants - we expect more tomorrow. Merle did great with her babies, Rob out ran everyone on his obstacle course, and Jaime and I did a great Bible lesson involving tied shoes and the theme of change.


After lunch we headed to the construction site. Actually, the home being built is in a colonia just across the border in New Mexico. The team is building a brand new home for three ladies and their children who live in a very poor shack. Today we helped with a few framing chores. Tomorrow we begin hanging sheetrock and we might even shingle!


Rick McClatchy told us Sunday night: "I promise you, there are people out there who can build better than you can. And there are people out there who can lead activities for children better than you can. But they're not here: you are. And there's something you can do that they can't: you can share the love of God." Everyday, we're learning just how right he is.

We're enjoying sharing time and meals with the FBC Levelland group. We already plan to partner with them next time, too. Not only are they great workers who know what they're doing, they're incredible cooks!

We'll check in tomorrow - keep praying for that cool weather, your prayers are working. We're glad Nita and Marilyn came through their procedures well - we're praying for you! Don't forget the photostream!

Tracy

PS: A message for Wendel from Merle:


"I found my chihuahua! Sweety is out of there!"

It's been a full day here with - surprise! - cool weather! We don't know how we lucked into a day of low 80's in El Paso in June, but we'll take it.

We began the day worshipping with the Iglesia El Sembrador congregation, the same one we hosted the block party with Saturday evening. Merle and Jaime found themselves in the nursery keeping babies, and loving it! Worship was enthusiastic. Most of it was in Spanish, but the sermon was presented in English and Spanish so that everyone could understand.

From there we went to the dorm where First Levelland and First Hereford are staying and shared lunch with them. We'll share all our afternoon and evening meals there. The cooking team put us right to work, making gravy and getting lunch on the table. It was delicious!



Next came a planning meeting for the Sports Camp that begins tomorrow. Merle and Jaime looked a little concerned when they heard the focus would be FOOTBALL, but they soon had assignments that fit their skills. Merle will work with the preschoolers and Jaime (and Tracy) will lead the Bible Study. Rob is in charge of a sports something-or-other - he seemed pleased.

After a VERY short nap back at the hotel, it was back to the dorm to fry burgers for supper. Didn't we just eat?

Oh: There's a contest for you folks: we can't identify these two plants, though we see them everywhere. A special El Paso prize for the first person who comments with the names of these two plants!





This evening we went to a community center in a colonia and met with all the other churches who have come to El Paso this week. All in all, there are 10 churches who have come to do construction or lead a children's activity and outreach to the community. We experienced a little bit of "manana" at this event: the person scheduled to open up the building showed up "eventually." It all worked out in the end.

After a quick ice cream, we headed to the hotel for a good night's sleep. We're hoping for cool weather tomorrow - wouldn't that be a blessing!

We hear church went well and that Sarah preached well. We're so thankful for you and for our congregation.

Don't forget about the flickr photo page with other pictures from the trip.

More tomorrow,
Tracy

Ola from El Paso!

Merle, Jaime, Rob and I arrived safely this afternoon after a long drive from Hereford. We're settled in to our motel and have already begun to work.

We have to confess that we stopped in Ruidoso for lunch. We sat in an outside bistro and enjoyed 69 degree weather. "We love mission trips!" we all concurred.

From there we watched the thermometer on the car climb as we headed south. By the time we reached El Paso it read 103 degrees!

This evening we met the folks from First Baptist Levelland, Second Baptist Lubbock, and First Baptist Hereford. We helped host a block party with the local church where we'll be doing the sports camp this week.

We thought we'd be doing just sports, but it looks like we'll do sports camp in the mornings and then go help on the construction site in the afternoons. We should come home hot, tired, and expert soccer players and house builders by the end of the week!

We miss you and know you're praying for us! We celebrate the rain that is falling there! We hear the CASA event is going well, and we're praying for all those recovering from recent illnesses and facing procedures in the coming days.

Welcome Sara tomorrow for us! We'll check in daily! Tomorrow morning we'll worship with the local congregation.

Oh: Check in HERE daily to see photos of our trip! Just click the link and then choose "slideshow" in the top right corner. We'll update the photos daily! You can also scroll down this page, and on the lefthand side will be a link to the photos.

Tracy

The Fun Friday Kids will be visiting the Ronald McDonald House on Friday, August 1st. We'll be taking with us travel-size toiletry items - soaps, shampoos, lotions.

There's a box at the church - if you have some items to dontate, please contribute there!

Don't forget that Jan Reed of the Ronald McDonald House in Amarillo will be leading us in Forum on Sunday, July 13.

Sadly, it's not uncommon for Hereford parents to find themselves in the tragic situation of having a child in an Amarillo hospital for an extended stay. These folks often turn to the Ronald McDonald House for a bed, a warm meal, and for support.

Let's work together to help our neighbors and a great organization,
Tracy

All Summer long we're learning about local and international ministries with which we can participate.

This Sunday, at 9:30 in Forum, Lajean Henry and Sally Walker will tell us about the Hereford Food Pantry. Our church has a very integral participation with this important ministry. There's always a need for more food and volunteers. Come hear how you can support the Food Pantry.

Heifer International has been in existence for almost sixty years. They were founded on the principle, "Give not a cup of milk, but a cow." Animals are sent all over the world to give people a sustainable food source and a chance to improve their lives and their communities. We'll hear more about how we can be part of the work of Heifer in worship this Sunday.

We worship a bigger God, a God who is working in a bigger world. The call is for us to respond with a bigger faith.

Tracy

We're proud to welcome Sarah Stewart to the pulpit this Sunday!

Sarah is a recent graduate of Truett Theological Seminary in Waco. She and her husband Brad serve as Ministry Residents at First Baptist Church, Oklahoma City.

Sarah will share the story of another biblical character who was called to have "A Bigger Faith." She'll be preaching the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

I know you'll want to be at worship Sunday to welcome Sarah! She'll be traveling with her mom. She's looking forward to sharing in worship with you.

The Mission Trip group leaves Saturday for El Paso and will return Thursday. Please pray for us!

Tracy

Once again we'll be sharing Vacation Bible School with First Baptist Church. The dates are Sunday, July 6 through Thursday, July 10.

There's still time to sign-up to help! There's a need for team leaders (those who accompany the kids to the teaching stations), and we need help in The Craft Room (the activity our church is in charge of.) Call Tracy if you can help with either of these activities.

Also, there'll be a hospitality room again for the workers. Our church is in charge of Sunday Night of the Hospitality Room. Please contact Lajean if you can help feed the workers on Sunday night.

VBS is a great way to share the love of Christ with the children of Hereford!
Tracy

This Sunday in Forum Jackie McNeese of The Senior Citizens Center will come and share about the important work of Meals on Wheels. This group always needs more volunteers - come learn what needs to be done!

Habitat for Humanity has been around since 1976 building affordable, decent housing for people in need. We'll learn more about this ministry during worship this Sunday.

God is calling you and I to a bigger faith - a faith that recognizes that God is bigger than we ever imagined. Let us join God in the world, doing God's work with God's people.

Tracy

Our own Bob Gauthreaux is an ombudsman. His work in our area nursing homes is not only important, it is a passion of his. Please come hear him share about the work an Ombudsman does this Sunday in Forum. We'll see you at 9:30.

KIVA.ORG is an amazing organization that facilitates person-to-person microlending all over the world. Lives are being changed by the generosity of individuals through this important organization. We'll learn more about KIVA this Sunday in worship.

We hope that - through this summer emphasis - you are discovering that the ways God can use you in the world are vast and varied! Keep listening for your call to follow a God who is bigger than we ever imagined!

Tracy

We will meet for book club at 7:00 this Wednesday the 11th to discuss All that Matters. Our new book, Sufficient Grace, by Darnell Arnoult, will be available for $5 Wednesday night. It is the story of Gracie, who "hears voices in her head that tell her to get in her car and leave her entire life behind--her home, her husband, her daughter, her very identity." Come join us this Wednesday.

Our series on "A Bigger Faith" continues this Sunday. In Forum our guest leader will be Barbara Veazy. Barbara will share about the important work of Big Brothers Big Sisters in Hereford. I hope you can join us at 9:30 to learn more.

In worship we will continue our discussion of world-wide water needs with a video discussing the work of WaterAid. This organization focuses on bringing water, sanitation and hygience education to some of the world's poorest people.

I'm glad to be back with you this Sunday and to get to hear Jaime preach her second sermon. Thank you for welcoming her so warmly. It's an exciting time to be part of FOB - we'll see you in worship this summer!

Tracy