Pastor Dave's Opening Night Report from AWANA
"PHEW!!!"
What an incredibly busy, yet undeniably rewarding week this has been. I just put the finishing touches on the message for Sunday - back to the Cracks in the Sidewalk series - and the powerpoint is in the capable hands of Arrall. I have only got to finish the bulletin (unless there is someone out there interested in taking that little task over--call me.) It's a real feeling of accomplishment as I look back on the past few days, and I'm kinda basking a little right now in the warmth (btw it's 55 degrees outside for you folks in Florida) of the Lord.
PASTOR DAVE'S AWANA REPORT -
THE GREAT ADVENTURE
Last night we had an incredible openning night for AWANA. Many kids came, several for the first time. We had a total of about 63 here. I say about because it's incredibly hard to count children, but we had at least that many, and probably more. In addition we had several new volunteers working with us. I believe the Wednesday night move is going to be a good move. God has given me a vision of more than 150 kids in AWANA before the end of this year...He hasn't given me a vision of how, just that if we are faithful in sharing His Word with these kids and their families we will reach beyond our wildest dreams. It's fitting that our theme this year is "THE GREAT ADVENTURE" because that's what this year will be. We will be stretched and challenged in ways we never dreamed, and we will see things happen that we cannot explain other than to confess that God is doing God-sized things here.
WELCOME ABOARD AND WELCOME BACK
Welcome to our new workers: Arrall Austin, Dianne Crystal, Rick and Priscilla Williams, Tammy Farmer, Al and Diane Dube, Teresa Vanacor, and Brian Morris. Welcome back: Pat Kilburn, Pat Kilburn (that's not a typo), Heather Aldridge (soon to be Kilburn), Phylis Condon, Michele Davis, John Yaffee and Kim Meyer, and ofcourse Dave and Andie Bentley. In addition we must not forget that Terri is leading the cubbies on Sunday night and she's a real key to the success and effectiveness of the AWANA ministry. (BTW - if you are available she could really use some help in her club too.)
I GUESS YOU HAD TO BE THERE
Some highlights from the night - I wish I had a video of these things.
-Tammy and Michele were eating with the kids when they realized that all the kids in the fellowship hall were part of the 24/7 youth ministry. Their eyes and faces showed a total amazement and I will never forget their expressions. Ask them to tell you what they thought at that precise moment. I laugh even as I write this...oh the joy!
-Rick Williams, a new member to the team, is driving one of the busses for us. (Thank God!!!) He was a little nervous at the beginning of the evening, but did excellent. Mike Steiner, my youth assistant on the bus last year was an asset to him in delivering the kids home last night. I can't tell you how much I appreciate Rick--and Big Pat last year--in their willingness to drive because it would be so much more difficult with just one bus running.
-Phylis is leading the Sparks part of AWANAs without any help and could really use some. She had eight young children in there last night I believe and needs people to come and just help the kids as they learn their Bible verses. Last night a new member in her class, Serenity, said the first part of John 3.16 to me. I can't express how much that moment means to me.
-Dianne Crystal and Priscilla Williams, two more of our new team members, put together a great Mexican feast for us. I don't think anyone really knew how many hungry kids God was going to send our way, but thank God He prepared and provided through the willingness of these ladies.
PRAY ABOUT THESE THINGS
It really was a great night, and things went incredbly smoothly for a first night. I would ask you to join us in praying for the following:
-More Workers to come and help. Andie can help plug you in where you are most needed and best fit. (Let me say that there were several workers who would normally be here last night that were not able to be with us, and we are really looking forward to their return.)
-There are so many needs represented in the children who are part of this. We are so blessed to be able to see the hand of God at work in their lives and in their family lives. I hope that you will join me in praying for God to work in special ways in the lives of the kids and their families.
-There are some specific things that we need as part of this minsitry and the overall ministry of PVBC. The following list is for your prayers and if possible you might be able to help us in providing something on the list.
A new (or in good condition) photo copier
Paper, Toner, and basic Supplies (Andie can help you know what we need)
Two or three people to take on the responsibility of overseeing clean-up and shut down at the end of the night. (This is a little selfish because I would like to get home with Andie before 10 if possible.)
An AWANA secretary to help keep records and assist us in the organizational aspects of the club.
Electricity in the Youth Building. (This is critically important)
Lights outside the building and around the property
There are more things, but let's start with this. The rest may show up later in a "Wish List."
OTHER CHURCHES ARE INVOLVED AS WELL
The primary purpose of AWANA is to help boys and girls come to know, love, and serve the Lord Jesus. We may have some of them become part of our church, and that is wonderful, but our focus is a kingdom focus. Children from other churches attend every week and I hope carry the message home with them and into their churches as well. We have invited, and continue to invite, children and adults from other churches to participate in AWANA.
One Last Thing for your Prayers and Support...
As part of AWANA we are actually part of a world-wide organization. In our area we have a wonderful missionary team, Jeff and Melanie Davis. I've had the opportunity to meet them a couple of times. We are blessed to have them. They assist in forming AWANA ministries in churches throughout Maine, New Hamshire, and Vermont. Just last week I received word that, as with so many things, their finances have really taken a hit. I hope that as one of the many AWANA clubs benefiting from their ministry we might be able to find a way to help them with a gift in the next month or so. For sure I want us to pray for them. I'm hoping to invite them down later this year so they can see what's happening in Springfield--I think they'll be blown away.
In Closing...A Tribute to the Most Important Person in My Life
I want to take just a moment to brag on my wife, please bear with me. I have watched her work herself silly getting ready for AWANAs...in part because I've been working along with her. She puts forth this kind of effort because she's dedicated and driven to seeing children know the Lord. There have been several nights in the past few weeks where it has been after midnight before she would drag herself to bed, and a couple of nights it was almost that late before she left the church building.
I'm not saying this just so I can wave my pompoms as her cheerleader--though I'm proud to do that. I'm telling you this because I want to say publicly--here on the internet where millions can read it--that I am so proud of her and the effort she puts forth. She rarely gets any thanks from me for all that she does as a partner in ministry, but I know that the primary reason that last night went as smoothly as it did was because of the work that she put in over the past weeks leading up.
There's a song that says, "When God made you He must have been thinking about me." No doubt, in His sovereignty God saw the numerous gaps in my life and form fitted Andie to be the perfect companion for me. I am proud and honored to be Andie's husband, and I am grateful that she is my wife.
Blessings,
Pastor Dave
Discovering the things that might trip us up
and learning how God's Grace helps us up.
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