Saturday, July 29, 2006

A day before we go

We leave for Jonesville tomorrow. At 8:30 Sunday morning. we get to the church early and load up the trailer that Tim Craft has with all the stuff that has been filling the halls at church the last week.

If you've been to the church this week, you've seen it, full of boxes and bags and all kinds of things. There are supplies for the crafts that we will use in the bible schools we'll be leading, lots of water and other drinks and food for us who are going (and those who will be coming to the programs we do), gifts for the kids and others, just all kinds of things.

This is sort of spur of the moment, but it occured to me that members of the church might like a day by day place where they could go and learn about some of the things that go on during this trip. It might be to keep up with a loved one who is serving here, or to see what kind of experiences God has in mind for us this week, or for some other reason.

I decided to do this in the spur of the moment. It suddenly occured to me that both Pat Rhoades and myself are often surgically attached to our cameras, and, if there is energy at the end of the day (and that is always an "IF", I could post up a summary of the day, maybe an antedote or two, and a picture or few.

I don't know what time of day I'll do this. It will either be early in the morning (I am an early bird), or late at night. But check in each day and see how God is working through Troutville Baptist.

And it is Troutville Baptist's mission. Because it is ot just us who are going who are on mission, but also each of you who gave, worked to raise money, brought supplies, sent a loved one, or prayed for us. It takes all that and more to send us, and so in a very real way, this is your mission as well as ours.

None of us know just what we will be doing. Yes, there are some "plans" in place. For instance, we have some plans to teach a bible school in the mornings and a backyard bible club in the afternoons. And there are plans to teach in a local nursing home. There is a church that may use some of us in construction. Martha Murray and I have a rough menu for cooking and we sort of know who we might be bunking at the hotel where we will stay each night.

But God has a way of changing the plan, and putting new needs, his needs, in our path when we least expect it. So while you may well hear about some of the things we think we are doing this week, don't be surprised if you also hear about something entirely unplanned!

Be in prayer for us. If you have a prayer partner for the trip, be in particular prayer for that person. You can also leave notes of encouragement here on this blog.

In love and anticipation,

Tom Atkins

2 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Good Luck Mission Team.. We already miss you and are praying for you all. We look forward to seeing what is going on everyday. God Speed and see you soon
The Vassar Family

Sunday, July 30, 2006 2:31:00 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your arrival and God's Blessings to you all! I have a special place in my heart for our whole team from Troutville as Missions are so specials to me. Keep your focus on Christ and not on yourselves because HE is the reason you are all there–Share Him!

Be Joyful in Hope, Patient in Affliction, Faithful in Prayer. -Romans 12:12

Sending God's Love,
Lisa Witt

Monday, July 31, 2006 6:15:00 AM  

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