VBS Day 5 - Farewell Picnic

The Messiah kids started the day swimming and jumping off rocks enjoying the peaceful water.  It was really important to them to swim one more time so they all got up at 7:30...way earlier than the Southend kids so they had the lake to themselves.

It was a busy morning as we prepared to host a community picnic and we were unsure of how many people would attend.  We invited the VBS kids and anyone else in the community.

Ringing the church bell to announce the picnic.

We prepared pizza, hotdogs and other side dishes and were delighted when three women from the holistic health services came to help prepare the food!  It was a great way for the Messiah women to get to know a few more Southend women.  This will help us next year as Father Mark will on a new assignment.  The Northern Store donated cheese, crackers & jumbo freezie pops as well.  There was plenty of food for everyone.

Kristin, Francis, Vernice, Loraine & Sandy.

Brian serving men of the community.

Kids wearing the "Jesus Loves Southend" t-shirts.

Community picnic next the church.

After the picnic, we cleaned up and headed back to the school to finish packing the trailer.  A lot of kids joined us and there was a L-O-N-G Minnesota goodbye.  Many tears were shed by all the Messiah and Southend kids.  We reminded them that Jesus is with them and we look forward to seeing them next year!

Our trip back is going well and we are thankful for the kind people from Redeemer Lutheran Church in Prince Albert who met us at their church last night at 9:30 pm (after we had a flat tire on the trailer and Dave & Brian did an excellent job getting us back on the road!).

On the side of the road on our way to Prince Albert.

Redeemer Families and the Messiah Team
Merv & Pat, Bryan & Gloria, Jim & Marvis

Our team is thankful for all the prayers, donations and financial support we've received to help spread the love of Jesus.  We are already looking forward to returning to Southend in 2014.