We're Here!

WOW! What at great first day! We left Nacogdoches this morning about 9AM and made it to Hattiesburg around 4:30 PM. Every car was loud and had lots of fun! Personally I tortured the girls in my car with classic country, I can't understand why they don't want to listen to George Strait hits from the '80's. Everyone jumped, well the kids jumped, out of the cars and went to work. The kids cleaned the cabins that we are sleeping in, we divided up into three teams. All of you would have been proud of the jobs are kids took care of tonight. After a great dinner, we all came together to learn about being a servant and a learner on this trip. "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care!" That is the theme of our attitude and trip this week! The kids are swimming and we are headed to bed asap and then we have an early day tomorrow. Breakfast is at 7AM!

Important information from today:
1. After taking the Justin Bieber compatibility quiz, we now know that DANNY COMBS and Justin Bieber can the "BEST of FRIENDS FOREVER AND EVER!"

2.After taking the "When will I get Married Quiz", we found out that Will Flynn will be married in his thirties.

3. Andi's truck bounces when a group of people jump in it!

4. Will Flynn and Lana are separated siamese twins! The kids believed it, duh!

5. Starbucks closes at 10PM. I mean really?


Prayer Requests:
1. The great attitudes and servant hearts would continue!
2. We would serve the three families well.
3. The temperature wouldn't effect our ability to serve.
4. Listening and loving each other well.
5. Meet new people and share stories with each other.
6. That everyone would get out of their comfort zone and be uncomfortable!

Good Night and we will talk to you tomorrow!
Andi

GBC Night at Chili's

Thank you so much to all of you who ate out with us last week! We have another opportunity for you to eat out and help us again. Monday, May 24, take the Chili's flyer to Chili's on North Street anytime between 11 AM and 11 PM. A percentage of your ticket price comes straight back to us!
You can go as many times as you like. as long as you present the flyer to your server before you pay.
So take your whole office to lunch, then take your family for dinner! Thank you in advance for helping support us, we are just a small piece of God's big picture. We couldn't do it without you!

Chick-Fil-A Spirit Night

You can help us get to Hattiesburg, Mississippi by eating at Chick-Fil-A in Nacogdoches!
This Wednesday night, May 12 from 5:00-7:30, if you take a flyer to Chick-fil-A on North Street and order dinner, a portion of your paid meal price gets donated to our mission trip. So take your family out and tell all your friends!

Download and print the GBC Mission Trip flyer HERE. You have to give this to the cashier when you order.

Going Back

We are headed back to Hattiesburg, Mississippi this summer with a fresh set of troops and a renewed sense of excitement for what God has in store for us. Our team consists of about 22 6th grade- high school students and sponsors. Our trip is scheduled for Sunday, June 27- Saturday, July 3, 2010. God allowed so many bonds to be formed and lessons to be learned last time we can't wait to see what He has in store for us this summer.
Although, we physically went to Hattiesburg, it took our entire church family to get us there and keep us covered in prayer while we were gone. This year is no different, we need you to join our team!
First and foremost if you would join us in preparing our team with prayer. Some prayer requests for now:
1. Kids and leaders would have a heart to serve and minister to all those that we meet in Hattiesburg.
2. Our team would open and accepting of a new culture and ways that they can minister to all of God's people.
3. The weather would be favorable for working and that our team would have great attitudes no matter what the weather.
4.Our team leaders would lead in the example of Christ and we would invest well in our younger team members.
5.Bonds and friendships would be formed that cannot be broken, making our local body even stronger.
Thank you so much for praying and starting on this journey with us! Check back for updates or follow our blog to find out the specific ways that you can help in the coming weeks!

We're Home

We arrived home this morning about 4AM! Happy July 4th to everyone. Thanks to Danny and no thanks to the GPS we arrived safe and sound.
God is amazing. We all have grown closer together and to God. Just wanted to check in and tell you we are home and thank you for praying and traveling with us! I will blog about our last day and post some more pics later tonight!
We love you guys!

Hard Work and Good Food

Today was another LONG, HOT work day at Ms. Jones' house. We conquered more painting, both inside and out, today. Outside we painted: some of the high spots on the house, the awnings, and the front porch. Inside we finished hanging up all the new wood-paneling and primed it so that it is ready to paint for tomorrow. We were also able to hang a few pieces of the new ceiling, which we found to be quite challenging. But we heard that we might get a nail gun to use tomorrow (the good Lord provides!), which should help speed things up a little. There was a lot of sweat lost on the job site today and all the kiddos did an outstanding job!! They continue to work hard for Ms. Jones and, of course, have a lot of fun in the process.
The highlight of today came after the work day was over. Tonight we were invited to go to Ebenezer Baptist Church for a Pot-Luck dinner and talent show!!! Talk about a good, southern FEAST!!! We had fried chicken, burgers, macaroni & cheese, jambalaya, and gumbo (my personal favorite). While we ate we were entertained by the amazing voices of some of the church members. We wish you could have been there with us to enjoy the Gospel music and Good cookin'!! Our group also contributed to some of the entertainment. Ashlyn, Clarissa, and Holly impressed everyone with their tumbling skills, Sarah and Claire performed a wonderful rendition of "Little Green Frog", Adam amazed everyone with his contortionist act (legs behind head & 180 degree leg turn), and Joel wowed everyone by doing the worm!! Harrsion wanted to participate, but unfortunately Abott & Costello's "Who's on First?" routine is not as funny with only one person (nobody else knew either part). We ended the evening by watching the churches choir practice. And let us tell you, those folks can SING! They were amazing to listen to and have such passion when they worship the Lord. It was such a great experience and a wonderful end to the day.
Thanks so much for your prayers and support; we love and miss you all! Please pray that we would have the strength to finish well, that we would get the projects at Ms. Jones' house finished, and that God would keep us safe as we travel home. We will see you all soon!!
(Danny)

On the River

We had a great time on the river today! We traveled seven miles down river and had an awesome time. God is sooo good that He provided a rope for us to swing out into the river. Ms. Carol and I even took a turn. We all turned over at least once, except Ashlyn. The girls learned that canoes sometimes have a mind of their own. The boys came to our rescue more than once! What gentlemen we have among us!
Tonight, we joined the Ebeneezer Baptist Church for Wednesday Night Bible Study, followed by an ice cream social! The kids were introduced to a new culture and how they do church. We had a great discussion in the car on the way over and God opened our eyes to our own thoughts about how we worship God.
Thank you again for traveling this journey with us! We head back out to Ms. Jones house tomorrow.
Some Prayer Requests:
1. That we would finish well.
2. The temperature would not be as hot as they are expecting.
3. We would make LOTS of progress on our goals.
4. We would be encouraging and inclusive to all of those around us.

Quotes for the day:
"I haaaate canoooooeing"- Ashlyn
"Has anyone ever told you, you look like those models?"- Pastor Carlos Wilson to Danny in front of everyone at the church service.
"Don't go down the rapids without a boat." Danny, Carol and Andi
"I just got attacked by a tree." Clarissa
"Why are you going backwards (in your canoe)?" Berek to Ms. Carol and Ms. Andi
Girls:
"Danny will you stay with us?"
Adam:
"NO, he's coming with us to do guy stuff!"
"Are there snakes in here? Do you think this is safe?" Claire about 1000 times