... and the winner is.... GREEN

8/3/08
The day has arrived - the jars of money are totaled up and the winner is.... PURPLE. But wait.... in a last minute development, the youth scurried around and managed to collect the $2.38 needed to push green over the top.... and the winner is..... GREEN.

Rev. Michael is prepped, the green dye is mixed and voila, we have a green smurf.... er ...pastor.

Today is our last Sunday before heading off to Beverly. We were commissioned at all three services and received the blessing from our congregation to go off and be the hands and feet of God.

There is so much preparation involved - not only in the physical aspect: packing, raising funds, planning where we'll sleep etc., but there is emotional preparation as well. Russ spoke so eloquently in his sermon on Jacob's wrestle with the angels and it was timely for me. I could relate to this wrestle as I prepare for the journey. There are so many last minute doubts - can my body handle this? Will I be able to handle the heat, the bugs, the work? Have I selected the right clothes to bring in my small allotted suitcase? What about that car trip - being cooped up with so many people - and NO chocolate?!?!? Yes, I have control issues and yes, the message du jour for me is .... surrender....

Pray for us -
Pat

View the slideshow at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/patc303/RedbirdMissionTrip02