It was the last day of kids camp and it was a heart break for some. Tonight at the meeting Levi, Mat, and Brenda came to listen to our laughter from our stories. We were to share how we used our hands, feet, and body throughout the week.

David thought it was amazing how the kids interact with the volunteers that come to Helena every year. Being a first timer here he loved taking pictures and seeing the faces. The two pictures that stood out were of Beth and three preschoolers and Courtney with some of her kids. The faces of the kids looked like they were loving being with everyone...or maybe it is because they just wanted attention and loved the camera! :P Just kidding!

Brenda's first year being here in Arkansas was fun because he loved seeing everyone so happy. Even though being a group leader, there are it's ups and downs, but mostly they are happy! :D

Every year we get crosses to give to someone who we see God's love in or who we want to share God's love with. Beth shared about when she went over to the preschool and was talking with one of the older helpers, Jonathan. They were talking about college and she wanted to give her cross to him, and he would gladly take it. She pulled it away and told him that he had to promise her to get good grades for the rest of this year and then go to college. She gave him her number and he said he would call her with his first report card.

Kim kind of had a long story about her cross. In swimming, she was helping Princess and Faleta. She wanted to give her cross to Faleta. Kim thought about who to give it to and said she would listen to God to tell her who she should give it to. Then a little girl, Jakayla, pulled on her cross and asked her what it was for. Kim shared God's love and gave her cross to that little girl. Kim went back to the Magnolia Hill and was starring at Sam's cross to see if she could give it to Faleta. Tonight at the celebration, she found Faleta and she gave her her cross. Later, the music teacher, Sharon, gave Kim her cross because of how well she and Molly were working with the preschool kids.

Being Hope's first year, she loved going around visiting all of the people. They visited Mrs. Lemon who is eighty-three years old. She goes fishing and puts her boat in her truck and has perfect eye sight. Carol said the only thing really wrong with her is her hearing. They also went to visit the Shelter for Battered Women and the Pregnancy Center. They had a wonderful day!

Jennifer, another first time Arkansas goer, wanted to give her cross to one of two preschoolers she had been working with. At the Wednesday night service we heard Pastor Wade preach (which was very good by the way). Jennifer decided to give her cross to Ed Wade and told Him that he needed to work with the other local churches in Arkansas to work with the ACC.

Cindy Douglass and Vivian love coming and bonding with the group we always go with. The generational gap does not matter and we all get along so well. Katie loved how she doesn't even go to Hayes Barton and we just accepted her as our own.

Kristen had a great day today! She called Leonora and told her that one of the groups needed an adult. So, Leonora recommended a local lady and Kristen asked her to help. "Kids are not my thing!" - She kept repeating. Eventually, Kristen decided that this lady would run camp (which Kristen had to give her a long list to do - which she did) and Kristen would go be with the kids. Being with those kids made her wish that she would have been with them the whole week! She loved it.

Cindy Douglass's friend, Ikea, saw Cindy tonight. She told her that her bags and Charlie's (her son) bags were packed and we're ready to go with you. If Cindy said yes, she would have been on that plane with us on the way home. We all want the kids and adults in Helena have a healthy relationship with others as well as God and most of them that issues and problems that they were raised with. We want to take them away and help them start a new, but we can't. It's so hard leaving this place.

Being a week in Helena-West Helena makes you think how we can help the people in our community in Raleigh, North Carolina. There are places everywhere in the world that you can help mentor a kid or help build a building for a garden. Just being there supporting the community is what they need. Receiving a push is a good way to start.

See you all soon!