I know I speak for everyone here when I say working this week in Helena with all of these kids, volunteers, and adults has been the most challenging, but rewarding experience. Building relationships with individuals makes this week more inviting for us to come back and see how the community has changed in a year. That's why most of us always come back!

Yesterday (June 22) during kids camp around lunch time, there was a thunder storm that creeped up on the park. The dark clouds were scaring most of the kids and we all had to go to the community center and finish camp. All of the kids were mad/sad that they couldn't swim twice. We played dodgeball, and Mrs. Tracy was in charge; nobody messes with her. She is so sweet though, when you're on her good side. It was pouring rain when we were there. George told us that they saw clouds, but they decided to keep working until the rain came. They only got 4 drops of rain, so it was a sign from God that they were suppose to keep working and do their best. During camp, Beth was working with the pre-schoolers in swimming, and usually they are scared about putting their face in the water. Two minutes into the lesson, a little 5 year old boy already had his face down in the water. Five minutes later, he could open his eyes under water. As the lessons went on, the little boy kept looking and waving to Beth underwater. How cute is that?! Mitsy and Anne volunteered to pick up/drop off kids from Lakeview, which is about 20 minutes away, with Mitsy driving (Anne is a slow driver compared to Mitsy). When the rain came, they had to take the kids back home. So, they drove through the pouring rain, and after ir stopped, they wanted to turn around and go back to camp.

Today, the morning was amazing. God gave us rain the day before to give us a cool morning. Some stories told by the group members:

The lady Ginny is helping in adult swimming lessons is a very determined woman. She was getting frustrated because she could not do what she was suppose to do. Ginny encouraged her to practice; worked on kicking and breathing. With the practice, she kicked and breathed almost all of the way across the pool. When she got up and saw how far she had gone, she had the biggest smile and gave Ginny the biggest hug.

Courtney is one of the leaders in the yellow team, and when they were in soccer, they were in a circle to pray. Two kids wanted to pray, but they both didn't hear each other when they said it. So, they both started to pray, one of them finished, and the other one kept on going two minutes longer! How could they not know the other was praying?!

The woman who heard the story of Frank and his drowning experience came to the pool yesterday for the adult swimming class. Kate Hall worked with her and she kept saying her chest hurt when she climbed in the water, because she had an experience like Frank. She was bobbing until the storm started. Tonight, Janna swam in front of everyone in our prayer circle. She swam beautifully! She told Kate that God was calling her to save people and become a lifeguard.

I have a story about the lady I have been working with this week in the pool. This lady was so funny about me teaching her. I kept telling her to keep her ear in the water and keep an eye on some things. Every time she would swim and do something wrong, she would get up, and say what she did wrong, or say what she needed to do. Today, she was 4 strokes from swimming all the way across the pool. I was so excited for her. She told me I was a great teacher, and she was an excellent student. She said I believed in her when she didn't even believe in herself, and she did it.

I still can't believe this week is almost over. Tomorrow, we have our celebration with the kids and their families.  Having fun and sharing the love of God was our main goal this week. Amazing experience in Helena- West Helena, Arkansas.

Rachel Church