By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/24/2009 2:38 AM

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...

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/23/2009 2:09 AM

It's almost time for the last day of camp...but that's tomorrow!

Tonight, Kristen asked us how we used our hands today. Hear are the stories that were shared:

The construction workers, library workers, and gardeners went to the Pillow Thompson House for lunch where the local youth were learning how to serve. So the workers were served lunch by the youth who learned how to set a table correctly as well as having good manners. :)

Maggie and Kate had a story about Jasmine (the lifeguard) saying that they should pray for the sun to come out because of the overcast and everyone had apparently been wishing for it all day. Jasmine prayed a well spoken prayer that was wonderful! Later, the sun actually did come out! Crazy how God works.

Elsie as well as everyone loved adult swimming tonight. She had been one of the people who came to Helena a few years ago and then came back this year. Elsie says it is a major tranformation! The pool is for the community of Helena-West Helena to have a "normal...

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/22/2009 2:03 AM

Today was our second day at kids camp. For some, it was their worst day, but for others it was their best day! It's crazy how it works.

For a major high today, it is George and Vivian Hughes 53th wedding anniversary. They were so cute. At the end of the meeting Mark and Ginny decided to kiss (they've only been married one year). So, Vivian decided to call George over and give him a big smooch in front of everyone! SO CUTE!!! I (Rachel) want me and my hubby to be to be like that at that age.

(oh and ps- happy anniversary to my (Virginia) mom and dad!)

So at todays meeting, Kristen told us to share where we saw hope today. Everyone started saying, "Well, I saw her at 9am and then 10, and then I saw her for lunch." They were all talking about Mrs. Hope Long. Tee hee. :)

Cindy Douglass shared that her friend that she has been seeing brought her a lunch today. Even though her friend does not have a car or the money to actually provide it, she brought her a lunch. She also spent some time...

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/21/2009 1:23 AM

Today was our first day of kids camp and construction. We have some highs and lows throughout the day.

Lows:

My mom (Cindy Tuttle) found herself in an awkward situation today. She was teaching the bible story for the younger kids and a quesion one asks was "Where do babies come from?" She decided that she didn't want to share that with everyone. To come to think of it, I don't even remember having that conversation with my mom. Haha. Funny stuff.

Another low was Ralph talking for all of the construction crew saying how it feels that we come here every year to help the community of Helena-West Helena and nobody seems to take care of it. They built the pool house and a green house in the garden area a few years ago. The men went back this year and they have to go back and fix what they did before and not create new things. This kind of goes along with what Kristen was saying about the community. She and Kate think that Helena has taken a step back in the involvement with kids camp and helping...

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/20/2009 12:11 AM

Today was the first full day of being in Helena-West Helena.

We woke up bright and early this morning and had a homemade breakfast at the Magnolia Hill (I guess the same can be said for Foxglove).  It was yummy.  The youngins somehow managed to get the later shift of breakfast and STILL made it in their pajamas and all the older ones were dressed and ready to go.  After breakfast we all met at the Magnolia Hill for a meeting and then split into groups to go to a couple of local churches.

One group went to New Light Baptist Church in their new facility!  It was a very nice service and at the end we got to hear a couple of testimonies given by local members.  Reverend Wade's wife spoke in front of the congregation for the first time (a surprise to Reverend Wade especially!) to share her story of starting to swim at the adult swim lessons.  Another member, who was very sick last year and was not able to leave his home, was back at church and shared his testimony of his miraculous recovery. Vivian and...

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/19/2009 2:26 AM

Dear God, it's me, Margaret!

     Ha! Just kidding...no one here named Margaret. Anyway, Rachel and Virginia are in charge of doing the blogs this week.

     So, we're all here in Helena-West Helena. Twenty some people were on the first flight to Memphis, TN who got up before the crack of dawn to come to this lovely town. The Tuttles and Rachel came later, which they loved sleeping in a little longer, and then we all met up for John Crow's service.

     The group who arrived before the Tuttles/Rachel split into 2 groups.  One went to Graceland (I, Virginia, did not go there) and the other group went to visit Pastor Williams at one of the hospitals in Memphis.  It was truly a blessing to see him as he is recovering so well from his stroke!  He started crying as soon as he entered the room and said that seeing us made his day!  So then that group went on errands for Leonora and went to lunch and then met up with the group from Graceland before the Tuttles and Rachel joined us.

     While...

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/7/2009 5:08 PM

July 18 - 24 - Arkansas Mission Trip 2009

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/24/2008 10:49 PM

Hello!  I wanted to write this blog tonight so I stole the job away from Rachel...

We have a celebrity amongst us!  Kate Hall (or as Helena-West Helena know her as: Katie Hall) was surprised to find out that they named the newly renovated pool pavilion after her and the pool supervisor Ernest Womack.  It is called the Ernest Womack and Katie Hall pool pavilion.  That pool pavilion was actually the old pool house which they tore most of down.  Mark wired the pool pavilion and it passed inspection the first time, so it was ready to be used tonight for the ending celebration.

Most of us had a great Thursday (except my group).  Cindy shared that a kid that wouldn't let her touch him at the beginning of the week, let her hold him and he slept in her arms for almost an hour.  She said it was the highlight of her week.  Beth had a girl named Alexis in one of her swimming groups and since she was the only girl in that group they called her "Princess Alexis."  Today she finally went off the diving board and...

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/24/2008 8:52 PM

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...

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By Arkansas Missionaries on 7/21/2008 10:13 PM

Hello All Again!!

So, Kristen is telling me I'm in charge of updating the blog about the Arkansas trip, so here I go. As I'm writing, I'm listening to music that the younger generation in here is playing. Always have to pump it up! Tonight, we had one of our two meetings we have everyday. They told me I had to take notes of all the stories being told, and it made me feel like a reporter.  I know what not to be in the future. Anywho. So, here are some stories told by the group here in AR-KANSAS!!

First, Ginny and Mark did the devotion. Matthew 5:33-45 were the verses read. It says to love your neighbor as yourself and to be patient. Then they related about having a loving and patient attitude toward the kids and others here in Arkansas. We are all here to for the same reasons, to help out the community of Helena-West Helena.

Then! Kristen asked to tell stories, and EVERYONE said...

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