VBS, FSC and IN

The second installment - pictures may be delayed since an internet connection is not always available.

After a wondefrul time up in Minnesota and Wisconsin we got our rental car and headed down to Muscatine, Iowa (just take I-35 south and turn left at I-80). The car had airconditioning and that was definitely necessary. We know that some of you have been praying for rain, while others have been praying for sun – we got the sun. But it has been warm and wonderful – no complaints here (we just smile and sweat).

If you have never been to the Pearl City, you need to go. Muscatine is a sleepy little city along the Mississippi that is full of industry (4 or 5 Fortune 500 companies) and some wondeful people. We were able to see old friends (Rudy and Pam Schellekens) and past students who have worked with us (Jimmy Schellekens and Sue Foster). And we were encouraged by God’s family in Muscatine. It is so great to see how large our family is!

While we were here we stayed with a family who had also opened their house to us last time. This time they were even here, so we got to know the Huddlestons better. And since they had cable, they also had 1001 channels – none of which mattered except FSC – Fox Soccer Channel! If there was one thing Sean would like to take back it would be this channel (Shirley would take HGTV). But there was an awful lot going on in Muscatine.

We arrived on a Monday – the day the VBS started. For those who don’t know (and that included our boys) VBS means Vacation Bible School. This is a time when a congregation can invite local young people (and their parents) to learn more about the Bible, Bible stories and the gospel in a friendly, fun way. Muscatine was presenting crafts, puppet shows and short plays and we got to help. Scott got to play Elijah and Jesus a couple times, Shirley played Mary (sister of Martha) and Salome (check it out in the gospels), Sean got wrapped up and came back to life as Lazarus and Stephan helped a group of kids go through the various stations. For three evenings it was busy, but fun. And you get to know people pretty well when you work with them (Sue’s mother and father, Connie and Ed, also played characters in the plays, Sue did puppets, Rudy narrated and Pam was Mary, the mother of James). Check out the pictures if you don’t believe it (when I get the pictures uploaded).

At the end of the week we were able to jump over to Indianapolis (a 6 hour drive) where Scott’s brother Mike and his family live. We had not seen Mike, Amy and the kids for 6 years, and of course all the boys have grown. It was great to spend time watching the boys do tricks on their bikes, playing chess, playing pool or just walking and talking. We are so thankful for these opportunities to see each other and we are so thankful for many of YOU - it is because of you and your love for God that this has been possible. Thank you!

While in Muscatine we were also able to play some discgolf and soccer. Jimmy Schellekens is the city soccer coach and took Sean and Stephan along for some training sessions as well as a fun session behind the Muscatine church building. Scott, Stephan and Jimmy went discgolfing. Scott has been trying to find some courses in each place they travel to and so far it has been pretty easy. So we are staying active as well as meeting, learning and encouraging (and being encouraged). Our last evening in Muscatine was a Sunday evening with a wonderful church family. It is so good to see how God blesses us with His family!

More next time on our trip across Iowa to Nebraska.