Day 1: Operation: “A Very Merry UnBirthday”
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (Proverbs 17:22)
On Day 1 we decorated three birthday cakes and delivered them to three of our homebound church members. We enthusiastically made a big hoop-la out of the whole affair complete with the birthday cake, balloons, and a birthday song!
After lunch we traveled to the Baptist Retirement Village for an “UnBirthday Party” for the residents.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. (James 1:27)
Day 2: Operation: Cowboy Up!
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:17)
On Day 2 our mission was doing “grunt” work ministry at the Boy’s Ranch Town to help in projects they needed to get done: pulling weeds in the flowerbeds, cleaning & organizing their commissary, and washing a lot of windows. With big smiles on our faces, we sharpened up our spurs, dusted off our servant attitude, and went to be a blessing to others. Yee Haw!!
After lunch I revealed our secret destination trip, a stay at the Red River Ranch Retreat in Sayre, OK. Students were able to experience life on a working cowboy ranch. We stayed the night in the “bunkalo”. The next morning we were awakened to sound of the collection of goats, donkeys, and chickens all welcoming the new day! The students then had a fun filled day with horseback riding, paintball activities, and getting to help “Ms. Elizabeth” pick sand plum for homemade jam.
Wednesday evening we wrapped up our time by presenting a concert for the congregation at First Baptist, Elk City. What a great time of worship with the church family there. We then headed back home exhausted but feeling so blessed!
Thanks, church family, for making this trip possible!
Billie Thomas, director
Dear friends,