When we were asked if we would like to participate, via Skype, with our hometown gathering group's VBS, we jumped at the chance.
There are no words to express how much we miss the people from that place, and any opportunity to talk with them and see their faces makes us so happy.
The whole week leading up to our Skype session, we were so excited and then two days before our scheduled meeting, our power went out. This was not just one of our usual, couple-hours-out power outages; it was out for 14 hours. It was the kind of power-outage that foretells larger power problems looming on the horizon.
The next day we endured minor power outages, but then on Friday, the day we planned to meet with the VBS kids, our power was off and on continually throughout the day. It was nerve-wracking... would we have power? Would we not? Should we try to find some other place we could go to that has power and internet? That ultimately was not an option because in order for us to Skype in the morning time with the folks at home, it was late at night where we live and no other place (like a restaurant or coffee shop) was open at that time of night.
All we could do was petition Father for His will to be done.
Finally, with two minutes to spare, our power returned just in time for our scheduled appearance at VBS. PTL!
Still, our internet is not usually, and was not at this time either, great. We could not see faces clearly because the image was blurry, but we could hear their voices, and from time to time it would clear up enough for us to distinguish certain people.
The first person I recognized was sweet friend, Tracey Pace. Tracey's voice is easily discernible to me because I sat next to Tracey countless times in the choir and I continually listen to the CD of the group she is a part of, Legacy. Just hearing her voice flooded my mind with precious memories of so many occasions from being at this Gathering Group, and of course, I began to cry.
It was Miá who strengthened me by saying, "Mom! Pull it together. This is important for these kids!"
She was right. We've heard countless stories of people who have said they heard about (or talked with) people who do what we do at a VBS and through those experiences, many have felt the call to "GO" as well later in their lives.
That's why we had prepared in advance several questions that we thought the kids might ask us. We wanted to be ready with our answers so we could make the most of every single minute with them. Ironically, most of those questions were never asked.
We visited with three separate age groups during our Skype time and the first question we received from each group was, "What sports do you have there?"
That question was usually followed up with, "Do you go hunting there?"
Oh, our precious Mississippi kids!
They did ask about the food we eat and where Zoë and Miá go to school.
When the older group of 5th and 6th graders had their turn, they asked us more difficult questions like, "How do you 'share'?" and "Are any of the people 'receiving' the message?"
And while the questions were great and a lot of fun, our favorite part was seeing some of the youth and other dear friends and catching up on their lives during the short time we had together.
Seeing Bro. Tom and Mrs. Gloria reminded us of the heritage this Gathering Group has of supporting "sent-out" ones. We are continually strengthened by their enduring perseverance and faithfulness to serve wherever they are, and we were thankful for the few moments we had to share with these special mentors and friends.
This Gathering Group is such a special place. There are some Sundays when we think how great it would be to sit and hear a "teaching" from Dr. Barnes or other local "shepherds" like Bro. Grenn, Dr. Jordan, Dr. Campbell, Bro. Robbins or FBCTellico shepherd Dr. Barnard.
How I wish I could sit in the choir loft and sing my favorite hymns surrounded by such a dedicated group of singers using their talents for Him like I used to get to do every Sunday.
The girls miss their "believing" friends, Sunday school and youth group.
The Summer Sunday Evenings, the Wednesday nights, the fellowships, the Good Book studies, even just the times sitting around the kitchen table in the office with a cup of coffee and laughing with co-workers, this Gathering Group is truly a special place.
Maybe it's because this place is so special, that we want other people to have the opportunity to experience it as well. Listening to the Master Teacher, singing His praises, fellowshipping with other believers - isn't that what eternity is going to be like? I think so...
We look forward to the day when we can be with these friends at this Gathering Group in person, but for now, we'll settle with precious times like these - Skyping when we can, emailing, sending/receiving cards and letters.
Thank you Jennifer Baker for enabling us to have this opportunity. Thanks Mom and Dad for suggesting the idea. Thanks FBC Columbia for all your love, encouragement and sustaining support. You are continually in our hearts.
