News From nance
Sunshine, Storms and Rainbows!
Fair season began with sunshine and some very hot weather, but we were cool & comfy at Montgomery County Fair: inside with air conditioning.
Clark was uneventful this year compared to last year ~ no windstorms, no floods…until the last day when they emptied the sea lion pools.
The storms hit during the Preble/Greene multi-fair week (remind me never to try that again!). A tornado touched down just outside Eaton. One of our faithful workers lost gutters, had siding damage and a power surge fried her oven. We were evacuated to the pig arena, but there was a rainbow after the storm.
At Preble, a sweet girl, about 10, said “my family doesn’t go to church, we’re too busy. But I love to come here to learn about God. I remember you; you are always my teacher.” What a privilege!
That same day, a young woman of 22, a Ministry Major said, “My mom said I should tell you that I was saved in this tent when I was 11.” It’s so worth the exhaustion. Please pray that all the faithful fair workers are encouraged and rested up.
As of this writing, there are 2 fairs to go: Miami and Darke.
Rachel’s Report
July was a mix of 5-Day Clubs and fairs. As far as 5-Day Clubs, we did one in Dayton, one in Xenia, one in Beavercreek, plus the 3-day VBS I wrote about last month for the church in the African denomination. We do the club in Beavercreek every year and it’s fun to see the same kids each year and watch them grow. The club in Xenia was hosted by a Good News Club teacher who hosted a club several years ago. She recently moved to a new neighborhood and now her kids are old enough to really participate in the club. The club was mostly kids from her church, but one boy whose grandma lived in her neighborhood came too and that was wonderful. When the teacher asked the class, “Where do you feel the love of Jesus?”, he said, “everywhere” and then she followed up and asked, “Do you feel it here?”, and he said, “yes, a bunch here.” I was so glad that he could tell that he was loved and that we were glad he was at the club. We did one more 5-Day Club during the second week of August. The total number of kids who participated in 5-Day Club this summer is 334 with 21 reported decisions.
In between the 5-Day Clubs, we did the Montgomery County Fair, Clark County Fair, and the weekend Brookville Picnic (which overlaps with Clark). At the Montgomery County Fair, we shared with 738 people with 117 reported decisions. At the Clark County Fair, we shared with 740 people with 108 reported decisions. At the 3-day Brookville Picnic, we shared with 362 people with 58 reported decisions.
The first week of August was the Preble County Fair and the Greene County Fair. I was at the Greene County Fair most of the week, but I went to Preble a couple days too. There have been an unusual number of bad weather days this fair season with rain, thunderstorms, and tornado warnings. Thankfully, we have not sustained any damage to the tents and supplies beyond things getting wet and muddy and everyone has stayed safe amid the storms.
Praise the Lord:
For each and every volunteer who has served in the fair tent
For a good 5-Day Club season this year
Please Pray:
That God would provide water for the Gospel seeds sown this summer
For Good News Club teams as the school year begins again