HELLO from Hunting Island, SC.  One of God's beautiful creations including the Atlantic Ocean, wooded areas full of His creatures (many almost tame) such as deer, raccoons, squirrels, and Painted Buntings. They are gorgeous birds who come to feeders right outside my window.  This is the only area we have ever seen them in and they look much like small parrots with the different colors.  We have also enjoyed seeing the dolphins playing right off the coast in front of us and also following the shrimp boats coming back into port in the late afternoon.  Many would not be familiar with this area but "Forest Gump" is only one of the movies filmed in this area and the shrimp boats dock in a very familiar area from that movie.  The temperature is typical of the southeast, hot and humid most days with scattered showers or thunderstorms.       

 
Painted Bunting

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We have had the pleasure for the last two weeks of having a group from Jonesville, VA conducting day camps (backyard Bible club) for the children camped here with their family.  This group is not new to Hunting Island after 12 years of bringing youth here on mission trips.  Their faithfulness in serving God has been an inspiration to many families who try to return when they know this group will be here.  They have watched many children grow from toddlers to teens who are always willing to help out if they are needed.  As if daily camps at the island were not enough, they helped St. Helena Baptist with their VBS at night for one of the two weeks. Their leader, Lynette Johnson , has participated in this mission trip each of those twelve years. In addition she is joined by her children and now her grandchildren. What a legacy to share with her family and church family. 


Lynette Johnson

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Jonesville VA Day Camp

The children always look forward to the ten foot banana split this group has at their first family evening program. Did I forget to mention they normally have two programs each week provided the weather allows?  This program includes the children sharing things they have learned during the week, skits, songs, and audience participation which gets really funny sometimes.  They continue to be a blessing to everyone they meet.  This last week included two young men from Alabaster, AL who came to visit and help us out. Jonathan and Jacob made a great addition to this youth group.  It's such a joy to witness the bonding of young Christians who come together for the first time on a mission trip. It is always difficult to say goodbye to this group but know we will see them again, if not in the here and now then in the hereafter.  Christians working together in missions is such a blessing when you realize we will all be together in heaven. 

I don't know if I will be able to set up a photo gallery as I have in past newsletters but our daughter will try to help us with this.  She has been such a blessing to me in helping me with my desire to continue to share our ministry with people all over the country. It's important to us to be able to do that because prayers of God's children are such a major part of the ministry.  It's such a joy when we are away from family to KNOW there are so many remembering us and praying for God's will as we serve.

FAMILY?  We now have two teenagers learning to drive, one in Alabaster, AL (Birmingham area) and the other in Mobile, AL.  I don't envy either mom going through this but Cassie doesn't have anyone helping her so has to be the one teaching her son.  When she and her brother were learning I refused to ride with either of them until they had a license and didn't ride with them then very often.  Both are good drivers( thank you Butch) and I praise God that neither have ever been involved in a bad accident so, the grandchildren will probably do fine too. Anthony should be ready to get his on October 1st and Carly won't get hers until April of 2010. She will have drivers-ed before then but Anthony couldn't schedule his until the second semester this school year.  Anyway, those two are growing up too fast but at least Lily Grace, George and Juli's youngest daugher, just turned three.    

Anthony & Carly Dec 08

Jesus you are my Saviour and Lord, Draw me closer to You (from the song "Draw Me")