We started off Friday with a symbolic tree planting ceremony at the original Wilderness Ridge after breakfast. After finishing up our work projects and taking a last swim in the Bastrop State Park pool, we went to Bastrop Bible church and held a Summerfest street festival for all the families we served through Backyard Bible clubs and some of our work projects. Such fun - we had over 200 people there!

Here are some pictures to share with you today:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151973617415613.891062.695475612&type=3&l=7760b8bc34
 The week is over, but our work for the Lord is just beginning in Bastrop and back in Austin as we travel home to our families in the morning. Praise God for all He has done in and through us this week. Thanks to Ron and Sandy Hunt and their staff for hosting us at Wilderness Ridge this week and for all the meals they cooked. And thanks to Kim and Barry Williamson for leading Go Bastrop, all the Community Impact and student interns for the worship and games, Tom Laws and Doug James for providing leadership and vision from the staff.

Blessings,
Cathy

Cling to God, Bastrop

   Throughout the week our teams have been doing work projects to help rebuild the community of Bastrop. One team was doing landscape work and the owner of the house that was being worked on started sharing with them all of the stories she had heard about fire victims, and their personal experience of them getting back to their regular life style. Personally, the woman started sharing her own testimony and explained to the team that her home was destroyed, she lost everything and almost lost her daughter. People she didn't know donated to the rebuilding of her home, but not all of the victims had the support that Mrs. Perez had. In other cases, no help was given and no family members came to help. She told the team to always cling to God, because he is the only friend that will always be there, no matter what the circumstance. This is exactly what the teens have been talking about all week: seeking God's face, and always keeping Him close.

Last night of clubs at Go Bastrop, and almost done with work projects

Another great day of work projects and Bible clubs in Bastrop. Our sheds are almost done after lots of hammering, nailing, sawing, lifting, measuring, moving, and assembling - and lots of trips to Home Depot! We are finishing up painting houses and a bus, gardening and cutting grass.

Today we had 84 children at clubs with 4 decisions for Christ! Everyone has lots of stories to tell. Many parents and kids say they are coming to Summerfest, so we should have a big crowd. So exciting!

Here are some pictures from our day:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151970363855613.890630.695475612&type=3&l=4e4044f34a

 

One more day to finish all of our projects and then celebrate at Summerfest and a closing worship.  For now, we have a final outdoor worship and yummy butterscotch brownies and some games. 

Unleash the power of the Son!

Cathy

 

Wet and Wild Wednesday in Bastrop

Great day of work projects and water day at the clubs in Bastrop. We moved 2 of the sheds today to Paige, Tx - just down the street from the Perez family and one of our Bible clubs. Two teams washed the bus they sanded yesterday. And we painted 2 houses yellow, and finished the gardening at the Perez house. Also, we received 2 brand new Kohler toilets for free from the Home Depot for Camp Wilderness Ridge! God is so good.

Here are some pictures from our day:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151967371960613.890305.695475612&type=3&l=91c1b76a34

Time for our worship and time of sharing stories and praising God for all He has done. 97 children at clubs today. Everyone is getting excited about Summerfest on Friday. 

In His service,
Cathy

Go Bastrop - Tuesday

Great day in Bastrop today! We continued to build the sleds, rake and plant a garden at the Boys and Girls club, sand down a bus, painted rebuilt houses, dig a huge hole at the camp.Got to swim in the pool at Bastrop State Park and the camp. Then at Bible clubs tonight we had 89 kids, 18 more than last night, with 7 decisions for Christ. Here are some pictures from our day:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151964315645613.889950.695475612&type=1&l=aa6f32a78e

 

 Off to a campfire worship and late night games and snack!  Praise God for such a wonderful day.

Cathy

Go Bastrop - Monday

Today we built sheds for tools, cleared brush at the camp, and planted flowers in our work projects. In our Bible clubs tonight we had 71 kids and 2 prayed to receive Christ.

In a campfire worship tonight Jared shared his testimony about how much we need a relationship with Jesus. We prayed through Colossians 1:13-14 and asked God to pour into our lives and our work here in Bastrop. Turn your eyes upon Jesus...

Here are some pictures from our day...

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151961466570613.889625.695475612&type=3&l=bb0013f5b7

Blessings,
Cathy

Sunday at Go Bastrop

We were off to a great start this morning with our first stop at Church Under the Bridge. We heard lots of stories from the people who worship there, many who are homeless.  Teresa asked for prayer, as she has been struggling with addictions for 27 years. Roy invited us to join the Bridge of Angels on Saturdays when they serve home-cooked meals and worship our Lord through song and dance.

After worship, we enjoyed lunch at Festival Beach on Town Lake before traveling to Bastrop and visiting our Bible club locations for the week. After cooling down with some sno-cones in town, we headed out to Camp Wilderness Ridge. The boys are looking forward to spending the night in their open air cabins in the woods while the ladies have an air-conditioned hall with lots of rooms for sleeping.

Late in the afternoon, we visited the original Wilderness Ridge to enjoy lake activities and a ropes course. Then it was a BBQ chicken dinner at the camp. At sunset, we headed out to Bastrop State Park Overlook for a time of worship and dedication of our week's work to the Lord. It was a beautiful overlook but the forest of burnt trees was a constant reminder of the fires and devastation from last year. As we end the evening, we are enjoying dancing with Dorothy Cielonko in the dining hall and yummy brownies and other snacks.

Here are some pictures of our day:
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151958061085613.889139.695475612&type=3&l=4e875e1d88

Cathy

GO BASTROP 2012! 

JESUS is the Super One!

Only one week left until we leave to go to Bastrop! Remember to arrive at 8:00 AM in front of the HCBC NW church offices next Sunday, July 22. Bring your suitcase with your BYBC materials, sunscreen, insect repellent, closed-toe shoes, work clothes, towels, sleeping bag, etc - and food donations for the Back Pack program.

Verse for Go Bastrop – Summer Changes Everything:

We will give our attention to prayer and the ministry of the Word. So the Word of God spread. The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and a large number became obedient to the faith. Acts 6: 4 & 7

Parent Opportunities:
Bring 6 or more sandwich bags with 4-6 cookies, brownies, or rice krispie treats to Summerfest at Bastrop Bible Church, 602 Pecan Street on Friday, July 27. Arrive by 5:30 PM. Or you can drop off your cookies at HCBC NW at the front desk by noon on Friday. Lots of volunteer opportunities at Summerfest with food and at game booths. 

Contact information:
To volunteer, contact Kim Williamson at bdw-kcfan@austin.rr.com, or call 947-2258 or 947-2257.