"Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world." James 1:27

Volume 9 No. 7
July 15, 2020

The Latest

Taking Short-Term Missions to Your Own Backyard

In the current coronavirus climate we find ourselves living in, where gatherings are still limited, and hand sanitizer, masks, and social distancing are all strongly encouraged, many churches have had to cancel their VBS and summer camps. But not all! Some churches have been able to get creative and work around this summer's limitations.

• Theophilus OPC in Anaheim, California recently hosted a virtual Camp Together. Pastor Peter Sim writes, "Basically, our VBS Coordinator created the theme and the script of the VBS video. The VBS video was made up of a variety of different segments, such as "Scripture Doodles," "Gospel Conversations" and "Hiding God's Memory in Our Heart." The Scripture Doodles seemed to be a really big hit with our congregation. This was a segment in which someone drew pictures (video edited to be very fast) while the Scripture was read aloud. All these segments were pre-recorded and video-edited to make one long VBS video." Read more and watch their VBS videos...

• New Hope OPC in Bridgeton, New Jersey is hosting a "Virtual Art Camp" this week. The Camp Coordinator, Tracey Taylor, says, "This year began with big plans that became a little more tentative in March and April and then were set aside completely in May. Unwilling to lose contact with these kids and their families, we came up with another plan. We decided to pack a “love box” for each child that would include...some art supplies for a couple of art projects. Once families picked up their boxes (packed and distributed according to CDC guidelines), we would host several Zoom sessions for two different activities... Read more about what they're doing this month and how it's impacting their community.

Love Boxes full of art supplies, packed and ready to be handed out to families in Bridgeton, New Jersey.

• Lake Sherwood OPC in Lake Sherwood, Florida has also shifted gears to an online format. Hayley Avery writes, "As [our] church [has tried] to figure out what the next steps [should] be, it was looking fairly bleak in terms of actually getting to have a VBS this year. This was going to be the first time in a while that [we] would host a VBS as our group of little ones was only now beginning to grow again, so it was very discouraging to think that we might not be able to do it safely this year. That was when Jaye emailed me, telling me about another church she knew of that was going to be hosting a virtual VBS. That was when things kind of got kicked into high gear..." Read more about how they're pulling this off...

I hope these stories of improvising, adapting and overcoming encourage you to think outside the box this summer. What might God do with our efforts, despite the limitations of 2020, for eternity?

Archeologists of Our Own Lives

by Glenn Moots, Midland resident, homeowner, OPC member, flood victim

Glenn and his son, Andrew, standing in the mud that used to be their front yard.
photo by Nick Hagen

Our home had always been headquarters for education, vocation, fellowship, hospitality, and service.  We homeschooled, established our businesses, (including e-commerce, computer repair, academic consulting, and equestrian jewelry), organized holiday service projects for elderly friends, and hosted parties for church friends and others who enjoyed the lake without having to go on vacation. Independence Day and "Welcome Summer" parties at our home became a tradition. Our lakefront home was a place of recreation, reading, writing, and praise and worship with family and friends. 

All of that changed on May 19, 2020. We returned the morning after two local dams failed to discover Sanford lake fading away and the remaining water draining out. Where the lake once was, forest stumps were revealed along with debris including docks, hoists, decks, boats, golf carts, and household items. A river now ran through an eroded lake bed that hid dangerous patches of quicksand.

Our Brothers and Sisters in Midland
Are Relying On Us

• sign-up to volunteer & get your friends involved!
• donate a pick-up truck
• volunteer as a foreman
• donate financially

Glenn and Michelle Moots Talk about
OPC Disaster Response

Snapshots

News From the Short-Term Mission Fields

• Boardwalk Chapel: The summer is off to a great start! Church teams started arriving last week and they give thanks for the opportunity to continue ministry in the midst of COVID-19.

They are especially looking forward to their final training week: The Boardwalk Chapel 2020 Evangelism Conference. The week is all about growing in Evangelism and is led by Dr. Krabbendam, Chris Byrd, and Rev. Al Baker! It will include "classroom" training and also a lot of opportunity to observe and/or participate in personal evangelism and street preaching with experienced evangelists and ministers. Come spend the end of your summer with us at the Boardwalk Chapel! The cost is $300 for a week, which includes room, teachings, and 1 meal/day. Please contact boardwalkchapel@gmail.com to reserve a bed! If you register but then are unable to attend you will be fully refunded.

• Japan: The summer trip to Japan has been cancelled. While there was hope that perhaps it could be postponed to the fall/winter, no one is convinced that Japan will be open for travel by then. The presbytery will meet again in a couple of weeks and reassess the best course of action.

• Quebec: Pastor Westerveld reports that while they had hoped to work out an online version of English for Kids this summer, due to some complicated and extenuating circumstances they are not going to be able to. While disappointed, they are hunkering down to prepare for next year.

Check our website for updates on current opportunities.

Sarah Klazinga
Administrative Assistant
Short-Term Missions and Disaster Response
Sarah.klazinga@opc.org