As we were putting together the details for this year’s VBS theme, the

idea was hatched to find a ministry in the South to support with the

annual VBS penny drive. Each year, the kids attending VBS bring in

thousands in dollars of pennies that go toward a Calvary Missions

project. Usually the pennies would go to a Calvary Reach: Global

missionary. But this year, with the focus on the 100 + YOU, a new

partnership project was approved by the Missions Ministry Team.

TThrough a series of circumstances and connections, the Lord

directed the Children’s Team to select Streams of Life Ministries in

Baton Rouge, Louisiana to be the Calvary Reach Project for VBS

2009, and the Missions Ministry Team approved it.

SStreams of Life is an “Orange County Rescue Mission” type ministry

that has played a key role in bringing disaster relief to Louisiana

residents who were devistated by hurricane Katrina (2005) and

Hurricane Gustav (2008).

SStreams of Life (www.streamsbr.com) is also a distribution center;

distributing food, clothing, and household items to non-profit

agencies, who then pass them on to individual families. Those

receiving supplies are single moms, mentally handicapped adults,

veterans’ groups, the working poor, and inner-city school children.

Streams of Life is a ministry of River of Life Church. This Church

consists of only 25 members, yet feeds over 5,000 people each month!

IIn May of 2009, Children’s Pastor Matt Davis, 5th/6th Grade Pastor

Chris Gniffke, 5th/6th Grade Intern Ben Harris, Reach: Local

Evangelism Pastor Matt Doan and Calvary Elder Todd Yates, traveled

to Baton Rouge to see the Streams of Life Ministry first hand.

This year’s VBS theme is “Crocodile Dock”, a southern bayou theme woven around the Biblical story of the Israelites’ exodus from Egypt. Natural fit, right?!!

They were amazed at the work God is doing at Streams of Life as He

uses this tiny church to show His love in big ways to the people of

Louisiana.

IIn August of 2009, the kids who attend VBS will hear about the

Streams of Life Ministry each day in the Reach portion of the VBS

program and will be challenged to bring in enough pennies to buy a

brand new forklift for Streams of Life to use in their Baton Rouge

warehouse.

DDuring VBS craft time, kids will also be assembling stuffed turtles with

“God cares” printed on them. We call them “Comfort Critters.” The

kids will be writing prayers that fit in a pocket on the Comfort Critter.

We will be sending more than 1200 of these to Streams of Life to stuff

in the backpacks of inner-city kids in Louisiana who need to know that

God cares about them. This project is called Operation Kid-2-Kid, giving

our kids an opportunity to minister to other kids and reflect God’s light.

Donation of airline miles to fly our Children's team to Louisiana and other like gifts for shooting the VBS program and meeting with Streams of Life ministries reduced the total cost for this trip to $300. If you are interested in providing air miles or loaning cars or houseshouses to our missions program, we would welcome any additional resources available to help our missionaries and missions program.

“Gus” (Ben Harris) and

“Rusty” (Chris Gniffke)

filming this summer’s

VBS teaching videos on

location in the bayou

of Baton Rouge.

SStreams of Life Ministry

hard at work.

www.calvarylife.org/reach

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> We had 1091 kids, 474 leaders, and 145 decisions for Christ

> There were over 7500 snacks served for a total of only $25

> There was almost $6,000 donated for the Penny Project > 8 gallons of slime was poured on Chris Gniffke and Ben Harris (and “unintentionally” on Pastors Eric Wakeling and Matt Davis) during the last Friday of VBS. It was made of vanilla pudding, corn syrup, green food coloring, baby shampoo, and various leftover foods from VBS.

VBS would not be possible if not for the donations of time, craft materials and volunteers which make the week run smoothly. We’ve listed this year’s snack donation needs and can’t wait to see how the Lord comes through this year!

Volunteer Training Sunday, August 212:30-3:00 pmJJoin us in the Worship Center at 12:30 pm for a very important meeting to find out all you need to know for this year's VBS. We will be providing lunch which will be served right after church until the start of the meeting.

Vacation Bible SchoolMonday, August 3 - Friday, August 7 9:00 am 9:00 am-12:30 pm

VBS Family NightWednesday, August 56:00-8:30 pm

Firefly Finale! Sunday, August 9WWe'll bring all of our VBS elements together in one amazing finale service at 9:30 am! This will be followed by a fun afterparty including rides, sights and an incredible lunch as we fellowship together as a church family. Kids will be involved in the services! Lunch will be offered after services for a nominal cost.

Bye-Bye Bayou!MMonday, August 10

All Week General Needs - 5000 Juice Pouches or Boxes - 6000 Napkins - 1500 Plastic Spoons - 1500 Plastic Forks - 1000 Plastic Knives - - 4000 Small Paper Plates - 1000 Paper/Plastic Drinking Cups (Any Size 5 - 9 oz) - 1000 Snack Size Zip-type Reusable Bags - 300 Sandwich Size Zip-type Reusable Bags - 300 Gallon Size Zip-type Reusable Bags - 10 Large Canisters of Powdered Drink Mixes (Any Flavor)

Monday Specific Needs: "Burning Bush in a Bowl " - 1000 - 1000 Plastic Tumblers (9 oz short and wide mouthed) - 1000 Cherry or Grape Tomatoes - 60 lbs Shredded Lettuce - 60 lbs Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese - 65 lbs Tortilla Chips

Tuesday Specific Needs: "Bugs & Boils " - 30 Bags of Miniature Marshmallows - 60 l - 60 lbs Small Pretzel Twists - 60 lbs Raisins - 30 lbs Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips - 25 Boxes Betty Crocker "Fruit Gushers"

Wednesday Specific Needs: "Promise Pizzas " - 100 Boxes Keebler Townhouse Toppers Crackers - 25 lbs Shredded Mild Cheddar Cheese - - 67 lbs Tomato Pizza Sauce (canned, plain)

Thursday Specific Needs: "Berried and Raised " - 100 Boxes Vanilla Wafers - 125 Containers Non-Dairy Whipped Topping (such as Cool Whip) - 2000 Strawberries Friday Specific Needs: "Sweet Victory " - - 40 lbs Graham Crackers - 30 lbs Chocolate Chips

Special snacks for our volunteers throughout the week: - Finger Sandwiches and/or Wraps - String Cheese - Cut-Up Veggies and Dip - Fresh Fruit - Ba - Baked Goods

One Comfort Critter down... 1,199 to go!

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