Monday updates...coming home today!

Jason Harris Flight is on time so far (July 20th at 4:00 pm)

Jason Harris Oh and Cameron is ok after a few shots and test and they are with us heading to the airport... (July 20 at 2:20 pm)

Jason Harris Everyone is accounted for and we are pulling out for the airport at this moment...(July 20 at 2:00 pm)

Jason Harris Well it would be this trip..souvenir shopping got cut short because Cameron got bit by something (doc says an ant bite) that has cause a bad reaction and had to be taken to the hospital for test, we just left there, him and his mom are there now waiting for test results. Keep them in ur prayers - rest of us are going back to the church to eat lunch and wait for them and then off to the airport. Bekah got sick also this morning and nit feeling well so keep her in ur prayers. (July 20th at 12:30 pm)

Jason Harris Up and almost packed and about to do last devotions and then souvenir shopping (July 20th at 9:00 am)

More Sunday updates...

Virginia Donaldson We are on the final leg of our journey...not an ending, just a continuation of the story. Everyone wants to be home but doesn't want to leave. We all know that feeling. Incredible things are happening at this small church, they are having blessings heaped upon them. And they are grateful for everyone of them. As we are grateful to those who opened their arms, and their hearts, to us each and every day. We are loved. (July 19th at 11:35 pm)

Jason Harris Were slowly getting ready for dinner - we had a great church service with our students leading worship and giving testimonies with 3 people giving their lives to the Lord this morning...it was such a great in service which concluded with Communion and them giving us a PR bag with goodies in it. Then a big lunch with the church (July 19th at 5:45 pm)

Saying Goodbye...

Sunday morning...saying goodbye to the kids.

Sunday updates...

Virginia Donaldson Okay, our team did their first musical stint this morning..Jeff & Sam on guitar, Cameron on bass, Kaity on keyboard, Summerly, Bekah Mandy & Olivia on vocals. I felt like a proud parent! I personally think they did a great job for a first time together and little practice, but I won't post it here until I have a chance to ask them how they feel about that.... (July 19th at 12:43 pm)

Jason Harris Everyone is dressed and ready for church this morning...should be picked up any minute. (July 19th at 8:45 am)

Virginia Donaldson Buenas Dias! ...We are off to a much anticipated breakfast and church service..then Party! Since I will be at the church, I will be back on track with the pictures...you will see all as it is happening. Your verbies will be returning to you tomorrow night!.. there will be alot of tears (already starting) at the thought of leaving these little kids..... (July 19th at 7:45 am)

Saturday Updates...

Virginia Donaldson Finally, some internet access and Time to update! All is well...great day @ conference w/4 small churches, children performing.. then off to kayaking and snorkeling...good time had by all. Tomorrow is church, after which is a big party ( Christmas in July) they are throwing for us. Still HOT, some rain nothing major. trying to upload pics, will do my best.... (July 18th at 11:05 pm)

Jason Harris Just got done eating Chinese (yea I know) and now heading back to our dorms for the night. 2 nights left in PR (July 18th at 8:00 pm)

Jason Harris Done snorkeling and everyone survived - no injuries. Now just getting changed and about to head to dinner. (July 18th at 6:42 pm)

Jason Harris Were all stuffed, loaded in the van making are way to our snorkling location.... (July 18th at 1:35 pm)

Friday Updates...

Jason Harris Went to Wendy's for dinner and now been driving around and getting in and out of the van as we tour Old San Juan (July 17th at 11:27 pm)

Jason Harris Spent the day at the beach, some of us being jungle jims for the kids. Most of us took like a 2 1/2 hr nap and now were getting ready to go to Old San Juan (July 17th at 6:53 pm)

Jason Harris Eating breakfast and waiting for the kids to get to head to the beach... (July 17th at 9:00 am)

Virginia Donaldson okay folks..it's almost 1am and the little chickies are just settling down...the food party in Olivia and Summerly's room is winding down...the giggling is beginning to slow..and apparently the guys are all out of it! Tomorrow's plan is to take all the little ones to the beach...a full day.. Saturday is the day off for snorkeling. And I have to say, they deserve it. Each and every one of them. Be Proud! (July 17th at 1:00 am)

Goodnite Thursday

Jason Harris Well another good night finished...everyone is making ther way to bed so we can get up early and take a bunch of kids to the beach... (July 17th at 12:08 am)

More Pictures...

From the Thursday Night Service...

Pastor Jason in the back...


From Left to Right: Leon, Cameron (2nd row) Sam, Bekah, Mandy and Jeff, (Front Row) Summerly and Olivia.


Jared leading worship, the kids love it!


From Left to Right: Kaity and Jenn




A Puerto Rican plate...chicken (pollo) rice (arroz) salad (ensalada) and beans (garbanzos)

Thursday evening updates...

Virginia Donaldson We are now in the Thursday night service....a little change-up though...Jason is working with the adult leaders upstairs, and our team is working with the children in the sanctuary. We made a pitstop at Walmart today for more bottled water..A MUST-HAVE. We all had on our pink T-shirts, and we ran into some of the children from VBS there in their purple T-shirts, they were so tickled to see us! (July 16th at 8:57 pm)

THANK YOU HERITAGE!

From all the children at VBS in Puerto Rico and our Student Team from VERB!!!

More Thursday Updates...

Jason Harris So they just had a huge 55 can silly string fight which turned out amazing...now comes the crazy task of peeling it off the concrete. Should be loads of fun. (July 16th at 2:15 pm)

Virginia Donaldson Well, there's no hoses in the back parking lot, and silly string does melt....hmmm, where's the fire department when you need them.....??? LOL (July 16th at 1:15 pm)

Update

Virginia Donaldson: as always, things here are subject to change. Jason grabbed half the crew to go feed the homeless while the rest stayed behind to TRY and control some very restless, unruly children. But as always, there is a plan B. They go outside to burn off some energy and then we'll be blasting them with silly string...does anybody know if that stuff melts? I can't imagine what clean-up will be like... (July 16th at 12:00 pm)

More pictures...

Relaxing on the Cabanna...



Thursday Morning Classes at VBS...

Updates...so far

Virginia Donaldson: After VBS I believe there may be some more construction, IF the materials are delivered as promised. Part of the group will be splitting off to go feed the homeless, I most likely will be going with this group since concrete isn't my forte'....I have to say that Bekah and Mandy can use a mean shovel...and the girls worked just as hard as the guys. We sure could use a swimming pool though...... : ) (July 16th at 11:00 am)

Virginia Donaldson: how about a written update? Let's see..right now the kids are wrapping up the final day of VBS..yesterday they had a clown come in (of which Mandy is terrified of) as well as the firemen. Last night we went to McD's..then chilled ( not literally) at the dorms. we did this as a unanimous decision to forgo the tour of Old San Juan due to Kaity's ankle. (she is much better today..no crutches, and I just saw her dancing) (July 16th at 10:28 am)

Jason Harris: Everyone was pretty much in bed by 1030 last night...hopefully that allowed for all to get a good night rest - I know I did. (July 16th at 8:19 am)

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Jason Harris: Today's possible schedule is Bible Camp, making and pouring concret....hopefully it won't get pushed to tomorrow. At least today we got the stuff so we should. (July 15th at 8:37 am)

Jason Harris: The project got pushed again until tomorrow so we cleaned a closet (the one we rebuilt) Leon got attacked by cockroach that had been on steroids since birth. We organized the closet, some painted about 100 pumkins for a giveaway, the rest of went through about 50 boxes of old, roach infested clothes to organize. All the clothes are for giveaway to the homeless on Wed... Were headed back to the dorm now to get ready for the service now...(July 15th at 4:43 pm)

Virginia Donaldson: the Firemen let loose on a very hot day, while Kaity rests in a very cool room! (July 15th at 12:20 pm)

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Virginia Donaldson: Project Year #3...on tomorrows agenda....the small patio area has been de~constructed, and tomorrow some of the team will dig this (partially) out to make room for the new concrete...pics to come! (July 14th at 1:53 pm)

Virginia Donaldson: sorry for the delay folks...probs with the laptop..satan loses..God prevails...pics coming soon! (July 14th at 11:11 am)

Jason Harris: My bad..the groups went to McDonalds to get a tour of it and hang there for a little while and no food..I guess I'm getting some bad translation..not from Jared (July 14th at 11:01 am)

Jason Harris: Our group is spilt today...Jeff, Bekah, Summ,Jenny went their groups to work at McDonalds with a program that the church has in helping kids work in the community..I also think it helps the kids to work a little at a job and they all get paid with lunch for their work. The rest of us are at the church - played a new game that took forever, Olivia just got with their lesson and now their working on their craft...(July 14th at 10:29 am)

Virginia Donaldson: it's been a Hard Rock Night....All the little Verbies are tucked in tight! (July 14th at 12:11 am)

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Jason Harris: Sitting and waiting for our ride to Hard Rock... (July 13th at 7:12 pm)

Jason Harris: If you ever think Walmart is bad in Maryland you should come to the one I just went to - it was redonkulis...idk if that's how you spill that (July 13th at 4:12 pm)

Jason Harris: Well day 1 Bible camp is over and worked the curve balls very well...over all great 1st day. Fixing to load up and back to the dorms...hope for pics later (July 13th at 3:08 pm)

Virginia Donaldson: Yes! we are here...sending a few pics of the kids on the first day of VBS, look for them ! It is Hot Hot Hot..muggy kinda hot. But we are all here and we hit the ground running! either myself or Jason will post when possible....(July 13th at 10:02 am)

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Jason Harris: Well we are finally here and even though we are late - we have made better time this trip then any other before...so Thank You Jesus... (July 12th at 11:42 pm)

Jason Harris: Just boarded our plane in Miami to San Juan...hopefully u won't here from me again until 1130pm (July 12th at 8:57 pm)

Jason Harris: Well we are here in Miami eating dinner in the airport and just found out our flight is already a 1/2 late....not really all that shocked with this news (July 12th at 7:27 pm)

Jason Harris: Well we are in Miami now...hopefully our next flight is not delayed...(July 12th at 6:37 pm)

Jason Harris: Sike...we got delayed on the tarmac - don't know how long. 3 times in a row (July 12th at 3:35 pm)

Jason Harris: Everyone is counted for and were boarding the plane....on time so far. See u in a few hours (July 12th at 2:53 pm)

Jason Harris: Heading into office to finish everything needed for PR and then we leave at 1pm (July 12th at 6:41 am)

Slideshow - Mid Week

Make sure to leave the students a comment, let them know you dropped by!

Pictures - Mid Week Video

April writing...

Hey all, glad you dropped by to check in on the VERB Students on their Missions Trip to Puerto Rico! I am sure they would love to hear your comments so be sure to leave a comment and let them know you dropped by!! We will update this site throughout each day to keep their church family at home aware of the good they are doing in PR!

This video was made to show the VERB Students at home what their fellow students were out of the country doing!

Puerto Rico Mission's Team

This year we are taking a team of 13 to PR and we wanted to post a profile of each participate. So in no particular order:

Name: Jenny Graham

School and Grade: Meade Senior High

Favorite Food: Pasta

How do you spend your free time: Hanging out with friends

Why are you excited for this trip: To teach the children and bond with them

Name: Samuel Arvaneh

Nickname: Sam

School and Grade: AACS 11th

Favorite Food: filet Mignon

How do you spend your free time: sleeping, reading, football, and eating

Name: Gini Donaldson

School and Grade: Grad...1978

Favorite Food: Steak

How do you spend free time: Volunteer

Why are you excited for this trip: because God has built a strong bond between myself and these people
Name: Rebekah Sharpe

Nickname: Bekah

School and Grade: Graduated

Favorite Food: Spaghetti

How do you spend your free time: Chillin out max and relaxing all cool

Why are you excited for this trip: to go one last time - one last hooray

Name:Olivia Hall

Nickname: Miss Awesome

School and Grade: AACS 11th

Favorite Food: Fried Chicken

How do you spend your free time: Being awesome. Playing soccer. Surfing. Hanging out with friends

Why are you excited for this trip: Seeing all the kids I meet the first year

Name: Kaitlyn Lindsey

Nickname: Kaity

School and Grade: Home school, 10th Grade

Favorite Food: Fruit

How do you spend your free time: Playing guitar and Piano, art, doing sports, and hanging out with friends

Why are you excited for this trip: Because I love to work with kids and working in the mission fields
Name: Summerly Lunz

Nickname: I am so Funny

School and Grade: Freshman at Lee University

Favorite Food: Mashed Potato's and Sushi

How do you spend your free time: I spend time being funny and going on adventures

Why are you excited for this trip: I have been the last 2 years and I have made relationships with people there and I can't wait to see them again

Name: Cameron Donaldson

School and Grade: Old Mill 11th

Favorite Food: Pizza

How do you spend your free time: with friends and working on the computer

Why are you excited for this trip: because I had a great time the last 2 years

Name: Leon P. Riley IIV

Nickname: Big Lee

School and Grade: High School Graduate

Favorite Food: Pizza
How do you spend your free time: I google Jesus, Read my Bible, Love on Jesus and others and listen to Christian Rap and Metal core

Why are you excited for this trip: because it's a great opportunity to serve God outside of my comfort zone and grow

Name: Jared Mata

Nick Name: The Big Boss!

School and Grade: Incomplete

Favorite Food: Lasagna

How do you spend your free time: Playing Piano, Guitar, Singing, Giving

Why are you excited for this trip: Get out of Maryland and giving God my all

Name: Miranda Odachowski
Nickname: Mandy
School and Grade: Graduate
Favorite Food: Sloppy Joe
How do you spend your free time: Reading and spending it with people like friends
Why are you excited for this trip: it's my first time and I love children. I'm also teaching so that's exciting.

Name: Jeffery Giles

School and Grade: 11 at NCHS

Favorite Food: Grandma's Spaghetti
How do you spend your free time: Play guitar, Bike, Hang out with people
Why are you excited for this trip: To see the changes that have been made at the church

It's been crazy

I can't believe it's been this long since I blogged - but enough on the slacking. Summer has been great and VERB just got done with 7 Squared and were getting ready for our Mission Trip to PR. We leave in 5 days and I'm so excited about this trip. The next blog to be posted in just a few minutes will have a profile on the team so don't go to far from the site....

Wow - 2 months

It has been 2 months since my last blog - that's crazy!! Life jsut got really buzy and the blog took the hit for it. I'm sorry to all those die hard followers I have. I will bve posting some more blogs and answering some questions soon...questions about heaven - keep you posted

Questions about Heaven asked by students from VERB

2nd question "Where is Heaven"

The best answer I think I can give you is "Up". I realize that seems easy and generic, but look at what the Bible says. Psalm 123, “Lord, I look up to You, up to heaven where You rule.” Even Jesus, who was in heaven before He came to earth, took the five loaves and the two fish in Mark 6 and He looked up toward heaven and asked God’s blessing on the food.

Heaven is not up in the sense that it’s out there somewhere beyond the clouds. I don't think that's what that verse is meaning. I think “Up” means like higher than anything we can experience. “Up” means beyond anything that we can imagine. “Up” possibly means above the issues and the problems and the pain of this world. I think this idea of Heaven being "Up" is bigger then we can imagine and comprehend - but I do believe Heaven is "Up", but where "Up" is I don't know!!

Questions about Heaven asked by Students from VERB!!

1st Question - Is there Sex in Heaven?

- The Bible does not give a direct answer such as "No Sex in Heaven or Yes there will be Sex in Heaven". But Jesus kind of answers this question in Matthew 22 when the Sadducee's (religious leaders) asked him about marriage and resurrection "At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven” Jesus teaches here that marriage is a relationship to be enjoyed in this life, but it will not carry forward into the next life. While we do not lose our identity in heaven (Luke 16:23), we will not hold the same relationships that we do on earth. Our existence will be quite different from what we are used to here. The fact that there is no marriage in heaven implies at least two other things: 1) There will be no procreation in heaven; the number of the redeemed is set, and, with no death, there will be no need to propagate the race. 2) There will be no sexual intercourse in heaven, becuase there will be no marriage. The appetites and desires of this world will give way to higher and infinitely more gratifying delights in the world to come.

It may not be the answer some of you were hoping for, but hopefully it answers your question. Stay tuned for more questions to be answered.

Can't Wait

Wathc Rick Warren behind the scenes at the Presidential Inauguration

http://link.brightcove.com/services/link/bcpid1873832645/bclid9142307001/bctid10125705001

Feb 10

Lead a Bible study at school today with friends

Feb 9

Sign up for the upcoming "Disciple Now" Saturday

Feb 8

Tithe 10% of your pay or allowance today

Feb 7

Watch this video and and tell me your thoughts about it.

Feb 6

Pick up a devotional book and start it

Discipleship Challenges Feb 5

Read a Chapter in the Book of John and Journal your thoughts

Feb 4

Giv an offering tonight at VERB

Feb 3

Sit in silence for 10 minutes and listen for God's voice

Feb 2

Memorize a verse in the Bible with your accountability partner

Feb 1

Journal your thoughts to God

Jan 31

Just listen to Praise and Worship Music or Christian Music

Jan 30

Start and End your day with Prayer

Worship Challenges - Jan 29

Make a list everyday of the ways you see God throughout your day or make a list of things your thankful for!

Jan 28

Buy the lunch of the student behind you the lunch line

Jan 27

Do something you normally don't do for your family or a friend

Jan 26

Ask your friend if they would like to become a Christian

Jan 25

Tell your friend how you became a Christian

Jan 24

Tell your friend why you're a Christian

Jan 23

Invite a friend to an upcoming event

Evangelism Challenges Jan 22

Tell a Friend your'e a Christian

Challenge for today

Sit with a new group of students at VERB tonight

Challenge for today

Follow up with your accountability partner

He's Back!!!!

Challenge for today

Sign up for Dinner 4 Ten

Challenge for today

Join a small group tonight

Challenge for today

Follow up with a student or a friend you havent talked to in awhile?

Challenge for today

Learn 5 new names at school today!!

Did you do it?

The Wisdom of Larry the Cable Guy

1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
6. He who laughs last, thinks slowest.
7. Depression is merely anger without enthusiasm.
8. The early bird may get the worm, but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.
9. Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.
10. A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.
11. Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.
12. If you think nobody cares, try missing a couple of payments.
13. OK, so what's the speed of dark?
14. When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.
15. Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.
16. How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?
17. Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.
18. What happens if you get scared half to death, twice?
19. Why do psychics have to ask you your name?
20. Inside every older person is a younger person wondering, 'What the heck happened?'
21. Just remember -- if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.
22. Light travels faster than sound. That's why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.
23. Life isn't like a box of chocolates. It's more like a jar of jalapenos. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Challenges

Last night we started a new series that involved our 5 purposes and how we use those purpose's to do church. And I also said that these purpose's can be applied to your life. So I closed out the night with a weekly challenge for you all - a different challenge every day for the next 7 days that revolve around the purpose for the week and every day I will post that challenge on my blog as a reminder and for you to chime in and let me know if you did the challenge and any info along with that challenge. So today is the first day - and today's challenge is "To connect or establish an accountability partner" - so let me know

P.S - What did you think of the tables last night?

2009 VERB Calendar

Lost it!!

I have been in Fl. for 2 weeks and got back late Friday night and I have not updated my 09 calendar on my phone. And this always happens when I come back from vacation because I totally shut off - but I had totally forgot about everything and when I swung by my office on Saturday night I saw all these notes for meetings and stuff I had to do the next day and this week....Let's just say I was a bit overloaded and playing catch up today. But hay, if that's what it means for me to check out and have a real vacation - then so be it!! But I wish there was a better way not get slammed on when I come back from vacation!! Got any ideas?

Feeling like a traitor

We have been on vacation now for 2 weeks down in Fl. We spent the 1st week or so at my parents for Christmas and this last week in Jacksonville, Fl with Brittany's mom - step dad, and step sister. My side of family are huge Gator fans - her side Fl. State fans, her step dad graduated from there and her step sister is a junior at Fl. State right now and so for the past week I have been wearing gator shirts and what not to support my team - but every car at this house has Fl. State on it and so ever place I have driven I had to drive a Fl. State car - so I've been feeling like a traitor a little bit.
But I think Brittany is trading sides, she grew up liking Fl. State - not because she likes the team or thought they were good, she liked them because of a boy in are youth group liked them and now that she is married to a Gator and that's all she hears about (even wears my gator stuff) i think she may be slowly becoming a gator fan - only time will tell.
I'm hoping so, because her side of the family found what they call (cute) i call hideous Fl. State clothes for Tessie and I don't want my daughter wearing that stuff, so if I can win Brittany over to the Blue and Orange and away from Garnet and Gold - then I will have a better chance of never seeing her in those clothes....