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There were over 100 people lined up and waiting in the rain when we opened the doors last Saturday morning, and within the first hour we had given away more than 300 bags of clothing. (The photo above is after we opened the doors – the photo below is literally one hour later.)

We saw specific needs met over and over.  Thanks to the generosity of our people, along with serving our body, and the local community, we were able to send clothing to missionaries in Japan and Ethiopia, and to a Christian rehab center here in Virginia. There were about 30 bags of clothing left at the end of the event, which went to SACS, the thrift store we partner with.

Thank you to all who donated items, picked up furniture, sorted and priced, and worked the day of our recent Community Yard Sale.  We raised over $6500 to put into our Community Ministries – but even more importantly, we saw God meet specific needs in the body.

In spite of the rain, we had a great turnout and people were blessed to be able to purchase clothing and household items for their families at very affordable prices.  I was able to help one woman choose Christmas presents for her extended family – things that were beautiful and special but that she would not have been able to afford to buy from stores.  We watched as a young family purchased furniture that they desperately needed, plus a few toys for their young children.  One woman bought armfuls of clothing to send back to her homeland, where even after she pays the shipping costs the clothes were still less expensive than if her family members bought them in their country.

It was a lot of work, but the Lord used it for His glory and to further His kingdom. Thank you to all who played a part in making this event happen.

What do you get when you take 80 bakers, 50 coffee servers, 25 ushers, countless food preparers, children’s ministry volunteers, prayer warriors, 2 backstage crew, 38 actors, 7 band members, sound, lights and media volunteers, a director and 3 people willing to be transparent and share about the struggles in their lives and the victory they have found in trusting Christ with their circumstances?  Conversations, that’s what you get!  Conversations is an annual production including music, drama, humor and real life stories that takes place each evening the week before Easter. It is week where our church comes together to share with our families, friends, co-workers and neighbors the hope that we have in Jesus.  This is real hope – hope not based on circumstances or happily-ever-afters, but on the truth of the word of God and His son, Jesus Christ.

Working behind the scenes, we have the privilege of seeing God at work during the entire process of putting Conversations together.  The ministry that takes place among the cast and crew is amazing.  People of all ages come together to do ministry, connections are made, prayers are answered, and we are each changed through our experience.

Hundreds of hours go into putting on a production like this – writing, rehearsing, building sets, designing graphics and coordinating all the many, many details.  But even the most impressive production is worthless if the congregation doesn’t get behind it and do the most important part – invite and bring their unchurched friends and family.  We named this event Conversations for two reasons.  The music and scenes are based on conversations that go on around us all the time, and our hope is that you would continue to have conversations with the people you brought to see it.

If you have had a memorable conversation with one of your guests since bringing them to Conversations, we would love to praise with you and pray for you.  To share a conversation or story that happened as a result of Conversations, please email us at stories@restonbible.org.

Thanks to RBCer Mike Kelly for the great photos. You can see his Conversations 2012 photo gallery here.

Also, since so many of you asked so nicely, below is The Elevator Scene:

Thanks to all who participated in the Guilford Elementary’s 3rd Annual Thanksgiving Dinner last Monday, November. Whether you came and served, donated pies, or cooked turkeys, all of your efforts resulted in a fun family gathering as the Guilford families enjoyed a good ol’ American Thanksgiving dinner.

This was a real community gathering, with several organizations helping out. Teachers from the school, RBCers, and Little League volunteers all worked side by side to bless these families. For many of the families, this was their first taste of stuffing, which we learned has no Spanish word equivalent since it is not a food they eat in their countries. Maybe it’s a universal thing, but it appears that most kids don’t like stuffing. Also universal is the look of dislike and the shake of the head “no” – but all were polite and said “no thank you” if they didn’t care for any (although their faces were priceless!)

Hundreds of people came out for the dinner. The rain and long walk from where they parked on the ball field didn’t seem to dampen anyone’s spirits. Even though the line of people waiting for their turn for food wrapped around the building hallways, everyone was patient and excited for the feast to come. It reminded me of what the disciples must have felt like with the loaves and the fishes, for as many people as kept coming, there seemed to be more food as the evening progressed. And after all had been fed, the volunteers, at last, took a few minutes to sit down, rest and have some dinner as well.

Due to the abundance, the residents at the Embry Rucker Homeless Shelter in Reston also enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast.

Many thanks for all who helped to bless our neighbors.

– – –

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.  For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?  When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?  When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”

– Matthew 35:34-40

When I came to work on Monday, in my mailbox I found a stack of thank-you notes from the children at Guilford. These notes were in response from our recent book drive, which provided over 2000 books to these kids, most of whom had no books of their own before the drive.  When you give from your abundance, it is so humbling to be thanked.  Some of the kids wrote that they wished they could come to our church (I wish that too!). One even wrote that we must have a good God and a great faith.  This came from a first-grader, just because we gave him a couple of books.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

When you come to services this weekend, we will have on display some of the thank-you notes that we have received from the students of Guilford.  It seems appropriate on Thanksgiving weekend to share these sentiments with the congregation.  Thank you for enriching these children’s lives by putting books in their hands.  In the words of one student “Thank you.  Really, I’m not kidding.”

If you weren’t able to bring in your books this fall, we will be having another book drive in the Spring. Hold on to those books, and keep your eye out for an announcement in March 2012.

Snow.  On October 29^th.  During our Trunk-or-Treat Halloween outreach event.  Is that even possible?  Well, it’s not only possible – it happened!   Many thanks to all who with very little notice jumped in and transformed their creative car trunk decorating ideas into inside, car-less decorating ideas.

We had 46 spots filled with decorations, games, and wonderful people in costumes giving out candy to the hundreds and hundreds of children who came out to trick or treat with us.   I have to admit, I had my doubts about how many people would venture out on a cold and slushy night with their kids in costumes – but as usual, the Lord showed me what a waste of time worrying is.  With a warm and bright place to trick or treat we had an overwhelming turn out, with kids and parents dress in costumes and ready to spend a safe, fun filled evening with their family.  After playing games and trick or treating, the children were treated to a puppet show and snacks, or could stop by and do a Halloween craft.  For me the best part was there wasn’t a single crying child getting scared of what might pop out in the dark.  Many of our neighbors and friends from Guilford came to see what we are about.

Our “parking spots” were amazingly creative with the Wizard of Oz, Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter Tea Party, pirates, campers, and Christmas, just to name a few.  Our grand prize winner for creativity was our new Pastor of Young Adults, Wayne Johnson and his Shepherd Group who did the movie UP, complete with the house, balloons, Carl (now we know what Wayne will look like when he’s 80!), Russell, and the rare bird, Kevin.

A huge thanks to everyone that helped – set-up, clean-up, snacks, crafts, and of course the “parking spots”.  It takes a lot of help to put on an event like this, and we couldn’t do it without our wonderful volunteers.

In the end – despite the snow and last-minute adjustments due to less-than-ideal weather – we were able to serve RBC families and bless many neighbors from our surrounding community (several of whom showed up for worship services the next morning!) We continue to pray for hearts to open to the Gospel as we show the love of Christ in fun and practical ways through events such as this.

 Have you ever videotaped your children when they first see what is under the Christmas tree on Christmas morning?  That was what the children’s faces looked like last Tuesday at Guilford Elementary School. We surprised the students when they came in for “Picture Day” with 2,000 books piled on tables.  The students were told that they could choose 3 books each to have for their very own.  For many of these kids, these will be the first books that they have owned.  They went back to their classrooms hugging their books and excited to be allowed to write their names inside – proof that they could keep them “forever and for always”.  Many thanks to all who donated books to our first Book Drive for Guilford Elementary School, and a huge thank you to the volunteers who helped set up, assist the children, and clean up after the event.

– – –

‘Twas the night before Book Day

When in the Guilford gymnasium

Tables were set up

for the big surprise yet to come.

The boxes were unloaded by volunteers with care

In hopes that kids’ smiles soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds

With no idea of the special day that was ahead.

For our people are caring, and they give when we ask

So we stacked up those books – a formidable task!

We sorted those novels, the fiction and non

Picture books, tall tales and stories from beyond,

Goosebumps and Pokemon and Jillian Jigs

Sports books, and math books and tales about pigs.

The teachers were skeptical

as they waited their turn.

Would there be enough books

so their students could learn?

When what to their wondering eyes should appear

Books and more books, (there was no reason to fear!)

There were more than enough for each child to have three.

The hard part, of course – Which three would it be?

More rapid than eagles,

The children they came

And they whistled and shouted

And called books by name.

“Star Wars, and Hardy Boys,

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Junie B. Jones, and a book about squids!”

“Do you have Curious George?

Oh we just love them all –

Choose a book, choose a book,

It’s like a book mall!”

We had to explain to each little peep

That these books were for them

To take home and to keep.

Forever their own to love and to read,

Our people were so generous to help fill this need.

Each child stopped to thank us with words, waves and hugs.

Each child made an impact – my heartstrings felt tugs.

So I thank each of you for your giving and love.

Such a great witness of our Father above.