Odessa Mission
Vacation Bible School 2005 comes to Odessa
The following was reported by John's dad Emmett Murphy after the second day of
VBS at KRCC:
What a terrific day! We had 33 or 34 children today at VBS which taxed the
facilities. Five different mothers, new to the church, stayed the entire
time and appeared to be quite impressed. John Wilson and I were the designated
activity leaders in the park across the street from KRCC. I haven't played so
much "Simon Says" since I was a child. The kids loved it. I think the total
attendance was about 48. The children are so responsive. They have never been
a part of a VBS program before. They are polite, and they listened attentively
to the Bible story. Thirty of the children memorized the memory verse today
and spoke it in front of the group.
Tonight Angie held a hand therapy session and over 15 adults showed up for it
including several that have never been to the church. After her session, Dolores
and Jean conducted a make-up session for the ladies and the ladies just couldn't
wait for their turn to be "made-up". I didn't see one woman come in with any makeup
on, but they all left with a huge smile and also a gift bag of cosmetics that
Olivet members had donated. We didn't get home until 10 PM.
I really think that the trip, though short, will be a great help to the
ministry here in Odessa. John is really thrilled that so many new people
are coming. Tomorrow is the last day of VBS and then in the afternoon we go to
the children's cancer ward. We will sing, give a short Bible story, give each
child a gift, and visit with them for a while. Tomorrow evening I will conduct
a church growth seminar. Pray that the Lord will continue to use us in the
short time that we have. Saturday, Dolores will conduct a seminar on dealing
with depression. We have given out many flyers promoting it and we are
praying that God will use that also to His glory.
I am so proud of our seven person team. Most of us are not young, the day
is long, the sights are so different; people digging in garbage bins and
eating the scraps, collecting plastic bottles, sleeping on the sidewalk, small
children coming up to you begging, and many other sights that will be
unforgettable to us. The Lord needs many, many more workers here. The Orthodox
Church is everywhere with their elaborate buildings, mostly empty on Sundays,
but taking money from people. One elderly lady at the hand therapy session
has pain from where her arm was broken. She says that she has been going to
the priest for some time, paying him money in order for him to pray for her.
Emmett Murphy
First Day of Vacation Bible School - Since there is a playground directly
across the street from KRCC, the kids attending VBS at KRCC were able to
play over there. This picture was taken on the first day of VBS
which was July 4th.
Emmett Murphy Playing Simple Simon - This is Emmett leading a very spirited
version of Simple Simon for the kids during the July 2005 VBS program.
"Club PlayStation" - here are some of our kids playing PlayStation 2 on
the big screen.
"Cancer ward" - the Olivet team visited the cancer ward and touched many
lives by praying for both the kids and parents. There were many
tears and many hugs that will forever change all of our lives.
"Nastya, Ruzanna, and Mom" - here's Nastya, Ruzanna, and Dolores Murphy.
Ruzanna is a gypsy girl who attended the VBS and told Dolores that
she loved her before it was all over. Praise God for all the
relationships that were established during those three days.
"Whole gang" - here are most of the kids from today's VBS.
Hanging the VBS banner - Emmett, Angie, and Vance struggle to hang up the VBS
banner. I'm glad it wasn't printed in Russian because it could
have been difficult to figure out which way was up.
Preparing for VBS - Although the picture turned out rather dark, the planning
put in by (L to R) Marj, Jean, Angie, and Vance allowed VBS to cast a
bright light on the Lord and point out how the students need to "let
their light shine".
IRA and kids praising the Lord at VBS - Ira leads the kids in praise to
the Lord in song. Is that the hula dance she is trying to teach
them?
"Craft time" - this was during crafts this morning.
"3 musketeers" - here's Pavel, Volva, and Vitya (left to right)