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All,
We have had a good last two days in Doaktown. Yesterday afternoon nine of us took advantage of what was then a sunny day and floated down the Miramichi River on truck tire inner tubes and brightly colored floaties borrowed from our VBS Outrigger Island decor. The water level in the river was up a foot or more over the previous days due to all the rain we have been having. We quickly traveled the five miles or so to the Doaktown bridge. We arrived at the bridge just in time to escape yet another heavy rain shower. The highlight of the trip was seeing what looked to be a full grown bald eagle perched in a tree by the river. We did our best not to look like we were small fish that might be his next meal.
Last night we played softball with about 30 youth from the area. The teams were evenly matched and tied at nine at the end of five innings. Two extra innings did not break the tie and the game was called due to, you guessed it, rain. Josh led a Bible study back at the church following the game. Megan shared her faith journey with the teenagers and, citing Psalm 55, emphasized God's provision for her in times of discouragement and sadness. After evening worship part of our group went to get ice cream at the local "canteen" while others of us went swimming with the church youth at the home of one of the church members.
We wrapped up VBS this morning. Our seniors have obviously made an impact on the lives of many of the children here. It was hard to say goodbye. Our time with the kids ended by having a drawing to give away many of the Outrigger Islands decor items. After lunch at the church we spend the afternoon on the town visiting a covered bridge built in 1870, the Atlantic Salmon Museum and Aquarium, the local coffee shop, gift store and dollar store.
The group is now resting at the Storey's house. We'll head back to the church for VBX in a few minutes and then to Fredericton to spend the night. Please say a prayer for Josh who will lead Bible study and for Emily who will give her testimony tonight in VBX.
Our love to all of you. See you this weekend.
Jason Rogers
Hello Again from Doaktown,
We are in the middle of a great week of VBS and VBX. I am sending along a few more photos that show some of these activities. Between 25 and 30 children are attending VBS each day. Danika is leading music, Lauren crafts, and Josh recreation. Abby and Megan are teaching the three, four and five year olds. Hannah and Caroline are teaching the first through third graders. Emily, Susan, and Garrett are working with the fourth through sixth graders. Pastor Frank, Diedra and I are roving back-up but our seniors need little assistance. They are leading well. The kids here have fallen in love with our seniors. It will be difficult to leave.
VBX has provided a great opportunity for fellowship and outreach to teenagers. Our first night drew 32 teens. Last night 36 attended. We begin with supper at 6 followed by music from 6:30 - 7 and Bible Study from 7 - 8. Josh is leading music. On Monday night, I led Bible Study and Danika shared her testimony. Last night we watched a video from a youth evangelism conference with a prophetic message about salvation and discipleship. Caroline told her story. She spoke confidently and with conviction about how God has ministered to her in these 17 months of sobriety. She admonished the teens here to stay away from drugs. It was a timely message as we were informed that many in attendance had been impacted personally by drugs in this community. Tonight we will play softball, Josh will lead Bible study tonight and Megan will share her testimony. Please pray for them today.
On Monday night and again tonight, Pastor Frank leads a Bible study on servant leadership for the adults in the church. He had a good group Monday night. Dave and Lisa Storey are doing a wonderful job modeling servant leadership for their congregation.
Thanks to all of you for your prayers and support. Please continue to remember our work and pray that the seeds we are planting in others' lives and those that are being planted in ours will be fruitful in the days, months and years ahead.
Jason Rogers
Hello All,
We are only able to send emails with attachments from the computer at Dave and Lisa Storey's house. Sorry for the delay in sending posts.
We had a busy weekend with many memorable experiences. On Friday evening we "sailed" down the Miramichi River with the students from the church here. All in all our flotilla of kayaks and canoes included about 30 people. We were a sight to behold. Most of our group paddled our way down the river about five miles. Some of the more inexperienced among us must have logged about twice that distance zig zagging from bank to bank. It was a great time of fellowship and recreation. The locals tell us that the Miramichi River is one of the ten cleanest rivers in the world. Its clear waters run swiftly through spruce and birch covered hillsides. Bald eagle and osprey patrol the air looking for a meal. The occasional moose crosses the river. We are constantly reminded here of the beauty of God's creation.
On the way down Caroline Sloan befriended a young man that the church here recently reached out to. Kenny, like many others here, has a history of drug abuse. Caroline was able to share some of her struggles with him. We returned to the cabins we are staying in and enjoyed a hot dog meal with the Miramichi Church family. Hannah shared her testimony that night to all who were gathered.
On Saturday morning, the men in our group attended the first men's breakfast organized by the church. These folks eat well. We enjoyed toast, ham, pancakes, and scrambled eggs. Pastor Frank spoke to the group about servant leadership. Following his devotional Dave Storey issued an invitation. Kenny, the young man who joined us the night before, made his profession of faith. His is but one of many recent decisions to accept Christ by men and women in this community who have struggled with drug addiction or who have also been drug dealers.
On Saturday afternoon we hosted a VBS Kick Off Party. Twenty-three children came to sing songs, play games, etc. Some of them came as the result of our door-to-door visitation on Thursday afternoon. On Saturday night we hosted the Storey family and the volunteer youth minister at a local restaurant owned by a family who are members of the church. Ask us about the grilled salmon and banana creme pie!
On Sunday morning, Josh taught the youth Sunday School class, Garrett shared his testimony and Pastor Frank taught the adults. Our worship during the service was enhanced by the music of the Storey family. Dave is an accomplished guitarist and arranger. Lisa plays the keyboard. His children play in the band as well. The anthem "Its Never Too Late" was a piece his 12-year-old daughter Laura wrote with an 18-year-old student in the church, Erica. They sounded like a Jennifer Knapp cd. Pastor Frank preached on the woman caught in adultery. His illustration included his bag full of stones from the Miramichi River. At the conclusion of the service another young man who has recently been released from house arrest for selling drugs came forward to make his profession of faith.
After a potluck lunch we loaded up the vans and drove north and east about 2 hours to the beach on the Acadien Coast. This is the area originally settled by the French and eventually taken by the British. The British deported many of the French to South Louisiana. The descendants of these deportees are the Cajuns. We did not linger long on the beach, as the water temp of the North Atlantic this time of year was 63 degrees. However, since it was low tide, several of us enjoyed wading around the tidal pools behind the sand dunes. We saw starfish, crab, scallops and jelly fish. The water was much warmer as it was only a few feet deep at most. Our return featured a detour by the Seafood Grille in Richibout - a French-speaking town that proudly displayed the Acadien flag (French flag with a gold star) on nearly every porch and business.
This morning we hosted our first VBS session. The morning was dreary and rainy. Twenty-four children attended. You would be proud of seniors for taking leadership responsibility in teaching these kids. They are doing a great job. At lunch today we celebrated Caroline's 17 month anniversary of sobriety. Lisa Storey cooked mac and cheese and a chocolate cake in her honor. Tonight, we host the first VBX session for teenagers.
Thanks for your interest and support. Please pray for us and the folks we are working with. Our requests include:
1. Pray for VBS and VBX. Pray that God will use our words and our actions to convey his love and grace and that decisions would be made to follow Him.
2. Pray for our team. Our spirits have been high and we have been enjoying being together but we face inevitable challenges living in close quarters.
3. Pray for the church here and the Storey family has they lead the congregation. They face many challenges but the size and boldness of their faith is humbling. We are learning much from them.
4. Pray for the people that are being reached in this community. Their need is great but God has used many persons to spread His Good News.
Peace of Christ to You All,
Jason Rogers
Hello from DTown! We've made it safe to Doaktown, NB. The Storey family have taken great care of us with wonderful hospitality and food. Yesterday, we made our way around a neighboring town, Boiestown and extended invitations to VBS for children and VBX for youth. We have had great opportunities to plant seeds and have meaningful conversations about Christ. God is doing amazing work here!
This morning we continued our prep work for VBS. The church is covered with Outrigger Island decor including the humongous pinnaple! We set out for a canoe trip with youth from Doaktown this afternoon. Several do not have a relationship with Jesus so please pray that God does amazing things.
Thank you for your prayers and please continue!
Peace, josh crosby
P.S. So far we have seen a moose, bald eagle, and many troubled chipmunks.
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