Hello,

I just wanted to share what an AMAZING experience this week has been with our FBC Youth.  If you haven’t already figured it out from all the other “What’s up With” testimonies, we truly love these kids.  There were some of the kids I didn’t know very well, and I feel so blessed that I have had an opportunity to share this trip with them and get to know them better.  Our devotion times this week have been awesome.  Also, we have had sooooo many compliments from other people we have met, from leaders at the Boys and Girls Club, our fellow hotel patrons and random Branson tourists, about what well behaved kids we have.

I am a mission trip “newbie”.  If you don’t already know, this is my son, Garrett’s first year in the youth group.  He has looked forward to this for so many years.  His cousins, our beloved Sam, Dougie and Jacob, have shared their many mission trip experiences for the past 8+ years.  Last year, he begged Brother Bret during 6^th Grade to “PLEASE” let him participate on Wednesday evenings.  Bret told him to just hang in there one more year and he would get his chance.  And here we are!

When we were told that the entire group (7^th thru 12^th grades) was combining for a single mission trip to Branson, I had some anxiety.  I prayed that our 7^th graders could keep up with their experienced upper classmates, and that our older group would be patient with the “newbies” inexperience.  Our younger kids have totally stepped up on this trip, and our older kids are such fantastic mentors of what being a Christian is all about.

Finally, if you don’t know how amazing Brother Brandon is, you need to get to know him and find out.  God answered all of our prayers by bringing Brandon, Joanna and the girls to First Baptist.  I think I can speak for all of our youth leaders, that we truly LOVE Brandon and his family.  He has earned my trust, respect and admiration for his Christ-like example to our kids.  Please don’t ever think that he is not committed to these kids.  Their well-being is the top priority for him at all times.  He not only teaches and encourages these kids, he loves them all!  I have learned so much from him in just the short time he has been here.  Our kids are truly blessed.  We all are!

                                                                                    God Bless,

                                                                                    Jackie

  Page last updated 07/15/2007

08/01/2008Send mail to mlrushing@myav.net or  rich@firstbaptistog.org with questions or comments about this web site.