Reflections´s ALAMO 4...  Treasure Hunt and NOW YOU ARE THE LIGHT! click on the picture to see it full size!

This has been trip number four to Primera Bautista de Alamo near McAllen, Texas... and once again it has been a terrific one.  The pictures on this page will tell the story better than words... so check them out.  This is the praise group leading the singing.

The VBS at Alamo used Group´s material called Treasure Hunt which proved to be the best we´ve used yet.  Thanks to the creativity and resourcefulness of Pastor Alvaro, we had all the scenery already set up, complete with a waterfall in the sanctuary!  There were around 120 children from Alamo that joined us.

Children were divided into 15 `Clue Crew´ groups with around 6 or 7 in each group.  One of the big stops each CC made was to the Craft Cave where they made all kinds of fun stuff.

The preschoolers had their own CC together... which was a busy place.  But with the quality of leaders that took the preschool, they had no problem keeping the children busy and happy!

Besides the crafts, CC´s also went to Bible Exploration which involved telling the story for the day using drama... Then Courtney does an incredible job with Chadder´s Theater... Jacy studies up for the Finale to end the day... Caroline has a time to talk to one of her crew members... Shae goes outside to help spread the food Jungle Gym Games were handled by Amy and Rebecca, who find a moment to breathe and consult before the next onslaught of crews... And last but certainly not least is the capable leader of the whole thing, Kelly, the President of Reflections.  She has done one of the most incredible jobs as this year´s leader - thanks Kelly, well done!!

Sorry, didn´t mean to leave out the snacks... one of the most important times of the day!  Fortunately we hadd some very capable and committed parents who just made sure everything went well and happened at the right time.  Marinella ponders over her creations...  Jessica leads her CC by the drink table... and the Preschoolers line up for their snacks... then we had some very beautiful ladies of Primera that would cook all morning at home over hot stoves , then bring it up to the church for us to eat lunch after a very busy morning.  The best we´ve ever had - hot meals everyday for lunch!!!

We went with our PIBA friends to a new waterpark one afternoon to cool off and splash around, then we took our annual trek to South Padre Island to play in the sand.  Look carefully on the red flume, and you´ll see Lindsay screaming!  A candid look out our capable sponsor corps - Rex, Jason, Shae and Beth, along with Kelly and Courtney.  Mary Lisa, Karissa, Savannah and Courtney with big smiles... and Jessida takes a picture!

Oh Mark... I thought that beached sea mammals only happened on the west coast?

Words cannot express our gratitude and love for our great PIBA friends who once again serenaded us to peppy hispanic folk songs.  With the God given leadership of Pastor Alvaro, this is the kind of youth group from which comes young people totally sold out to Jesus and going into the world as capable disciples and leaders for God´s kingdom.  We were so fortunate to be linked up to PIBA four years ago, and I hope continue to support the work there that God has touched in a beautiful way.  Pray for Alvaro and PIBA because they will soon be having to make some big decisions on moving the church location to a bigger place.

The following group of pictures were presented during the video that was shown just before the home concert in June.  If you have any questions about why Reflections should take the time and money and effort to travel down to the valley and work at Alamo, these pictues should answer you completely.  These children, some of whom don´t have much of any family life, are looking and touching God´s love on earth - the young men and women of Reflections.  Follow the trail, look at the eyes and the smiles on their faces... there should be nothing else to say.