VBS

Hi there! This is Caleb, the guy that is not Dan. So we are in Nazareth at this moment and have been since Monday. We have been given plenty to do over these last five days, working with our host Fady Hana. The Nazareth Hospital let Fady have a Vacation Bible School in their chapel and we helped throughout the week with the kids. Let me tell you, they are a great bunch of kids. Even though we spoke one or two words of Arabic (ex. Shoo Kron= Thank you, Zachi Potata= Tasty Potato) we managed to have the time of our lives. From crafts time, drama, basketball, football, and of course singing we were able to praise God no matter what language we spoke. Of course it was helpful to have translators :) . One day we got to go on a "field trip" to a place called the Nazareth Village, a place that was created to imitate what life was like in Jesus' day. It was like an interactive museum with actors herding animals and demonstrating different things, we got to make sweet bracelets. The leaders were especially helpful. Mainly Fady and a Pascal, a woman our age that quickly became our friend and fit into our group.
Thursday was our first concert in Hifa where we joined up with the Encore Continentals. Pascals mother arranged the concert in an amazing auditorium where three or four churhes came together to watch our joined performance. It was such a fun night and the Encore group was great (it was our first time seeing their whole production).
Then Friday came. This was probably the best day so far for us and for the kids. We started off with the regular Bible hour and then it was off to the....water games! We had four stations of games to get the kids as wet as possible. I don't know why any of us thought we were going to remain somewhat dry because by the end of the games we had all been drenched. Mainly due to all of the children charging us with buckets of water and stealing the leftover balloons. Later that evening we had a show where we performed, but it was mainly for the paretnts of the kids to come see what they have been doing this whole week. There is one song that is safe to say is EVERYONE'S favorite. I dont have the words with me but we can post them later. Anyway, this song had hand motions that we brought to the next level.
Well today we are having a half day off to see Nazareth before we go to our concert tonight. Thank you all for praying, God has been doing amazing things and we are having an awesome time! God Bless

Caleb

Tonight we had our first concert at Moore Park. We were told yesterday that Encore would not be able to perform and we jumped on the opportunity. We arrived at three, set up the equipment and prepared for the show. Nerves were bubbling, hearts were racing, and God was beginning to take over as we entered the stage. The performance was greatly received and many people approached us afterwards explaining their long lost connection to The Continentals. We met people who saw tours back in the early stages of this ministry. It was a uplifting night. The church was very supportive.

Afterwards we had a barbecue at Patty's house. We had a feast. Rice, ribs, steak, stuffing, potatoes, sweet potatoes, salad, some spicy dish, and lots lots more. It was amazing. We have been blessed with people who have taken the time to drive, feed and house us this entire week.

We are very excited to leave tomorrow for Israel! We know God is in control and we are looking forward to many opportunities where we can share Christ with the people of Israel. Please pray for God to open the hearts of the children we will be ministering to at the vacation bible school we are going to be working at. Also pray for people to be drawn to our concerts throughout the week so that the word may be spread to as many ears as possible. God has shown himself to us in various ways this week . . . mostly in ways and times were we least expected it. This week has been crazy, misleading, and confusing. But soon enough we will see God's plan for this. We are in high spirits and waiting on God to lead us into his Holy land. We are just so excited to be a part of this ministry.

In Christ,

Dana Smith