VBS started out really well. We had 20 children registered on Monday and Tuesday and the momentum was starting to build. The children were really enjoying the Bible lessons, skits, missionary story (we studied Mary Slessor for a full week), crafts and game time! But just when we thought it was taking off we crash landed on Wednesday!
Tuesday night brought one of the biggest storms I have ever saw in my life. It has been classified as a downburst which produced 2 inches of rain and up to 4 inches of hail in parts. The wind also got up to 80 mph and damaged everything in its path. Thankfully the church properties were largely unscathed aside from extreme flooding in both basements. We had no electricity for a day and had to 'shop-vac' water from the church basement until 5 am on Wednesday. When daylight broke it allowed us to see the devastation all around. The street was blocked because of 6 fallen trees. One family lost 3 cars and others had severe structural damage to their homes. But as far as we know, we can praise God that no-one was seriously injured despite how widespread the storm was in this area. As a result no VBS on Wednesday!
But we were back on track on Thursday and praise the Lord that although the break in meetings meant that several children did not come back, He provided new contacts meaning that over the course of the week 30 children were reached for Christ. Many of them are eligible for the youth meeting on Sunday in the church which is exciting for us as we can now follow up and encourage them to become regulars!
Please pray for the church here at Hudson View that they may know the Lords provision in regards to the minor repair work that must be carried out and that new carpet can be purchased and fitted ASAP. Pray for the team as we head to Brooklyn to Memorial Baptist Church for another week of VBS.
Story time at VBS
Entertainment was also provided by the puppets.
Tug'o'War was a real hit during game time!
Some of the damage down the street after the storm
The roads were blocked for 2 days because of the storm
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