Life in the Big Potato

  Northstar Church in Hayden, Idaho, ministered to Ironman triathlon competitors in June, after two North American Mission Board missionaries helped open doors for the outreach. Photo courtesy of Northstar Church  Jana got her picture in the BP!  That's her on the right. So it's a really old story, and they didn't get the name of the town right (why would the Coeur d'Alene Ironman competition be in Hayden?)  Still!  Jana's picture is in it! I don't know why they didn't ask me for a quote.  I actually went on a appreciation cruise with the president of Ironman and a bunch of other dignitaries.  Doesn't that count for something? Seriously though, it was a huge deal and just the beginning of how we want to impact this community.  Plans are already in the works for next year, so please pray that God will use this ministry to draw people to him.

 Check out all my pictures at http://www.flickr.com/photos/justbennett/

these girls are on their way to see us! sheri told me yesterday that she was ready to experience idaho. so here is what's on the agenda. North Idaho College Lunch downtown Coeur d'Alene Camping Friday night Wallace Flea Market Mining Tour Hot Air Balloons NorthStar Church just to name a few...

Dover Baptist Church- one of the four churches in our association. Pray that God would supply a pastor for this church so they will not have to shut their doors. Over fifty years ago this building floated up the river. It is a historical landmark.

This is Leanna who I have told many of you about. I met her during our second week in Idaho, and she accepted Christ as her Savior. She wanted to be baptized in the river because that's where Christ was baptized. Please pray that her desire to be like Christ will continue to grow every day. She has been staying with her grandparents for the summer and will soon go home for the school year. Pray that she will find a church where she can worship God and learn more about him.

Pray about  ...the student Life Group that will start on September 6th.  Jana and I are leading, and we don't really know what's going to happen. ...the pastor of Dover Community Church, another church in our association, is critically ill and is resigning from his position.  The church is already struggling with little hope.  Pray that God will rebirth this church or begin a new one in that area where there is such a need. ...the pastor of Priest River Baptist Church, another church in our association.  That church has had some major personality problems in the past and is also struggling at this time.  Pray for the encouragement of the pastor and his wife as they try to restore a once healthy and growing church. ...Two new believers.  Two adult men have come to Christ at Northstar in the past couple of weeks!  Pray that they will become a vital part of the community. ...life groups.  Our church is abandoning traditional Sunday School in ord...

We went camping Friday night in the mountains. This was my second night to ever sleep in a tent. Our friends told us about this spot in the National Forest with an incredible view of the lake. The place really was amazing, and we never saw a soul. Luckily in the middle of nowhere we had cell phone reception! We made smores! and looked for mountain goats- no luck.

God blessed the day I found you I want to stay around you And so I beg you Let it be me We are the men in black...

Yesterday, some Mormon friends of mine invited me to come tour their church building.  I spent about an hour and a half touring the building and having a detailed discussion with the two elders (missionary guys, you know, the ones on bikes) and a church member.  I learned a lot of things that I didn't already know.  They invited me to come visit again next week.  When we ended our time together they allowed me to pray.  I prayed that the Holy Spirit would clearly reveal the truth to all of us, in Jesus name. I pray that God will bear fruit in these relationships.

Jana wanted me to write funny captions. So here goes... A team of extreme child-parachuters landed during our VBS. They just floated down... And landed safely. One of them had a blue tongue. And then they turned into the very rare giant, rainbow Hershey's Kiss. The children were all tagged and placed in a cold environment where I talked to them about missions. Hey, at least two of them said they want to be missionaries when they grow up. That rocks!