Native American Missions:
VBS Changes the Lives of Choctaw Indians

For the last 2 years, the lives of the children of the Sledge Baptist and Hollywood Baptist Church, near Sledge, and the Sledge Community have been blessed by the Mt. Zion Baptist Church of Carthage, MS. The team comes to work with our children to bring VBS are Choctaw Indians. Their enthusiasm and love for the Lord is evident from the time they get out of their vans to prepare the church for the first day of VBS to the day they pack up to go home. No service begins without a devotional and a time of prayer. Each worker, adult or teen, has a job to do and they do it to the glory of God. Elter Wilson, their leader, is the VBS Director and he encourages every child to participate, even the children that are usually too shy to perform. He encourages them to do all they do for the glory of God, too. The children participate freely and with such joy and love. Everyone leaves at the end of the week, having grown closer to the Lord and more determined to serve Him.

Elter Wilson is such an enthusiastic leader that before you know it, everyone has "caught" that enthusiasm.

Elter teaches the children sign language to go with each song. Not only are the children learning the sign language, they are truly hearing the words and are taking them into their heart. Lives are changed forever!

On Friday, their last presentation was a beautiful, heartfelt song that was interpreted by sign language only. It was done with such feeling and emotion that adults and children alike were touched in such a way that adults had tears flowing down their cheeks!

It was a wonderful week for our children. Two children were saved but all were definitely touched to see how God is working among us all.

NOTE FROM ASSOCIATIONAL MISSION STRATEGIST:

Before the mission team left, Clair Hartzell had them committed to return in 2010 for VBS at the Hollywood Church and Cathy Johnson had them committed to return to FBC Sledge in 2011. They also had "free" facilities in a beautiful hunting lodge for their place to stay on their next trips.

Submitted by: Helen Johnson, North Delta Baptist Association, Sledge, Mississippi