Our daily routine is to meet at TBCH campus chapel in the morning for some fun, songs and thoughtful devotionals led by Mark Gilliam.  What a great way to begin each day.  At 9:30 we break into age level groups with over 30 youth and a dozen or more in each of the 2 elementary groups.  This has been a great time to dig a little deeper into the characteristics and names of God as demonstrated through the life of Moses.  We see creative and loving teachers leading our kids and the residents at TBCH.  Our construction team braved the heat and problem solved to hoist the trusses and begin roofing the pavilion.  The S.O.S team are our Servants on Site.  This team tackles whatever job they are given.  Today they cleaned a closet, hung mini blinds, trimmed trees and moved brush, worked on computers, organized a kitchen, and more.  After a great lunch prepared by our kitchen crew, all the kids either attended a fun class of their choice or worked beside their parent in a servant project.  A brief afternoon thunderstorm moved our 2:00 pm recreation plans indoors.  No problem, our team rallied and came up with a new plan. Dodge ball, basketball, and free time arts & crafts kept adults and the kids happy for the next two hours.  We closed our day with a time together in the chapel.  We sat in teams as Bill Starr led us in sharing ways we saw God working, what touched us, what new things we learned, and how this experience is changing us.  Our team is made up of folks aged six to sixty-six so it is really wonderful to hear the insights that are shared.

When we arrived, Team Leader Cindy Starr welcomed each family with a gift bag that included family devotions, moon pies (originated in Chattanooga) and black wrist bands that say “Watch for God”.  We are being very intentional to teach our children and remind ourselves to do this.  Today, some of the ways we saw God at work follows…
*Bob Smith is in charge of painting the concrete wall and small building that surrounds the pool.  At the store this morning, a paint supplier overheard Bob talking about our work at the children’s home and gave us some paint at no charge.   God is at work.
*Premade trusses for the pavilion were a bit off but our skilled team took a problem and made it work.  Hot weather was a challenge to our men but a brief afternoon rain cooled them.  Thank you God for rain and skills that you have given us.  God is at work.
*Preconceived notions and fears of how to relate to kids who come from troubled backgrounds were quickly resolved as we shared together in the story of rescue for Moses and the people of God.  We have much more in common than not.  We learned to work and play together as one.  God is at work.
*Young children expressed their thankfulness for the new friends they have made…for the new things they have learned today.  God is at work in their hearts.
*When we visited the site earlier in the year, the tennis court was in rough but usable shape.  We scheduled afternoon tennis lessons for the residents.  When we arrived, the courts were refinished and newly striped but the old net was in disrepair and thrown away.  Without a net, we were not able to proceed.  Teacher Danny Darnell immediately began calling and networking with local and national friends who might be able to help us.  God provided a local company who gave us the net with a promise to send a check later for payment.  They did not know us, but they could see God at work and joined in.

Side by side, parents and children are working together to complete tasks big and small.  There is plenty to do for all ages and skills.  Children see other families working together nearby.  Single adults and older couples with grown children serve right beside the very young.  Praying…singing…teaching…playing…learning…serving.  God is at work in and through each team member this week at the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Praise be to God!