Farm Day

Today we went to the wild animal farm. I was in charge of watching a group of girls, Sarah, Abouk, Elizabeth, Lina, and Naboy. They all loved to get piggy back rides, so I'm pretty sore tonight. I called my mother, "mom", so all the girls started calling her mom all day. it was pretty funny. Out of all the animals, they liked the moose the best. The father moose was standing far away, so the girls tried to get it to come over by mooing. It didn't work.

After the farm, we went out to eat pizza and then to the Portland Sea Dogs. I'm really tired, so we're going to sleep. I look forward to face painting tomorrow in VBS since the kids really enjoyed it on Tuesday. I think we'll take the parachute to the park and play with the kids too!

Kate

Stephen & The Wild Life Park & Seadogs!

Today was fun because we went to a baseball game. We went to see the Seadogs play downtown Portland. I had cookiedough ice-cream and the Seadogs won 7-4! We also went to the Wild Life Park. It was a good day.

Stephen Q.

A Wildlife With The Kids!

Hi everybody!!!!! It's Sara reporting from the Root Celler!!

Today, we went to a wildlife preserve with the other kids. It was pretty fun to just hang out with the Root Celler kids in a different place. We got to see all kinds of animals. We saw an eagle, moose, deer, turtles, bobcats, foxes, and so much more. It was amazing to see the amazed faces of the children when they saw all the animals. But it was also pretty hectic trying to keep track of all the kids since they tended to run off a lot. Shortly after we got back from the zoo, we went to a Sea Dogs game. The Portland Sea Dogs VS the Harrisburg Senators. It was my first game and I must say, it was pretty intense! In the second inning, I was starting to get pretty hyper. By the seventh inning, I was in a full-blown insanity. I cooled down after the game was over though. This day was probably the most fun day in my life! :)

~Sara 0___0

Maine Wildlife Park

A glorious day was enjoyed by all!

Christine, from the Root Cellar challenged us to list all the animals we saw.
Here are just a few:
Moose, Bald Eagle, Turkey Vulture, Bobcat, Red Fox, Coyote, Owls, Black Bear.

Lunch and more Fun!

En Route to Wildlife Park

Michael & A Moose

Our first two days at the Root Cellar

These last two days at the root cellar have been amazing but somewhat chaotic at the same time. When we got here yesturday, I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. Right away we got to work setting up all the props and preparing all the games and crafts for our first day of VBS. When we were ready to begin we went down the hill and gathered up some kids to come. My first impression of the kids here was that they are very friendly and adorable.

All were immediatly asking for piggy back rides and I could see that they were grateful for the attention we gave them.

The first day of VBS was interesting. I could tell that the kids were not used to sitting so long for a story and it got a little chaotic, but alltogether it was a fun time. Later that afternoon we visited the park and I enjoyed getting to know the kids, playing with the water balloons and handing out drinks and food.

Today VBS ran much more smoothly and I got to paint a lot of kids' faces ( almost all of them wanted celtics themed face paint, even the little girls) Afterwards we helped out with the kids' service project which was cleaning up an elderly man's backyard. It touched me to see how the kids were so eager to help and how the root cellar is encouraging them to help other people in need.

~Emma

God at work...

Whew!! An exhausting, yet exciting couple of days at the Root Cellar. We jumped right in on Monday morning with little prep time, but made the best of it. Though the story time ran a little long, "Farmer Dave" (our own David) added an interesting twist by exhibiting the opposite of the fruit of the spirit we were trying to convey. When we spoke of joy, he was grumpy. When we spoke of patience, he struggled with impatience. We learned a bit on Monday and today I told the first part of the prodigal son story then took a break to play a game, Fruit of the Spirit. The kids had a blast racing to get the "watermelon back to their team before being tagged. Then they broke up into three stations and rotated getting their faces painted, painting flower pots, and making fruit loop necklaces. They enjoyed all of it. The big hit was being painted in Celtics green. Emma and Kate painted basketballs, favorite Celtic players, and numbers on all, even the littlest girls.

One of the highlights was to see my kids alongside the neighborhood kids cleaning Bill's back yard. They cleared brush, weeds, and trash which had gathered over many years. Bill, a Christian, was so thankful and it was gratifying to see the children serve a neighbor so willingly.

I enjoyed spending time at the park with all the kids yesterday playing water balloon games and serving them dinner. It was chaotic and overwhelming at times, but it was wonderful to see even the girls in long dresses and burkhas running the relays and enjoying themselves, just being kids.

It has been a powerful experience, one I'm still digesting. I trust God is using me and my family to serve this community.

A Servants Heart

This morning, during devotions, we talked about the time that Jesus showed His servants heart by washing the feet of the disciples. We pledged to God and to each other that we would use His example and finish our mission with a servants heart in mind. To that end, the team worked real hard in the back yard of one of the Root Cellars neighbors. He's a 70 year old retired teacher who has lived in his home for 60 years. His home and backyard have fallen into disrepear. They worked hard clearing away overgrown shrubs, trees, bamboo trees, wild berry trees (lots of them), picking up broken glass busted fences and other various pieces of trash. It was hard, hot and dirty work. But, they loved it! The Quinlan boys were excited because they got to play with "big boy toys", you know, gas- powered weed wackers, electric hedge trimmers and other various noise makers! All in all it was a very good day.
David

Day 2 - Tuesday, June 29, 2010

We had a full day today. We learned a lot from our first day of VBS and made some changes that allowed things to go much more smoothly. The games and crafts were a huge hit. Emma and Kate helped with face painting. Some of the boys had the names of the entire Celtics team painted on their arms. Others painted pots and made fruit loop necklaces. The kids LOVED painting, and will plant beans in their pots on Thursday.

Allyx, Geoff, Robbie and Joe especially enjoyed the service project today. The Root Cellar is involved in a summer long project cleaning an older gentleman's yard that was entirely overgrown. Our older kids worked one on one with the Root Cellar kids, showing them how to use pruning shears and hedge trimmers. The kids found a shopping cart, a golf club, and parts of a bicycle along with some other "treasures".

It's neat watching how well our kids interact and connect with the Root Cellar kids.

Kathy

A Fun Day

I thought it was fun because I met a lot of new kids and they taught me a lot of new games. We did

arts & crafts during VBS and the kids were a little bit rowdy but that made it even more fun. I

played a sheep in the story of the lost sheep. My Mom made water balloons and we brought them

to the park and had a water balloon toss. It was a lot of fun.
Joe

My First Day

There were so many things that I don't know how to put into words but I'll try. Today when we

came to the Root Cellar we set up for VBS and then we went down into the neighborhood and got

all the kids and brought them back. We told them Bible Stories about the lost coin and the lost

sheep. I think it was fun to have this great experience for the first time ever! At the cookout,

later, we played lots of games, like soccer and basketball. I really related to the other kids in

the neighborhood because they like sports like I do.
Robbie

First day at the Root Cellar

We left the Church early this morning and arrived at the Root Cellar after an hour and a half drive.
The area that it is in is the poorest area in Portland. However, a lot of work has been done to it and it is becoming nicer with the help of the Root Cellar. We set up the set for our "County Fair" theme and went to get the children. They were so excited to be at the Root Cellar. One of the highlights for them is having older kids to give them piggy back rides. All of them have so much enthusiasm and energy. After VBS, we had some downtime and then went to the park to do an outdoor dinner. It was nice to see the kids in their own environment and running around. They are so excited to have balls to play soccer and basketball with and water balloons, which were a hit. Now we are all resting and preparing for the next big day.

Geoff

We arrived on time this morning at the Church and had all the cars packed and ready to go. Dan was very kind to meet us there and took some pictures of our departure.

We actually managed to load everyone and everything into two vans and one very small car. We departed (according) to Dan at 8:00 and 5 seconds! We arrived at the Root Cellar around 9:35.

Today, Sunday, June 27th we were commissioned at all three services! The Senders officially sent the Goers. Tomorrow morning we will meet at the church @ 7:15, pack up the vehicles and head for Maine. Pray that we are granted traveling mercies.

David

Our Team

Well, Today is Saturday, the Maine Team is ready and we are leaving OSLC at 8:00 Monday

morning. Our weekend got off to a rocky start when one of our team members sent a somewhat

panicky email. Lynne told me the transmission was going in her van along with several other

things. So I called her and the first thing I said was, "Don't panic. If you do then I will too!" So we

both took a deep breath and she calmed down. Yes! Her van is in the shop. No! We are not taking

it. So the question arose, "What are we going to do?" She answered her own question. "I don't

think the Lord would have brought me and my five children this far if He did not want us to go."

"That's right," I replied. "We have to remember to have faith, pray about it and lean on His

understanding." Well, we started the prayer chain and within 15 minutes we had a van. Kathy,

another vital member of our team, called me back and told me her mom no longer drove and had

a mini van sitting in her garage we could use! First problem solved. Second problem? I have

been fighting flu symptoms for two weeks and when we were dealing with the van issue I knew I

was getting worse. So saturday morning when I woke up and felt even worse. I picked up the

phone and informed Kathy that I was headed to the hospital (please don't panic, I told her) and

If they decided to keep me then she was the new team leader. Silence...Kathy are you there?

Silence followed by nervous giggling. I'm not kidding. She giggled! I said you can't panic Kathy

because I know you can do it. Besides, I pointed out, I think they are going to medicate me and


send me on my way. I actually used the same words Lynne used on me; "I dont think the Lord

brought me this far if He didn't want me to go. I'll call you when I get home." It turned out that

had I waited any longer then they would have kept me! But, they hooked me up to a few IV

drips, loaded with antibiotics, and 2 1/2 hours later I was home and feeling much better. Fever

gone. Aches gone. Headache gone. I have some meds to take but I can handle it. Sometimes, it

was pointed out to me, He lets these things happen so we can see his awesome power at work!

With that said and done, I'd like to introduce you to the members of our team. Starting in the

back row from left to right is Geoff Kishbaugh, son to Levi and Kathy Kishbaugh. Emma

Quinlan, daughter to Lynne Quinlan, and then, Mark Campoli and his lovely wife Denise

Campoli. Front row left to right, Sara Aguiar, Kate Quinlan, sister to Emma, their brother

Robbie Quinlan, Davd Green, Joseph Quinlan, brother to Emma, Kate and Robbie and

Steven Quinlan, little brother to them all. The person you do not see in the picture is Allyx

Schmidt, Kathy and Levi's neice neice and Geoff's cousin. Unfortunately she did not arrive in

time for the picture but, you will be able to view her photos starting Monday. In the meantime

you can view the rest of us below. Each and everyone of these people have heard and answered

the call from God. They are ready and willing, along with myself, to show the power of the Lord

within their own lives through their willingness to serve, and be a witness to others. This shows a

willingness to love and to give of themselves freely. Jesus said, "Freely you have received, freely

give." Matthew 10:8. This we have all pledged to do as a Team. We thank all of our senders and

we ask for your prayers while we are doing the Lords work in Portland, Maine.
David

Prayer Points

Prayer Points

-- Pray that many refugee children will learn of Jesus' love for them through our vacation bible school.

-- Pray for many opportunities to serve refugee families without he love of Christ.

-- Pray for God's Blessing upon the staff and ministry of The Root Cellar.

-- Pray for safety—in travel, during our time there—that we would rest in Christ

-- Pray for wisdom and insight as we prepare resources and teaching, etc…

-- Pray that God would use us to share His Gospel with many un-reached people in the area.

The Maine Team