Even a child is known by her/his doings . . .

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.

Part of the text for our Sunday sermon was the verse above from 1 Peter 2:12. We left church excited about CareFest 2009. It is a one-day missions trip to DuPage County. The goal is to build bridges of light into our community.

On this first beautiful Saturday in several weeks, families had lots of yard work to do at their own homes. However it was CareFest so participants gathered instead for a Kick Off rally at Wheaton Bible Church and to pick up shirts and assignments. Work began at 9:00 a.m.

What a joy to work together with some of our family at the same site! We helped take down a rotting tree house and tool shed.

We planted or helped plant five rather large trees.

After we left others planted two more trees, worked on some landscaping, put up a new toolshed and did some repairs on the home. Tomorrow morning, it will be fun to hear what others accomplished at many other sites across the county. This year six churches participated.

Here are a few more challenging verses . . .

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NIV)

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:16

At about lunch time, Don teasingly said, “It’s about time that we prisoners ought to get a lunch break.”

Jessica momentarily looked shocked and then said, “We are not prisoners! We signed up for this! Don’t you know, this is Carefest? We sign up to help people do things all over everywhere.”

She's got that right!

And may God get the glory.