My heart is still so full reflecting back on the week and I continue to look at pictures as they surface on social media. It's a gift that keeps on giving. Marketplace was a huge success and it wouldn't have been possible without all the people involved. In having over 115 volunteers involved, I've tried to make a few groupings of people who helped make this possible.
I am so appreciative of the majority of our church staff who spent 12+ hours a day here at the church to help make Marketplace happen, who set up equipment outside, who took it BACK inside when it rained, who made logos and advertisements for us, who took costumes home and sewed them, who led the kids in worship each night, and who were cheerleaders throughout the whole planning process. We have an awesome staff- and I'm so grateful for especially Nancy, Ryan and Sarah who helped us get things done, who stopped their own projects and JOBS to run errands, and take on projects on behalf of Marketplace. THANK you for your faithfulness, your sweet friendship and your dedication to Children's Ministry! I am humbled and honored to be able to serve CCP alongside of all of you!
To our fantastic tribe leaders, who trained, gathered materials, set-up/took down their tents for the week, and who loved our children like their own: THANK YOU for your level of energy and your willingness to step outside of yourself for the week. Hearing comments from families and our children requesting the same tribe families next year, should be enough affirmation for all of you. Thank you for creating the environment and support that they ALREADY want to come back and be with you next summer. The family that you created during the week of Marketplace, will spill over into every area of your ministry in Dalton.
To our awesome booth leaders, full of pep and flexibility, thank YOU for setting up and taking down your booth EVERY day. That in itself, was a huge job that no one realized how much it involved, or how sweaty you got even before the kids arrived. Thank you for not complaining one time when you had to set up the tents every day- and for quickly adjusting your plans Thursday when we had to reschedule because of the rain. All of you helped bring the culture and gospel to life for our kids as they experienced crafts that were similar to the time era. You took on the "merchant" feel of inviting kids into your shop and getting them engaged with your area of "expertise". Thank you for doing your job so selflessly and so seamlessly. We were amazed in how much time you spent prepping for your craft- and how much you researched to get into character. Thank you!
To our obviously gifted drama actors, who would have known that the kids would have loved the dramas as much as they did?! Thank you for memorizing lines, showing up to rehearsals, and for staying in character throughout the week. One of the biggest blessings I saw was how the kids interacted with all of you as you were revealing scripture to them as they had never experienced. God providentially cast all of you in your parts- and you did an excellent job helping bring the Gospel of Christ to life for not only our kids, but for all adults as well. Having our children try to tell the Pharisees that Jesus in fact, shouldn't die and WAS capable of forgiving sins, was an answer to my prayers in a BIG way. Thank you for allowing the Lord to use you- and allowing Him to work through you!
To the 20+ awesome middle school and high school volunteers, thank you for giving Marketplace one of your first weeks of summer. The photos and videos we have of you holding, carrying and playing with our kids are proof that they ADORED having you around. Thank you for being extra hands when needed, extra enthusiasm, and for arranging your summertime schedules to serve our kids. They love you- and want to be just like you! Thanks for being a wonderful example of what serving the Lord, despite comfort level, looks like!
To our wonderfully hospitable Fresh Market Ladies, thank you for making one, delicious food, preparing it with great care, and for serving in a way that was mostly "unseen". I am so thankful for all of your hard work, your team work and for your willingness to make it as authentic as possible for the kids. We are so grateful for your organization, your flexibility and your fantastic ideas (like using PLATES) that were an oversight to us in planning! Thank you for bringing some of your own baskets and materials to help make the presentation of the Fresh Market beautiful. I got word that some of the kids were trying to "tip" you with their left over coins last week because they loved the chicken on a stick, fruit on a stick and pita bread so much!
And my beautiful friends on Children's Council, who served so selflessly during this whole process, THANK YOU isn't an adequate enough term. They helped oversee, shed insight, plan, and execute the best week CCP Children's Ministry has ever seen. These women stayed late evenings at my house months ago as we placed volunteers into their "assignments", again as we divided what we needed to purchase vs. borrow, and especially the week BEFORE Marketplace- as some of them joined me until midnight in my office counting, sorting, and organizing as we entered into Marketplace week. They traveled to SC to pick up borrowed items and caravan back to Dalton. They took multiple projects home that they cut, tied, hole punched and assembled. Thank you for taking evenings away from your families in order to bring Marketplace 2014 to life, and for walking alongside of me throughout my not so organized planning. I am grateful for how well we work together- and how the Lord has given me such sweet friendships with all of your and your families! This planning was only made fun and enjoyable because of your company and great vision for seeing the Gospel being brought to life. Y'all are rockstars.
Everyone, be looking at the end of this week, for our Marketplace video! Judy Elliott and Brandon Brown, thank YOU for coming and filming this incredible week for us- so we can have a small video reminder of how the Lord worked and moved at CCP.
Be on the lookout as we plan for next summer:)
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