What are you up to this Summer?!?!

It’s been a couple of months since I’ve even had time to blog so I decided that it was time to jump back in since I’m entering my favorite season of the year:  Leading Forest Park Church’s Vacation Bible School experience and our 10^th trip to Guayaquil, Ecuador!

Just saying those two events in the same sentence is representative of HOURS of preparation and prayer.  My mind is always moving but today I’m feeling so in awe of what God has accomplished over the past 10 years of pastoring FPC and wanted to share some of what I’m thinking…

·         I’m so thankful that God has sent hundreds of volunteers to support our VBS experience and help us to build the faith of kids!  This year we have an all time high number of VBS volunteers – more than 150!  Scott and I were talking about the numerous families that have found us as a result of this one FPC ministry – was it yours?

·         Lisa Meads is one of my all-time heroes!  Lisa leads our Community and Global Outreach Team at FPC and is the person who handles all of the “behind the scenes” stuff that makes Ecuador happen each year.  Over the past 10 years you would not believe all of the ideas I have thrown her way about what I’d like to do and bring to Ecuador and she has done her very best to support my “madness” – including getting more than 500 pairs of shoes there this Summer!  I would never want to do ministry without Lisa.

·         Teri Phthisic is the most creative person I know!  With each new VBS curriculum I only send her an email detailing the theme and she turns FPC into a paradise for children that says, “You are valued!”  They are so important that for one Sunday of every year – it’s all about them – and Teri makes that happen, not me.

·         I love my boss!  Lois has supported my ministry at FPC over the past 7 years while also allowing me to thrive, professionally.  I couldn’t do it without her!

·         Ecuador has been forever impacted by Forest Park Church.  When you take a team into the same city each year, relationships are built that are lasting, effective and can change the course of a community.  I’m so thankful that our AMAZING Pastor, my sweet Scott, shared the vision 10 years ago for this local church to do just that:  create relationships that create change. 

·         I won’t be able to do Ecuador this Summer without acknowledging that our precious Charlie White will not be with us.  Ecuador changed him – made him aware of humanity in a new way.  I challenge each of my 108 missionaries to allow God to change you as it did our Charlie.  Let’s celebrate Ecuador in a new way as we remember that sweet man and love his sweet Holly because she will be right in the middle of Guayaquil with us!

Over the next 6 weeks I hope to blog weekly to keep you informed of what God is doing throughout FPC, throughout Ecuador and throughout the Neal family!  Te quiero :o)

Until next time,

Lana