Well, this is hard to believe - but this will be the final post for this year's Happy Project. It is currently Friday afternoon and we are in the middle of finishing our final day of VBS. Today's topic is Grace. Our team is trying hard to explain to the Happy Church kids exactly what the word Grace actually means. At the closing celebration, Katie Jackson will be sharing the Gospel with the children. We are praying that God will use us to help these precious children gain a better understanding of God's grace as demonstrated in the Gospel story.

It's anticipated that our team will say a tearful goodbye to the kids at the conclusion of today's VBS. It's amazing to see how quickly a bond can form between a child and their shepherds. The final goodbye is always a tough time for our students.

Once the children are gone, our team will begin cleaning up the church and tearing down the VBS. This is usually the point where our students begin shifting gears and the longing for home begins to emerge. We have a celebration bonfire planned for tonight. Our team will debrief this experience for a final time. Everyone will receive their trophies (a Happy Project T-Shirt).

Before arriving home tomorrow night, we plan to celebrate our week by hanging out around the Red River Gorge. It will be a fun day enjoying God's creation. I know the team is anxious to see each of you. Since it is the final night of our trip (with no work scheduled for tomorrow), we usually let the students party hard into the late hours of the night. By the time they arrive to you, they will probably be sore, hungry, wore out, and a bit cranky! We work for YOU! ;-).

I know the team will be eager to be home and enjoy some Suburban comforts. I know a few can't wait to fire up their cell phones.

Everyone remains healthy & whole. Weather has been fantastic. We are escpecially proud of this year's team. They have had wonderful attitudes and hard work ethic. They were flexible, servant hearted, and very engaged in the mission here at the Happy Church. We have had very neat times opening up scripture and receiving from one another. Everyone has participated and made a helpful contribution this week. Our leadership is greatly encouraged to have a week long trip with little to no drama! What a breath of fresh air.

If you have a child on this trip - you should be very, very, very proud of them - even if they arrive home a bit cranky :-).

Students will be calling you from our cell phones on the way home tomorrow night to let you know what time we will arrive. Can't wait to see you all!