Day 3- Heartbroken

It has been a hard day for our team. The Berry family has been heavy on our hearts and minds all day. Many of us have very close connections with them and being so very far from home, our families, our community and our church has been difficult. As many of you know I have personally walked very close with this family and specifically Deanna over the last several months.

So before I recap today I would give some other thoughts first. Most of you are so aware of the amazing young man Briggs was. He was full of life and loved people. What I have learned so deeply over the last few months is he has learned so much of this from his sweet parents. Many times over the last few months Deanna would call to check up on others that were sick or hurting to see how she could pray more specifically. No matter how sick Briggs was she was ALWAYS thinking of others. I have been amazed by her selflessness over these many months. And Deanna loves people and many of you. Allowing you into their personal battle...up close and personal...so that you could be loved and love her boy! So tonight as we grieve for Briggs we deeply grieve for this family and their great loss of another son. Briggs lived life to the fullest, was the best Children's church volunteer around and shined the light of Jesus far and wide over these last few months. While we are so very sad here...we know that the Briggs has finished his fight, he has won the race....he is WHOLE and HEALED and today he heard "well done my good and faithful servant." May we all fight in this life the way that he did....and may we all love our children as deeply as Deanna and Everett do! Briggs is a reminder to all of us not to take one breath for granted...that each day is precious and tomorrow is not promised. He had a deep faith and trusted Jesus...he would want that same faith for each of you. Today we do not grieve as those that have no hope...our hope in Jesus teaches us this is just "see you later." Until then sweet Briggs....

So on to today...we spent most of the day working at the local Founder's day...making popcorn, making sno cones, doing a photo booth and running a bounce house. Then the ladies spent the rest of the day cooking for the 100 guests coming to Living Rock's baptism service tomorrow. The men spent the day picking up and setting up chairs for the outdoor event tomorrow.  We are physically and emotionally exhausted. Pray tomorrow for the baptism as several that are being baptized are not getting support from their family. Also, that this would be a day of salvation for others. I forgot to include a picture of the trailer Lakeside so graciously donated to Living Rock. Vincent Logozzo and James Spencer spent a lot of time fixing it up and getting the new logo ready for them. They drove the trailer up for us.