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Dear Pastor and Praying Friends:

We have just finished the biggest events of the year. Brother Tim Wall and his family arrived June 26th. We knocked on doors, visited people, and passed out tracts and VBS brochures in preparation for Vacation Bible School. We also built the structure for the float that we entered in the 4th of July parade. We weren't the only ones busy. One of our families gathered up all the candy we had been sent and purchased and bagged it up with our church brochure, tracts and an invitation to VBS. We did that all week. I want to thank those who sent candy for this parade, especially my sister who sent several boxes. Then on the 4th we were in the parade. This parade is the highlight of our city. Thousands of people and kids line up on both sides of the main street of Rolla, and all those in the parade throw out handfuls of candy. Years ago, we thought it would be a great way to get the Gospel into the hands of so many people in about 15 minutes. I asked the kids that came to VBS how they heard about it, and most of them said at the parade. The parade started at 12:00 on the 4th of July. Many of our folks came out at 9:00 to help decorate. It had rained all week, and we didn't have a chance to do it. But they got it done on Saturday morning. Pastor Shad Smith and his church drove up from Dallas, Georgia, to hold the VBS. What a blessing they were! The float looked great. We built a giant birthday cake for our nation's 250th anniversary of our freedom. We had banners on the side of the float advertising VBS. Everyone had a great time. Many rode on the float.

But that wasn't all we did that day. Pastor Shad's group put up our tent (more like a canopy) and set up a booth to give away Bibles. We had leather bound Ojibwa Bibles, the language the Chippewa speak, and leather bound KJV Bibles. Then some of our folks, Wendy and Richard Jay, grilled hot dogs to give away. I was a little surprised at the interest there was in the Bibles. We gave away quite a few, and all of them came to us to get one. After it was over, we went visiting to invite more to VBS. A grandmother of some of the kids that came to VBS was saved. The Sunday morning service was awesome. Pastor Shad and his daughter Anna sang; then Anna also sang. My daughter Krista sang, and then she sang with Anna. Then Pastor Shad preached. That evening we started VBS. It went well, and we saw new kids come every night. At the end of VBS, we totaled up the salvations, and there were 15 that were saved. Many of them teens. At the end of the classes on the last night, 4 teens walked in and wanted to go downstairs to eat. We told them if they would come to the last assembly they could eat afterwards. They did, and two of them were saved. Our God in heaven truly blessed all that was done.

But that's not all. Brother Tim Backer and his wife Jordan drove up from Pleasant View Baptist Church in Taylors, South Carolina, and helped us follow up on the ones that came to VBS. There was also a man who has been coming to church for a little while now. He is a retired electrician and known to all in the church. He was raised a Catholic. Each Sunday, he tells me he is getting closer to being saved. Last Sunday, as he walked out the door, he pulled me aside and said he was ready. Praise the Lord! Our folks got excited about the events and wanted to be involved in the children's ministry. One 15 year old girl, who has been coming with her family for several years, wanted to teach in Children's Church. Her mother is going to help her. She is really excited about it. She was up at the church last night decorating her room. Another married couple wants to teach the Junior Class. I am also excited how the Lord worked in so many lives. There is much more I could tell you, but I will close for now.

Thank you for supporting us financially and in prayer. May the Lord bless you.

The Sheridans in North Dakota

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