1/2 Way Point

I need to apologize. I realize I've been letting this blog sort of fall by the wayside... but the reason is a good one.

We're too busy doing the work of God here in Riggins to spend time talking about it.

Whoever thought it would be a good idea to have Stephen Curto keep up with the blog was taking crazy pills that day... You can ask my mom. I never talk about what I'm doing 'til after I've done it. With that said, here's the update as best I can give it.

We've been super busy. Our VBS team has been doing a better job than I think I've ever seen in my four years on this trip. The kids love it.

Pastor Jim was worried that we would have lower VBS attendance this year because of how late in the summer we came. This has not been the case. We have had a total of 44 students come to VBS. It's been incredible to see these little kids learn and love from our teens. Our team has also been blessed with work and the responsibility of teaching these kids what the Bible says, and they have not disappointed. I've heard good of conversations with kids who have earnest questions about the things they've been learning.

On another note, did you know that God's providential planning is awesome?

If you didn't know, we had 20 students sign up to come to Riggins. We were worried that a group that size might be too large. It turns out, God knew what he was doing, because a virus has made its way through our group like wildfire. (Another reason the blog has fallen by the wayside.) about 70% of our group has been sick to some degree at some point throughout the trip so far. Anywhere from feeling a little bit off, to completely bed ridden. Clint was down for the whole day on Monday, and at some points as many as 7 students were completely out of commission at one time.

All of this to say, God knew we were going to need a few extra people to fill in, and our team has charged through this trial from the enemy with flying colors. We haven't missed a beat in picking up slack where slack might have been left. Every single one of our students has really stepped up their game and showed love for one another through their actions, not just their words.

On top of all this, we've been mowing more lawns, building more decks, stacking more wood, and washing more windows, in 105 degree weather, all to serve the congregation of Salmon River Community Church.

Even on top of that, we've had an incredible turn-out at the field each night. We've been running around 15-25 Riggins teens on the football field to play ultimate frisbee and kickball with us, and the students have been boldly sharing the love of Christ with these students all throughout the process.

Showering at the houses of congregation members has been a blessing as well. Last night, Doug Crump, (an Iwo-Jima vet, and all around joy to talk to) told us some stories from when he was a kid, and gave us a bag of plums from his garden that were the juiciest I have ever tasted. The Fitch's have been keeping us cookie-filled and the Spicklemire's have been letting us play with their grand-kids. All in all, the fellowship with believers every night has been very impactful (is that a word?) for our team.


All in all this trip is going beautifully, particularly considering the adversity, faced in both the planning and execution of it.


We would ask for your prayers for Tamara, Kyra, and J.T. who will be sharing their testimonies at the field tonight, and for our students who will be participating in the "Hot Summer Nights" talent show tomorrow night. We're coming into the home stretch and energy levels are low, so your prayers are greatly needed. Also please be praying for the kids at VBS in general and the congregation here for their service to us in providing meals and encouragement while we minister to their kids and grand-kids.


I'm writing at a break-neck speed because we still have so much to do that I want to get back to it, so I will hopefully have time tomorrow morning to give you another update. As always, thank you for your prayers, and your understanding in our ineffective communication with those of you reading this back home and abroad. We are doing our best to do it all, so thank your for your patience.


In Christ,

*STEPHEN*(curto)

We're HERE!

Well, the travel up here was definitely taxing but we are finally here!
For the last two days we've been getting to know the town of Riggins again. Pastor Jim and Mrs. Judy have been great and took us to Skookumchuck (I don't know if I spelled that right...). It's a beach down the road a ways, and they treated us to a hotdog barbeque.

That's not to say we're not working our tails off. Today we ran the church service, worked with the kids, led worship, and generally got to love the congregation of salmon river community church. Tomorrow starts our first day of VBS, so please pray for our team as we minister to the younger kids in the community. We'll also be hanging out with some of the teens tomorrow night for the first time.

The congregation has been blessing us with their cooking skills as well. Every night so far we have had a wonderful home-cooked meal, prepared by the members of the congregation.

Saturday was a busy day as well. We caught up on a little bit of sleep in the morning, (meeting at the airport at 4am the morning before had really taken it out of us) and then we went canvasing. The teens made some great connections with other people in town, and pushed themselves to go out of their comfort zones and talk to strangers. I've heard some great stories of success so far and can't wait to see the fruit of those conversations on the football field tomorrow. We also did a few service projects. Three guys and three girls went to a church member's house and helped to spruce the place up under the guidance of pastor Jim. The guys worked on the deck of the house (putting in support beams and cutting the right pieces of wood to finish the rails) and the girls helped to clean the whole house, top to bottom. All in all it was a very fulfilling experience. 

There's much more to tell, but it's already 12:30 at night, so I'll try to include it in tomorrow nights post. Thank you so much for your prayers and support, they are greatly appreciated and needed while we are here!

Our Lunch stop in Boise before making the 3 hour drive to Riggins.

 On the beach at Skookumchuck

 Pastor Jim's wife, Judy, watching over the kids.