Benton County Fair

The Benton County Fair started yesterday and lasts until Saturday. Like most fairs there are rides, food, attractions and more food. For the past two years we have had a dream booth at the fair. We do the same thing at the fair as we did at the Boat Races.

The setup for these outreaches is such that we schedule three man teams to sit at a table with a fourth person acting as an alternate (you know incase you have to take a break). People come to the tables and we ask if they want a dream interpreted or a life reading (in others words we ask God to reveal something to us about the person that would edify and encourage them). Nine times out of ten people want a life reading because it sounds like a fun thing to do. We find that most people have a hard remembering their dreams.

Last night Tom, I and another married couple were scheduled to work. Since the first night is usually slow we scheduled only one table instead of our customary two tables. When we got there it was so busy. The shift before us had a line of people waiting. Tom and I sat down and got right to work. When the other couple showed up we decided it would be best to have two tables with two people. We hardly got a pause in the flow of people. At one point I started seeing yellow and I knew I better go to the restroom. I’m happy to report the restrooms had full doors and were pretty decent.

I had so much fun working with Tom. We had some interesting encounters with people. It seems when someone leaves feeling uplifted and encourage they go and find a friend or a family member and bring them to our booth.

One lady bought back her daughter and her daughter’s friend. The girls had their mouths open half the time and kept saying, “Wow.” It appeared that we hit the nail on the head and they were simply amazed. What we saw was that they were very close like sisters and were often mistaken for sisters. They had similar tastes in clothes, music and even boys. They each had the ability to size people up and situations and know when danger was afoot, except when their heart was involved. We encouraged them to listen and trust the other one’s instincts in those situations. It was a very cool encounter.

I love when I hear the question, “How did you know that?” Then I can give the credit where credit is due. I simply say, “When you sit down, I ask God to tell me something about you that would encourage you and He did.” The purpose of these outreaches is to touch those who normally wouldn’t enter a church. To give hope to those who need it. The power of a well placed word can bring healing to someone’s life. How good and faithful is God to speak to us in ways that can bless and encourage others.

© Nadine Z. 2007