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10/28/2008: "Out of Our Minds and Into Their Hearts"

They thought we were crazy, and they were right. But, the outrageous Out-Team Outhouse was outstanding! We met around 2:00 pm to prepare for Community Bible Church Trunk-N-Treat Halloween event.

We started with an utility trailer loaded with unidentifiable wood pieces and some other goodies and within a few minutes we erected a true monument to waste depositories everywhere!

Guidepost magazines were placed inside as reading material, next to the handy roll of tissue. (We could not find a Sears catalog.) and a warm welcoming kerosene lamp was hung next to the moon laden door. A roll of chicken wire was laid against one side, and a rake against another.

While setting up for the event, volunteers painted "Life Down the Toilet? Choose Jesus!" on the sides of the outhouse. In the "hole" a mirror was placed... and about half-way through the night we added the message "Jesus loves even you!" in the corner of the mirror. Graffiti was written on the inside walls, including Bible verses. Half of a wooden barrel was filled with candy, ready for the anxious children to arrive.

Preparing our 'trunk" was a fun experience, but the true rewards came as the evening progressed. As people passed the outhouse, their faces would fill with smiles. Some would laugh and joke about the absurdness of it all, others would look at it in wonderment or puzzlement.

When prompted by being told there was "real poop" inside, many would cautiously walk in and peek down the hole to be greeted with their own reflection. Some burst out in laughter.. others gave a chuckle, while others merely shook their heads. Regardless of the degree of their response, all left the outhouse with a smile on their face, forgetting their troubles for that brief instance.

The children, they wanted candy and they got it. Thousands of pieces of candy was given away by our diligent volunteers. But, what was most rewarding was the smiles. That evening, we saw thousands of smiles... each one of them a beautiful sight to behold.

The attention generated by the outhouse also generated attention to the message. While we did it in a crazy way, but we got out message out to all that attended. Jesus loves even you.