Starting at 7:00 pm on Friday, July 22nd through Sunday, July 24th, Grace was the host to Lift High the Cross ministries and it’s family team of Pastor Jay Mason, his wife Vicky and their sons John and Travis.  This eight story tall hot air balloon with two forty foot high silver crosses filled the soccer field at Foster Brook Park.  Many people came to see the balloon and take a tethered ride on it and at the same time, hear about the love of Jesus Christ.  Many of them for the first time.

          A crew of almost 40 volunteers donned blue “crew shirts” and became members of the Lift High the Cross ground crew.  For their efforts they received a tethered ride (some more than one… some, many more than one) and great deal of satisfaction from this outreach event.  By 9:30 Sunday evening, we had worked over fourteen total hours.  Some were a little tired, some had a few sore muscles, but all were completely “jazzed” by the whole experience.  We had opportunities to witness God working throughout the weekend.  This was especially true on Sunday when bad weather threatened to cancel that evenings activities.  Keeping a close eye on radar, Jay and Vicky decided to launch the balloon.  Throughout the evening we would see storm cells coming at us only to dissipate or split at the last minute.  Then, just as we finished loading the balloon and equipment on the trailer, the first few drops of rain fell.  It was truly a “God Thing.” 

          For those of you that didn’t get a chance to make it out, here are a few pictures of the excitement we experienced.

Filling With Hot Air	Balloon Rising	Thumbs Up
Take A Ride	Lift Off	A View From Above