After weeks of ongoing emotional, relational and spiritual investment in the community, saying goodbye at the end of the summer can sometimes prove to be a rewarding but sad process for our group of 14 missionary interns. One way to cope with the transition? Host an afternoon-long, all staff involved, water balloon-filled splash day at each of the centers! As clearly demonstrated by the gigantic, sopping wet smiles on the faces of staff, interns, and youth alike, there are few better ways to celebrate the end of summer programming than with a giant water party.

As we get ready to wrap up this rich, fun-filled and busy summer season, everyone at Mission Centers of Houston would like to offer a special, heartfelt thank you to each of the individuals, families and organizations that showed their support in a variety of tangible ways:

A huge thank you goes out to all those who helped meet the day-to-day needs of the summer missionary interns during their time of learning, serving, and relating over the past 9 weeks.

Thank you many times over to each individual, family, small group, and church community that helped provide daily meals for our 3 Mission Year interns, 14 missionary interns, and 15 staff members this summer — and a special thank you goes to Margaret Saunders from Sagemont Church who helped coordinate the menu and schedule for each of the meal providers.

To every family that participated in our Adopt-a-Day experience which allowed 2 interns at a time to enjoy a day of rest, entertainment, and support off-site: thank you.

Thank you, Houston Dynamos, for the gift of free tickets to a Dynamos game this month.

And last, but certainly not least, thank you to the multitude of persons who hosted us in their homes — who provided resources for special outings as well as for curriculum, ministry supplies, and other necessary materials — and who offered countless hours of prayer and relational support.

Each of you has enabled us to share the love of Christ with many, young and old, around us and we are so grateful for you.

More Photos from Water Day 2012: