NATCHEZ — The Adams County Baptist Association has figured out a way to increase tourism to Natchez and put the tourists to work improving the city at the same time.

From today to Thursday, 200 people from the Women’s Missionary Union will be in town for FamilyFEST Natchez.

“The missionaries consist of family groups — wives, husbands, children and some seniors,” Adams County Baptist Association Director Dale Little said. “They will be helping people in need throughout the city from Sunday to Wednesday.”

In the afternoons from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. the group will be in the mall performing puppet shows and playing music, Little said.

“Some of our nurses will also be doing free blood pressure checks,” he said.

The group has construction projects lined up at the Springfield, Calvary, Washington and Stanton Baptist churches, Little said.

“(The missionaries) are helping build a home for someone who lost theirs in the Washington community,” he said.

The area’s public and private schools will receive a free cleaning from WMU as well as praying for a successful year. Leading or helping with the areas Vacation Bible Schools is another big part of the program, Little said.

“They are not just working with Baptist churches, as they are helping with the Vacation Bible School at the Community Chapel Church of God.”

WMU will be working with charities, including the Stewpot, plus the Natchez Recreation Department, nursing homes and the area’s hospitals.

“(The missionaries) will even be baking cookies for the city’s law enforcement agencies,” Little said.

Natchez is included in part of the Southern Baptist Association’s River Ministry Project, which operates from New Orleans all the way up to Chicago.

“There are operations going on all along the river,” Little said. “We are happy to get them here because Natchez is a special area of need.”

Little said the Women’s Missionary Union wanted to come last year, but with the problems on the coast they had to delay.

“The goal is to share the blessings that God has given to us,” he said.

“We want the community to know that we still care by bringing them closer together and closer to the Lord.”