We spent today at 21st October, a center for boys age 12-18, and Cassitas, a center for younger children and teen girls. We all felt overwhelmed walking into to 21st October. But after our team time tonight, we all had some neat stories to tell about our day and kids we met. And it’s only day one.
Everything but the cheese December 29, 2007
We made it here …with everything but the cheese. Checking in at the airport was an adventure. We had to quickly sort and rearrange bags so that they wouldn’t weigh over 50 lbs. Everything fit except for one shoebox and Joy’s 2lb. block of cheese (which went in her carry-on.)
The girls at the Hope House are great and I look forward to getting to know them this week. Tomorrow we go to 21st October and Cassitas. Please be praying for us to build good relationships with the kids and also for patience for us as we adapt and encounter new experiences.
Honduras or Bust December 17, 2007
In less than two weeks, we’ll be in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. It’s been a great faith journey over the last couple months as we have planned and prepared for this trip. Today, the team was commissioned and prayed for in both services at church. It was great having our church family gathered around us and praying for us. It’s another way that we are being sent out and another reminder that we are not going alone.
Here’s our itinerary and some praises and prayer requests:
Dec. 27th: Drive to Charlotte, NC in the afternoon/evening
Dec. 28th: Leave from Charlotte at 6:00 a.m. We go to Houston and then arrive in Tegucigalpa around noon central time.
Dec. 29th: Our first ministry day at Casitas. We’ll be painting, helping in beutician and sewing classes, and in the library.
Dec. 30th: Church, shopping, Valley of the Angels
Dec. 31st: Casitas
Jan. 1st: Sacred Heart (morning) 21st October (afternoon)
Jan. 2nd: Sacred Heart and 21st October
Jan. 3rd: Casitas
Jan. 4th: Return home to Tennessee
Praises and Prayer Requests
Praises. . .
- I haven’t received final numbers yet, but we have raised all if not very close to all of our support needed for the trip.
- An awesome team of people to serve with.
- We fit 80 shoeboxes into 8 bags with room to spare.
- For the opportunity to go and love on kids all week.
Prayer Requests . . .
- Continued spiritual preparation
- Good health and safety during our travels
- Open hearts and minds among our team for what God will do in and through us
- For our ministry among the children and for each child who receives a shoebox to know the ultimate gift of salvation of Christ
- That we’ll be an encouragement to the Orphan Helpers staff and Hope House girls
- Final preparations of packing and ministry planning.
Team Profiles: Jon & Joy December 13, 2007
The great thing (the other great thing, among all the great things about short-term missions) is that you get to meet really cool people. It’s been alot of fun getting to know Jon and Joy Cook over the last couple months as we have planned and prepared. Joy just happened to be visiting Grace Fellowship Kingsport one of the days the trip was announced. She signed up she and Jon to go on the trip and that was that. They’re going.
Jon and Joy felt motivated to do more than give money to missions. They wanted to go. I’m always so encouraged by people who take the risk and follow through on how God is leading them, probably because I wish for more of that kind of faith in my own life.
Jon and Joy are an answer to prayer too. When Michelle first started thinking about going on the trip, I was concerned given some of the health challenges she faces. I started praying that God would provide a team member who would understand Michelle’s unique challenges. As it turns out, Joy is a nurse who works with individuals who have unique challenges like Michelle.
