Report From Summer Guatemala Mission Trip

This past summer a team was able to travel to Guatemala and reflect the love of Christ people of all ages.  They loved on children in an orphanage, helped with a family day at a school, and encouraged local believers in a church.  To read more about this incredible trip click here:  Guatemala Update

Jacklyn Vanderpool... A Fearless Teenager

Jacklyn Vanderpool is an example of what it means to live by faith.  Few would know she is only 17 years old! She has been able to serve God through MMDR to those living in broken places and struggling through extreme poverty.  She is humble, willing to make sacrifices for the kingdom and an example for many. 

To learn more about about how God is usingJacklyn Vanderpool click here
http://laurakurk.com/2011/09/09/live-like-you-believe-with-jacklyn-vanderpool/

To read an article by Jacklyn click here:
KatharosNow

A Reminder Of God's Purpose

By Carrie Grace Congdon

A few weeks ago our group of five returned from our trip to East Africa in partnership with TSC and Project 61.  I wanted to share a little about each day that we spent there. The first day we arrived we went to visit the orphanage which was started by a friend. She explained how bad the conditions were when she first started, how the babies were starving and how they lay in their urine and feces for most of the day because there was no one to wash the diapers and bedding. There was little hope. Then God spoke to her and through her obedience people started donating items and money to bring these children to where they are today. Now most of the babies were very healthy, even chubby with smiles and giggles. 

There was a new baby that had come in the day before, they named him Levi. He was 4 months old and only weighed 6 pounds. He was sick with a terrible cough. I held him for most of the afternoon but it felt like I was holding an empty blanket.  He had an amazing story about how he was found that let us all know that God was using him even in his poor condition. We were blessed to see the work of God.

Saturday we went and met with several other non-profit organizations in the area. It was amazing to see how many different organizations were working with the orphans and widows to try to make their lives better. The most important was their willingness to share the hope and love of Jesus. We were humbled.  

Sunday we attended a local church and had our cups overflow as we experienced the Holy Spirit move in the worship service. It was wonderful to see these people who live in poverty that we cannot imagine, worship with all their hearts. For rows of single young men to sing and sway and cry without concern for what others might think. Oh....how they loved him so!

Monday morning we arrived in another city to find that most of the children had not come to the church due to the pouring rain, so we went to find them instead. We met most of them while walking along the streets and followed them home to see where they lived or were staying while home from the boarding school.  My heart breaks every time I hear one of their stories of  hunger, sickness, and loss. We prayed with each family before we left and heard many thanks for giving their children a future by helping them go to school. These visits are always a favorite of mine because I know God has a plan for each of these people. I am filled with hope and anticipation for what good He will bring to their lives.     

 

Tuesday and Wednesday mornings we spent teaching Bible lessons to the children in the summer camp program. I am amazed that in the year that Project 61 has been influencing how much they know about the Bible and Jesus. Often, when you meet a child for the first time, their first questions is "what is your name?", but the second question is "do you know Jesus?" How I wish that we were more like them.  What if when you met someone new you said, "Hi, my name is Carrie, what's yours? Do you know Jesus?" Isn't that how it should be?  

Thursday morning we traveled to the boarding school, to help the Ordinary Hero team paint and clean in the boys dorm. On Friday we finished painting what we could of the ceilings before the paint ran out, cleaned up and started the road trip back to where we were staying. A protest started so we took a detour.  It was a blessing to see the African landscape from the top of the mountains.  I was reminded of who God is and that He is always there in the big things and in the details. 

Saturday we had to say goodbye to everyone. We talked, played, held hands, kissed cheeks and finally waved goodbye one last time.  God called baby Levi home as we were traveling back to the states.  For a short time I questioned why... but God whispered that His plan was bigger than I can understand. Baby Levi had already made such an impact in his short life that it was time for him to be home in the arms of Jesus. Not my will but yours...

As always the team left part of each of us behind, we learned about God and ourselves and we saw God's plan and purpose being worked out in many ways. We were humbled to get to play a small part and everyone is looking forward to the changes that will occur in our lives as a result of this mission trip. I encourage everyone to listen and be obedient. Your blessings will be abundant! 

Two Teams, Two Trips, One Purpose

Recently a team from TSC returned from a 10 day trip to East Africa.  While there they spent a few days partnering with another team from Ordianry Hero.  Together the teams were able to paint the halls and rooms of a boys dorm at the boarding school.  Although it was a large amount of work they completed all that needed to be accomplished.  Members of Project 61 were also overwhelmed with the generosity of Ordinary Hero after they donated a significant amount of money to help supply the children with school supplies.  Thank you Ordianary Hereo for your support of Project 61!   For more information about these teams and the donation click here. 
http://ordinaryheroblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/our-power-team-in-ethiopia-day-2.html?spref=fb

Fundraiser Opportunity!

By Branden and Annie:

 

Dear Friends,

Our family is doing great and are excited about this short term team that will be coming in October to work with us!  This team will help us launch our new student center, teach English classes, coordinate recreational events and bring supplies. Here is some information on how you can help support our ministry, the team coming in October, and have fun while doing it!

There is a great local event called Sodium in Franklin.  This event will be a blast for the whole family - with live music, face painting, balloon artists, climbing wall, video games and more. Pizza, drinks and desserts will also be for sale. You can attend this event and also help with a fundraiser for the short term team coming in October. We hope that you can make it and thank you greatly for your support! Click here to see more details on facebook about the event:

https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=161940827219088

September Project 61 Prayer Requests

1. The Y family kids will be going back to school the second week of September.   Pray for a smooth transition and that the Y family gets all that needs to be done between now and then.

2. Corey Y has started a new job and is still adjusting to the schedule and work.  Pray for him and the adjustment! 

3. Denae, who has come alongside the Y family to help serve has been a huge blessing.  Pray for someone else who can fill her role in November.  The Y family has grown to love her and it will be difficult when she leaves. 

Philemon House: A Vision Becomes Reality

The Philemon House is ready and soon this house will become a home!  TSC is excited to finally meet the missionaries from East Asia who have arrived and moved in.  The house has been stocked with a few staples for food and baked goodies to give it the final touches. 

This project’s vision was birthed last November and many members of TSC are glad to see an idea come to fruition.   TSC has watched God bless in a mighty way!  Here are some examples of the amount of the work done the past few months.  TSC had $800 of cash donations, $10,000 of goods and supplies, and free labor (we had a number of free professional services-painting, plumbing, HVAC) ranging around $5,000.  It is estimated that TSC's Philemon House was blessed with a benefit of around $15,000 to $20,000!

God gets all the praise and glory for all that has been done.  The family coming this week will hopefully be the first of many more families to come.  TSC's prayer is to bring about a place of “rest” for the many, many missionary families that will occupy this home.  Thank you to all the members who worked tirelessly to accomplish this task!