Feeding Haiti

While in Haiti, this past July, we shared the abundant need. 

Hunger. 

Children. Youth. Parents. Seniors. 

Starving. 

Because of drought. 

People had bought seeds. 

But the sun had scorched them. 

And so HUNGER filled bellies. 

And homes. 

And villages. 

So you generously gave. 

Enough for 5,000 meals. 

(A bit biblical - yes?)

And Sunday was another day of feeding. 

Thank you for your generosity and for answering God's Call! 

Here are some of the photos:

Hands and feet of Christ

As I write this, we are teaching the third group of water bucket recipients all about hand washing, protecting water, and how to use their filters. 

This was a group from the other day. 160 water buckets have been distributed while we were here. 

In the afternoons, we have been feeding the children of the community. Their plates are rice and beans and meat. Healing plates are quickly eaten by the hungry children. 

Each child leaves full. Hundreds with clean drinking water. That is because of your generosity. Thank you for your generous giving that is making this ministry to the least and the lost possible.

To God be the glory!

Peace, Pastor Katie 

We are in Haiti

Here we are in Haiti! We will travel to the village of Furcy in a few minutes, ready to pass out clean water buckets, feed the children of the community and share the love of Christ. Pray for us! 

Camp Recap

After six days at Best Week Ever Camp with 10 of the young people from our church community, my soul is full! We spent the Star Wars themed week talking about following the one true Master, we were blessed to think about the ways we connect with God and each other.

One of the questions that I found myself wondering was about allies. Do you have people who stand with you and encourage you? Do you have people who speak truth to you and hold you accountable? Do you have allies who are moving in the same direction as you -  closer to God?

Here are just a few photos of the BEST WEEK EVER. If you have a young person, really think about sending them next year - it is a remarkable experience

!

Pentecost Power Sermon Illustration

I wanted to share this link with you! This is the link from my children's message Sunday!

http://flamecreativekids.blogspot.com/2014/06/come-holy-spirit-fizzy-explosion-prayers.html

All it takes is baking soda and vinegar. Something worth checking out!

Frantic Family No More

It is 10:30 and my two year old is not yet asleep.

Frantic Family.

We have had quite the day. After spending the morning working, having a quick lunch with my parents, running a bunch of errands, and picking up our nearly 200 girl scout cookies, I am exhausted. And my kid just won’t go to sleep.

Big sister conked out the minute we got home. She was exhausted too. School does that to you. But my two year old – at 10:30 at night – got a second wind. Well, maybe fifth wind.

Frantic Family.

My house was a wreck. There were dishes that need to be done, toys scattered everywhere and I wasn’t really sure there were clean clothes for the family for the next day. All while this kid simply wouldn’t quit.

And while I try my very best to be reasonable - understanding - diplomatic – NONE of those things were working. Because it is 10:30. And it had been a very long day.

It was way past her bed time, way past my bed time, and we were all awake.

Wiggling. Squirming. Fitting. Fussing. She is no longer in the bed. She is no longer in the room. She is ready to play. And no matter what we do, there is no stopping her.

Frantic Family.

I am empty. My soul. My body. My very being. And so instead, I say to my husband, “If she won’t go to sleep, let’s put her to work.” And so we do, sorting girl scout cookies.

Working around the living room, we piled up Samoas, labeled Savannah Smiles, might have even sampled a few Toffee Tastics as we laughed, and piled, and walked in circles.

And it was lovely.

It was laughter. It was joy. It was family. And not at all frantic.

Praise the Lord

Lord, our Lord,

    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

    in the heavens.

Through the praise of children and infants

    you have established a stronghold 

against your enemies,

    to silence the foe and the avenger.

Psalm 8:1-2

In worship this month, New Hope is talking about 

LIVING FOR A LEGACY

which is very different than just living. 

It means having a purpose. 

Living out God's plan. 

Making a difference with every day. 

Not settling for second best - but giving your all to God's glory. 

It means praising the Lord with every breath. 

And that is what we are talking about in Student Worship this month. 

Giving God the Glory!

We started our time in worship with an upbeat version of the hymn,

 To God be the Glory. 

And then our message, given by Cale, used the following materials:

a hairdryer (on cool)

a blown up balloon

paperclips

string (to tie the paperclips to the balloon)

a permanent marker

Cale started by telling the kids that the balloon represented God. 

(So he wrote God on the balloon with the marker.)

Then he said the paperclips were us - 

choosing to be connected to God through faith (the string). 

And then when he turned on the hair dryer, 

the balloon started floating in the air. 

As it floated around, Cale reminded the kids that when we celebrate how awesome God is - lifting his name up, we glorify God. 

It is through our praises that God's name is lifted. 

And we can praise God with our words, 

with our songs, with our prayers, with our service -

 with our WHOLE LIVES!

Here are our small group questions:

How do you lift up God’s name? 

How do you celebrate how wonderful God is?

What do you think would happen if everyone praise God’s name?

How do you honor God?

How do you remember God’ loves you?

Lift up the name of the Lord, Friends! 

Rise and Shine!