Exceeding Our Goal

Money.  Each person needed a large amount in order to pay for the trips to Navajo Nation and Haiti.  The group did several fundraisers that included very early mornings and long, but fun days.  We received support from our church family.  Many in the congregation donated thru offerings and gifts.  We also sent out letters to friends and family asking for support and have been blessed by their responses. 

And now…we are so thankful to announce…we have not only reached, but have exceeded our goal!  Any money left in the account after our trips will be used for next years Mission Trip.  God has not only used our family and friends to support us, but also those who will come after us.  What an awesome God we serve!

Denver and Greg Get Shot

Denver gets his shots.

Greg gets his shots.

Denver and Greg are required to have a number of shots before going to Haiti.  They had their first group of several shots last month and then went for their last pre-trip round last week.  Now all that’s left is for them to take some medication for a week before they leave.  We haven’t heard how Greg handled himself afterwards, but Denver was pretty sore and whiney about his arm.  (Opps…maybe I wasn’t supposed to write that! lol)

As we think of all the immunizations that Greg and Denver needed, it should remind us to pray for their safety while they are away….that they would remain healthy during their trip and upon their return.  We should also pray for those living in Haiti.  They are living in terrible conditions.  Most of us couldn’t even begin to imagine what they go through on a daily basis.  So today…pray for Denver and Greg, for the people of Haiti, and then remember to thank God for the blessings in your life.

Rummage Sale

A look out at the tables.

Denver, Joy and Peg wait for people to check out.

People shopping.

We had our last fundraiser on Saturday.  It was a Rummage Sale put together by our cheerleader, Peg.  She did an awesome job!  Everyone from church was invited to bring in their unwanted “treasures” during the week.  Then on Friday Peg and Joy worked most of the day sorting items and placing them on tables.  On Saturday the whole crew showed up to work by 7am…Peg, Greg, Bethany, Sheryl, Joy, Denver and Marcia.  At 7am it was cold and windy, but we managed to get everything out and ready.

At 8am sharp the flood gates opened and we had a very steady stream of customers.  It was pretty chilly all day and our clothes and lighter stuff kept blowing across the parking lot, but we still had a great time.  On top of it all we raised over $900.00 and donated three pick-up trucks FULL of items to Goodwill.

If you donated items or came and bought stuff to support us…THANK YOU!

All About Jeff

Jeff is this great guy who is married to this great gal named Peg.  Jeff was one of our original trip members for last summer’s Mexico Trip.  He planned and worked hard last year only to have the trip canceled.  Then Jeff planned and worked hard to go with us again this year, but is now unable to go with us due to some date changes with our Navajo Nation trip.  What a disappointment!  Jeff, however, is taking this all in stride.  He’s confident that God has a plan for him and a trip for him in the future.  What an example he is to all of us…he reminds us to wait on God’s timing and God’s plans.  I’m excited to see how God is going to bless Jeff for his patience and obedience to His will.

Now, back to the gal named Peg.  Peg has been our groups biggest cheerleader and supporter for the past two years.  She has come along side our group and spent many hours planning and fundraising for us.  She works hard, tracks our money, and in general does all kinds of things to help us out. 

Our group has truly been blessed by Jeff and Peg and we praise and thank God for their love, support and friendship.

Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser

Greg and Ron hard at work in the kitchen.

Joy and Marcia working on set up.

Enjoying the Pancakes!

Last month we had a Pancake Breakfast Fundraiser in order to raise money for our trips.  We had an amazing time and were very blessed by those who came to support us.  Greg, Dillion, Ron and Peg were at the church as early as 5am preparing for the breakfast.  Denver, Marcia, Sheryl, Joy and Bethany also pitched in to help set up, serve, and clean up afterwards. 

During the breakfast we made over $600.00 for our trip.  We also got to serve our friends and family and had the opportunity to meet new people.  Those that came for breakfast had wonderful pancakes made by Ron and Dillion and enjoyed a time of fellowship along with the breakfast.

A big THANK YOU to all of those who came to support and encourage us!

Getting here.

How did we get to this point?  Why Haiti?  Why Navajo Nation?  It’s been a long road for us…in fact, about 2 years.  You see, last summer a small group of us were supposed to go to Satillo, Mexico on a Mission Trip.  The trip condinator canceled the trip last spring due to the danger of crossing the border into Mexico.  It was canceled at such a  late date that we were unable to make other plans.  “Ok,” we thought, “No big deal.  We’ll just go next year and take even more people!.”  Wrong.

Over the last several months we have seen that there may be a chance of the trip getting canceled again, so we decided to make other plans to ensure that we were able to share God’s love and gift of salvation with the world this summer.  And so our new trips were booked. 

Going to Haiti will be Denver and Greg.  Going to Navajo Nation will be Sheryl, Joy, Bethany and Marcia.  We are all very excited and nervous and anxious.  We are sure that God is going to use us…that we will be stretched…and bruised…and lifted up too.  We are going to be weak so He can be strong.  We are going to love the lost and break bread with brothers and sisters.  It’s amazing to think that as high as our expectations are…that God is going to exceed them.  We can’t wait!