Trip Updates

2010 MISSION TRIPS:  

Nicaragua Soccer Trip:  July 3-11
Contact: Greg McGaha at greg@sharonbaptist.org
Updates: The team made it home safely.

#4
Hola Senoritas and Senors,
We had a great day feeding the kids at the dump. We made rice, plantains, and masa(a orange soup with vegetables and meat). We fed about 400 kids!!! Greg, Dale, and Belgium went on a scouting mission in Chichigalpa. And they say it is "Ok" for us to go back tomorrow, Saturday. We are leaving in a few minutes to go to Reys house and eat dinner with his family. So be praying that we make it safe to Chichigalpa and back.

Micah Godsey

#3
Hello All, 
     We had a wonderful day at our camp.  In some opinions this was our best day.  It is so obvious that these boys hearts are being really softened and they are falling in love with these children.  Matt Lister shared his testimony and used David and Goliath as a reference in sharing.  We had good participation again from the young boys and girls.  It also appears that our guys are getting better at leading despite the language difference.  We did lose yet again on the US vs. Nic. soccer game.  It does not help that the boys are pulling the weight (literally) of a 41 year old on the team.
     A point of prayer:  on this day much social distress was throughout ChiChigalpa.  The problem was between the sugar cane workers and the police.  (Sugar cane is a main source of income for this community- and therefore is a large group that is disagreeing)  If it was just my family we would be going back tomorrow.  Since I am making the decision for all we are choosing not to go back.  This decision has made us all very sad.  Myself included!  Tomorrow is our scheduled last day of camp, and we are planning on having our end of the week party to include a video and dinner for the campers and families.  We have moved our schedule for a free day to tomorrow, and we are hoping that things cool down there to allow us to return on Saturday to say our good bye.  Thank you for your prayers, and we are looking forward to whatever God has in store for us.
In Christ, Greg

#2
Family and friends,
Today we had our second day of soccer camp in Chichigalpa. Unfortunately we ended our day a little short due to the fabulous rain that seems to cover Nicaragua, but we were able to make up this short day by catching the Uruguay vs. Netherlands game and watching it with our Nicaraguan friends. The medical clinic went extraordinary well.  Mrs. Heather Polley being a American Nurse is a huge hero in Chichigalpa. We are continually making new friends and learning new skills.  Ryan Calhoun was able to end our day by fluently speaking his devotion to the soccer camp (we would share more about his devotion, however it was in Spanish and only Ryan speaks Spanish among the Americans with us). Thank you for your prayers, and continue to pray for God to continue to open the hearts of our new friends in Nicaragua, so that we may share the Gospel with them.      Belgium

#1
     Hello to all of our family and friends. We had an incredible day in Nicaragua today. There were approximately 120 kids that showed up for our soccer camp!! They were all very excited to spend the day with us playing soccer. You all should be very proud of your boys because they took on a huge leadership role today and did a GREAT job! All of the children were split up into groups and each of our youth was in charge of a different age group. They did a lot of drills in the morning and had a lot of fun in the afternoon playing small sided games. Before lunch everyday, one of our boys will be sharing his testimony with the entire group. It went very well today. We are already building relationships with many of the children and are praying that we can reach out to even more. We learned that they love to talk to us even though we sometimes don't understand. Somehow it is working out...we are able to communicate! God is making good things happen and we are all feeling his presence with us as we work to share him with these families. We all have many stories to share with you and it is only our 3rd day here. 
     Please continue to pray for us. We have 3 more days of soccer camp and much work to do. The clinic will also be open tomorrow and we are planning to see many children who need medical attention. Please pray that the children and their families will be open to us and that their hearts will be open to the love of Jesus that we want to share with them.
Love, Heather Polley and the rest of the team.


Romania: June 23 - July 18
Contact:  Carolyn Hines at 770.957.8436 or biblessojourner@aol.com 
Updates:

#2
Dear Friends and Family,
     We continue to be blessed in our work here in Romania. 
Yesterday we attended church at the village where we taught VBS.  The service was held outside and we were blessed with a celebration where five people we baptized.  You can see the picture below and notice the large tub covered in white sheets.  The tub is a watering trough for animals.  They carried the water from a neighboring well.  This well is the only one in the village.  
     This morning, we began VBS in another village.  The children came from three or four different churches.  We nearly packed the church and tomorrow we are expecting many more children. 
Love to all of you from Chris and Carolyn

#1
Greetings and well wishes from Romania,
     We have just completed a five day VBS in Ursi as well as an eye clinic.  We will return there on Sunday for church service and baptism of 3 or 4 people.  
     What a wonderful blessing it has been to work with around 80 gypsy children!  It rained nearly every day but they still came, walking through the obstacle course of wood planks, broken bricks and broken clay roofing tiles, then through water, mud and wet grass.  Carrying the VBS supplies and computer equipment in through all of this proved to be a challenge.  However, we all agree it was more than worth the struggles.  
     Chris had a small little girl latch onto her from the very start.  The children were very excited to have coloring books that told a Bible story.
     Our helpers from the village church will take copies of the coloring book to another village and conduct VBS there.  This has been our goal from the time that I began work in Romania and finally we have two small churches here who are struggling to reach out to the surrounding villages.  
     A special greeting of thanks. has been sent from Costel, Pastor of the church in Ursi, thanking Sharon Baptist for sending money to help feed many children in the village and other areas.  Costel also sends blessings to Danny and his family.  The one request from Costel is that we keep them in our prayers. May God bless each one of you in ways that only He can. In the service of our King, that all may come to know Him, Carolyn Hines and Chris


Guatemala:  June 26 - July 3
Contact:  Lee Rush at 770.294.6133 or lee.rush@cox.com 
                  Jeanne Rush at 678.920.8727 or jeannemrush@aol.com 
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Guatemala-Mission-Trip/453543380695?
Blog link: http://antiguamissions.blogspot.com/
Update: The team made it home safely on July 3.

Just wanted to let you know that all 21 of us are back at home.  It was late when we arrived, but we're all in good shape.  We had a tremendous trip.  God is just too cool!!!  We did a few construction projects at a local church, spent time at the only homeless shelter in Guatemala, spent two heart wrenching days at a malnutrition center, did VBS in the middle of tropical storm Alex (outside in the pouring rain in 55 degree weather, and delivered 850 pounds of clothes to two areas in Pastores that were absolutely devastated by tropical storm Agatha.  We can't wait to share what we saw God do through the generosity of Sharon Baptist Church.  (But, I don't know if anyone will be there tomorrow-  we're going to have to sleep!) 
Please tell everyone thank-you so much for the prayers- we needed them- it was very challenging, heart breaking and incredibly emotional for all of us.  We love you all,  Jeanne Rush

Nicaragua: July 2-10 or July 10-18 or July 2-18
Contact:  Steve Sanders at 770.361.9845 or sdsteve@bellsouth.net 
Updates: The team arrived home safely.

#6
Hola Amigos
 
We arrived home safely yesterday after being in Nicaragua for 18 days. We want to thank You all for your prayers and support. The 2010 Nicaragua Mission Trip was incredible. We helped those with poor vision to see again and to be able to read their bibles. Two young girls were especially a blessing to me when we were able to fit them with glasses so they could see their school work. You should have seen the look on their eyes. We gave out well over 200 glasses. We helped to the heal the sick with prayers and medicines by holding two medical clinics one had to be cut short after we were nearly overrun with mothers with their sick children. I am happy to say that most came for rashes, fevers, parasites and lice but 3 were more seriously ill and we had a doctor come see them. The doctor after telling us over the phone that he would charge us 15 dollars a child to examine refused to be paid after he saw what we were doing. He even offered to continue to treat a more seriously ill child till he was well. One day on the way to feed the children our bus became stuck up to the axles in awful, slimy contaminated water. Teenage Nicaraguan boys from the barrio quickly waded into the slim knee deep barefooted in an attempt to help us out. Fortunately a road scraper showed up just in time to pull us out, what a coincidence.
In the last couple days we were able to buy a set of bunk beds for two little girls who had no beds and who had been sleeping on dirty cardboard on a muddy floor in their hut and on the way back to the bus we met a desperate woman trying to get medical care for a 3 year old child who had become paralyzed when she was 6 month old, it was heartbreaking.
The trip was an incredible experience we had over 40 people indicate that they wanted to receive Jesus Christ as their savior. We gave away around 400 bibles and help provide 1550 meals for hungry children. We also help continue the construction of the new church and we did 6 VBS's. We also continued to develop our relationship with our dear Nicaraguan friends.
We also heard some good news. Compassion International also has expressed an interest in partnering with t our sister church in Nicaragua, this will mean over 150 children being sponsored and 12 jobs for church members. Compassion is requiring the church to build bathrooms for the children and an adequate kitchen. If God has blessed you to be in a position to help financially, I would like to encourage you to consider participating in this project.
Thanks God Bless! 
I encourage you all consider going with us next year for a life changing experience. 
Steve Sanders

#5
Hola!

We are still  very busy here in Nicaragua. The last couple of days we have been very busy. We have had a medical clinic, with about 100 people coming. It was very pitiful to see all of the sick children. We will be doing another one today. WE all so have started work on the church construction again. Footings were dug yesterday and there were plans to pour concrete today. We gave away 2 lb bags of rice to about 125 very pour families yester day. A woman ask me and Freddy to visit her I spent 30 min. with her and her family. They live in a small 12X12, well the best description would be a worn horse stall with with a mud floor. Two of the precious, beautiful daughters 10, 6 slept on the ground on cardboard, it washeartbreaking. After I explained the colors of the Gospel Braclet she prayed to receive Christ. Today after the medical clinic we will be visiting the girls orphanage.

# 4
What a wonderful day we had a fantastic VBS this morning The kids really enjoyed themselves. The Nicaraguan youth that is working with us is doing such a fantastic job. They have us all laughing so hard with the fun games that they have come up with. The children who come to the VBS have very little to laugh about in their lives. The live such a harsh life but to see them enjoy themselves for such a short time has been a blessing to us. You should see their enthusiasm as they want to answer the bible questions. After VBS we went to feed the children in another location. Some of the children the are so pitiful looking, some with very little clothes and you an tell they have very little positive attention at home. But some are so happy and loving.
Tomorrow we will try to put on a VBS at the feeding location. There has never been anything like this done in this location before. Most of the children do not attend school and there may be well over 300 children there. Please pray for us that God will give us strength and wisdom to do what needs to be done to to plant seeds among these children so that some time in the future many of them will come to know Christ.
Dios Te Bendiga
Steve

#3
Hello,
Wednesday was a big day we had our first VBS of the trip. We had around 125 children. Hannah did a Beautiful chalk drawing while Tina explained the colors of the wordless book, the kids and our fellow workers from the local church loved it. They loved the craft, and especially the games but the skit was hilarious.The children laughed soooo hard.  We gave away 125 children's New Testament and the children were so happy, it has beautiful colorful pictures.  Rob Gauvin has been a big hit down here he may have delivered the biggest cultural impact in the last century into Nicaragua. He has introduced the Peanut Butter and Banana sandwich to Nicaraguans. He kept talking about them and Pator Carlos said he would like to try one. So Ana Rosa went to get some bananas and Rob started making sandwiches and did not stop for over an hour. Everyone loved them and everyone said they had never had one before. They were coming from all over for Rob's sandwiches. Sunday the Nicaraguans ask Tina to show the ladies in the church  how to make chili. She made it over an open fire in a huge pot for over 100 people and they all loved it. The ladies said they would start making it on a regular basis, it was delicious. Please be praying for Scott Tallent he will be trying to join us on Friday night.
God Bless, Steve

#2
Hola Amigos,
I wanted to give you an update on our trip. Yesterday we hosted another eyeglass clinic we examined around 70 people dispite the pouring down rain and us meeting outside under a smalll leaking pavillion. It is such a blessing to see the expression on the people faces when they can read again or be able to do detailed work with their hands. I have learned that we tend to take so much for granted in the US. Out of the people we ministered to at the Eyeglass clinic, two ladies indicated that they were wanting to accept Jesus Christ as their savior. One lady in particular became so emotional when she understood the the gift of salvation. After the eyeglass clinic we went to feed the children. Thank God the rain stopped. Over 350 children came, we ran out of food before they were all served, what a heart break. The expense to feed the children has gone up. The church with our support now is only able to feed the children 2 times a week, We began to feed the children over two years ago with our "Tree of Hope" campaign. The children are so much more health now than they were when we started. This afternoon we will be doing our first VBS of the trip after that we will go to the girl's orphnage.
Jim Cottingham left this morning to return home. He spoke at church last night where he gave us all a great challange. We were also able to give everyone a bible who did not own one. All of this that we are able to accomplish is because of your support. It is so thrilling to read all that God is accomplishing through our mission teams from Sharon.
Thank You All
Dios Te Bendiga
God Bless You, Steve Sanders

#1
Hello Everyone
     We have had a wonderful time here in Nicaragua. Jim Cottingham had a get together with the gang in the community of La Grassa. We have been working in this community for several years. We have been hosting VBS's here for the last 4 years among several activities  At this get together with the gang the other night 15 young men and children out of a crowd of 40-50 people indicated they wanted to have a relationship with Jesus Christ including the Gang leader who just a few weeks ago had a long discussion with Jim about life and he had a lot of questions and eventually stormed off because he was struggling with what he was hearing. But now God has touched his heart and this is wonderful news in the community.
     We also have had a eyeglass clinic and we examined 134 people and our Nicaraguan friends counseled with them and answered questions while they waited in line and 6 men said that they wanted to know God and they indicated that they for the first time in their lives understood the sacrifice of Jesus Christ and wanted a relationship with him.
While eating at a restuarant we notice two sweet little girls struggling to survive, they must have been 6 and 9 years old. We were able to spend some time with them and feed them. It broke my heart. they were collecting scrap plastic from the street to sell so they could eat.
We will be doing anothe reyeglass clinic today and feeding 300 + children this afternoon. Please continue to pray for us.
Blessings, Steve


Jamaica/Warm Whispers Ministries
Contact:  Danny Myers at 404.569.0934 or danny@warmwhispersministries.org 
Updates: Go to www.warmwhispersministries.org


British Columbia:  July 3-17
Contact:  Kent Bookout at 770.898.1915 or kentandchristy@aol.com  
Basketball Camp: July 3-10 / Baseball Camp: July 13-15
Cost: Approximately $1500
Update: The team made it home safely.

Thursday, July 15 - Our basketball camp went very well last week. We started out on Monday with 44 children from Pemberton and the First Nation reservations. The number of children grew last week as word spread in the community. Our number of participants grew to 74 children, of which hardly any go to a church. We started baseball/softball Tuesday of this week with 34 children, 41 children today(Wed).  It was encouraging to hear a lady from the community state she teared up when she heard the children recite their memory verse from the day before.  These children have never been to church.  We were invited to visit the N'quatqua tribe band reservation today to discuss organizing a camp on the reservation in the future.  We received approval from the chief on Monday. The facility is very small but adequate. We seen a few kids on the reserve that visited the camps. There is a huge need for follow up relationships with the youth here especially youth from the First Nation.

We also had some interest from the Lil'wat Mt Currie area people about a camp for next year although this tribe is not very open to any church due to an invasion from the Catholic church when the valley here was first settled by North American settlers. The Catholic church came in and took their children away claiming to send them to a residential school to be educated. The children were never seen again. Many abused by priest. There is great potential in these areas for us to build relationships and through time share Christ.  Stay Tuned.......

Monday they had 44 participants in the Basketball Camp and Tuesday they had 54 participants.  Kent and Daryl are also doing a night camp for the high school students.  It is truly amazing to see what God is doing in Pemberton.  We are so blessed to be a part of this journey.  Thanks for the prayers and please continue praying for us.  Christy Bookout

Water Projects International:  Peru Missions & currently Haiti Relief
Contact:  Justin Walker at 770.880.0401 or justin@waterprojectsinternational.org 
Website: http://www.waterprojectsinternational.org/