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| Beyond the Walls - 2008 Mission Trips |
 "Where will God lead you?"
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Our mission season has begun!!
Our first group of 24 is back from Pass Christian, Mississippi and our Pueblo Pintado and Nicaragua teams are gearing up. They will be followed by the Russia group late September and ASP in November. The stories of changed lives, impact made, friendships formed, and new and deeper perspectives of God and His plan and purpose will be told! Please check in below for updates on each of our teams as they return. And start praying for guidance on the possibility of serving on a mission team in 2009. Try it once... you will never be the same!
Donations Needed:
We continue to collect socks and underwear for the children (ages 7–15) living in an orphanage in the Smolensk region of Russia. Our team of 10 will serve there later this fall and will take and disperse the collections while we are there. Collections can be placed in the designated bin in the Beyond the Walls Resource Room
Recap of our 2007 trips...
| Pass Christian, Mississippi - Hurricane Restoration |
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"The area around Pass Christian, Mississippi, just west of Gulfport, sustained catastrophic damage from hurricane Katrina. Not quite two and a half years later, the area is still struggling to recover. This June we worked with the Restoration Point Foundation (www.restorationpoint.org) to help restore or rebuild homes for families who lost nearly everything in the hurricane. These are families who were raised there, who do not want to leave, but do not have the financial resources to rebuild on their own. Please read below a testimony from members on our SUMC team as they helped to rebuild not only homes, but hope, through sharing the love of Jesus Christ with those so have suffered through so much.
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Mission Miracles – A Story of Hope and Perseverance
On our recent mission trip to Pass Christian, MS, this summer, I think I can speak for everyone, that God was in so many places and facets of our experience it is hard to know exactly where to begin. While it was our intention to serve those still struggling to rebuild after Hurricane Katrina, I believe we came back deeply touched and changed by the people we had the opportunity to meet and serve.
.JPG) As believers we strive to stay in tune to God’s calling for all of us to reach out to others in need in some capacity in our lives. It’s simply God’s way, and when we respond to His calling amazing things can happen on both sides of the mission field. I once read that “work is the means by where we come into God’s blessing”. Missions is the physical, emotional, and spiritual vehicle in which we are transported out of our own admission of faith and into the unknown where our faith, and life, become faith in action. “Stepping out of our comfort zone, into the realm of the unknown, where Jesus lives…and he’s calling out my name.”
I think of the survivor’s of the storm often and I am grateful how their resilience and hope, in spite of incredible odds, have helped me to define my own faith and living upon our return. I am thankful for the opportunity to be God’s representative, experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit while encouraging those who felt “forgotten”. Assuring them that God still loves them and He is still with them every step of the way.
In serving, while it is often difficult to see the physical progression in what we hoped to accomplish while we were there, it is apparent to me that the hearts of God’s people called to serve will be forever changed in ways that cannot always be seen by the eye, only felt by the heart. Our sights were set high on the many tasks at hand, often causing frustration and sometimes doubt, however the true spirit of teamwork always prevailed by the end of the day. At the end of the week, even though most of us are not what one might consider “skilled”, we were amazed at what we were able to accomplish in such a short time, together, with God’s help.
For some the journey is still a challenge each and everyday. Pray for the people of Pearlington, MS, as they continue to rebuild their homes and their lives after the many storms they have endured. In their lifetime, some of their worst hardships came long before the devastation that Hurricane Katrina left behind. God is good. He is a God of forgiveness and a God of second chances. It’s amazing to see how He has taken this tragedy for so many and provided an awesome opportunity for growth. After all they have been through their faith remains strong and alive. “ Perseverance leading to character, and character leading to hope.”
It seems like only yesterday, and an eternity as well, since we welcomed the people of Pass Christian into our hearts and us into theirs. It has been really hard to say “so long” for me. It is in extraordinary moments that we find ourselves in the midst of another’s life journey, thanking God for the blessing of service in His name. Max Lucado encourages us to “travel light” so that we might know the full joy that God has in store for us along our journey’s. Be open to the miracle in the mission and the knowledge that God is still alive and well, performing miracles every day.
Serving Christ Together,
Jon and Matt Chambers
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| Villa Catalina, Nicaragua - Amigos for Christ |
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Once again, SUMC is partnering with our good friends, Amigos for Christ, in Villa Catalina where we have been involved over the past several years. Our team this year will be continuing construction on a secondary school, providing Vacation Bible School to the children of Villa Catalina, and making new friends in Las Hamacus, the village next door to Villa Catalina.
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| Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico - Navajo Indian Reservation |
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Pueblo Pintado is a Navajo Indian Reservation located about 175 miles northwest of Albuquerque, New Mexico. This will be our second mission trip to this area, and we are excited about all the opportunities to grow Sugarloaf's relationship with the wonderful Navajo people by bringing the love of Christ to their doorstep and showing, through our words and our actions what Christ's unconditional love is all about. We are planning to do light construction, vacation Bible school, sports camp, community nights, as well as outreach to the senior community, and small group Bible studies for the adults. There is also a lot of clean-up/touch-up work to be done around the school. Last year we were able to meet so many wonderful children and adults who have such open and loving hearts and are yearning to know more about God.
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Trip Dates: July 12 - 19
Ages: Families
Cost: $780
Deposit: $100
SUMC Contact: Tami Dillard (tamfram2002@yahoo.com)
Donations: Due to the overwhelming generosity of Sugarloaf family and friends, we are no longer collecting clothing for the Pueblo Pintado community as have filled the truck we are renting for transporting these items! We will continue to collect school supplies and book bags.
Mission Team Application Form
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| Smolensk Region of Russia - Orphanage |
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Roughly 1 ½ million children live in orphanages in Russia and the numbers are increasing by the thousands each year. Most of these children are there because they have been abandoned by their parents because they are unable to care for their children due to the high level of poverty, alcoholism, drug use and abuse. These children are frequently forgotten and abandoned. Please plan to join us as we share the love of Jesus and the hope for a different life with the children and the teachers at an orphanage in Russia. We will be spending our days with the children doing Vacation Bible School, crafts and playing with the children. We will also have the opportunity to spend time with some of the teachers and their families in their homes some evenings. There is also the possibility of construction work around the church. |
| Chavies, Kentucky - Appalachian Service Project (ASP) |
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The goal of ASP is "warmer, safer, drier" and as in the past, we will be helping the people of Appalachia with general maintenance and repair of their property. If you have gone on an ASP trip before you know what an incredible experience it is. If you are considering going for the first time and want to serve the Lord, you will be blessed! No experience is needed, just a willing heart and a positive attitude.
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Beyond the Walls - 2007 Mission Trips
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We have just concluded our 2007 Mission Trip Season, and the 100 plus people who served on our teams traveled well beyond the walls of our church.
Our teams served in Pass Christian, MS (hurricane restoration), Mozambique, Africa (constructing an AIDS facility), Pueblo Pintado, NM (Vacation Bible School for Navajo children), and Chavies, KY (Appalachian Service Project).
We are thankful we have a congregation who has supported our trips in a variety of ways prior to our departures (our BLASt children alone have raised money to purchase over 30 book bags for the Navajo children). We are also thankful to all of those who supported us in prayer!
Pass Christian, Mississippi - June 6 -10, 2007
Our team went to Pass Christian, MS, and worked with the Restoration Point Foundation on our continued Hurricane Clean-up efforts.
View Photos!
Below is an testimonial from Donna Collins on our trip to Pass Christian...
It’s hard to put into words what we found when we arrived in Mississippi. It is nearly two years after Katrina and my thoughts were that we would be helping to wrap up the rebuilding efforts however that was not the case. I quickly found that rebuilding will be going on for quite sometime. I don’t think anyone can even begin to know the damage that this one storm did to this community… except those who lived through it. I feel so blessed to have been a small part of helping these individuals rebuild their homes and their lives. Hearing the stories of each one we met and what they went through and are still going through just made my heart ache for each of them. They are very proud people and very grateful for all the help. God was good to each of us…although the weather was hot and humid and the work hard we all did what was needed and God saw to it that we accomplished his mission. ...read more...
Below is an excerpt from a letter sent to SUMC from Jim Sullenger, Executive Director of Restoration Point Foundation...
This morning before the dawn breaks in Pass Christian, Mississippi, I am writing about the breaking news that Restoration Point has moved another family in their home. This news is not the kind that will shake the world and captivate the hearts of most people, but those of us who believe in the healing power of Jesus can feel the ground shake and our hearts rejoice. ...read more...
Mozambique, Africa - June 9 - 21, 2007
12 individuals travelled to a small fishing village on the Indian Ocean called Chicuque. Mission work included medical, building an AIDS facility, and VBS for local children.
Below is an excerpt from Bruce Wood’s journal during our trip to Africa...
Today, Mike (Gill) and I worked together at the hospital worksite in Chicuque, Mozambique, side by side, all day long! Encouraging one another as Greg (Martin) outlined in this day's devotional - 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing". Mike and I moved sand from the sifted sand pile to the concrete mixer behind the hospital clinic supply warehouse. Then we moved large rocks to the foundations being dug by the local workers. It was very hard work. The stones were very heavy. Mike and I talked to each other and to the local workers all day, encouraging each other to persevere - to "press on". It was very rewarding to us as we grew closer to these local people even having to suffer through our language barriers. In laughter, there are no language barriers! And we laughed most of the day! ...read more...
Pueblo Pintado, New Mexico - July 14 - 21, 2007
A team traveled with members of Duluth United Methodist Church to this Navajo Indian Reservation outside of Cuba, NM. Mission work included VBS, a sports camp, construction, and community events.
Appalachia Service Project (ASP) is a Christian ministry that renovates and restores the homes of people in need in Central Appalachia. This ministry is an annual fall tradition for SUMC! As in the past, we will be helping the people of Appalachia with general maintenance and repair of the property. The goal is "warmer, safer, drier!"
ASP 2007
Chavies, Kentucky
"It is always a blessing to give to those who cannot repay the favor. The moment that I saw the photos from the ASP 2006 trip projected in our new sanctuary during Sunday service last year, I felt a desire to be a part of this outreach. When the invitation rolled around for this year, my wife Karen encouraged me to go, knowing how much I wanted to participate.
Among the unexpected blessings were the great fellowship with so many Christian men and women of a common mind. I was able to get to know many of our SUMC members on a more personal basis during the drive up, the wholesome and tasty meals in the cafeteria, on the job site and in the fellowship areas at the ASP headquarters. We swapped stories, laughed together, sang while some played guitar, prayed together, enjoyed several excellent discipleship messages, enjoyed a simple game of skill involving a string and a metal ring on the front porch and ended our stay with Eric and Lori serving Communion on the back porch, Sunday morning after he delivered an anointed teaching on serving..." click here to read more...
Interested in serving on a mission trip?
Read about the experiences of SUMC members in Nicaragua in 2006.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 12/03/2006
Read Article Online
Watch Audio Slideshow
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