Party of 3!

We are so excited that my mom has decided to go on the trip with us!!! She has been secretly wanting to go on a mission trip for the past few years and told God that if she had the opportunity that she would go.... 

Well, here is her opportunity!

When I first invited her to come with us a couple of months ago she immediately responded, "I would love that!" but continued to go back and forth for a few weeks wondering if now was the right time to go. I wanted to give God room to speak and for her to hear His voice for herself, so I did not push the issue. She needed to make this decision for herself. Well, after a couple of weeks she decided NOT to go. But weeks after her decision the Lord kept knocking on her heart and she just couldn't shake it off. 

So I asked her again and encouraged her to be brave!... And with a little nudging from my brother who said, "Mom, don't be a chicken!" :)
she has decided to go and is already signed up and apart of the team. We are thrilled to have her come along and know that this will be an awesome time of bonding for all of us. 

She has decided not to fundraise but she still needs our prayers and support! Please keep my mom in prayer as she prepares to go. This is a huge step of faith for her!

Just a little update!

We are so thankful for all the support and love that we have received as we are raising funds for our mission trip this May 31st-June 14th. Our hearts are overwhelmed with gratitude and thanksgiving for all the donations we have received. Both Curtis and I are 65% funded!!! 

Our first financial deadline is in just a few days where we both needed 60% ... we praise God that we have exceeded that goal with your help!

Our hearts continue to grow in excitement as the trip is coming up quick. We had our first conference call as a team this past week where we found out that we will be split up into 4 groups within our team:

Worship

Arts & Crafts

VBS

Sports & Games

We need to have material prepared before we go because we will need to be ready at a moments notice to lead worship, minister to the children, teach them or just have fun with them! Curtis has already requested to be apart of the worship team and I am so excited to see him use his gifts and talents for the benefit of others. I am still praying about what group I would like to be apart of but we have also been warned that we could be pulled into any group during the course of the trip. We just need be willing to serve in any place there is a need.

Curtis and I have also been a part of a small group at our local church where we are studying about orphan ministry. It is a video series that we are working through and is so beneficial as we are are moving forward with our mission trip. One of the speakers recently said that, "There is a great need for us to be brought near to the crisis - those who have no family or voice". I do agree with this statement. When we are brought near to the need then our hearts are moved to respond. Otherwise, our hearts can become hardened and even self-absorbed. 

So we are so thankful for this opportunity to GO where the need is the greatest and allow God to move in our hearts and show us how to respond!

If you would still like to give you can do so ...

Online:
https://www.visitingorphans.org/cgi-bin/donate.cgi : Be sure to type in one of our names

Mail: 
203 N. Carroll St. Ext #20
Thrumont, MD 21788