Mission Trip Day 4

Good evening all!

 

What a great day. It started off like most Tuesdays on mission trips, more coffee and extra ibuprofen. Slower starts and a few more aches and pains than normal for everybody. The weather forecast was for another hot one. After a quick breakfast and loading up we headed out.

 

At the jobsite we unloaded and headed for our jobsites. After a short while the granddaughter and grandson in-law came by to check on us. We asked about the homeowner (her grandmother) and Melanie said that she was staying with them. I asked her if she was able to come over to she the house. Mel (what every calls Melanie) said that she didn't want to get in our way. We explained that that would not happen. They left to go get Grannie. Well soon the car pulls up and Grannie gets out. When we met Grannie (which is what everyone calls her) she started giving hugs to everyone. She explained that she is Grannie to all in the area. A very sweet 84 year old lady. Well she talked to everyone on the team and then some. She said that she hadn't been back to her house in several weeks. That when she'd drive by she'd wave and say hello house I hope to be back soon. I think she enjoyed sitting out front watching the cars go by as much as she enjoyed talking with the team members. A strange thing happened shortly after Grannie got there. Prior to her arrival we were all kind of dragging. But after meeting her and putting a face to the house everyone's pace picked up. It wasn't quite as hot and the tasks had a little more purpose. She stayed until just before we broke for the day. She said she'd be back tomorrow.

 

After lunch we switched up some team members to get different jobs done. I went over to the other house to help paint one of the back rooms. I'm really not very good at sheetrock work to be honest. The other house (Ms. Brutley's) is coming along. The sub flooring is all in, painting in a back bedroom is almost done along with priming the wall in a front bedroom. Tomorrow we are hoping to get the insulation and paneling up in the kitchen.

 

We got back to Henryville a little later than normal but we got a lot done. Dinner was baked barbecue chicken, creamed potatoes, steamed broccoli, Bland's sweet tea and various desserts. We were really slow moving afterwards. Parker Kelly lead our devotions. After a brief team meeting folks started to head for bed. Some of us stayed up later than we should to discuss the day and future plans.

 

Wednesday is our planned half day of work. Pastor Marvin has arraigned for us to spend some time on Guntersville Lake. I'm sure that will be an adventure in it's on.

 

I forgot to mention earlier about the delicious cookies that Gail May sent us. As good as these cookies are I am surprised that any survived the trip from Chicago! THANK YOU Gail, we miss you!

 

We pray that all are well back home. The attached picture is of Grannie, her granddaughter, her grandson in-law and some of the team that has been working on her house. Please continue to pray for the team and the people that we serve. God bless you all as He has blessed us!

 

Peace & Grace,

Jeff

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Pictures of our Mission Team in Alabama!

Click Here to see the awesome work going on in Alabama this week!  Great Pictures!

Alabama Mission Trip Day 3

Holy cow was it hot today! Despite the heat and being Monday we got a lot done. The morning started out with plenty of coffee and excitement of what the day would hold for us. Once we got out to the sites and started moving around in the 96+ heat and humidity you quickly felt a drain on the system though. Rich and Richard had the plans for both houses and we quickly set about to get our task going. We had people sanding sheetrock, mudding sheetrock, priming trim and cutting and hanging sheetrock in various parts of both houses. Everybody was in good spirits even in the heat. One of our youth, Davis, took to working in sheetrock like a pro. Our other 3 youth, Peyton, Katy and Kaelyn, enjoyed priming the trim boards outside.

 

It wasn't long before the granddaughter of the home owner came by to see us. Her name is Melanie. We asked her about what damage was to the house. She explained that parts of 3 trees fell on the house opening in up to the elements. Unfortunately the house sat that way for several months before a roof was put on the house. The entire insides of the home had to be gutted. All of the possessions that could be salvaged are now in two pods waiting to be moved back into the house. Our hope is that we can get most of the rooms completed to a point that we can unload the pods before we leave.

 

In the other home, like I said earlier, it's a little more complicated. That home also had roof damage and sat open for several months. The owner of the house was so overwhelmed by the disaster that she had a breakdown and could not deal with it. From what we have been told she basically closed the house up with her 5 dogs inside. While she did come by and feed them she didn't clean up after them. When she finally got some help on the house you can imagine how the house smelled. On top of that when earlier teams came in the clean up she would go out to the dumpster and bring the items back in. In this house we are also hanging sheetrock, taping, mudding and sanding along with painting the walls and putting down sub-flooring in the kitchen.

 

We worked on both houses until around 3:30. By then we were dragging. Thank you to all that donated water and Gatorade! We have gone through a lot already. We cleaned up, packed up and locked up the two houses and headed back to Henryville UMC. Tonight's dinner was a special treat. Rich had cooked his special barbeque pork and Colleen had made us a chocolate éclair cake. Thanks to both of them for this meal.

 

When we arrived back showers and getting into some air conditioning was primary. Everybody was exhausted. One of the youth commented that if Mondays are normally our slow day then what was the rest of the week going to be like?

 

During dinner we had a surprise guest. A lady named Mildred whom we had met back in March with Wesley came by. She is 92, still drives her car and volunteers twice a week at the courthouse. She had brought us some cantaloupes, strawberries, grapes and candy. She also had a handwritten card for the team. She was grateful that we were down at her church helping the folks in her community. She has no idea how much she is serving us. It never ceases to amaze me at where the face a Jesus will show up.

 

Everyone has gone to bed earlier tonight. Even the youth are wondering how they will feel in the morning. What ever the day holds for us we go forward with the confidence that God will be there with us. Thank you all for your prayers and responses to the Facebook pictures. We heard some good news from home today in that it has finally rained in Farmville! We continue to lift up you all back home. Oh and the attached picture is our first team photo. The head bands are courtesy of Janet Stoner.

 

Rich is the one who came up with the subject line of this email. When we got back into our rooms he laid down on his air mattress and said very sincerely "Thank you Jesus for air conditioning and air mattresses".  Amen!

 

Peace to all,

Jeff

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Alabama Day 2

Good evening all,

Well all are here! The last group (Rich & Parker) pulled in around 9:45 PM CT. The Illinois crew got here about 2:00 PM CT. Shortly after they got here we headed out to the jobsites for a tour. But wait, I'm getting ahead of my self here. Let's start a little earlier.

Last night most of us headed for bed pretty early around 10:30. The younger ones stayed up awhile longer conversing on their phones with those back home. After a 10 hr drive the air mattress felt pretty good. Why I woke up at 3 AM I'll never know. So laying there in the semi quiet with the AC turning on and off, a few snores from across the room and the hum of the fan I said a prayer, "Lord please be with us this week. If at all possible keep the heat down. Help us to be safe and may we serve the people as you would have us serve." I drifted back to sleep. Just before the alarm was to go off at 6 I got up. Bland and Tony were already stirring. Apparently Richard's double stuffed air mattress sprung a leak in the middle of the night so he didn't sleep as well. Davis never stirred. Before heading for the shower I gave the keys to Tony and he and Becky made the coffee, Bless them!  After a refreshing shower I headed over to the kitchen.

Now Henryville UMC has there coffee fellowship at 8:30. The team was up, some slower than others, and got our breakfast and was ready to go by then. After being greeted warmly by everyone that came in we were then invited to eat some more breakfast that a women's group had made for themselves for their 8:00 meeting. Being good Methodist we didn't turn down food.

We broke up and went into various Sunday School classes. The one that Becky, Brittney, Nancy and I went to was taking a contemporary Christian song and breaking it down and explaining what it meant to them. The song we discussed was one by Chris Rice, "The Color 9". The service today was about the Great Commission but about the fact that God would be there at all times. Through the entire service it just felt like waves and waves of the Holy Spirit were washing over us. Afterwards the people kept coming up to us thanking us for being here and welcoming those of us that had been before back. It was like a homecoming. Even the youth on the team spoke up on the ride to the restaurant about the energy and excitement that they felt during the service. What a great way to start off the week.

After stuffing ourselves at a local all you can eat dinner called Bruce's we headed back to the church to change to go out to look at the jobsites. After a quick meeting and welcoming the May's (Ed, Kevin & Colin) we were meet by Pastor Marvin whom we followed out to the jobsites on his motorcycle. We have two houses to work on. Both received roof damage in the tornados. The first house. Ms. Lang's, is mostly sheetrock finishing, painting, some framing, hanging cabinets and some trim work. The other house, Ms. Brutley's, is a little more complex. I'll give more info on both of these people a little bit later.

After our tours of the houses the team split and some headed back and some headed to Wal-Mart to get our supplies for the week. Several team members picked up Alabama t-shirts.

We headed back to unload and relax a bit before dinner. Dinner was much lighter than we had planned thanks to a very big lunch. A few brave souls (or foolish depending on your view) went for a run. Fortunately they all made it back. The rest of us pulled out some leftover pizza and sandwich items and got dinner laid out. A little while later we had our team meeting. Nancy lead us in a get to know you game where we were sorted by our birth month and then we gave our name and said why we were here. After the icebreaker Peyton, Katy and Kaelyn lead the devotion. Peyton read from Ezra 3: 10 and the foundation of temple. Katy and Kaelyn then talked about how a house must be built on a strong foundation and this being their first mission that this mission was laying the foundation for their faith. Wow, what amazing youth we have with us.  Afterwards  handed out the cards that Melissa Ward hand made for each of the team members. There were a few teary eyes as folks read what she had written to each. We discussed our plans for tomorrow and then we broke.

Everyone but Rich and myself have headed for bed. I'm going very shortly. Thank you all for your prayers and support. We mention you all in our prayers. We shall see what the Lord brings us tomorrow. So from Guntersville, AL good night and God Bless!

Jeff

Alabama Mission Trip Day 1

Hey All,

 

The first wave of the mission team (11 of us) made it down to Guntersville fine. It's hot and humid. Our internet connection is iffy so I will do the best that I can to get info out to all.

 

We were greeted to today by Pastor Marvin McCormick and his wife Kim. It was great to see them again. Once again we were given the keys to the church and he went over the only two rules, Have fun and make yourself at home. Once we unloaded and had a tour we headed out for pizza. Everyone is settled in and looking forward to seeing all tomorrow at church.

 

We know that we have two houses to work on. It sounds like sheetrock and painting mostly. Will know more tomorrow afternoon.

 

Thanks to those that came out to see us off. A big thank you to those that donated drinks and snacks!

 

The rest of the team will becoming in tomorrow. Please keep them in your prayer. We will be praying for each of you throughout the week.

 

More as it develops!

 

In Christ,

Jeff

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Ways to serve this spring & summer

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve..." Mark 10:45

Farmville UMC is always buzzing with mission opportunity!  Our biggest event this spring will be Change the World on May 19!  Change the World is a movement to connect United Methodists across the world in service on May 19th, 2012, one weekend-locally and globally.  Lyndsie has been hard at work including our whole community and trying to get other area churches on board!  Our event will be held from 7:30-12:30 with a free lunch to follow.   See below, the mission opportunities we will have available that day!  Feel free to call our office so we can sign you and your family up for one!

Did you know that our church has committed to be a part of the Habitat for Humanity Apostle Build? the Farmville Area Habitat will begin an “Apostle’s Build,” whereby twelve (or more) local churches partner together in raising funds and providing volunteers to build a Habitat house in Prince Edward county. Rich Meiser is leading this effort and can use your help!  He can be reached at 392.8089.  There are things everyone can do from providing snacks & drinks for workers to helping with roofing.  Call Rich and he can match your ability with a project.  You can also find out more about this project by visiting the 

Habitat Website! 

Guess what?  We have a new USDA coordinator for FACES!  Congratulations for Sheila Hight!  The 4th Saturday of each month is the day we ask FUMC volunteers to help at FACES.  If you can help on any 4th Saturday from 7:45-10:30AM please contact Sheila at 392.4886 or sahight@embarqmail.com!

We have a team leaving for Honduras on Saturday, June 2.  They will be participating in the annual Medical Mission Trip.

We ask that you be in constant prayer for them and the lives that they will touch! 

Those traveling on this trip are:  Linda & Bill Hogan, April & Kate McBride, Patti Wagner, Jen Roller, Kindle Higgins, Pam Evans, Russell Cheatham, Hadley Sporbert, April Shular, Daniel Myers, Kelli Baker, Melissa Nagle & Jessica Cambridge.
 They will return on Sunday, June 10.

  

Our June Midweek & Mission will be held on Wednesday, June 6 at 5:30PM!  Following a picnic dinner we will begin mission work focused on improvements to our own facility!  Join us for yard work, painting and other various small projects around the church! Reverend Paul Baker & Property Chair, Bill Hogan will be leading this effort.

On July 7 from 7-noon Our Haiti Mission Team will be a part of the 100 mile yard sale.  

We will host a yardsale in our social hall basement.  

You may begin bringing items to donate now and placing them in the shed!

All proceeds will benefit the upcoming Haiti mission trip.

As part of the Farmville District Youth Mission Camp, we will be a host site for dinner and a mission on Sunday, July 15!  Our church will be providing dinner for the youth and we will couple it with our annual Operation Christmas Child ice cream social and shoebox wrapping party!

You can help by bringing in empty shoe boxes, homemade ice cream or dinner items!  Contact Lyndsie Blakely at 392.4686 or Sarah Stokes at 223.8988 for more information.

To end July, Jeff Postans will be leading the Summer Mission Trip to Alabama.  We are still in need of a few team members.  Contact Jeff if you can attend at rjp@kinex.net.

check out the video from the last mission trip to Alabama

We hope you find something in missions to get passionate about this spring and summer!  Contact us at fumc@farmvilleumc.org or 392.4686 to learn more about these and other mission opportunities!

Spring Into Missions at Farmville UMC!!

Mission Update at Farmville United Methodist Church

There certainly is a lot going on, as always, in missions here at Farmville United Methodist Church!  Last night concluded a month long fundraiser push for our Honduras Medical Missions Team.  

They hosted 2 pancake events, a Brunswick stew sale and of course in December they had their Angel Tree for people to donate money for medicine for the children of Honduras!  Thank you to all who donated generously and God Bless those on the Mission Team who have worked so hard!

Some other fantastic Mission work that has gone on has been our Souper Bowl of Caring where our Fusion Youth Group collected $650 and over 70 not perishable food items!  Our Youth Group is always so focused on mission - Thank You to Lyndsie for leading our awesome youth through such  positive experiences!

This year's Souper Bowl of Caring monetary collection goes toward Stop Hunger Now, which brings me to yet another important mission that our church will participate in!  On March 7th, we will gather for our "March Midweek Meal & Mission"  We will partner with the Longwood University community for Farmville's largest Stop Hunger Now meal packing event yet:  20,000 meals!  We as Farmville UMC have committed to raising the $2500 it costs for half of those meals!  This Lenten season, how will you prepare yourself for the remembrance of the death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ?  Will you commit to praying and providing one meal a day during the 40 days of Lent to help feed God's children?  That is only 25 cents a day, or $10 total to provide 40 meals to someone who may otherwise not eat!  You may place your contributions in the offering plate or bring them to the church office.  Simply add "Stop Hunger Now" to the memo line!  Together, we can reach our goal of raising $2500 to pack & provide 10,000 meals for those in need around the world!

Spring Break is right around the corner, which is hard to believe since we just had our first snow fall of the season!  The Wesley Foundation is going to Guntersville, AL the week of March 10-17.  17 have signed up for this mission to do tornado repair in the Guntersville area.  Please Pray for this Mission Team.  We are also collecting monetary donations as well as donations of drinks & snacks for the trip!  Contact Rich Meiser, Campus Minister for more information at 392.8089 or farmvillewesley@embarqmail.com. 

Also, coming up in April, Farmville UMC will host a Conference UMVIM(United Methodist Volunteers In Mission) team leader training seminar on Saturday, April 21, 2012.  Our mission team will be responsible for meeting & greeting, providing food & drinks as well as technical support.  We are also hoping church members may be interested in taking the training themselves! Visit http://www.vaumc.org/page.aspx?pid=424&cid=3&ceid=736&cerid=0&cdt=4%2f21%2f2012 for more information & training registration forms!  Contact Rick Swayne, Missions Chair if you can help that day at swaynere@fuquaschool.com.

These are just a few of the many great missions that go on in & outside of the walls of Farmville UMC.  To make a contribution to any of these missions simply place a check in the offering plate with the designated mission in the memo line or bring your donation by the church office between 9-3 M-F!  To participate in a mission or get more information call our office and we will put you in touch with a mission leader!  392.4686 or fumc@farmvilleumc.org.