Tuesday, June 23, 2009

3rd Support Update

Support Update!!! YAY!!!!!!!!

As of June 19th, my support is up to $2,605.00!!! $3,695.00 left to go.

This is quite amazing and I have had around 30 people supporting me financially! God is so good and His provision continues to blow me away!!!

Thank you so much and God bless!!!

Monday, June 22, 2009

Who's this Guy?

Hey everyone!

So ......... I got an email from my Grandmother's church (St. John's UMC) who has decided to support me. And in the email was their mission's newsletter, and if you look half-way through the newsletter you will see Who's this Guy?

Well that guy is me! Anyway it was pretty cool to receive it, and I thought I would share it with you
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St. John's UMC Global Outreach News
6/17/09
Russia church

Russia - St Petersburg: Church of the Saviour of Spilled Blood


Hello Mission Friends,

Below is information on several of our missionary partners and upcoming events.
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Rev. Dick McClain elected next president

of The Mission Society


McClain

After several months of a nationwide search, on May 19, 2009 The Mission Society Board of Directors elected the Rev. Dick McClain as The Mission Society's next president. McClain will assume the role of president on December 1, 2009, becoming the fifth president of The Mission Society since its inception in 1984. He follows in this office the Rev. Dr. Phil Granger, who has served as The Mission Society's president/CEO since December 2001, and will retire the end of this year.

Of McClain's nomination, Granger commented, "Dick brings to the position of president three essential gifts. First and foremost, Dick brings his total commitment to Christ and the mission entrusted to the church to be the vehicle to bring God's message of salvation and eternal life to the world. Second, he brings his love for The Mission Society as evidenced by more than 20 years of service to this fantastic ministry. Third, he brings a wealth of experience as a missionary kid, pastor, and mission executive. I firmly believe that the experience God has given him was in preparation for the challenges that lay ahead in this rapidly changing world. I am excited about the future of The Mission Society with Dick at the helm!"

McClain began his career with The Mission Society in 1986 as director of missionary personnel. In this role, he was responsible for recruiting and processing all missionary candidates, and during his tenure, the number of missionaries serving under The Mission Society grew from 14 to more than 125. In 1995, McClain became vice president for mission ministries, overseeing The Mission Society's international ministries in more than 25 countries. He was named vice president for church ministry in 2000; in this role, he developed a unique approach to mobilizing local churches both in the United States and abroad for strategic global outreach.

The son and grandson of missionaries, McClain was born in China and grew up in India and Hong Kong. Prior to joining the staff of The Mission Society, he served as the youth minister of Crossroads Bible Church, an interdenominational congregation in the Panama Canal Zone. An ordained United Methodist minister, he served pastorates in West Michigan for 11 years. During that time, he led the West Michigan United Methodist Renewal Fellowship and directed an area-wide yearly conference on the Holy Spirit. From 1986 to 2005, McClain served on the board of directors of Good News, an organization working for theological and spiritual renewal within The United Methodist Church. His international ministry has taken him to numerous countries in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe.

McClain earned a B.A. in psychology from Asbury College before attending Asbury Theological Seminary to pursue a M.Div. with special emphasis in missions. McClain's areas of expertise include motivating and equipping local churches for more effective and strategic outreach - locally, nationally, and globally. He also has extensive personal experience in mobilizing local churches in missions, and broad involvement in international mission movements. McClain also shepherded several of The Mission Society's new fields, including the groundbreaking work done by The Mission Society in Kazakhstan.


The Mission Society Website

TMS Missionaries that St. Johns Supports:

The Reyes Family

The Chastain Family

Life for Children Ministry (Michael Agwanda)

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Who's this guy?

David Dill

I am David Dill (grandson of Elizabeth Dill) from
Jackson, Mississippi, United States
I am 25 and just graduated Architecture school at Mississippi State University. I love Jesus and I am going to Uganda as an intern with Engineering Ministries International in the fall.

Uganda Map

David Dill will serve in Uganda from August through December. He will work mainly in Kampala, Uganda (urban setting) on the design of a school project. The construction project is funded by the Pacific Academy School (private 4K-12 school) in Canada. St. Johns is supporting David's trip through funds and prayer support. We will have David come to St. Johns for a visit after his mission service is completed.

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Honduras Team / Russia Team


The Russia team (Susan Callahan, DeeDee Vaughters, Pam McCollum) return home today. The Honduras team (Lauren Norton, Eberhard Family) return home on Saturday. You can read a daily update on the Honduras trip at the link below. Seek them out and ask them about their trip.


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Upcoming Missionary Visits:

Whitney Simons (Mexico) - June 21
Mike & Sherri Morrissey (Thailand) - July 22 & 23

Upcoming Mission Events:

Russia mission trip: June 7 - 17
Honduras mission trip: June 10 - 20
Salkehatchie - Sand River: June 13-20
Community VBS: June 22 - 26
Missions Emphasis Potluck Dinner: TBD

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God Bless,
Michael Norton, Chair GOLT





Hope you have a great week!

God Bless!!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Georgia on My Mind

Well I am back in Jackson, MS after spending the weekend at my parents' home in Loganville, GA. I had the opportunity to speak about my trip to Uganda at a couple of places while there.

Friday I went to Lawrenceville UMC to Grace Arbor which is an older adult program for people who have a mental impairments. My mom is the director of it and it is all always a fun time visiting there. I got the opportunity to share with them about how God is calling me to go to Uganda and work with EMI. They enjoyed a lot and it was very encouraging to me. Although they were more interested in meeting my girlfriend, I think. HA HA!

Sunday, I got to speak to a couple of adult Sunday school classes at Grayson UMC where my parents are members. It was a lot of fun and really enjoyed sharing everything with them. It was also encouraging and uplifting to hear their prayers and support!

My family also managed to fit in a trip to Lake Lanier water park which was a total blast!

I have been doing freelance work this summer after a more permanent job fell through, and it has been good because it allows me a lot of flexibility to travel and do what I did this weekend. God can work in mysterious ways.

Thank you for your continued prayers and support!

Sunday, June 7, 2009

2nd Support Update

Here is my second support update.

I am up to $1,130 now!

So $5,170 left to go!

It is amazing to me to see people respond to all of this. It is very humbling and I thank everyone for the support.

Jesus says in Luke 6:38, "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Blessings to all of you!

Where are you going in Uganda?

I am going to be in Kampala for the majority of my time in Uganda. Kampala is the capitol and largest city of Uganda and is located on the northern part of Lake Victoria. Lake Victoria is the 2nd largest fresh water lake in the world and is one of the sources for the Nile River. Kampala is said to be built on 7 hills like Rome. The city is fairly large with a little over 1.5 million people in it. English, Luganda, and Swahili are the languages spoken in Uganda.
Here are some photos of the city from the web:


Its not what you initially thought, now is it?