Happy New Year! Happy new decisions. Happy new habits. Happy new perspective. Happy new YOU!
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We have turned a page on a calendar and prayerfully in our lives. My prayer for all of us is that we see the world (and the people in it) as His creations in need of a Savior. Our homes and families, our work and schools, our hobbies, our vacations, or mission hearts are all opportunities to love Him and love our neighbors- to be His hands and feet.
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Our mission team is planning a trip to Whitehall, MT July 22-28 to support a local church as they strive to reach their community for Christ. Our prayer concerns are for:
The right team to be put together to meet His needs for this trip.
Fertile soil while we're on the ground in Montana whether we're planting seeds, fertilizing/ reinforcing, harvesting/ winning souls, or encouraging/ discipling their church. God's purpose is perfect and every person is an intentional addition to this ministry.
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Fundraising opportunities to help alleviate the out-of-pocket costs of the team.
Travel plans to be explored and made.
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If you'd like additional information, please reach out to me. I'll be glad to share what I know.
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We are continuing to collect used items for Reynosa, MX. If you have any of these items, reach out to Jenny Jordan (251-744-2808) and she'll help get it where it needs to be.
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Bikes
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Small kitchen appliances
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Power hand tools
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Linens/ Towels
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I'd like to draw our attention to the fact that Samaritan's Purse asks for $10 per box to help offset the cost of shipping them to other countries to make sure the Gospel gets delivered. In case you haven't noticed, we at Tompkins have not had to pay that for several years. Someone this year wrote a check for $3790 on our behalf. Our anonymous benefactor is a gift to our church, and I just want to acknowledge that it is a sacrificial gift, and we appreciate it! Our $10 gift can be reinvested into more boxes because of you. Thank you!!
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If you'd like to think about Operation Christmas Child year-round, I'll attempt to focus on one aspect per month to help the packing time not to be as stressful. This month, I'm shopping for hats/ caps and scarves, gloves/ mittens that are on sale. OCC reports that some countries do have cool nights, and they're always appreciated. I'm also recycling Christmas cards either by:
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Cutting off the front and using it for a postcard to write a personal message to the child
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Gluing the front to jumbo popsicle sticks and cutting apart to make small puzzles (stored in a Ziploc bag)
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Making bookmarks (using the front to cut a strip adding a yarn tassel)
Remember that the Southern Care Hospice food collection is generally the first Sunday of each month. We appreciate you loving those in our community through this ministry.
I'm praying for you as you go out as the hands and feet of Christ through Tompkins Baptist. May His work through you not return void.
Serving beside you,
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Marsha Henson
601-917-4990