One Team Member's Testimony - Tim

I experienced two things personally on this trip.  First, God does His best work when we don't get in the way.  He put two engineers on a job that neither one of us had ever done.  God does have a sense of humor.  We joked that the house would fall under the power of a tornado but the deck and ramp wouldn't.  By Thursday morning I was exhausted and didn't have much physical or mental steam.  Three cups of coffee and I settled into working on a mindless task - managing files on Sheldon's computer.  When approached about leading the devotional I was shell-shocked.  One, I didn't prepare (can't prepare for something you don't know is coming) and two, I wasn't prepared mentally.  You were kind to give me an out, but a quick prayer and an answer declaring - "I called you" and "My strength is sufficient for you" was enough.  Seeking His will on the Scripture He had in mind, like drawing lots, I opened to Isaiah 60.  Verses 1 to 3 was all I needed.  I can't imagine the depth of Jesus' exhaustion during the last three years of His ministry.  I was only in the beginning of day four of a mission trip that didn't require me to serve until the late hours of the morning and I didn't have the clarity of mind to name all of my children.  The second thing I relearned was that God is faithful when we are obedient.  While I received compliments for the devotion I was quick to thank the LORD, in my mind and in speech; it wasn't me. 

 

The fellowship, accountability and encouragement from my brothers was nothing short of pleasurable and joy-filled.  Knowing we were serving Him gave me the strength to endure the low to mid-90 degree days with 100% humidity with a smile and even a sense of humor at the end of the day.  Our LORD certainly is full of grace and mercy.

 

July 21 - Food Delivery

Today, a few team members finished some carpentry at two of the work sites.  The rest of the team headed to Of One Accord.  At 10:00 a.m. everyday, the staff and any visitors meet in the front of the store for a devotion.  Today everyone was blessed by one of our team members, Tim, giving the devotion.  Jamie led us all in a song as well.  We were all blessed by the words God spoke through Tim and the song that He laid on Jamie's heart to have us sing.  It is such a blessing to see how God is working in each of the team members and how He is using everyone in a different way for His purposes.

Six of the the teen girls and Lori and Chris worked on the Lunch Bus.  The girls helped make lunches and then packed them into coolers.  We loaded up onto the Lunch Bus and drove into the surrounding communities.  We made five stops.  At each stop children came onto the bus.  For some of them, it might be their only meal for this day.  We all had fun visiting with them and making balloon animals and friendship bracelets with them.  Three families help to prepare meals for shuts ins that live in the surrounding communities and packed the meals and then headed out to deliver them.  At each stop, they have to chance to stay for a visit.  More on their adventures later.  It's raining today.  It's been hot so the rain is cooling things off a bit. 

July 20 - Stories of the Day

We helped a family near Sneedville. We’re praying that the Lord will change hearts and minds in this family.  The family seemed a little bitter against their neighbor.  It was a blessing to be able to work with all of the young people in this church (Cornerstone) with this families.  We saw lots of positive interaction in the families. The One Accord ministry center is awesome!  Our Michigan organizations could definitely learn about serving the community from this group. Tom McCarthy

It is good to be doing the Lord’s work. Praying with and for them adds to the ministry of serving them by doing projects around their homes.  There is SO MUCH work to be done, but the little work we can do is a blessing to everyone involved.  I enjoyed praying with a family for God’s blessing on their neighbor, then praising the neighbor for her beautiful flowers that God had given her. – Jamie Nicholson

There has been SO much going on!  Members of teams heading to different homes.  They aren't only working on building ramps, etc. and repairing homes, but sitting and visiting with the residents.  Praying with them.  Even singing with them.  The neighbors of the different homes all come in and visit as well.  Work at the Centre is busy.  They are in need of many hands to help with the different activities that go on here each day.  Seeing God work in many many ways.  So often our hearts are broken for the people the come in to receive help.  God has given us many opportunities to sit and visit with them.  To encourage them and remind them that they can have hope....hope is in Christ alone.  God is working on both the hearts of the people we are meeting along the way, and the team members hearts too.

July 17 - Sunday at Oak Grove Baptist

We joined in the worship activities at Oak Park this morning.  Sunday school was a lot of fun.  We all split up and went to different classrooms.  Again, welcomed warmly and made to feel like we were home.  After church service, we had a yummy lunch and “chilled” for the afternoon.  Everyone was pretty worn down from the long drive yesterday and work of unpacking.  The guys made a trip Lowes to purchase some tools and needed supplies for a few of the job sites.  Some of the ladies headed to Walmart to purchase the rest of the team groceries.  Once everyone was back at the church, a group took some of the kids to the community pool to swim, some played basketball and monopoly at the church, some napped.  We had a wonderful dinner and then joined a communion service at church.  After service, we prepared breakfast for tomorrow, planned out the work projects and teams for the next day, had yummy ice cream sundaes and a team meeting to review the next day events and schedule.  Everyone got ready for bed and grabbed their pillows and then we finished the day of fun and rest with a Narnia movie shown on a whiteboard in the gym while some others played games.  A special time of bonding today, lots of laughter, and getting ready for our week of serving in Rogersville, Tennessee.

July 19 - Job Site - Of One Accord

Sorting clothes fun!



Oh boy!




Toilet paper stocking....





Having to much fun! 




Mrs. Cox directing traffic...

 A different work team headed back to Of One Accord again today.  Part of the group sorted more linens while another part worked in the basement in the food pantry sorting lots and lots of toilet paper!  Lots of laughter over the "treasures" found in the piles of clothing and linens.  It's a hot day, muggy day in Tennessee today.  The people from the surrounding communities come to this facility to receive help.  They have such little hope.  It is written on their faces.  Sometimes you get the opportunity to sit with them while they are waiting for their appointment and talk to them, encourage them, and share with them the hope we have in Christ.  It breaks your heart to see the cycle of poverty they are trapped in here.  There are few jobs in the area.  This ministry is often their last hope.  Yesterday we came in contact with a couple and a baby.  They had run out of formula and diapers for their baby a few days ago.  The baby had a plastic bag on as a diaper.  Another mother brought in her three children for their only meal they would receive for the day.  Another, older man, hadn't eaten for two days.  He received some food. It tugs on your heartstrings.  You find yourself in constant prayer when at the ministry facility.  Praying for each person you come across.  There are three other teams out today at other job sites today.  More on their adventures to come.

July 16 - Travel Day

Long drive down today but all went well.  We had a caravan of four cars and one packed trailer.  Traffic was not so much fun!  It took us 11 hours door to door.  Once we hit Corbin, Kentucky and headed East, we were in the mountains.  It is so beautiful!  They are truly awe inspiring.  We received a warm welcome when we arrived at Oak Park Baptist, our host for the week.  They are so wonderful to us!  They call us “their” mission team.  We unpacked, set up our sleeping areas in the gym area, set up the kitchen, showered and turned in for the night.  It is good to rest!

July 18 - First Work Day is Complete!



Packing up cars with tools.





One group worked at Of One Accord Ministries sorting piles and piles of linens.




Boys lost in the linens!





Dinner crew at work!





Another job site - electrical and plumbing work at this site.





Apprentice training!





A wonderful time of worship and devotions in the evening...





 We sent 4 teams out today to work in the Rogersville, TN area.  We feel blessed to join the Lord in His work here.  The folks at Of One Accord Ministries are doing so many wonderful things for their community in the name of Christ.  There is great need here as it is a very poor area, but we come across so many who are rich in their faith.  We look forward to what the Lord has in store for us tomorrow.

Shopping Day - July 15, 2011

Today, a few of the team met up to shop for the team's food and pack it.  We started out early in the a.m. and made a total of 5 stops.  When at Gordon's and Costco, we were asked by a few people what we were going to do with all this food!  Since we had two flat bed carts and two normal shopping carts at Costco, we were asked most frequently there.  It was a wonderful opportunity for us to share about the mission trip.  Everyone who asked and then heard what we were doing answered, "Wow" and "May God bless you".  The cashier who worked on our large order at Costco wanted to know some details.  When we mentioned to her about a few of the home projects and the disrepair the homes were in, and then mentioned the Lunch Bus Program and that for many of the children that eat on that bus that is their only meal for the day, she began to cry.  She was amazed that the U.S. still had areas within it's borders that children didn't get three square meals a day and that people live in such tattered homes.  She was speechless except to wish us well on our journey.  After we left that store, we wished we had worn our team t-shirts.  Oh well...next time!  Praise to God the Father Who gives  us opportunities to proclaim His goodness!  Let us strive not to miss any opportunity He provides!

Please pray for safe travels tomorrow on the road.  One team member family is pulling the trailer with all the tools and food in it.  It's a little on the heavy side, but still safe.  Thank you for praying!

Last Team Meeting and Getting Ready to Go!

We had our final team meeting yesterday at the Cox home.  We barbequed and the kids were able to cool off with a swim in their pool.  We went over last minute details and had a time of devotions and prayer.  We are excited to begin this adventure with the Lord!  We leave at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday.  We are hoping to post pictures and stories of each day's adventures in the evenings.  Thank you to all who are lifting this team in prayer!  Following are a just a few pictures of some of the team members.  We will post a team picture while we are in Tennessee.  And away we go......
"He that saith he abideth in him ought to himself also so to walk, even as he walked." 1 John 2:6 KJV