There are times in life when, no matter what you believe, faith is a requirement. Trouble comes and the worst possible news threatens, but hope against hope prevails, transcending evidence or explanation.
For Trista Harris, faith has formed the basis of her life, and it was having her source of faith in God and the mystery of prayer that she believes completely healed her daughter of a life-threatening disease.
When Harris, a Fayette County resident, arrives to talk with her two little ones in tow, she holds a clipboard with typed sheets she’s titled “Marissa’s Faith.” The sheets chronicle a harrowing chain of events that have unfolded since this September in her 5-year-old daughter’s body. One bullet of bad news after another moves down the pages but, as with all stories, it doesn’t end until the last page is read.
Perhaps miraculously, life for the Harris family continues with what to others is a puzzling twist. Little Marissa, by all accounts of the physicians who examined her only weeks ago, should not be playing in the corner with her baby sister like she is today, as if nothing ever happened.
Click here to read the entire story from the Beckly (WV) Register-Herald.
Showing posts with label Encouraging Stories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Encouraging Stories. Show all posts
November 15, 2010
November 14, 2010
Encouraging Stories-C. Falls woman follows God across continents
Joan Melrose, 71, of Columbia Heights remembers the pact she made with God after hearing his calling to do missionary work.
“I told God I’ll never beg,” she said. “I’ll share the vision God has given me. When the money quits, I quit.”
With her own money, she started on her missionary path in 1986 and continued with contributions from others inspired by her work. Melrose said she always had just enough to accomplish her missions, which included founding an international accredited nondenominational Bible college in Africa.
She built a campus in Bungoma, Kenya, and developed satellite schools across Kenya. Other institutions teach her curriculum in Uganda, Congo, Malawi, India and the United States.
Click here to read the entire story from the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell, MT.
“I told God I’ll never beg,” she said. “I’ll share the vision God has given me. When the money quits, I quit.”
With her own money, she started on her missionary path in 1986 and continued with contributions from others inspired by her work. Melrose said she always had just enough to accomplish her missions, which included founding an international accredited nondenominational Bible college in Africa.
She built a campus in Bungoma, Kenya, and developed satellite schools across Kenya. Other institutions teach her curriculum in Uganda, Congo, Malawi, India and the United States.
Click here to read the entire story from the Daily Inter Lake in Kalispell, MT.
November 13, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Of faith and football
When 12-year-old Christian Richardson was diagnosed recently with epilepsy, his parents had to pull him off his football team. Although discouraged, he found hope in a book his mother, Suzy Richardson, had just had published.
“For me, that hit home more than anything, to have my 12-year-old son read it and think ‘Well, if Tim Tebow can survive everything he went through before he even made it into this world, then I can push through this,’” she said.
Her book, “Gators for God,” features profiles of 12 former University of Florida football players who share their stories of faith and football and tell how the former has shaped their lives.
November 12, 2010
Encouraging Stories-
Students can take many routes after graduation. While some may have jobs and internships lined up, others have taken up living among some of the most underprivileged neighborhoods of the nation.
Baylor 2010 graduate Juliet Brown decided to dedicate a year to serving an inner-city neighborhood in Chicago through a program called Mission Year.
Ashely Nienaber, a Mission Year recruiter, described the program as a year-long urban volunteer program that sends young people to live and serve in inner cities of the U.S.
"I believe that Jesus made it pretty clear in the Gospels that we are called to love the poor, and I don't think we were given that calling because that's what were supposed to do as good Christians. I really believe that command was given to us for our own good. I believe that God's heart is closest to the poor and the disadvantaged."
Click here to read the entire story from the Baylor University student newspaper, The Lariat.
Baylor 2010 graduate Juliet Brown decided to dedicate a year to serving an inner-city neighborhood in Chicago through a program called Mission Year.
Ashely Nienaber, a Mission Year recruiter, described the program as a year-long urban volunteer program that sends young people to live and serve in inner cities of the U.S.
"I believe that Jesus made it pretty clear in the Gospels that we are called to love the poor, and I don't think we were given that calling because that's what were supposed to do as good Christians. I really believe that command was given to us for our own good. I believe that God's heart is closest to the poor and the disadvantaged."
Click here to read the entire story from the Baylor University student newspaper, The Lariat.
November 11, 2010
Encouraging Stories-From Gang Member to God's Handmaiden
Yolanda Atkins Cotton is a wife, mother and grandmother. She's also a former drug dealer, gang member and convict. That, however, was many years ago. Now, the Decatur woman uses her experience of life on the streets to reach those who are still living there.
While still in prison, Cotton says God began to touch her life, and she felt Him calling her toward some purpose. She just didn't know what it was. Then, one night sometime later, she had a dream. Cotton says, "I had on all this Army stuff, and I said, 'oh God, he's fixing to send me to the Army."
Instead, she came to understand that what God wanted was for her to be a soldier in the fight against poverty, addiction, homelessness and despair. Cotton found other women who had also struggled in their pasts and formed the Women of Completion ministry. "I call us His masterpiece. He took some junk and made something out of it," she says. Their mission is simple; to "let the people know you haven't done anything so bad that God won't forgive you, that God can't save you."
Click here to read the entire story from WAAY TV in Huntsville, AL.
While still in prison, Cotton says God began to touch her life, and she felt Him calling her toward some purpose. She just didn't know what it was. Then, one night sometime later, she had a dream. Cotton says, "I had on all this Army stuff, and I said, 'oh God, he's fixing to send me to the Army."
Instead, she came to understand that what God wanted was for her to be a soldier in the fight against poverty, addiction, homelessness and despair. Cotton found other women who had also struggled in their pasts and formed the Women of Completion ministry. "I call us His masterpiece. He took some junk and made something out of it," she says. Their mission is simple; to "let the people know you haven't done anything so bad that God won't forgive you, that God can't save you."
Click here to read the entire story from WAAY TV in Huntsville, AL.
November 10, 2010
November 9, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Singer-comedian uses rescue story to encourage others
Don Wharton has traveled full time for 31 years as a singer, songwriter, comedian and "encourager."
The core of Wharton's performances is a retelling of the story of his unlikely rescue from an icy Bering Sea following a plane crash on Aug. 13, 1993.
The seven passengers of a twin-engine Navajo plane all survived more than 35 minutes in 36-degree water near Nome, Alaska. The group was returning from a missionary and humanitarian aid trip to Russia when one engine, then the second, failed.
Wharton is coming to Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck to perform on Wednesday. Wharton, who lives in Fort Wayne, Ind., said he has found a real niche with Lutheran churches, having been raised as a Lutheran and attended Lutheran schools. He does about 100 shows a year and on this swing will perform in cities in the Dakotas and Montana before heading south.
"A lot of the stuff I do is based on encouragement, in (people's) faith life, their family life and their daily life," he said by phone on Thursday.
Click here to read the entire story from the Bismark (ND) Tribune.
The core of Wharton's performances is a retelling of the story of his unlikely rescue from an icy Bering Sea following a plane crash on Aug. 13, 1993.
The seven passengers of a twin-engine Navajo plane all survived more than 35 minutes in 36-degree water near Nome, Alaska. The group was returning from a missionary and humanitarian aid trip to Russia when one engine, then the second, failed.
Wharton is coming to Zion Lutheran Church in Bismarck to perform on Wednesday. Wharton, who lives in Fort Wayne, Ind., said he has found a real niche with Lutheran churches, having been raised as a Lutheran and attended Lutheran schools. He does about 100 shows a year and on this swing will perform in cities in the Dakotas and Montana before heading south.
"A lot of the stuff I do is based on encouragement, in (people's) faith life, their family life and their daily life," he said by phone on Thursday.
Click here to read the entire story from the Bismark (ND) Tribune.
November 7, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Community comes to aid of local teacher
Less than three weeks after a fire destroyed everything she owned, preschool teacher Shel Bruce and her son have been the beneficiaries of an outpouring of community support.
Bruce, an instructor at Annsworth Academy, a private preschool in Killearn, said her main concern was the safety of her son when a fire broke out at her mobile home on Kidd Thomas Lane on Oct. 7.
Travis Oaks, spokesman for the Tallahassee Fire Department, said the fire started in the kitchen and by the time
firefighters arrived the home was engulfed in flames.
Stedman Bruce, 19, was inside the house when the fire broke out, and he made it out safely.
Oaks said the value of the home was $35,000, and the damage caused by the fire was estimated between $25,000 and $30,000.
Bruce said she is often asked by others how she could be so strong and still keep standing.
"It's God's grace, and it's the prayer of people. They are the ones who make me strong," she said. "Their hugs, words of encouragement and just being there helps so much words cannot describe.
Click here to read the entire story from the Tallahassee (FL) Democrat.
Travis Oaks, spokesman for the Tallahassee Fire Department, said the fire started in the kitchen and by the time
firefighters arrived the home was engulfed in flames.
Stedman Bruce, 19, was inside the house when the fire broke out, and he made it out safely.
Oaks said the value of the home was $35,000, and the damage caused by the fire was estimated between $25,000 and $30,000.
Bruce said she is often asked by others how she could be so strong and still keep standing.
"It's God's grace, and it's the prayer of people. They are the ones who make me strong," she said. "Their hugs, words of encouragement and just being there helps so much words cannot describe.
Click here to read the entire story from the Tallahassee (FL) Democrat.
November 6, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Christian Women's Job Corps Puts Participants In Driver's Seat
Since 1999, a local nonprofit organization ministry has served as God's vineyard, bringing together workers with servant hearts who are bearing fruit in the community.
The Fort Smith Christian Women's Job Corps, one of more than 200 sites across the nation, has flourished as it provides a Christian context in which women in need are equipped for life and employment, according to Valerie Fitch, site coordinator.
Fitch explained that the nonprofit organization assesses the needs and long-term goals of each participant agreeing with a covenant, then matches them with a volunteer mentor for encouragement, one-on-one Bible study and the ability to reach specified long-term goals and dreams - all the while growing in faith throughout the process.
"The process is more important than the achievement," explained Fitch, who started with FSCWJC as a volunteer mentor in its first year.
Click here to read the entire story from the Asheville (NC) Times Record.
The Fort Smith Christian Women's Job Corps, one of more than 200 sites across the nation, has flourished as it provides a Christian context in which women in need are equipped for life and employment, according to Valerie Fitch, site coordinator.
Fitch explained that the nonprofit organization assesses the needs and long-term goals of each participant agreeing with a covenant, then matches them with a volunteer mentor for encouragement, one-on-one Bible study and the ability to reach specified long-term goals and dreams - all the while growing in faith throughout the process.
"The process is more important than the achievement," explained Fitch, who started with FSCWJC as a volunteer mentor in its first year.
Click here to read the entire story from the Asheville (NC) Times Record.
November 5, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Flushing man knows how important it is to never give up
Greg Cassels is a man with many stories to share.
The 59-year-old Flushing resident could tell you about growing up in a broken, abusive home and not discovering who his real father was until just this past year. He could recount the struggle of being an alcoholic, a journey that started at the age of 9 when he picked up his first drink.
He can speak first-hand about run-ins with the law and the transition from Flint Public Schools to the boys training school he was sent to. He could wade through the memories and experiences of four marriages and nearly two decades of trying to work full time and attend classes to earn a college degree.
But he won’t. Instead, Cassels will tell you about the contentment he’s found, the God he’s embraced, the people who’ve inspired him and the milestones he’s reached.
“The stories can go on and on, but I lead a pretty good life now and I’m happy with it,” the Caro native said. “It’s been an interesting life, but I have peace about it.”
Click here to read the entire story from the Flint (MI) Journal.
The 59-year-old Flushing resident could tell you about growing up in a broken, abusive home and not discovering who his real father was until just this past year. He could recount the struggle of being an alcoholic, a journey that started at the age of 9 when he picked up his first drink.
He can speak first-hand about run-ins with the law and the transition from Flint Public Schools to the boys training school he was sent to. He could wade through the memories and experiences of four marriages and nearly two decades of trying to work full time and attend classes to earn a college degree.
But he won’t. Instead, Cassels will tell you about the contentment he’s found, the God he’s embraced, the people who’ve inspired him and the milestones he’s reached.
“The stories can go on and on, but I lead a pretty good life now and I’m happy with it,” the Caro native said. “It’s been an interesting life, but I have peace about it.”
Click here to read the entire story from the Flint (MI) Journal.
November 4, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Boxing Ministry Reaches Out to Urban Kids
Rattling speed bags and swishing jump ropes are not the sounds a person expects to hear at a Christian ministry, but some inner-city boys from Philadelphia are taking advantage of one of the freshest ideas in ministry right now.
Rock Ministries of Philadelphia is a boxing gym in the ghetto of Philly that offers free training in boxing and weightlifting to young men, if they attend a weekly Bible study.
Buddy Osborne, director of the program, has a history just like the boys he is trying to help. Raised by his single mother, along with eight other siblings, he had a remarkable career in boxing, eventually representing the U.S. in international competition. Then at the age of twenty-six, Osborne did a stint in prison for racketeering.
After he was released from prison, Osborne found Christ and became involved in inner-city missions. Eventually he developed Rock Ministries. He knew firsthand the appeal that a gym would have to a poor boy trying to "tough out" his hard life. His ministry has expanded into a truly great work.
Click here to read the entire story from the Clearwater Christian College student newspaper "The Angle"
Rock Ministries of Philadelphia is a boxing gym in the ghetto of Philly that offers free training in boxing and weightlifting to young men, if they attend a weekly Bible study.
Buddy Osborne, director of the program, has a history just like the boys he is trying to help. Raised by his single mother, along with eight other siblings, he had a remarkable career in boxing, eventually representing the U.S. in international competition. Then at the age of twenty-six, Osborne did a stint in prison for racketeering.
After he was released from prison, Osborne found Christ and became involved in inner-city missions. Eventually he developed Rock Ministries. He knew firsthand the appeal that a gym would have to a poor boy trying to "tough out" his hard life. His ministry has expanded into a truly great work.
Click here to read the entire story from the Clearwater Christian College student newspaper "The Angle"
November 3, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Colby man writes of youth with disability
Diagnosed with a hearing impairment at age 6, Matthew Ludwick strove for years to conceal his disability as he "just kept trying every day."
The Colby resident now has decided to share his story in the hope of encouraging other individuals struggling with disabilities or young people facing bullying.
"I don't want people calling me, saying 'Man, you've had a really rough life,' " Ludwick said. "I want them to say, 'This has really opened my eyes. This has really helped me understand people with disabilities.' That's the purpose of it."
His first book, "Can you hear what I hear?" was released Sept. 28. Since then, Ludwick -- who coaches middle school and high school sports and works for his church -- has been busy traveling to promote the book and speaking at seminars. Events are planned throughout the United States and Canada, he said.
Faith, he said, is a large part of his story, and he said the project was inspired by God.
"I didn't have anywhere to go," he said. "I was in junior high, and I was dragging bottom. I asked God in my heart ... and Jesus was my best friend."
Click here to read the entire story from the Hays (KS) Daily News.
The Colby resident now has decided to share his story in the hope of encouraging other individuals struggling with disabilities or young people facing bullying.
"I don't want people calling me, saying 'Man, you've had a really rough life,' " Ludwick said. "I want them to say, 'This has really opened my eyes. This has really helped me understand people with disabilities.' That's the purpose of it."
His first book, "Can you hear what I hear?" was released Sept. 28. Since then, Ludwick -- who coaches middle school and high school sports and works for his church -- has been busy traveling to promote the book and speaking at seminars. Events are planned throughout the United States and Canada, he said.
Faith, he said, is a large part of his story, and he said the project was inspired by God.
"I didn't have anywhere to go," he said. "I was in junior high, and I was dragging bottom. I asked God in my heart ... and Jesus was my best friend."
Click here to read the entire story from the Hays (KS) Daily News.
November 2, 2010
Encouraging Stories-St. John converts theater into closet, pantry, clinic
When St. John United Methodist Church needed a name for its new ministry building, they chose The Stith Mead House. Not project, or building, but house.
In that house, the church and community ministries collaborated to relocate a health clinic serving the poor and uninsured, open a clothing closet, and provide free rent to a food bank.
The house was consecrated and its name unveiled in a service at the church Wednesday night.
In the two years since St. John bought the old Augusta Mini Theatre on Eighth Street, renovations have turned old office space and dance studios into a community center.
The building now houses the food pantry of the Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries, the St. Vincent DePaul Health Clinic, and a clothing closet, which will open Tuesday.
"The community can come for food, clothing, medical care in one stop." said Gloria Hamilton, the church's administrator.
Click here to read the entire story in the Augusta (GA) Chronicle
In that house, the church and community ministries collaborated to relocate a health clinic serving the poor and uninsured, open a clothing closet, and provide free rent to a food bank.
The house was consecrated and its name unveiled in a service at the church Wednesday night.
In the two years since St. John bought the old Augusta Mini Theatre on Eighth Street, renovations have turned old office space and dance studios into a community center.
The building now houses the food pantry of the Downtown Cooperative Church Ministries, the St. Vincent DePaul Health Clinic, and a clothing closet, which will open Tuesday.
"The community can come for food, clothing, medical care in one stop." said Gloria Hamilton, the church's administrator.
Click here to read the entire story in the Augusta (GA) Chronicle
November 1, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Students form charitable group
You would be hard-pressed to find a rummage sale with a greater cause than the one held at First United Methodist Church Saturday.
The event raised funds for Doulos, a club of wonderful, caring teenagers at Joplin High School.
While current members of Doulos prefer to remain anonymous, two former members, who are now in college, are Tamara Zajac and Cody Washburn.
Zajac, who started the club in 2009, is in her first year at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.
The idea for Doulos (a Greek word meaning “servant”) originated from an African mission trip that Zajac went on as a JHS junior. After working at an orphanage for a week in Kitale, Kenya, she said that God did such a work in her that she wanted to do something for others when she returned.
“I thought a lot about my trip to Africa and God really put on my heart that I didn’t just want to ‘get through’ high school,” she said. “I wanted to make an impact for Christ. I wanted to make a difference in that huge place.”
Zajac then talked to one of her teachers about starting a club that would raise awareness and money for orphans in Africa.
Click here to read the full story from the Joplin (MO) Globe.
The event raised funds for Doulos, a club of wonderful, caring teenagers at Joplin High School.
While current members of Doulos prefer to remain anonymous, two former members, who are now in college, are Tamara Zajac and Cody Washburn.
Zajac, who started the club in 2009, is in her first year at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City.
The idea for Doulos (a Greek word meaning “servant”) originated from an African mission trip that Zajac went on as a JHS junior. After working at an orphanage for a week in Kitale, Kenya, she said that God did such a work in her that she wanted to do something for others when she returned.
“I thought a lot about my trip to Africa and God really put on my heart that I didn’t just want to ‘get through’ high school,” she said. “I wanted to make an impact for Christ. I wanted to make a difference in that huge place.”
Zajac then talked to one of her teachers about starting a club that would raise awareness and money for orphans in Africa.
Click here to read the full story from the Joplin (MO) Globe.
October 31, 2010
Encouraging Stories-"The Natural" Plays Again
Guideposts has a first-person story from Texas Rangers star Josh Hamilton, who has gone from drug dependancy to playing in the World Series.....
Granny was one of the few people who still believed in me, and I was letting her down. For years I’d wondered when I would hit bottom. Now I knew. You hit bottom when you’ve hurt every last person who loves you.
I went back into my room, and the cold, hard reality of what I’d done hit me. I’d chosen cocaine over everything that gave my life meaning. I chose it over baseball, the sport I was born to play. I chose it over my wife and children, my parents and now my grandmother.
I even chose it over God. I dropped to my knees. Lord, I don’t care if I never play baseball again. Help me get right with my family, and with you, most of all.
It was my first real prayer in a long while. This time I wasn’t trying to make a deal with God. This was me surrendering, throwing myself at his mercy. “Do with me what you want, Lord,” I said.
My eyes fell on the Bible Granny had put in my room. I picked it up and flipped through it. One verse, James 4:7, practically jumped off the page at me: “Humble yourself before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
I read those lines over and over till they were burned into my memory. Every time I was tempted by cocaine—and that first week going cold turkey was vicious—I repeated that verse: “Humble yourself before God…”
Click here to read the entire story from Guideposts.
Granny was one of the few people who still believed in me, and I was letting her down. For years I’d wondered when I would hit bottom. Now I knew. You hit bottom when you’ve hurt every last person who loves you.
I went back into my room, and the cold, hard reality of what I’d done hit me. I’d chosen cocaine over everything that gave my life meaning. I chose it over baseball, the sport I was born to play. I chose it over my wife and children, my parents and now my grandmother.
I even chose it over God. I dropped to my knees. Lord, I don’t care if I never play baseball again. Help me get right with my family, and with you, most of all.
It was my first real prayer in a long while. This time I wasn’t trying to make a deal with God. This was me surrendering, throwing myself at his mercy. “Do with me what you want, Lord,” I said.
My eyes fell on the Bible Granny had put in my room. I picked it up and flipped through it. One verse, James 4:7, practically jumped off the page at me: “Humble yourself before God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
I read those lines over and over till they were burned into my memory. Every time I was tempted by cocaine—and that first week going cold turkey was vicious—I repeated that verse: “Humble yourself before God…”
Click here to read the entire story from Guideposts.
October 30, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Offer to fix trashed house is God's work
Retired carpenter Karl Thomsen is a man who likes to lend a helping hand.
After reading about the plight of a woman whose rental property had been trashed, he decided to help her fix it.
On Tuesday The Daily Post ran a story about Alison Stembridge, whose Paradise Valley Rd rental property was left trashed by her former tenants, leaving her with a repair bill of almost $50,000 and the tenants owing $28,000 in back-rent.
An emotional Miss Stembridge said she could hardly think of what to say when she was told about Mr Thomsen's generous offer of free labour to help her repair her property.
"I always say that God works in mysterious ways, but what a lovely man for offering his help.
Click here to read the entire story from The Daily Post in Rotorua, New Zeland.
After reading about the plight of a woman whose rental property had been trashed, he decided to help her fix it.
On Tuesday The Daily Post ran a story about Alison Stembridge, whose Paradise Valley Rd rental property was left trashed by her former tenants, leaving her with a repair bill of almost $50,000 and the tenants owing $28,000 in back-rent.
An emotional Miss Stembridge said she could hardly think of what to say when she was told about Mr Thomsen's generous offer of free labour to help her repair her property.
"I always say that God works in mysterious ways, but what a lovely man for offering his help.
Click here to read the entire story from The Daily Post in Rotorua, New Zeland.
October 29, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Couple still helping Haitians long after earthquake
When an earthquake killed more than 230,000 Haitians in January, many in this country wondered how they could help.
Dan and Sheila Lynch of Marietta didn’t have to wonder. They’d already spent nearly a decade helping Haitian families escape crushing poverty. So with a borrowed plane and other assistance, they flew medical supplies to the Caribbean nation.
But it’s what they tried to bring out of Haiti that made headlines. In a land where thousands had suddenly become orphans, they targeted 22 children whose adoptions already were pending when the earthquake struck Jan. 12.
Today, 20 of those children are with their new parents in the U.S. The Lynches are still keeping track of the other two.
It’s that kind of focus – concentrate on helping a few people – that has guided the couple since they founded God’s Plumbline Ministries 11 years ago. The organization gets its name from the Bible, from the book of Amos, chapter seven: “Then the Lord said, `Look, I am setting a plumbline among my people.’”
Click here to read the entire story from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Dan and Sheila Lynch of Marietta didn’t have to wonder. They’d already spent nearly a decade helping Haitian families escape crushing poverty. So with a borrowed plane and other assistance, they flew medical supplies to the Caribbean nation.
But it’s what they tried to bring out of Haiti that made headlines. In a land where thousands had suddenly become orphans, they targeted 22 children whose adoptions already were pending when the earthquake struck Jan. 12.
Today, 20 of those children are with their new parents in the U.S. The Lynches are still keeping track of the other two.
It’s that kind of focus – concentrate on helping a few people – that has guided the couple since they founded God’s Plumbline Ministries 11 years ago. The organization gets its name from the Bible, from the book of Amos, chapter seven: “Then the Lord said, `Look, I am setting a plumbline among my people.’”
Click here to read the entire story from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
October 28, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Missionaries to present stories of time in Africa
Ask Charlie and Kim Budd what it's like to be missionaries in Ghana and the Lancaster couple could spend an entire afternoon telling you story after inspirational story. They recall the times where they dug wells for villages without running water or built libraries for children who'd never seen a book before in their life. They can show you pictures of people being baptized in the ocean and children who've received medical care in the United States with the help of they've created.
For the past seven years, the Budds have dedicated their lives to helping others in Africa -- but they say it's the people in Africa who have truly blessed them during that time.
"To see these projects that we've started come to fruition -- the blessing was ours," said Charlie Budd, an ordained pastor.
Click here to read the entire story from the Lancaster (PA) Eagle-Gazette.
For the past seven years, the Budds have dedicated their lives to helping others in Africa -- but they say it's the people in Africa who have truly blessed them during that time.
"To see these projects that we've started come to fruition -- the blessing was ours," said Charlie Budd, an ordained pastor.
Click here to read the entire story from the Lancaster (PA) Eagle-Gazette.
October 27, 2010
Encouraging Stories-Helping the poor has shown me the other side of life
Growing up in a large family where her father took under his care both employees and children of the dissident relations, first exposed her to the plight of the poor. Caring and sharing then became a family value that she imbibed as she went along life. It is her firm belief that God gives his blessing to some people so they can be a blessing to others.
So it is only natural that in her adult life, that she should gravitate to a service club, the Ikeja Pearl Lions club where she served and rose through the ranks as secretary, second vice president, and first vice president.
Click here to read the entire story from The Vanguard in Lagos, Nigeria.
So it is only natural that in her adult life, that she should gravitate to a service club, the Ikeja Pearl Lions club where she served and rose through the ranks as secretary, second vice president, and first vice president.
Click here to read the entire story from The Vanguard in Lagos, Nigeria.
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