Kisses from Katie

Kisses from Katie is likely the best book I have ever read. Katie Davis is a young woman with a passion to make a difference in the world. This former senior class president and homecoming queen left her home in Nashville TN at 18 for a short missions trip to Uganda. That experience grew into a overwhelming desire to do something more personal and more sacrificial than just giving up her Christmas vacation for Africa. Today at the age of 23, Katie lives in Uganda, where she is the adoptive mother of 14 little girls, some with special needs, and the head of Amazima, a ministry that reaches hundreds of other children in Africa.

Katie invites you on a journey of radical love down the red dirt roads of Uganda. You'll laugh, cry and stop dead in your tracks with Katie as she follows Jesus into the impossible and finds joy and beauty beneath the dust.

Below are a few of my favorite quotes from Kisses from Katie

 “individuals are extremely important; every life matters.”

 “…they (people who want to make a difference) don’t do anything to call attention to themselves, they simply pay attention to the everyday needs of others, even if it’s only one person…”

“…wants more than anything to obey God and say yes to whatever He asks of me…”

“…ordinary people who love an extraordinary God…”
"I will not change the world.“I Jesus will do that. I can, however, let Him use me to change the world for one person.”
 
“…I am more more terrified of living a comfortable life in a self-serving society and failing to follow Jesus than I am of any illness or tragedy.”

“I , as a person who grew up wealthy, put value in things. These children, having no things, put value in God.”
“They rejoiced in what the Lord had given them…”

“Share…without holding back, giving our all and believing that the Lord will provide more as needed...
“God did not make too many people and not enough resources to go around. Because we are living in His world, there HAS to be a solution.” (to poverty, hunger, thirst)

“Poverty is not a sin; it is a condition, a circumstance that allows God’s work to be displayed.”

“…care for those around you out of an overflow of love for Christ and the love that He has lavished upon you.”
“adoption is His heart.”

“When we stop to be kind when we don’t want to, that’s when the sacrifice becomes most rewarding.”

“If being a new mother taught me anything, it was just how inadequate I am and just how dependent I am on my father to give me strength and grace for each day.” (amen.)

“…a desire to be more, to be better, to be close to the One who made us…”
“I made peace with feeling inadequate because the Truth is, I was. I still am…”

“…147 million orphaned children in the world to each have a mommy who knows what they like for dinner.” (one of her prayers/desires)
“following God is an education of its own.”

“Obey and be faithful to only what He has asked of me, even when tangible earthly results or successes are not seen.”
“Often in an unideal situation, there is not an ideal solution this side of heaven.”

“As I do what I can, I am able to watch Him do what only He can.”

“I am not brave. I just believe in a God who will use me even though I am not.”

 “Lord, may we choose you every moment of every day.”

2012 Honduras Shoebox Team

With less than a month before they leave the 2012 Shoebox mission trip team is gathering to pray, prepare and Go to the people of Honduras and share the Gospel with them. However if you have ever been on mission for God you know plans do not always go as smoothly as we like...




Couple thoughts from team members as they prepare to go.

" I love going to Honduras! The people of Honduras have absolutely nothing but are the happiest people you will meet. They are so prideful of what they do have. They live off of the land". Kristie Morgan

"Just wanted to thank-you all for your prayers. Jan. 2, 2012 this trip was just a dream. One phone call and 31 days later, I sent in for a new birth certificate, followed by a new passport  and received the new passport today. Our GOD is AWESOME !!!! Again thanks and I look forward to serving our LORD beside all of you. To GOD be all the Glory". Mark Buchanan

Thank you from Fifth Street Ministeries in Statesville

Thursday January 26th, at The Volunteer Appreciation Dinner at Fifth Street Ministries, The Cove Church and it's volunteers were recognized for all the support in the Soup Kitchen. Steve Byrd, a volunteer at Fifth Street, Cove member, ministry leader and most recently Fifth Street board member, accepted the plaque and goblet on The Cove's behalf. 

The recognition is on behalf of a guy named Tim Morrison. The approx 20 year old story goes something like this.  Tim lost his life as a result of a testimony he was to give in court against the man that eventually murdered him. Tim was a resident of Fifth Street for a very short time and left one afternoon to get groceries. Foul play happened along the way and apparently the man he was to testify against murdered him and he never made it back to Fifth Street. Tim's life made such an impact during the short time he was at Fifth Street that the organization presents the community with a Thank you in honor of his life.

God's Timing, Answered Prayers and Behind the Scenes

I read this story about a mission trip leader from a local church and was encouraged by God’s perfect timing and how even though we don’t see how it will all work out God’s timing is PERFECT. I pray this encourages you in your own life and ministries. As you work through the unfinished puzzle of your life trust that God is orchestrating, events, people, resources, and finances on your behalf.

Trip leader Gary Welch was concerned. It was just weeks before a medical mission trip to Haiti. And he didn’t have any doctors signed up. None. So this faithful leader called on his team to pray.

At the very same time, Chris Neuman was lost and searching. Growing up Jewish, his wife and two boys had encouraged him to begin attending a local church six months prior.

Two weeks before the medical mission trip to Haiti– Chris committed his life to Jesus. An emergency room doctor, he decided he wanted to put his faith into action and serve on the medical mission trip to Haiti. That same day, five more medical professionals signed on (including Kristin Neuman, Chris’s wife, who had been attending bible studies and praying for years about her husband’s salvation).

God answered the prayers of dozens of people that one day. Bringing Chris to Christ, moving in him to serve on his first-ever mission trip, bringing other medical professionals to the team. But notice that God doesn’t force anybody to act. It takes obedience, an act of will to say “yes” to the work God wants to do in your life.
Hebrews 12 says, “let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us..”

We are part of God’s bigger plan, there is no plan B. God is working behind the scenes in your life. Answer Him with a YES and join Him on the journey and trust Him with the outcome!

Upscale boutique helps thousands of families in need

Below is a great article from The Charlotte Observer on the Give Back Boutique.  The Boutique supports efforts of Mooresville  Christian Mission located in Downtown Mooresville, Profits from high-end consignment shop go to area mission to feed, clothe, teach and transforming families in the Iredell country area.

An undiscovered jewel, Give Back Boutique, is tucked away behind Harbor Internal Medicine in Williams Professional Center 1.

Pink signs, edged in zebra stripes, direct shoppers to the high-end consignment shop at 478-D Williamson Road.

Unlike other consignment stores, this one, staffed by volunteers, exists to serve more than 4,000 families in our community.

Keena Darland, Donita Glinski and Joycelyn Armstrong conceived a novel idea: Form a boutique and give all the proceeds to the Mooresville-Lake Norman Christian Mission.

Valerie Chamberlain, executive director of the mission, embraced the proposal and offered her support. Within a few months, everything came together for an opening this past August.

Women's clothing and accessories, small home décor pieces, original paintings and books are artfully displayed. Dressing rooms, designed to resemble window treatments, are draped in black and gold fabric.

"Our niche is higher-end clothing for people who have champagne tastes and beer pocketbooks," said Darland.

Profits from the sale of donated or consigned clothing are used in the mission's programs to assist families in crisis and help those families move into permanent self-sufficiency.

"We want people to know we are here and what we do. We are very choosy about what we take and sort through it, so the customer doesn't have to," said Darland, who serves as the store's manager.

Bargains abound. Items in the boutique for 30 days are reduced to half price. Clothing rotates quickly so the store looks new whenever shoppers stop by. Designer labels like Michael Kors are the norm.

Style savvy volunteers offer advice and help women coordinate clothing.

Customers can take advantage of special sales and drawings one Thursday evening a month during Girls' Night Out. The next one is planned for Feb. 9.

During the January GNO, women registered for free massages and learned about skin care as they tried on clothes and jewelry. One shopper justified her purchase remarking, "I have to buy something to support the place."

The volunteers operate Give Back Boutique on a zero budget. When people donate, consign or buy clothes, they are giving back to our community.

Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/01/29/2961043/upscale-boutique-helps-thousands.html#storylink=misearch#storylink=cpy

Volunteers and donations for SCAN, Stop Child Abuse Now

Stop Child Abuse Now of Iredell County, SCAN works to create positive and effective parent-child relationships. Building hope for children and families through education, counseling, and intervention programs to help stop child abuse now. They offer programs that connect parents with compassionate and well-trained professionals as well as opportunities to meet with other parents in the community who are looking to develop the same. 

Currently they had a need for a volunteer position and supplies for their office. If you are able to help or would like additional information please contact them at the information below. 

Supplies needed:

- Letter size manila file folders

- Copy Paper

- 3 Ring binders

- Paper towels

- Bathroom tissue

- Heavy Duty Binder Clips (All Sizes)

- #10 Business Envelopes

- Pens

- Dry Erase Markers

- Standard Size Staples


 Volunteer position:  Looking for volunteer for the At Risk Kids Program
At Risk Kids (ARK) is an intervention program for adolescents (age 10 - 17) who have involvement with the Juvenile Court System or for youth whose behavior demonstrates that they may be in danger of entering the Juvenile Justice System.

The goal is to provide home based intervention by providing parenting skills, problem-solving skills and positive life skills to youth and parents.

When: Call or e-mail for details

Where: Child and Parenting Center, 207 Walnut Street, Statesville, NC 28677. 704-878-2227 or e-mail Amy Eisele at amy@iredellscan.org

Bridges Out of Poverty Class

Opportunity available through:
Wednesday Day Classes: Feb. 1 from 9:00 am to 11:30 for 6 weeks

Thursday Evening Classes: Thurs, Feb 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for 6 weeks

Saturday Day Classes: Sat, Feb 4th 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for two consecutive Saturdays (You are welcome to pack a light lunch/snack for midday break)

What: Bridges out of Poverty Class

Why: To teach people about poverty and how to make a difference in our community. Class is designed educate and train people on how to effectively mentor a family out of poverty. “Teaching a man to fish”. 42 -47% of children in our community are on free or reduced lunches, which means that 1 in 3 of our children are living in poverty. “This is Our Community – It our Responsibility” Help move families out of poverty. Every one of us has a role.

Where: All classes offered at 100 Beam Drive (Old Mission location), Mooresville, NC

Contact: Please RSVP (mart704@aol.com) if you are interested in attending any of these classes. If you would like more information about these programs, please visit our website at www.mooresvillechristianmission.org

March Madness InBounds Ministries

Join InBounds Ministries located in downtown Mooresville for March Madness!  InBound Ministries is a relationship building ministry opportunity located in our backyard... downtown Mooresville.  They are looking for people to help serve but also for life groups, businesses, and individuals to help support the ministry and purchases such as: basketball hoops for the park, bibles, food, signage, games, etc. All ages, male and female, check it out there is something for everybody!

Check out the following video and see how you can get involved!
http://youtu.be/c3e2XKiX_Rc


Where: Magla Park 93 Spencer St. Moorseville, NC
Contact: Please contact Dan Greenwell at greenwell200@aol.com

Feeding Frenzy 5k Run

April 7, 2012: 9:00AM,  Kannapolis Intimidators Stadium, Kannapolis, NC
All race proceeds collected will benefit the Compassion International Child Survival Program (www.compassion.com). The Child Survival Program helps saves the lives of babies and mothers in poverty utilizing local churches to assist mothers of at-risk infants and toddlers.
 
*Race participants are encouraged to bring canned food donations for the Cooperative Christian Ministry food pantries in Cabarrus County (www.cooperativeministry.com)

5k Race Information
Event Time: 9:00 am, Race Day Registration will take place from 8:00 am - 8:45 am.

Kids Fun Run - 8:15 am; 5k - 9:00 am

Cost: Pre-registration for 5k: $20.00 ($25.00 race day), Pre-K thru 12 School Age Students: $10.00 ($15.00 race day), Kids Fun Run - Free (no t-shirt or goody bag for fun run participants)

Registration: http://www.firstgiving.com/childsurvival/feeding-frenzy-5k

Online registration will be available until the day before the race. You can also give to the cause even if you can’t run or attend the event thru this site. T-shirts and goody bags guaranteed for the first 200 registered 5k participants.

Additional ways you can get involved: 
Sponsor: If you would like to be an individual or business sponsor, please contact Natalie Atwell at natalieatwell@gmail.com

Volunteer: If you would like to volunteer the day of the event, please contact Natalie Atwell at natalieatwell@gmail.com

For more information, check out “Feeding Frenzy 5K” on facebook and twitter or e-mail : feedingfrenzy5k@gmail.com

SOLACE Host Mtg, January 30th

IMonday evening, Jan. 30, 7 pm, at Williamson's Chapel UMC in Mooresville, NC. Interested in becoming involved in international mission work? How about bringing the mission field right into your home? Solace for the Children is a nonprofit organization that provides medical and dental care to children in need from the war-torn country of Afghanistan. Children travel to the United States for six weeks during the summer to receive the medical treatment that they need. Solace is looking for volunteers to provide a loving host family for these children while they are here.

HOST FAMILY INFORMATION MEETING: if you are interested in finding out more on how to become a host family this summer there is a Solace for the Children Host Family Information meeting scheduled for next Monday evening, Jan. 30, 7 pm, at Williamson's Chapel UMC in Mooresville, NC. The meeting is in the Chapel (the doors face Williamson Rd). This is a time to learn more about Solace for the Children, being a host family, fundraising opportunities, and time for questions for the organization.

Disaster Relief Training Basic Class in March

The Baptist Men’s Association has a Disaster Relief Basic Training class scheduled for March 16/17th in the Raleigh NC. The cost is $40 per person and George Kelley will be coordinating a trip for volunteers interested from The Cove.

If interested read the below information and visit the Men’s Baptist Web site @ http://www.baptistsonmission.org/Training/Training-Opportunities/Disaster-Relief-Training/Disaster-Relief-Training-Region-4-Basic   Should you sign up e-mail George Kelley, his e-mail address is: george.kelley@usairways.com   he will keep you in the loop on traveling together to the training.  

This basic training is the way you get your foot in the door of NCBM Disaster Relief. If you've never trained with us before, you're in the right place. It is a 2 day orientation to the Disaster Relief ministry which includes history, policies, procedures, and technical training in the field you choose.

Schedule: Check-in begins at 2:30 on Friday. Classes from 4:30 - 10 p.m. We finish on Saturday by 3 p.m. If you cannot arrive for class on Friday by 5:15 p.m. please choose another date and location to participate.

Accommodations: 3 meals (Fri. supper, Sat. breakfast and lunch). This is an OVERNIGHT training. Participants will sleep at the facility/church dormitory style, men and women separated. Bring your cot/air mattress and anything you need for sleeping. We do NOT provide sleep gear, only space! Showers provided.

Age for all disciplines except Recovery: 18+. Recovery 15+ With Parent

To Register: Locate Region under map below and click on the link. Participants registered on a first-come, first-served basis. Training class size is limited. Registered Volunteers will be contacted approximately 1 week before the event with exact location information.

Administration: volunteers learn how to manage the paperwork associated with running a disaster operation.

Communications: for amateur radio operators and IT professionals. Need HAM license or IT network experience.

Disaster Relief Chaplaincy: provide spiritual care and encouragement to volunteers and survivors, requires background check (provided by NCBM) and reference letter 30 days BEFORE training.

Disaster Relief Temporary Child Care: Emergency child care training requires background check by NCBM.

International Search & Rescue: for volunteers with US credentials and/or experience including Medical Professionals. Team members are expected to respond INTERNATIONALLY within 24 hours of notification if possible. Requires passport.

Mass Feeding: Learn food safety and preparation for mass feeding. Volunteers prepare breakfast and lunch on Saturday.

Medical Reserve Corps: domestic and international response. Must have a current NC medical license.

Recovery: Help homeowners recover by using mud-out, chainsaw, and temporary repair. Age 15+ w/parent.

Shower/Laundry: Covers setup, maintenance, and use of shower/laundry units.

Cost for Basic Training: $40, includes training manual, hat, shirt, id badge, mirror hanger and 3 meals. NON-REFUNDABLE. Credit Card/Checks accepted.

Note: The training is designed to be as realistic as possible. Flexibility is key to having a good experience. Please do not register for this training if you cannot stay for the entire event.

MCM Bridges Out of Poverty classes

Mooresville Christian Mission is pleased to announce their upcoming Bridges Out of Poverty classes (designed to give people wanting to help a deeper understanding of the challenges and strengths the poor face.  The knowledge gained will help you in partnering with them to create opportunities for success) which we hope will provide flexibility for many schedules.  Please note all sessions will be held at the Mooresville Christian Mission Education Center, 100 Beam Drive.

 Wednesday Day Classes:
 Wed,  Feb. 1 from 9:00 am to 11:30 for 6 weeks


 Thursday Evening Classes:
 Thurs, Feb 2 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm for 6 weeks


 Saturday Day Classes:
 Sat, Feb 4th 9:00 am to 3:00 pm for two consecutive Saturdays
 (You are welcome to pack a light lunch/snack for midday break)

Please RSVP ( mart704@aol.com) if you are interested in attending any of these classes.  If you would like more information about these programs, please visit our website at www.mooresvillechristianmission.org.

Read to a Child, Read Across America

Cloverleaf in Statesville is hosting a Read Across America on March 2 at 8:00 am to help students learn to read. The Statesville Woman's Club is sponsoring the event and they need about 45 readers. Time requirement is approx an hour of your time. You will meet in the media center of the school for coffee and pastries at 8:00 am, shortly after around 8:15 a student will come and escort you to their classroom.

To sign up or for additional information please contact:  Barb Thorson, MLS, MSA, e-mail address: thorson@vnet.net

Benefit for Pregnancy Resource Center

Pregnancy Resource Center is having a mid-winter fun benefit to raise money for Pregnancy Resource Center. Half of your admission automatically goes to the PRC and you get an evening of indoor fun with the family. Admission is $10 a person, which includes an armband that provides unlimited Laser Tag, rides and Fun Zone
When: Thursday, January 26th

Where: FunStation 2000 in Statesville. Address is: 11415 Wilkesboro Hwy. Statesville, NC 28625

Contact: Pregnancy Resource Center, Vickie Miglin 704-871-0338 or Mike Daniels at FunStation, 704-838-0440

January OutREACH Updates, Serving Opportunities and Mission Trips

Hello, OutREACH Team Members!

First of all, allow me to thank you and CELEBRATE an amazing 2011 Christmas at The Cove. With your help we delivered the Good News of God's love and salvation in the form of Christmas gifts to over 1000 children in our area and sent over 1800 shoeboxes to children in Honduras. Thank you for participating in Christmas at The Cove 2011, and for joining with us in changing lives, minds, and communities through Jesus Christ.

If one of your New Year Resolutions was to get more involved in our community, keep reading and get ready to mark your calendar. Here are a couple updates and upcoming events to keep you in the know.  You can also keep up-to-date with OutREACH by going to http://coveoutreach.blogspot.com and http://coveonmission.blogspot.com

OutREACH Meeting:  Thursday, January 19^th at 7:00 pm * Mooresville Campus.  Join us to hear about OutREACH ministries—everything from the different ministries we support locally to upcoming mission trips Honduras in April, South Africa in May, Ireland in October and bringing the mission field to your home by hosting a child from Afghanistan through the SOLACE ministry.

SOLACE for the Children: Interested in becoming involved in international mission work?  How about bringing the mission field right into your home?  Solace for the Children is a nonprofit organization that provides medical and dental care to children in need from the war-torn country of Afghanistan. Children travel to the United States for six weeks during the summer to receive the medical treatment that they need.  Solace is looking for volunteers to provide a loving host family for these children while they are here. If you are interested please contact Asheli Thompson at athompson@tphfostercare.com

Honduras Stove Installation Mission Trips: 2 trips planned April 21 – April 28 and April 28 – May 5. The Cove is taking teams to Honduras to install stoves and share the love of God. Many typical stoves are not vented to the outside, meaning that smoke and particulates build up inside the home. This team will install stoves vented on the outside, whose benefits include much higher air quality and much lower wood use. The trip cost is $1500 and open to adults 18 and older, or those 16 years of age with a parent or guardian present on the trip. The deadline to apply and have all funding in is March 12, 2012. To apply, or for additional information, please e-mail trip leader Barry Brewington at barryton@windstream.net

South Africa Mission Trip: May 2012. The Cove is partnering with local churches to help them reach more people for Christ and will be working with orphans and child-headed households for light construction projects. Trip cost is approximately $3000 and open to adults 18 and older. To apply, or for additional information, please e-mail trip leader Kris Lamb at ncgofer@aol.com

Dublin, Ireland Mission Trip: October 26 - November 4. This fall, The Cove will be traveling to Dublin, Ireland to serve with the Dublin Christian Mission. The trip cost is $1600 and the deadline to register is September 16, 2012. The team will be working with kids of all ages doing arts and crafts, building relationships and working with the homeless drop-in shelter. The area of Dublin that we’ll be working in is experiencing severe generational poverty, chronic unemployment and a lack of hope. By our presence and example, we have a chance to introduce people to the Hope that is a relationship with Jesus. If you are interested please e-mail trip leader Rebekah Carney at rebekahcarney@covechurch.org  

Thank you for your using your time, talents and treasure to help and serve others. You are helping to create a culture of generosity, not as just an event but a lifestyle !