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Thursday, 11 June 2009 |
Sorry I have not updated the site for a while. I just have not been close to a computer. Donnie's ankle is better and everyone has had fun. The youth have been awesome servants, have had great attitudes, and have experienced a week to remember. They should be leaving Benton Harbor at 8:00 am and I'm guessing they will arrive in Zearing not much later than 2:30 pm.
Just got an update from Kathy tonight and things have been absolutely amazing. It rained on them all day and they had beach plans for the night activity. God cleared the sky and everyone made it to the beach for an incredible feet washing service. Kathy said it was truly wonderful.
Praise God !
Duane
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Text Updates by Jackie #3 |
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Thursday, 11 June 2009 |
6/10 2:31pm
Back at camp after a full day of playing with some awesome kids and painting beautiful houses!! gospel service tonight, we're excited :)
6/10 9:24pm
switching projects tomorrow. Got to play on the beach today and made footprints in the sand...got a wiff of something foul, and kissed a gorilla, ask the boys about it :) & we talked about wealth, what would be hardest for you to give up?
6/10 9:28pm
praise the lord hallelujah!!! We love abundant life church :)
6/10 2:39pm
today went well!! tonight we get to go on a scavenger hunt in st. joseph :)
6/11 11:07am
this morning we played cards at the senior center and now we're playin with kids!!
6/11 2:58pm
pray the rain stops so we can go to the beach and eat bbq!!!
6/11 5:44pm
no beach but great bbq :) we will be having a talent show instead!!!
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Text Updates by Jackie #2 |
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Monday, 08 June 2009 |
6/8 9:15 pm
we scraped til we couldn't lift our arms, we played with kids who have way too much energy, we're exhausted & we get to do it all again tomorrow!!!! we love youth works!!
6/8 1:40 pm
our groups are all named after mo town singers :) rick james, tina turner, jackson 5, stevie wonder, & the temptations...
6/8 7:53 am
we're ready for the day!!! Rick james and tina turner!
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Monday, 08 June 2009 |
- Donnie sprained his ankle last night during game time while playing basketball. He is doing fine, but is wearing an ankle brace. Pray for comfort in Donnie's ankle and that it heals quickly.
- Some scraped and prepared houses for painting while other were involved in the first day of Kids Club. I was told that everyone in our group worked very hard. Please pray for our outstanding servants.
- Dale is picking up kids for Kids Club and a few stops were in the "alarming" part of the city. Please continue to pray for everyone's safety.
- Some youth will spend tomorrow cleaning out house gutters. Casey took a preview of the gutter situation and said it was "scary". Please pray that God will give the workers the strength to complete their jobs.
- Nights will consist of showers, food, fun activities, worship, devotional, and rest. Please pray that God will open hearts and minds this weeks during the devotional time.
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Sunday, 07 June 2009 |
6/7 8:27am
we're on our way to michigan!!! benton harbor here we come :)
6/7 1:35pm
havin' fun in big blue, just passed around chicago...almost there!
6/7 4:47pm
we made it!!!! dale is an awesome driver :)
6/7 9:18 pm
done with our first day! this week is gonna rock!!! And all the girls look beautiful in their sleeping bags, standing up!!!
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Sunday, 07 June 2009 |
Stronghold left at 8:00 am this morning after some prayer time. One of our prayers was for the group to arrive in Benton Harbor safely.
Prayer Answered ! They arrive at their destination at 4:15 pm. Due to detours they had to take an alternative route and Kathy though it was "a God thing". The alternative route took them though an area of the city filled with low quality housing, shacks, and homeless wandering the streets. The youth and adults were given a preview of the need in Benton Harbor. The group will begin their service work tomorrow. Please keep them in your prayers and thanks for all your support that enabled this week to happen
Praise God,
Duane
Below is a little information about Benton Harbor (taken from 3angelsmo.org)
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Incredibly, nearly 40% of Benton Harbor lives at or below poverty, compared to 9% nationwide. Poverty in Benton Harbor is due in large part to low-income wages. The average income of a resident is $17,471, compared to the average state income of $44,667. The majority of residents in Benton Harbor rent homes (62%), most of which are in dilapidated neighborhoods. Another pervasive problem is the number of residents who are homeless. In 2005, a local survey was conducted, which demonstrated that 293 residents were homeless, of which 41% were children.
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Thursday, 04 June 2009 |
10 Stronghold Youth and 3 Leaders will be traveling to Benton Harbor for a summer mission project this upcoming week. They will be leaving Sunday, June 7th at 8:00. Join us at 7:45 if you would like to send them on their way with hugs and prayers.
We would like to thank you for your prayers as they travel, worship God, and help the local residents of Benton Harbor. Pray for Allison, Brittany, Bruce, Casey, Dale, Donnie, Emily, Haley, Jackie, Kathy, Matt, Tyler, and Will. The group will be returning on Friday Jun 12th. I will try to keep the website updated daily.
God Bless,
Duane
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