Tomorrow and Wednesday GCBI will be in Lady Lake doing more relief work. We are staying overnight somewhere up there. That is all I know. So please pray that we would be able to be a blessing to the people there, good testimonies for Jesus Christ, and have a safe time. I am sure that I will take some more pictures, but hopefully it will be of less destruction and more smiles and hope.
Also, Pastor Randy leaves for Israel tomorrow and Katie leaves on Thursday. Katie is very sick right now with strep throat and that other virus that really does a number on your throat. Please keep her in your prayers as well, that she would quickly heal and have a wonderful time in Israel.
Monday, February 19, 2007
Friday, February 16, 2007
On The Air
This week has flown by, it seems. In class we went through Hebrews and James with Pastor Randy. This evening we are running the date night. What that is is we watch couple's kids at the church while they go out for a date, or stay in... whatever. We entertain them for a few hours. Tomorrow evening from 8:30 to 10:00 GCBI will be the in studio guests on Lightforce on the JoyFM radio stations. You can listen in live at the website, www.thejoyfm.com.
We will be heard a few times during the hour and 1/2 between new Christian rock so if you can stand the music, be sure to listen in!!
I need to get playing with kids now.
We will be heard a few times during the hour and 1/2 between new Christian rock so if you can stand the music, be sure to listen in!!
I need to get playing with kids now.
Sunday, February 11, 2007
Report on FGBC website
http://fgbc-world.blogspot.com/2007/02/students-report-disaster-relief-stories.html
GCBI is making small headlines on the FGBC website with our disaster relief work! This is significant because the Fellowship leadership is against promoting this program because it is seen as a competitor to the 412 Commission. I would encourage anyone to tell any young people about this life-changing and affordable program, whether you or they are Grace Brethren or not, it is open to all believers.
GCBI is making small headlines on the FGBC website with our disaster relief work! This is significant because the Fellowship leadership is against promoting this program because it is seen as a competitor to the 412 Commission. I would encourage anyone to tell any young people about this life-changing and affordable program, whether you or they are Grace Brethren or not, it is open to all believers.
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Miami for the weekend
We are in Miami/ Ft. Lauderdale this weekend! We are staying in some condos owned by a friend of Pastor Randy's, right on the beach. Friday evening, we visited a Messianic Temple, which our host was a rabbi of, and had a great time. I really enjoyed the experience, the worship with dancing and clapping was excellent. I felt privileged to be worshiping with God's people. Tomorrow we are in charge of the service for a small Grace Brethren church. I get to tag team the message with Bryan and Travis, which I need to get working on, so that is all for now. I will have pictures and such when I get back to Sebring. I hope all is well with everyone. Feel free to update me on anything that is going on back home or wherever you are. martinj24@gmail.com
Thursday, February 08, 2007
In the news
The organization that I helped out with on Monday made the evening news in Central Florida! Katy and I were interviewed but only Katy made the cut. Check out the video!
Tuesday, February 06, 2007
Lady Lake Tornado Clean-up
Chainsaws whirring, front loaders crashing through debris, giant claws filling mammoth trucks with the broken pieces of people's lives and... teens raking leaves? We didn't have tractors and we didn't drive big trucks but we came with a heart of compassion and youthful energy. At first I wondered how much good we were going to do the people of the Lady Lake community, where a tornado had cut a slash through the landscape and their lives, by raking up sticks and leaves in their yards. But as the residents woke up and the sun warmed the chilly air, I realized how much a simple action can mean to someone who had just been through a terrible ordeal.
We were given rakes and told to start cleaning up, working our way down the street lined with mobile homes and twisted building materials that a few days ago had been keeping people dry. We filled garbage bag after garbage bag with sticks and leaves and threw away whatever metal and plastic we found. On our way back from a walk to the dumpster, Pastor Randy noticed an elderly man who had come out and begun to rake his yard. He asked me to help the man, who seemed like he could hardly walk, so I grabbed a rake and asked if he could use a hand. His trailer was still in one piece, but the roof to his screened-in porch was nowhere to be seen, the screens were destroyed, blinds splayed in crazy directions and more leaves and sticks on his porch. I raked what I could off of his porch, threw away the useless blinds, carefully set aside broken birdhouses, and continued to clear out his lawn. I didn't get the chance to find out much about him, but he told me that he had been inside when the tornado, which had killed his neighbors a few hundred feet away, struck. He was alright except that he hit his head on something. He told me many times how grateful he was for my help and what we were doing for his community. When he went inside to rest after only working a few minutes he thanked me again. As he turned and closed the door I was hit with the fulfillment that only comes from meeting the needs of others in such a real way. We didn't need to wrestle roofing out of trees or clear roads with bulldozers, but by raking up sticks and leaves and cleaning up what was left of this man's porch we met his need and left an impression of Christ's love which is more powerful than any force of nature.
These are some pictures that I took of the destruction.
We were given rakes and told to start cleaning up, working our way down the street lined with mobile homes and twisted building materials that a few days ago had been keeping people dry. We filled garbage bag after garbage bag with sticks and leaves and threw away whatever metal and plastic we found. On our way back from a walk to the dumpster, Pastor Randy noticed an elderly man who had come out and begun to rake his yard. He asked me to help the man, who seemed like he could hardly walk, so I grabbed a rake and asked if he could use a hand. His trailer was still in one piece, but the roof to his screened-in porch was nowhere to be seen, the screens were destroyed, blinds splayed in crazy directions and more leaves and sticks on his porch. I raked what I could off of his porch, threw away the useless blinds, carefully set aside broken birdhouses, and continued to clear out his lawn. I didn't get the chance to find out much about him, but he told me that he had been inside when the tornado, which had killed his neighbors a few hundred feet away, struck. He was alright except that he hit his head on something. He told me many times how grateful he was for my help and what we were doing for his community. When he went inside to rest after only working a few minutes he thanked me again. As he turned and closed the door I was hit with the fulfillment that only comes from meeting the needs of others in such a real way. We didn't need to wrestle roofing out of trees or clear roads with bulldozers, but by raking up sticks and leaves and cleaning up what was left of this man's porch we met his need and left an impression of Christ's love which is more powerful than any force of nature.
These are some pictures that I took of the destruction.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Old Pictures
These pictures are ones that Christina has taken over that last semester and they are in no particular order.
Bryan, Me and Ben getting started on our picnic table
Getting there
All done!
Ripping the church's roof off
In the van
Leading worship at Maitland GBC
Group shot: Me, Christina, Morgan, Travis, Katy, Bryan, Shea and 3 dudes from that church
Me with a branch or root or something
Tarzan!!
Group shot, Travis was a little worried with me holding a blade next to his head
Ben reaching for the nails
Being being smart about it
Travis and I
Lots of people at the Brewer's old rental house
The young half of the softball team
Manning a game at the Fall Festival
Katy and Morgan
Katy, Wifey (Christina), and Morgan being scary on their weekend getaway
Bryan, Me and Ben getting started on our picnic table
Getting there
All done!
Ripping the church's roof off
In the van
Leading worship at Maitland GBC
Group shot: Me, Christina, Morgan, Travis, Katy, Bryan, Shea and 3 dudes from that church
Me with a branch or root or something
Tarzan!!
Group shot, Travis was a little worried with me holding a blade next to his head
Ben reaching for the nails
Being being smart about it
Travis and I
Lots of people at the Brewer's old rental house
The young half of the softball team
Manning a game at the Fall Festival
Katy and Morgan
Katy, Wifey (Christina), and Morgan being scary on their weekend getaway
Katy and Morgan at the beach
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