Friday, March 20, 2009

Appalachian Mission is being considered.

I met with Pastor Michelle Madsen -Bibeau and Melanie Scheuermann yesterday afternoon to discuss the possibility of second mission trip this year. The idea of a homeland trip has been floating in the air for more than a year and was actually mentioned by a couple of people after a recent television expose on the problems in Appalachia.


The idea is appealing for a couple of reasons. First, this trip would take place during one of the last two weeks of July when some of our young people and those who teach them could be available. Second, it offers a venue for those who wanted to go to Mexico but were a little nervous about crossing the border for a variety of reasons. If this trip comes about we would be partnering with the Mustard Seeds and Mountains ministry to provide home repair services for poor families in Southern West Virginia. They are in partnership with our National Ministries of the ABCUSA. This is an area of the country that experiences between 30 - 50 % unemployment.


If there is an adequate response between Central and First Baptist Churches, those interested in going would need to provide a $100 deposit between April 16th and 23rd to hold a space. the total cost could be up to $300 total (though we would hope to defray that with support from the churches and fundraising). The maximum number our transportation arrangements could accommodate is 18. If you would like more information, please speak with me and let me know. We would need a minimum of ten people to go forward with the trip.


Cal


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