Short-term Mission Trip to Minnesota - December 2009
A team of 6 ladies and 1 gentleman went to Bloomington, MN to serve at Samaritan's Purse - Operation Christmas Child from December 8th - December 10th. Below is a video summary of the trip. What a blessing to serve to allow the children around the world to experience what could be their first glimpse of Jesus to them.
Latvia Orphanage Gifts - November 2009
In response to the mission trip in July of 2009, the Mission: Hope Latvia team is sending boxes of items much needed at the Jelgava orphanage. Thank you to those of you who contributed to this shipment. The following items were shipped: 45 winter headbands, 57 pairs of gloves, 54 stocking hats, 6 soccer balls, 3 basketballs, 3 American footballs, 1 ball pump & extra pump needles, 5 jumping jacks sets, 10 paint sets, 4 spools of stretch craft string & beads, 2 packages Christmas taffy, 5 pounds of Dum Dums, 1 stationary set w/cards & pens for Maijia (director) and 85 photograph pages of pictures from trip in July for the kids and staff.
Orphan Sunday - November 2009
Mission: Hope presented the 1st Annual Orphan Sunday at Oakwood Church on Sunday, November 1st. On Orphan Sunday, the entire church body from age 3 and up heard about orphans.
Our 3 year olds through 4th grade watched the Show Hope “Hidden Treasures” video and were given treasure boxes with 3 “coins” of an orphan’s face on one side and their name and country on the other side, asking for them to pray for these children.The 5th through 8th graders had one of Oakwood's adopted kids, who is now married, come and share her story from her first 11 years of life in Russia, to being hosted and then adopted. Her mom said it was insightful for the kids, but even more healing for her daughter to share her life story because she hasn’t told many people about her past and these kids were at the age that she was when she came to Wisconsin. The morning closed with Russian treats that she had loved as a child.
Our worship pastor made a DVD of our church families’ “gotcha day” videos and then inserted stills of many adopted families within our church, using Steven Curtis Chapman’s “When Love Takes You In." Following that was our sermon about our adoption into God’s family and how that translates into caring for orphans. Our lead pastor closed his sermon sharing the “10 Ways Every Christian Can Care For An Orphan or Waiting Child” and then we handed out a bookmark of those 10 Ways as people left the sanctuary. We also used the Red Card Kids simulation from the Orphan Sunday website and set it up in the back of the sanctuary.
Operation Christmas Child - November 2009
Thank you Oakwood Church! Together we are sending over 178 shoe boxes for orphans worldwide through the Samaritan's Purse Operation Christmas Child program. Here we are sorting through the boxes and checking for contraband before delivering to the collection church, which will then head off to Minneapolis, MN for international shipping.
Humanitarian Aid / Vacation Bible School for Children at Latvian Orphanage - July 2009
Thank you Oakwood Church and the Lake Country community for your assistance in providing Humanitarian Aid and VBS items for the mission trip to Latvia. God allowed 12 amazing individuals to serve in Latvia in July with Buckner International. Below are pictures of some of the team assembling the items for shipment via suitcases.
Foster Care Backpack Drive - March 2009
We raised awareness for the foster care children by assembling backpacks for emergency placements. These backpacks are given to a child when he/she is taken out of their home and placed into temporary foster care, so they have something of their own. We will be able to help out 69 children due to your support, we couldn't be more grateful for your help in being the hands and feet of Jesus Christ. Thank you!
Touch of Love Care Kits for Congolese Orphans - February 2009
Packing the items and having the kids color cards with messages of hope and love to be included in the kits to send off to orphans in Congo.
