Serving Others

Our high school youth group recently took a mission trip to Camp Langano in our focus country of Ethiopia.  Below I think you’ll find some powerful comments from the trip.

WHAT DID GOD SHOW YOU IN ETHIOPIA?

That technology and riches can change— but God’s love is the same for anyone anywhere around the world.
He showed me how to love others well and unconditionally.
How to be content in all situations.
How much I really like my comfort zone.
God showed me an overwhelming and powerful love that I’d never seen before.
God opened my eyes to the ‘real’ purpose of Christianity.
That miracles still happen.
We don’t need things to be happy.
And He can change even a heart of stone.

WHAT WAS MOST ATTRACTIVE ABOUT THE ETHIOPIAN CULTURE YOU WISH YOU COULD BRING BACK HOME?

You don’t have to worry about how you look, how you smell, or what you say.
The passionate pursuit of others relationally and the openness to receiving new people into their lives.
Seeing the Ethiopians worship God was so moving.
The love is so pure—uncorrupted by society.
It is nothing that can be imitated, captured, or packed.

IN WHAT WAY HAS YOUR HEART BEEN CHANGED?

I hope to be more generous in every way.
I am more forgiving and accepting of others.
Away from the noise and distractions normally thrown at us, I felt God move in my heart so much more.
My desire for the material world and worldly items was decreased significantly.
I am more thankful for my family and who they are.
God broke my heart so that He could fill it even more with His love.

HOW WILL YOUR LIFE BE DIFFERENT NOW?

Try to be more open to all relationships.
Less concerned with schedule and time.
Pray more!
Be more patient with people and take time to build Godly relationships—showing more concern and interest in others.
I’m going to let go of my own wants and desires in order to better serve others.
I am more open to His will for my life.
I’m excited about being a better son to my parents.
Complain less.
Love more.
I will spend more time with God and more time serving others.

Church at Charlotte will be taking an adult trip to Ethiopia February 4-14.  Would you be open to going?  Please contact me with any questions or to get an application.

God Bless,
RJ
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Last Spring, our church had the blessing of funding and building a Habitat home with Habitat for Humanity Charlotte.  This Fall, we are working with area churches to help build another home and we need your help!

Ed King, who attends Church at Charlotte and helped us immensely with the build earlier this year, will be coordinating several folks to participate in the upcoming Fall Blitz.

We need volunteers!  The dates that Church at Charlotte is responsible to staff the site include:

Sept 19—Kickoff
Sept 25 – Trusses and Sheathing
Sept 26 – Trusses and Sheathing
Oct 17 - Drywall
Oct 24 - Drywall

Please contact Ed King if you would be interested in volunteering. He will provide all necessary details.

You can reach him at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or 704-366-6779.

You can see some pictures from our previous build below as well.

God Bless,
RJ
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Several of our members are involved in a new Christian micro-finance project in Zambia, Africa.  The group is working with PEER Servants and they are having a Walk for Economic Empowerment in Charlotte on September 27.  Please read more details below.

Charlotte is hosting its first annual Walk for Economic Empowerment to benefit a start up microfinance institution in Zambia, one of the world’s most economically disadvantaged countries.  This vision to use micro loans to economically empower the people of Zambia was started by a group of Christians with the support of PEER Servants.  The loan capital comes entirely from donations from people like yourself who believe that Christian microfinance can make a difference in the lives of the working poor. 

Our walkathon will be Sunday, Sept 27 from 4-6pm at the McMullen Creek Greenway at Johnson Road/Highway 51.

For more information please visit the Walk for Economic Empowerment website at http://www.w4ee.org

God Bless,
RJ
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

There is some exciting news coming out of Cuba!  The Cuban government just announced that they will allow religious services to take place inside prisons.  What a blessing!

You can read the article by clicking here.

I would also suggest that you go over to the WorldServe Blog where they post a great overview and timeline of religious freedom in Cuba.

Thanks goes to Jim Fagan for sharing this news with me.

God Bless,
RJ
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)