Out of Context

While I love shopping at bazaars, I've never hosted a booth at one. Often God's purpose for our lives calls us to work "out of context." Many satisfying moments have come about "out of context" from my normal life.  "Out of context," I agreed to work with the Christian club at the high school, that led to becoming a youth counselor, that led to short term missions, that led to The Soul Care Project... I wonder what the World Bazaar Booth will lead to?

World Bazaar Fundraiser

This Saturday Niceville UMC will hold a World Bazaar to benefit Missions. The Soul Care Project will have a booth featuring symbolic lanterns, Guatemalan bracelets, and woodwork by Bob Appel. Please come by our booth and send your friends. Help to Shine the Light...

Peace That Passes Understanding

Michael and Jonathan left this morning to go to Guatemala for a Board Meeting of the Casa Bernabe Orphanage. Before they boarded the plane they evacuated to the lower level to shelter from a tornado. The airport was running on emergency power, as Tropical Storm Lee sent feeder bands of storms and tornadic cells through our area. Nonetheless, they were able to fly out and have safely arrived in Guatemala City. Last year, while they were there, they were awakened in their sleep from an earthquake and witnessed a small volcanic eruption. I was just finishing-up a painting of Volcano Agua, which is near there, and was thinking about the turmoil of this world. Yet, the Holy Spirit fills me with a peace that passes understanding. He gets us through the storms.

Upcoming Needs

This month we will host a missionary family while they receive some soul care. They will be in the area for two weeks; one week they stay at a local beach house (graciously donated by a board member) to get some much needed rest and relaxation. As we prepare to bless this family with some needed respite care, we need your help. First of all, we would appreciate your prayers for this family and those that interact with them during their time here.

As this family will be flying in from a foreign country, they do not have access to their own transportation. If anyone is able to donate a car during the second half of September, please contact Cozy Drake at cozydrake@cox.net. We also provide groceries and welcome baskets to the missionaries when they arrive, so if you would like to make a donation for groceries or the welcome basket, please contact Cozy.

We appreciate your support and prayers this month!

Soul Care in the News

Mike and Shawnea have been busy preparing for a seminar at First Baptist Church of Niceville. The class, called "Soul Care: Equipped for Relationships," kicked off tonight and will continue through October. The Bay Beacon printed a great article on this seminar series and The Soul Care Project. Here's the article.

Enjoy, and please keep them in your prayers as they help others apply God's word to their relationships.

Taking a "Beach Break"

Recently several missionaries have traveled to the Emerald Coast for rest, transition, and/or a Soul Care debrief. One of our Board members has a beach house that she has made available for our visitors. On one occasion, the house was already booked. One of our church members did have a vacancy and graciously waived her fee. During high-season and on short notice, vacancies are not a sure thing...It is a sure thing that God provides for our every need. We praise Him for his provision and for the opportunity to serve his missionaries.

Bargain Box

Our life is starting to "normalize." We are mostly moved-in to our house and hope to be able to fit the car in the garage by this weekend. We have weeded out much of the things that we thought that we could live without and even many things that we thought that we couldn't live without. The Bargain Box has been the  recipient of enough items for someone to fully set-up housekeeping! This ministry of Niceville UMC resales goods for the purpose of supporting missions and The Soul Care Project is one of them.

NicevilleUMC Missions Conference

Bonnie and Michael "man the booth" at the Niceville UMC Missions Conference.

One of today's common mis-conceptions is that what we do doesn't really make a difference. The missionaries who spoke cited many examples of the difference that one person has made in their ministries.  We must all be encouraged to not underestimate what God is able to do...if we are willing to allow him to work in our lives. It was a great day of celebrating how God can use each of us to make a difference in this world.

Heart, Mind, and Strength...with the Soul

God's greatest command tells us to love Him with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. The past couple of months have given us a glimpse into the reward of His authority. While in Ecuador we were privileged to watch and feel the Holy Spirit touch the hearts of those He loves. We were able to fly back on Christmas night, without any major delays, despite the 4000 flights that were canceled out of Atlanta. We were able to get all of our things moved from our house and meet the closing deadline...once again..perfect timing. During that time, we had three missionaries visit us here. What a blessing to see old friends and to meet new ones. We are currently living with Michael's parents while repairs are made to our new home. It is a perfect time to rest before moving in and a perfect time to continue to learn about loving God with more than just our souls.