OVC Yam Blog

Well, life gets crazy and sometimes you need a Sabbath.

So my wife and I are going to hide away some place up North and do nothing all weekend. Unfortunately, this week's YAM topic was serving together in ministry, and I really don't want to miss it. So I think we'll push off the study a week so we can pick up with it next week. You guys are welcome to join the ABF groups for that week. Let's give the church a taste of our zeal! By all means, don't skip. (We'll be at church, just not this one!)

When we do get back together, we'll be discussing the YAM group taking over the Wed. night kids program. Something to be thinking about: what would you be willing to do to participate together in this ministry? We need game people, teaching people, craft people and chaperone people. There's a place for everyone.

I'd really love to hear your thoughts. We started talking about this a few weeks ago, but let's nail some things down. Share your thoughts, ideas and concerns in the comments section below. (Pay no heed to the spammers who hit the site, since I'm away I can't clean them).

Oh, and miss us while we're away!

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 04:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

We've been collecting money for the Philippine Rice Fund in our YAM group, and we're nearly there. For those of you who've been holding out or haven't gotten up the inertia to give, let me share a story I just received from Ross Canty, our missionary to the Philippines, regarding the portion of rice money we've already sent over:

"Please give our sincere thanks to all who participated in the 'rice campaign' that you set up for us. Because of your generosity , we are able to get the attention and cooperation from many people who would otherwise be harder for us to reach. By attending to some of their physical needs (food) we are afforded the opportunity to minister to them spiritually.

Let me tell you a quick story: One of the parents of two young people from our mountains ministry was recently saved in our church and she shared this with Lorna. She said that she didn't mind if her kids went to church but since she was a single parent she would spend her Sundays selling vegetables so that the family would have rice to eat.We usually picked up the kids with the 'Victory Coach' for Sunday school classes every week so she would hitch a ride to the market because it was along the way to our church. One Sunday the family had no rice and she told her kids to stay home with her to help her sell veggies so that they could buy some rice for that day.The kids told her that they would rather go to church and that GOD would take care of the rice. That particular Sunday was an 'appreciation' Sunday for the people in our church who are faithful in attending. We had no idea that the family needed food but the LORD knew and their share of that 110lb. sack of rice was enough to feed that large family for 3 days.The woman was shocked when her penniless children came home from church with more food than she could earn all day Sunday at the market. GOD will make a way when there seems to be no way. Shortly thereafter she began to come to church with her kids and shortly after that she was "saved" in our church.....led to the LORD by Lorna.

Isn't it amazing what GOD can do with just some grain from a rice paddy? Thanks for sharing in our work ...GOD is using all of us in a concerted effort to take the Gospel message to the unsaved. Thanks for praying for our diligence and success in bringing glory and honor to HIS name. GOD Bless................Ross"

Now that's Christianity in action! Only $142 left to go before we reach the 100 bag mark. Are you willing to be part of a modern miracle?

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 03:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Just a reminder to everyone, get here early on Sunday with a full tank of gas. We're leaving right at 9:30am and I don't want anyone left behind! Something to be thinking about: relationships.

What makes a relationship strong? Do you have something blocking your relationship with someone you know?

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Our first crucial heart attitude is putting the needs and interests of others before your own. So to live this out practically, we're taking a collection for our Philippines rice bag campaign. So far the church has raised 85 bags (at $22/bag) and we'd like to raise 100. That means we need another 15 bags or $330 dollars.

This would be an awesome encouragement for Brooke Airey, who has put alot of work into making this rice bag campaign all it's been. Let's encourage her and help hungry families at the same time. And as I mentioned in class, I'll be heading down there on a missions trip in July, so I'll be sure to take pictures!

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 02:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, you may have noticed that the site has changed slightly. The old version was more of an "about us" type site, but it wasn't all that easy to put helpful information up. The blog was good, but it left the front page looking neglected. So I've basically worked it out that the front page now gets updated by the blog on the right and our most current Bible study on the left. Let me know if I've missed anything!

PS (Oh, and I'm also going to work to get the photos showing up on the front page of the blog, yee haw!)

Posted by Jesse Gardner at 12:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)