For Christ's Love Compels Me!

[Teams learning the Challenge Circle Cheers!]

Hi Everyone!

Wow I can't believe I have one more week of Spring Break Rush 2010! It's been quite the doozy but o what a blessing! Close to 500 volunteers in 10 weeks! God is good!

Prayer Requests:

1) Need to get my April newsletter out by mid-week.

2) 52 volunteers are here this week, 3 different churches all from Connecticut! Pray they have an awesome week in the Lord!

3) Strength and energy to finish strong in the Lord!

4) For my upcoming time off..i have 3 weeks off then teams the week of May 17th and more time off. Pray I am able to truly rest and refresh myself in the LORD! Not exactly sure what I'll be doing in that time, spending time in NOLA with no teams is one of them...let me know if i can come talk at your church :)

Since I posted last, we had close to 70 volunteers, 60 from IN and 11 from NC! It was a great week and the IN team has already called about coming again this summer! How sweet! Last week we had 50 here from PA, CT, AL, and IA. Again such a blessing to see God use these teams and I was able to venture out on a prayer walk last week and really got to see God at work in the community we're working in. I got to speak and pray with Ms. Veronica who is looking for some volunteer work so hoping to get her connected with us.

[Chris from NC playing with a kid at the challenge circle!]

Let me know how I can be praying for you!

[Praying it out after the block party!]

Thanks so much for your prayers! I definitely could not have made it without them.

In Christ,

Katie :)

[My friend Kristen from Denver came to visit!! We're tag-teaming caulking the siding at House of Hope Fellowship...it's a church we're rebuilding in the upper 9th!]

"I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service." 1 Timothy 1:12

Happy Resurrection Sunday!!

Hello Blog Readers!!

I hope this post finds you all well! Last couple weeks have been busy but good! Lots of teams and lots of ministry opportunities! This is now week 8 of 10 for my spring break rush. We have 80 volunteers in this week so please keep praying for them to have flexible attitudes and they'd have their eyes and hearts open to whatever God is teaching them!

Story Time!
Last week we held the block party at Gayle and Brock's home. We are currently painting the exterior of their home. Gayle is a grandma and currently watches 3 of her grandchildren along with having other family come and go. Usually when we have these block parties, it's just hot dogs and chips. Gayle decided on her own to break out her canopy and grill up chicken and ribs and cook red beans and rice for us on the team as well as for the community! Gayle showed me what true generousity looks like. Here is someone who doesn't have a whole lot expressing her gratitude and love in a BIG way! I thank God for Gayle and her example of kindness and pray I can show that same generousity to others I meet!

Praises:
1) 80 volunteers this week and the next 2 weeks of 50. Praise God for sending laborers
2) HE IS RISEN!! It's because of what He chose to do that I can have this personal relationship with Him! Praise the Lord indeed!
3) God is good! all the time!

Prayer Requests:
1) the 80 volunteers this week and the next 2 weeks of 50! please pray for their attitudes and pray God stretches them and teaches them more about Himself this week!
2) for energy and motivation to finish these next 3 weeks well and on fire for God and His kingdom
3) My family member Mary Louise Griffin past away last week. I was able to see her in the hospital when I was home at Christmas and I praise God for the time I had to visit with her before she went home to be with the Lord! Please pray for comfort for her immediate family and praise God she is now in a place with no more suffering and no more pain!

Love yall!
Katie :)

"Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others." 2 Corinthians 9:6-8