MTW Fairmont West Virginia

2012-01-10T15:33:00.001-05:00

2012 DATES

Week #1 June 9-16

Week #2 June 16-23

Week #3 June 23-30

Week #4 June 30-July 7

Week #5 July 7-14

Week #6 July 14-21

Week #7 July 21-28 (FULL)

THE LORD IS AT WORK

2011-11-17T11:41:00.001-05:00

Recently, Brett Carl (Missions Pastor at Westminster Reformed PCA in Suffolk, VA) participated in a our annual Missions Pastors Forum. He took some of the statistics he heard from Dr. Kooistra back to his media guy and came up with this. I think this would be a great tool to use on a Sunday morning before or during a missions conference.

NEW VIDEO FROM THE SUMMER 2011

2011-10-26T09:54:00.000-04:00

FAIRMONT CAMP DETAILS FOR 2012

2011-10-24T09:48:00.000-04:00

Early Bird Special

Confirm by November 30^th,2011 - $465

“Refer aFriend” Discount

Each newfriend (or extended family member) that you recruit to join your church’s teamwill receive a $20 discount. That same $20 discount will also be applied to theindividual that recruited the friend or extended family member. Team leadersmust give both the name of the person that was recruited, and which existingteam member recruited them.

KitchenDiscounts

Kitchen workers will receive $100 off. Workersmust be 18 years old and above. You cannot receive both a family and kitchendiscount.

Family Discounts

With one parent / spouse attending, $100 offfor spouses and teens (12-18); $100 off for young people 6-11 and $400 off for children5 and under. You cannot receive both a family and kitchen discount.

Deposits

Deposits can be applied to the balance duefor the team but are non-refundable.

Payment due dates and penalties

First halfpayment is due April 2^nd,2012. Late fee after due date is $20 per person.

Finalpayment is due May 1^st, 2012.Late fee after due date is $20 per person.

Team forms and team memberinformation

All teamforms and team member information are due by May 1, 2012. Team's thathave not submitted their forms and information by May 1^st will incurthe same late fee ($20 per person) as if final payment had not been received.

Refunds

Before May 1^stwe are able to give partial, but not no full refunds. The amount of refund is project specific anddepends on actual food, lodging, ministry, and staff expenses. Medical conditions and death in the familywill be taken into consideration.

2011-09-29T09:20:00.005-04:00

MTW FAIRMONT, WEST VIRGINIA MISSION PROJECT

“Refer a Friend” Discount

Each new friend (or extended family member) that you recruit to join your church’s team will receive a $20 discount. That same $20 discount will also be applied to the individual that recruited the friend or extended family member. Team leaders must give both the name of the person that was recruited, and which existing team member recruited them.

2012 MISSION TRIP DATES

2011-09-21T10:49:00.001-04:00

2012 DATES

Week 1 June 9-16

Week 2 June 16-23

Week 3 June 23-30

Week 4 June 30-July 7

Week 5 July 7-14

Week 6 July 14-21

Week 7 July 21-28

7 weeks complete!

2011-08-01T12:13:00.000-04:00

Thanks to everyone for making the last week at Dayspring a success! We enjoyed having Eric and Laura Vinson lead our worship and Adam Powers share God's word with us.

Summer 2011 at Dayspring may be complete but don't forget to keep the project, home owners, Rachel Snider, Myra and David Hamilton, and Christ Community Church in your prayers year round as!

Here is a taste of the last week at Dayspring!

Bethel Presbyterian Church from Sparta, Illinoisserved a mother and daughter in Bridgeport this week by:

Tearingout part of a garage
Rebuildingwall for garage
Repairingand siding walls on the garage

Onboth homes:

Tearingout an old deck
Buildinga new deck on home

CornerstonePresbyterian Church from Delafield, Wisconsin served three home owners thisweek in Fairmont by:

Reroofing patches on house
Repairingfloor in bedrooms
Paintingbedrooms
Installingbaseboard in bathroom
Installingshutters on two side walls
Primingand painting back porch floor
Changingtrim around doors in dining room and painting
Installingbaseboards in bedroom
Installingtub surround and vanity in bathroom

CovenantPresbyterian Church from Saint Louis, Missouri worked in Fairmont this week by:

Installingdrywall in dining room – ceiling and walls
Buildinga carport at end of the house

SafeHarbor Presbyterian Church from Stevensville, Maryland is serving two homeowners this week in Grant Town by:

Installingdrop ceiling in kitchen
Replacingfront and back doors
Installingsupport under beam in basement
Paintingupstairs bedrooms
Installingdoors entrance to living room
Installingsupports under front wall
Replacingtiles in laundry room ceiling
Replacingtiles in upstairs bathroom
Installingnew flooring
Replacingback entrance door
Replacingdoor to closet
Renailing trim in front bedroom
Installingcarpet in hallway
Cleaningand painting back porch floor and stain railing and steps

SevenRun Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Millersville, Maryland is serving inFairmont this week by:

Installingnew tub faucet and tub surround
Repairingfloor under toilet and resetting the sink
Installingnew ceiling fan in bedroom and remove ceiling fan in kitchen
Installingnew light fixture in kitchen
Repairroof and porch roof
Buildinga new front entrance door
Replacinglockset on the back door
Replacingfaucet and drain on kitchen sink
Installingnew shower valve downstairs
Replacingtoilet, sink, and faucet
Repairingfront porch floor and banister to strengthen porch column

StonyPoint Presbyterian Church from Richmond, Virginia served seven home owners thisweek in Fairmont by:

Replacingceiling fan in living room
Installinga window in the living room
Patchingthe floor in the laundry room, installing floor covering
Gluingbaseboards in the kitchen
Paintingporch and lattice
Buildinga porch and walkway
Replacingbroken windows
Buildingrailing by backdoor outside of the kitchen
Repairingconcrete basement steps
Repairingbathroom floor
Repairingback roof
Replacingtub surround and repair floor and wall in bathroom
Repairingsmall wall on edge of back patio
Replacingceiling in bedroom
Repairingroof above a bedroom
Repairbathroom ceiling and wall
Diggingtrench down right side of house
Repairingcracks in the porch wall
Repairingsupport under walkway of house
Pouringconcrete by corner of foundation of front porch
Repairing/replacing supports under back porch
Replacesoffit, fascia, and gutter on right side of home

TimoniumPresbyterian Church of Timonium, Maryland served two home owners this week inFairmont (Chesapeake) by:

Installinga sink in the bathroom
Finishingliving room ceiling
Paintingexterior of home
Repairingmain roof and installing new shingles

1 week left and away we go!

2011-07-24T14:43:00.000-04:00

It is hard for all of us at Dayspring tobelieve we have completed our sixth week of camp with only one more week togo! God worked in some amazing ways thispast week, even with draining heat and humidity. With over 200 people serving this week it wasa busy one!

We want to thank Rev. Dan Rogers for bringing us God’s word this weekand reminding us to have a servant’s heart as we worked through the weeks andback home. We also want to praise Godfor allowing John Linville and his family to lead worship this week.

Here is a taste of week 6 at Dayspring!

Gateway Baptist Church from Fort Myers,Florida blessed 3 home owners in Fairmont this week by:

Buildinga deck on the back of a home
Buildinga cover over the side of a porch
Installingnew flooring in a living and dining room floor
Paintinga porch floor and installing new carpet on porch
Repairinga door frame and remount a closer on a storm door
Repairsoffits on left side and rear of home
Paintexterior of home

HomeReformed Presbyterian Church of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania served in Fairmontthis week by:

Installingrailings along basement steps
Buildinga ramp on side of house

MountAiry Presbyterian Church from Mount Airy, Maryland and Shore HarvestPresbyterian Church from Easton, Maryland showed God’s love to a home owner inBarrackville this week by:

Repairinga back roof
Removing,painting, and replacing damaged siding on side of home
Sealingholes along front eaves of home
Fillingin a hole in the back yard

Theyalso shared God’s love with a home owner in Fairmont (Chesapeake) this week by:

Installinga covering on a porch ceiling with vinyl soffit
Repairingceiling in living room
Paintingceiling in living room and kitchen
Repairingroof and hole on side of porch roof

PresbyterianChurch of Manchester served the Lord by working on three homes in Fairmont thisweek. Tasks accomplished were:

Repairinggutter
Buildingroof over back of deck and recover floor
Installinga drain along back of the house
Re-pairingand painting bathroom walls and ceiling
Repairingroof
Fixingleak into stairwell and repairing plaster and paint
Paintingliving room, dining room, and kitchen
Replacingtwo windows in bedroom
Replacingroofing on small upper roof of house
Installingnew floor covering in living room
Finishingmolding around kitchen floor

PinewoodPresbyterian Church from Middleburg, Florida served us in the kitchen as wellas in Barrackville.

BenHarris, Chuck Carter, and the interns were able to work in Barrackville tocomplete an unfinished project from last week. They served the home owner by:

Drywalling the bathroom and small addition room
Primingand painting the walls and ceiling
Sealingthe tub, toilet, and sink areas.
Puttingdown baseboard around the rooms
Puttingdown tile in the two rooms
Installinglight fixtures

ShadyGrove Presbyterian Church of Derwood, Maryland served three homeowners thisweek in Fairmont by:

Replacingfascia board and gutter on front porch
Replacinga front window
Repairingfloor in the living room, kitchen, and laundry room
Installingmolding around living room doors
Repairingfront door lock
Paintinga living room, bathroom, and kitchen
Extendinga back deck on house
Cleaningand staining steps
Re-sealingtoilet
Replacingsink trap and repair tub faucet
Installingscrews in loose boards on deck and front steps
Buildinga fence along back of property
Scrapeand paint upper porch
Repairceiling in bedroom
Repairconcrete steps

TheVine Community Church from Cumming Georgia served in Fairmont this week by:

Buildinga new deck
Buildinga roof
Buildingstairs and a ramp
Screeningin and carpeting the new deck/ porch area

Pleasecontinue to pray for safety on the job sites this week as temperatures andhumidity will be an issue again. Also,please pray for the strength, rest, and safety our staff, as it is the lastweek of camp for the summer. We areexcited to see the last week of camp begin today and to see all the projectscompleted to close up summer 2011 at Dayspring!

“…Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know thatyour labor in the Lord is not in vain.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58

30 homes and counting

2011-07-17T20:22:00.000-04:00

Onlytwo more weeks of camp left at Dayspring! So far teams from all over the U.S. have served in over 30 homes aroundthe Marion County area of West Virginia. From roofing to painting and repairs to building additions on homes,there has been a wide variety of projects completed.

Hereis a taste of what week 5 at Dayspring was like...

CalvaryPresbyterian Church of Willow Grove, PA served this week in Carolina by:

Repairingand replacing front porch floor

Repairingroof over front porch

Repairingback porch steps and steps beside garage

Repairinggutter on right side of house

Repairing/replaced roof over basement entrance

Replacingdamage ceiling tiles in front bedroom

CovenantPresbyterian Church from Harleysville, PA served this week in Carolina by:

Repairingceiling and kitchen

Paintingall ceilings

Sealingfront porch roof

Paintingexterior of trailer

FirstReformed Presbyterian Church from Pittsburgh, PA served two homeowners thisweek in Fairmont by:

Paintingexterior of house

Reroofinggarage

Buildinga privacy wall in bathroom

Repairingplaster in bedroom

Supportliving room floor

Repairingstairwell wall and making access for bathtub plumbing

Sealingaround tub and installing sink faucet

Paintingstairs woodwork

Replacingdrop ceiling in bedroom

Buildingshelter behind a house

Replacinga window

Sealingfloor and ceiling areas in kitchen

EvangelicalPresbyterian Church of Newark from Newark, DE and Heritage Presbyterian Churchof New Castle, DE served side by side this week helping three homeowners inCarolina by:

Scrapingand painting exterior of home

Repairingsome side boards on home

Repairingdamaged window trim on windows

Paintingdining room and bedroom

Buildinga deck on back of home

Installingnew exterior door from kitchen to back deck

Repairingsoffit and fascia above garage

Paintingand reinstalling shutters

Buildinga cover above side door

Installinglight

HillcrestPresbyterian Church from Volant, PA served two homeowners this week in Fairmontby:

Repairingplaster

Primingand painting upstairs bedroom

Replacingmissing spindles on stairs railing

Repairblocks under front porch and concrete

Replacingwindows in living room, hallway, and kitchen

Cleaningout gutters

Cleaningoutside of windows

Paintingdining room and living room

Replacingtiles in kitchen ceilings

Installingrailing along basement stairs

Repairing/rebuildingsteps at bottom of basement stairs

LansdalePresbyterian Church of Lansdale, PA served in Caroline this week by:

Repairingfloor in living room and replacing damaged paneling

Repairingfloor in bedrooms and damaged paneling

Replacinglight fixtures in three bedrooms

Buildingnew stairs on back of house

Installingfloor covering in kitchen

NewHope Presbyterian Church of Clemmons, NC served in Fairmont this week by:

Paintingthe exterior of home

Repairingdamage along eaves and painting

Repairinggutters

PinewoodPresbyterian Church from Middleburg, FL served in Barrackville this week by:

Installingwiring and plumbing in new back bathroom

Installingtoilet, sink, and shower

Installingsiding on home and new back room

Buildingsteps and small deck

Buildingwall to divide back room and installing door to bathroom

ReformedPresbyterian Church from Lookout Mountain, GA served in Fairmont this week by:

Buildinga larger deck and wider stairs on front entrance

Removingwindow and install new window beside entrance

Paintingmolding around windows and foundation at front and left side and soffit andfascia

Installingskirting on side of sun porch

Setting4x4 posts to raise roof of dog kennel

Haulingaway old pallets and other items from yard

Thanksto all the teams for their hard work this past week!

Onlytwo more weeks here at Dayspring for Summer 2011! Please continue to pray forcool weather, safety, strength of staff, and for the hearts of all team membersand homeowners.

Welcome week 5!

2011-07-12T12:57:00.000-04:00

Week 5 has started strong at Dayspring with 10 teamsand the Pinewood ladies kitchen staff! We welcome Bill Bennett this week to share God’s word and Rick James tolead our worship.

This week we are working in Fairmont, Carolina, and Barrackville.

Week 5 teamsare:

Calvary Presbyterian Church from Willow Grove,Pennsylvania
Covenant Presbyterian Church from Harleysville,Pennsylvania
Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Newark from Newark,Delaware
First Reformed Presbyterian Church from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Heritage Presbyterian Church from New Castle,Delaware
Hillcrest Presbyterian Church from Volant, Pennsylvania
Landsdale Presbyterian Church from Landsdale,Pennsylvania
New Hope Presbyterian Church from Clemmons, NorthCarolina
Pinewood Presbyterian Church from Middleburg, Florida
Reformed Presbyterian Church from Lookout Mountain,Georgia

Please pray for safety this week for all of theteams as our weather has taken a turn for the hot side.Also, please pray for extrastrength for the staff as they have been here for 5 weeks now.

Week four comes to a close!

2011-07-09T13:25:00.001-04:00

This week we would like to thank all the groups for theirhard work and commitment to getting their projects done. We had a great work week, ending with theobstacle of rain on Friday. We arethankful the groups had hearts for Christ and his people and pushed through thechallenge. All host families this weekwere located in Fairmont. Here is alittle taste of week four at Dayspring…

Faith Presbyterian Church from Morganton, North Carolinablessed three home owners this week by:

First home:

Removed old roofing
Repaired sheeting and install new roof on back of home
Removed skylights and installed new rafters and sheeting androof

Second home:

Removed chimney and re roofed back section of home
Removed old porch and built new porch
Built new carport
Roofed new porch

Third home:

Repaired bathroom floor
Replaced toilet and vanity
Installed new storm door entrance
Removed roofing on front porch and repaired sheeting beforeinstalling a new roof
Fixed leak in storage shed

This group also conducted a vacation Bible school at a local park

Faith Presbyterian Church from Olney, Maryland and Good NewsPresbyterian Church from Fredrick, Maryland worked together to share God’s lovethis week by:

Painting the exterior of a home
Hooking up plumbing for a bathroom sink
Building a wheel chair ramp

Grace Presbyterian Church from Indianapolis, Indiana servedthe Lord and two Fairmont residents this week by:

Built front porch roof
Installed gutters around front porch
Repaired roof over side porch and back of house
Poured Concrete for sidewalk
Building a weather barrier wall on front porch
Repaired floor in dining room
Replaced window on front of home
Trimmed shrubs
Conducted a Vacation Bible School

Thanks again to all the volunteers for their hard work andfor having servant’s hearts this week as the rain came in on Friday.

As week 5 at Dayspring begins today the staff would like toask you to pray for strength and energy as there are three more weeks left inour summer here at Dayspring!

Half way done!

2011-07-06T17:43:00.002-04:00

Dayspring Spotlight

Who: Carrie Wright

Dayspring Position: Intern

Age: 18

Home town: Monroeville, Pennsylvania

Home church: Presbyterian Church of Pitcairn

Years served with Dayspring: 7 years being a volunteer and 1st year interning

School: Rising freshman at Slippery Rock University

Favorite part of Dayspring: Fellowshipping and worshipping with fellow brothers and sister in Christ and serving along side of them

Encouraging Bible verse: “I took you from the ends of the earth, from the farthest corners I called you. I said, ‘you are my servant; I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41: 9-10

Favorite Food: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

Goodbye week 3 and Hello week 4!

2011-07-02T11:31:00.001-04:00

Thanks to all the teams for making week 3 at Dayspring awesome! Dayspring staff is so thankful for all of your hard work this past week! We would like to share just a few of the things each team accomplished this week.

Center Grove Presbyterian Church from Edwardsville, Illinois

This team served several homeowners in Grant Town, WV this week by:

Repaired/ rebuilt a bathroom and kitchen floor
Built a wheelchair ramp from porch to the street
Repaired windows,
Built a new closet with doors
Built new front porch steps
Installed a new toilet and tub
Hosted a VBS and math/ language arts camp for children in Grant Town

City Church from Philadelphia, PA

This team served in Fairmont, WV by:

Painted the entire exterior of a home
Light repairs around the home

First Presbyterian Church from Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia

This team served in Fairmont, WV by:

Paint/ stain the exterior of a home
Replaced damaged trim boards
Repaired window screens

Cornerstone Presbyterian Church from Center Valley, Pennsylvania

This team served in Fairmont, WV this week by:

Repairing a small roof on front of home
Scraped, primed, and painted the front porch of a home
Repaired leak in bathroom
Repaired and painted living room ceiling

Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Davidsonville, Maryland

This group served in Fairmont, WV on several homes this week by:

Installing panels and light fixtures in a drop ceiling
Installing a cover for the kitchen light
Painting a hallway
Installing a door on a closet
Installed new locks on doors
Repaired drop ceiling
Put up sheet rock in a small bedroom
Worked on a tub
Repaired a shelf in a closet
Replaced a roof on the small “snow cone” building

Thanks again for all your hard work this week Dayspring! The love of Christ was truly shown through all of you!

Please continue to pray for all the staff, volunteers, and homeowners we work with. Pray we would continue to have strength, rest, and truly give the glory to God for these weeks and not ourselves.

Week 3 is well underway!

2011-06-28T13:31:00.001-04:00

Week three is going strong with our five groups at Dayspring! Center Grove Presbyterian from Edwardsville, Illinois, City Church from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, First Presbyterian from Ft. Oglethorpe, Georgia, Cornerstone Presbyterian Church from Center Valley, Pennsylvania, and Grace Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Davidsonville, Maryland are serving the West Virginia community well!

This week we are receiving the word from Rev. Dr. Richard Wolfe and Mr. Eric Vinson is sharing his musical talents with us by leading worship.

Please continue to pray for this wonderful, cool weather we are experiencing in West Virginia, and for the team and staff's safety and strength.

Dayspring Spotlight

Who: Chris Wolfe

Dayspring Position: Intern

Age: 20

Hometown: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Home church: Village Seven Presbyterian Church

Years served with Dayspring: 1

School: Rising Sophomore at Belhaven University studying Biblical Studies

Work: Residential Assistant at Belhaven

Favorite part of Dayspring: “Getting a chance to spend my summer in service for the Lord.”

Encouraging Bible verse: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” - Hebrews 12: 1-2

Favorite Food: Coffee

Week 2 comes to a close!

2011-06-25T12:19:00.000-04:00

The Dayspring staff would like to send out a big Thank You to all the teams who came this past week! Everyone pitched in to go above and beyond what we had planned. Take a look at what some of the teams accomplished this week...

Blacksburg Christian Fellowship of Blacksburg, Virginia blessed several home owners this week by:

Painting a kitchen
Tearing out and replacing flooring in the bathroom
Replacing toilets
Repairing gutters on the back of a home
Building a fire pit

Christ Community Church of Chapel Hill, North Carolina shared the gospel this week by:

Hosting a VBS in a local park
Hosting a movie making camp in a local park
Fixing, painting, and roofing a shed
Puttying, Priming, and painting inside the home

First Presbyterian of Coral Springs from Coral Springs, Florida showed God’s love this week by:

Removing a two story porch and building and painting a new two story porch
Replaced entire roof of home
Re-calked windows
Painted window frames
Repaired sheet rock on interior walls and repainted
Replaced counter tops in kitchen
Witnessed for the Lord

Oakwood Presbyterian of State College, Pennsylvania helped a home owner and assisted First Presbyterian of Coral Springs this week by:

Building a new porch roof
Replacing an exterior door
Replaced a storm door

Also they helped Coral Springs by:

Replacing a stove
Painting inside the house
Replacing counter tops

Hope you enjoy a little piece of Week 2 at Dayspring!

Week 2 begins!

2011-06-21T13:31:00.000-04:00

Week two is well on its way as Dayspring welcomes four teams this week. Blacksburg Christian Fellowship from Blacksburg, Virginia, Christ Community Church from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, First Presbyterian Church of Coral Springs from Coral Springs, Florida, and Oakwood Presbyterian Church from State College, Pennsylvania are the four teams God has provided us with this week.

Adam Powers will be bringing us God's word this week on the book of Jonah and Matt Currie will be leading our worship times.

Please pray for the groups as we continue our work week and enjoy a restful and fun Wednesday afternoon tomorrow.

Dayspring Spotlight!

Who: Hannah Longbottom

Dayspring Position: Intern

Age: 19

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Home church: Grace Presbyterian- Indianapolis, Indiana

Years served with Dayspring: 3 - 1st year intern

School: Rising junior at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana majoring in apparel design.

Work: Hannah works at Abercrombie & Fitch

Enjoys: Ice skating, running, and Ultimate Frisbee

Favorite part of Dayspring: “Each time I’ve come here the fellowship with my team has been awesome, and now I get to spend the summer with others who share my love for Christ and his people.”

Encouraging Bible verse: “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity” – 1 Timothy 4:12

Favorite Food: “hmmm… Dark Chocolate, moose tracks ice cream, and pineapple… but not together”

2011-06-17T10:16:00.000-04:00

As we wrap up week one of camp we want to thank all of the teams, staff, speaker, worship leader, and kitchen staff for their awesome work this week! It has been a great first week of camp. Here is a look at some of the ways God worked in West Virginia this week…

Gospel Fellowship PCA from Valencia, Pennsylvania blessed a home owner this week by:

Building a new carport roof
Replacing a front porch ceiling and painted it
Painting underneath their carport
Replacing a back deck, keeping original tin roof
Installing a new screen door on back deck
Painting back deck stairs

Harvest Presbyterian Church from Jacksonville, North Carolina was able to serve their home owners by:

Roofing
Tearing out and replacing kitchen floor
Painting outside her home
Plumbing
Cutting hedges and trees
Replacing windows
Installing a new screen door
Tiling the kitchen floor
Making some small house repairs

New Covenant Presbyterian Church from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania showed their love for Christ and their home owner by:

Roofing
Painting
Concreted a stairway
Completing simple house repairs

The Interns and associate staff finished up the new storage shed as well this week.

The MTW Dayspring staff would like to thank all of these groups this week for their hard work and dedication to spreading the love of Christ to this community.

And we're off! - Week One

2011-06-14T15:15:00.000-04:00

The doors of Dayspring are open as the first week of camp kicked off on Saturday, June 12. We are excited to have Gospel Fellowship Presbyterian Church from Valencia, PA, Harvest Presbyterian Church from Jacksonville, NC, and also New Covenant Presbyterian Church from Monroeville, PA with us as we begin the summer. Several teams will be working on roofing this week, as well as some household maintenance projects. The interns have almost completed a new shed for the camp located between the bath house and cabin one. This shed will be used for extra storage.

The volunteers will enjoy hearing God’s word from Rev. Paul Nasekos this week and be blessed with music by Rick Schroeder.

Please remember to pray for these teams and staff as they begin the first week back at Dayspring.

DIRECTIONS TO CAMP

2011-06-02T12:20:00.001-04:00

Here are the directions to the Mission to the World ministry at Dayspring Camp. Please contact either the MTW home office at 678.823.0004 with any questions or you may contact me (Mark Thompson) directly at 678.763.4698.

CAMP SCHEDULES

2011-06-01T09:39:00.000-04:00

I thought I would post the MTW weekly and daily schedules for camp, so that everyone could prepare for the new routine. As with most things in life. Schedules are subject to change, but I encourage you to keep these as much as possible. See you in a few weeks!

LITTLE DETAILS

2011-05-31T10:41:00.000-04:00

As we get closer and closer to the MTW camp starting. I thought I would post a few things that will help in preparing for camp. Please especially note that teams need to bring drink and lunch coolers.

THE PRAYER CHAIR

2011-05-25T10:48:00.002-04:00

“It’s spiritual suicide to attempt
missionary service

without a healthy prayer life.”

Norval Hadley

We want to encourage you to be praying for your team and this trip before, during and after your project dates. To help you and your team pray while on the project we will provide you with a daily prayer schedule. It is divided into 15 minute increments. You may have the members of your team sign up for one or more of the slots on the form. This way someone will be praying for the project every minute of the day. You will also get a chance to get away and reflect a little each day and get to know the names of some people that you did not know before.

Here’s how it works...

-Pass the form around and have everyone sign up for a time slot. (Be sure the leaders sign up as well).

-Add any prayer requests that would be appropriate.

-Take the form with you to the work site each day.

-The first person on the list will take the list and go to that work sites “Prayer Closet” and pray.

-At the end of your prayer time, take the list and hand it off the next person on the list.

-That person will go to the “Prayer Chair” and pray.

-Continue to add prayer requests as needed or as the Lord brings them to your mind.

We all need to rely on Him through prayer. It is a relationship builder between our Heavenly Father and ourselves and is a powerful and effective tool.

SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

2011-05-24T08:40:00.002-04:00

Model of Love (Philippians 2:1-11)

The Culture in Which We Are to Minister

Slip back to another time, another culture, another world!! This part of West Virginia has many people who experience the following:

Heritage - a long history of suffering

Pride - in their hard work, children, history, etc.

Generosity - almost to a fault!

Frustration - at not measuring up to the America portrayed on TV

Anger - at not being able to do for themselves and their families

Therefore, it will be helpful if you keep the following in mind:

Treasures

Some things you see/smell/ hear will offend your sensibilities.

· Many folks you meet own the homes in which they live. They are proud of what they possess. You may only see starkness, poverty, and filth where they see treasured possessions. We must not make judgments based upon our own values.

· Those piles of old wood and other “junk” may be important to the host family. Example: pieces of badly broken furniture carelessly thrown out in the trash may result in conflict and bad feelings if they are removed without asking. That old broken car in the front yard may be a reminder of better days. The pile of scrap wood may be fuel for the winter or supplies for the new shed. Frugality is deeply admired.

· REMEMBER… be careful and ask for permission to “clean up.” Be specific about what you can and cannot offer to remove. If possible, replace any plants or shrubs that have been damaged.

The Tongue (Ephesians 4:29)

· Sound carries in these mountains allowing things to be heard clearly from one hill to another.

· Everyone knows everyone else and is probably related to them. Therefore, do not speak about your host family or their possessions in a derogatory manner.

· You are under the magnifying glass. You will be observed by everyone in the host family, all their relatives, all their neighbors, and everyone who passes by. Your loud, harsh words will be heard and repeated. Let your gentleness be seen and heard.

Hands (I Corinthians 14:10)

· Quality: Do everything exceedingly well. Do it for the Lord and His Kingdom. Trash any notion you may have that planning is unspiritual. Plan now how you will carry out your project. Remember that although we are here for five work days, we really have only four. Plan to finish early because our Lord often sends early morning mists and fogs and afternoon rains which can scrub more than an entire day of work. If you have a job which is primarily outside work, plan what you will do with your rainy days. Do not promise what you cannot possibly do. Keep your job site neat and picked up. Leave your site neat when you finish in the afternoon.

· Do not permit paint fights of any kind or the painting of each other. Be especially careful of tracking paint, etc. onto the porches, sidewalks or into houses. Clean up all spills.

The Heart

· Keep the main thing the main thing. Don’t get so focused on the manual work that you forget the spiritual work. The spiritual work is the main thing.

· Appoint a rotating team of porch sitters and hand-holders to minister one-on-one.

· Be servants. Put all your folks to work even if they have to clean kitchens, help with laundry, rake up trash, etc. Humble yourselves to wash the dirtiest of kitchens or to hug the ugliest children. Do all things cheerfully and willingly.

· Be sure to admire barbed wire collections, gardens, dogs, grandchildren, flowers, photos, bugs… whatever.

· Look for ways to go the extra mile. Celebrate all birthdays and special events.

· Graciously eat whatever you are offered. At least try it. Drink the coffee, iced tea, etc., UNLESS there are valid health reasons you cannot.

· Especially for girls: use the bathroom or outhouse of the host family unless there is none or unless it is so unsanitary that it is a health risk. Do not bring your own roll of toilet paper. (If you are a large team you may want to graciously offer to replace what you use.)

Give Hope

· Share and model Christ in everything you do.

· Be seen praying, Sing!!!!

· Bring extra snacks and treats with you daily to be shared with your host family - candy is not necessarily a good idea. Buy a watermelon one afternoon. Leave all extras with your host family or neighbors.

· Consider leaving a modest gift behind. Ideas: hanging baskets for that new porch or an inexpensive chair, a rug for the sink or bathroom, curtains, etc.

· Be sure to bring extra Bibles and children’s Bible storybooks. Bible coloring books and inexpensive boxes of crayons are great for children. Bring tracts. Leave Jesus behind.

Finally…

· This week is only the beginning. Keep in touch with your family. Send cards and letters. Be sure to take lots of photos. Send an extra set to your host family. Example: Some families have never had Christmas or Thanksgiving. Return. Bring everything and celebrate with them.

· Be prepared to have a life-changing experience. You are about to have one of the most difficult, wonderful weeks of your life.

Written by:

Grace Honeywell

URGENT NEED!

2011-05-17T09:13:00.001-04:00

We still need kitchen help for the following weeks at camp in WV:

June 11-18
June 18-25
July 2 – 9

Special discounts and pricing are available for those willing to serve in the kitchen.

Please contact Mark Thompson or Holly Powers at MTW if you can help.

678-823-0004 ext.2333 or ext. 2309

mark.thompson@mtw.org or holly.powers@mtw.org

Thank you!

THANK YOU

2011-05-16T11:05:00.000-04:00

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

I just wanted to say “thank you” to everyone who attended the MTW Fairmont Project Orientation Trip May 6th and 7th. I believe it was a wonderful time of fellowship, worship, and learning. Please do read 1 Corinthians 13 over and over again and lets together (with God’s help) commit to intentionally putting this verse into practice in our lives, especially while serving in Fairmont this summer!

Another big “THANK YOU” to David and Myra Hamilton for all that they did and continue to do for the Lord in this ministry every single day! We are all truly blessed to have them.

“Thank you” to all of the MTW Associate Staff, new MTW Missionary Rachel Snider, and others that volunteered their time and efforts to the camp projects, cooking, and administrative help. This ministry is a team effort and we all need one another to make this work well.

Sincerely in Christ,

Mark

UPDATE AND PRAYER REQUESTS

2011-04-25T10:44:00.002-04:00

Well, the Project Orientation Trip (POT) for the ministry in Fairmont, West Virginia is just around the corner. We are looking forward to seeing everyone again this year, and pray that the Lord is already working in your heart as you prepare for the summer. Here are some things that you can add to your prayer list for the ministry.

1.) We still need a few folks to volunteer to work in the kitchen the following weeks of camp. June 11-18 and June 18-25. Please pray that the Lord will bring folks to serve in this area.

2.) We are hosting a “work week” at Dayspring Camp, May 1^st – 5^th. Please pray for a safe and very productive week as we work on the Dayspring Camp facilities.

3.) Please pray for smooth preparations for the POT. We will have about 70 in attendance this year and are looking forward to a good time of fellowship and instruction.

4.) Please continue to pray for the hearts of everyone involved in this ministry. That we may love God, seek His best, and that we do not limit Him.

Thank you, and God bless!

Mark

SPEAKER AND MUSIC LEADER SCHEDULE - 2011

2011-04-04T09:56:00.002-04:00

June 11 - 18 (wk #1)

Speaker - Rev. Paul Nasekos

Music - Mr. Rick Schroeder

June 18 - 25 (wk #2)

Speaker - Mr. Adam Powers

Music - Mr. Matt Currie

June 25 - July 2 (wk #3)

Speaker - Rev. Dr. Richard Wolfe

Music - Eric and Laura Vinson

July 2 - 9 (wk #4)

Speaker - Chaplain Rich Young

Music - Mr. Rick Schroeder

July 9 - 16 (wk #5)

Speaker - Mr. Bill Bennett

Music - Mr. Rick James

July 16 - 23 (wk #6)

Speaker - Rev. Dan Rogers

Music - Mr. John Linville

July 23 - 30 (wk #7)

Speaker - Mr. Adam Powers

Music - Eric and Laura Vinson

2011 MISSION TRIP INFORMATION

2011-01-05T08:24:00.000-05:00

Purpose: Fairmont is an exciting and rewarding challenge for those who have no previous missions experience and for those who have missions experience. It is especially well suited for middle and high school groups, college students, and families with children; however, many churches send all adult teams as well. The work is set in Fairmont, WV so the "coal country" culture is somewhat different than the culture teams are used to. Teams partner with Christ Community Church (PCA) as they serve in "mercy ministry." They repair homes in the community while developing close relationships with the homeowner. These relationships will lead to opportunities to share the Gospel. Additional ministry opportunities are available (see below). Team building and individual Christian growth occur as the gospel is demonstrated in both word and deed.

Additional ministry opportunities: VBS, Backyard Bible clubs, sports camps, tutoring, one-on-one evangelism, and working in the kitchen at camp (individuals who come as full time kitchen helpers receive a discount). Unique ministry equipping and team building occur as the Gospel is lived out in practical ways.

Age/Level of experience: All ages and stages are welcome! We encourage mixed adult/youth teams and families. The broader the range of skills and abilities the greater the ministry flexibility the team can have. Younger children are welcome, but parents are responsible for their supervision. This project is excellent for a first-time mission experience, but also provides unique servant heart development for more experienced mission teams (over 70% of our teams have returned, many for multiple years).

Project Cost: $475 Family & Kitchen discounts: with one parent/spouse attending, $100 off for spouses and teens (12-18); $100 off for young people 6-11 and $400 off for children 5 and under. Kitchen workers will receive $100 off. You cannot receive both a family and kitchen discount. The project fee covers all costs (including construction materials) except transportation, VBS (optional) materials, and half day-off activities.

Dates: Week 1 June 11 - 18

Week 2 June 18 - 25

Week 3 June 25 - July 2

Week 4 July 2 - 9

Week 5 July 9 -16

Week 6 July 16 -23

Week 7 July 23 - 30

Travel: Teams are responsible for travel to Fairmont and to/from the worksite. Air travel, if needed, may be handled by various agents, call for recommendations.

Food & Lodging: Dayspring Camp has bunk beds in open bay cabins along with divided cabins for small families and groups. It will hold approximately 200 participants per week. Teams will need to bring towels, linens and sleeping bags (it can get cool at night). Breakfast and dinner are served at the camp dining hall; sack lunches and lemonade are supplied for the worksite.

Dress: The weather in WV varies greatly; bring clothing for both cool and warm weather. (June and August weather varies the most). T-shirts and long pants are required on the worksite. Modesty is the primary rule. Additional clothing guidelines are provided.

Immunizations & Rules: A tetanus booster within the last ten years is required. MTW’s desire is to provide each individual and team with an atmosphere that encourages safety and growth in their personal walk with the Lord. Appropriate guidelines have been established, and each team member must be committed to them.

Spiritual development: Morning devotion times, opportunities and challenges for service, and group devotions with host families encourage spiritual growth. An exciting evening program for all ages offers wonderful opportunities to worship God through singing, sharing and hearing God speak through gifted speakers.

Half day off: Wednesday afternoon affords a timely break in the weeks schedule. Teams may visit any number of local and state attractions. Bring spending money for the afternoon and for the evening meal.

Project Orientation Trip (POT): Date: May 6-7, 2011. Team leaders are required to attend this on-site orientation (others may attend for a nominal fee). This time is essential for team, construction, and ministry preparation. All costs for the POT are covered, except for travel to/from Fairmont.

Stories from Fairmont Teams:

“On Sunday as we pulled into the Miles Chapel parking lot (Fairmont church where we have held VBS for 7 years now) three little boys came riding down the street on their bikes, saw our license plates, and immediately turned around and pedaled back up the hill, yelling, "Connecticut's here! Connecticut's here!" These kids have so very few opportunities to experience faithfulness in their lives that the smallest thing, like us coming back every July, is disproportionately important. What we do at VBS in Fairmont really matters. And doing it year after year after year really matters even more.”

“One of our home-owners, for whom we've worked twice before, said at the end of the week: "After all these years, I still can't get over the fact that you come all the way from Connecticut just to be with us." Notice that she didn't say, "To work on our houses..." or "To tell us stuff." She recognized that it is all about "being with". She recognized that it is all about Emmanuel--God with us. She recognized that we come because He came, and He still comes, with & through us.”

“Fairmont has been an enormous blessing to both my family and my church body. In fact, I believe we receive more of God’s blessing than the families and communities that we go to serve. Serving together brings us closer together as a family and moves us nearer to God as a family. Serving together brings us closer together as a church family as well. I would venture to say that in some respects Fairmont is at the heart of our church. We serve together regardless of age. This is the model we learned at Fairmont and one that has attracted people to our church family. Fairmont also allows new members and friends to become an intimate part of our fellowship. I have gotten to know more people in a deeper way than I would ever have done without leaving the comfort of home. It seems every year new people sign up to go and come back feeling like part of the family. I am so appreciative of the opportunity that MTW provides at Fairmont. Fairmont gives us the opportunity to step outside ourselves and wholeheartedly serve others and in doing so, draws us nearer to Christ.”

Mark Thompson (Project Administrator)

Email: mark.thompson@mtw.org

Ph: 678-823-0004, Ext. 2333

Holly Powers (Project Assistant)

Ph: 678-823-0004, Ext. 2309

Email: holly.powers@mtw.org

PRAISES AND REQUESTS

2010-12-06T11:23:00.002-05:00

As we enter into a season of celebrating the birth of Jesus let us reflect on the things that the Lord has blessed us with this past year. I thought I would list a few praises and then some prayer requests as well. Please take the time to lift these things up to the Lord!

Praises

Wonderful times of praise and worship during the summer program
Many existing ministry relationships in the community built stronger
Many new ministry relationships in the community started
A number of teams had young people make a profession of faith
A very good year with almost 1000 participants in the Mission to the World program at Dayspring Camp

Prayer Requests

Please pray for giving to go up for Dayspring Camp; they are in need of funding by the end of the year.
Please continue to pray for Christ Community Church. They are in need of wisdom and the grace of the Lord as they make decisions about their future as a PCA church.

Thank you!

In Christ,

Mark

WHATEVER IT TAKES!

2010-12-01T12:05:00.003-05:00

When a person responds to a request with, “OK, whatever it takes,” it suggests a willing attitude and desire to do the job.

Short-term mission projects are all about “whatever it takes.” From singing on street corners to painting walls to playing soccer and sometimes doing things you just don’t want to do. But short term teams find ways to bring God’s love to people.

Crossing cultural barriers and reaching out to advance the cause of Jesus Christ is no small thing. Missionaries have been motivated by the spirit of “whatever it takes” throughout all history. Through your experience, you will begin to understand this motivation that permeates the world of missionary service.

So as you start to prepare for your goals for this project in 2011. Challenge yourself to step up to your role, pray that God will give you an attitude of “whatever it takes” to obey His directions and give honor to Him.

Excerpts from Prepare Your Heart

2011 MISSION TRIP DETAILS

2010-11-09T08:29:00.005-05:00

Dates: Week 1 June 11 - 18

Week 2 June 18 - 25

Week 3 June 25 - July 2

Week 4 July 2 - 9

Week 5 July 9 -16

Week 6 July 16 -23

Week 7 July 23 - 30

Travel: Teams are responsible for travel to Fairmont and to/from the worksite. Air travel, if needed, may be handled by various agents, call for recommendations.

Stories from Fairmont Teams:

Mark Thompson (Project Administrator)

Email: mark.thompson@mtw.org

Ph: 678-823-0004, Ext. 2333

Holly Powers (Project Assistant)

Ph: 678-823-0004, Ext. 2309

Email: holly.powers@mtw.org

PCA GLOBAL MISSIONS CONFERENCE

2010-10-26T10:49:00.001-04:00

Hear Dr. Paul Kooistra and Rev. Joe Novenson at the 2010 PCA Global Missions Conference November 5-7 in Chattanooga, TN. Interact with missionaries, national partners, and other missions leaders from across the PCA and around the world.

2010 PCA Global Missions Conference - Kooistra from Go Global on Vimeo.

FALL WORK WEEK PICTURES

2010-10-21T13:36:00.001-04:00

Well the Fall season is certainly upon us in Fairmont, West Virginia. We had a wonderful time during the Fall Work Weeks in early October. We were joined by many folks that came out to sweat and work hard. Then we were treated to wonderful home cooking as well, thanks to the ladies that helped! Here are a few pictures of the work that was completed.

Praise the Lord for His goodness in providing resources and helping hands. Lord willing, we will host another Spring Work Week in April or May 2011. So please watch Facebook and this Blog for details.

Staff Cabin Main Room

Ladies Staff Bathroom Over Kitchen Area

Staff Cabin Bathroom

Wonderful Colors

Upstairs Hallway over Kitchen Area

Cabin #3

DEBRIEFING - REMAINING PRINCIPLES

2010-09-30T09:01:00.002-04:00

I will be in Fairmont, WV for the next two weeks with no access to a computer so I thought I would give you the remaining debriefing principles now instead of waiting until I return. Please continue to read over these and start thinking and praying about how you will apply them with your team in 2011.

4. Emphasize the importance of debriefing throughout the trip. Team members will develop their perspective on debriefing by observing the way it is profiled by the team leader. If it seems important to you, it will be important to them. Seize opportunities during the trip to highlight the fact you will be addressing important issues during this strategic time.

5. Select the location for your debriefing sessions carefully. Often in-country contacts suggest you combine a visit to a tourist area with the debriefing sessions. If this seems to be the best use of time, make sure you go to a secluded area away from potential distractions to hold your debriefing sessions. Be sure to instruct your team members in advance that priority one is debriefing and priority two is free time at the tourist site.

6. Be realistic with your time allotment. Quality debriefing sessions cannot be rushed. This material will digest better if prepared in a "relational crock pot" than in a quick fryer. And every team member will add a unique flavoring of their own. Be inclusive. You may be surprised to discover some very sensitive issues surface as team members begin to process the experiences of the trip. Team members will be reluctant to open up and address more than superficial concerns if they know you have planned to do the entire debriefing in one hour. You should tell them to plan on four to six hours to be safe. Plan to make a day of it.

7. Use a team member evaluation form and next steps commitment card. Some team members simply will not verbalize issues they are facing. Purposefully solicit feedback from your team by way of a written evaluation form. Challenge team members to begin thinking about their next steps by way of a next steps commitment card. It is usually best to have team members return the commitment card after they return home. Too often the emotion of the moment distorts the perspective of a team member with regard to next steps.

8. Emphasize the priority issues. A good debriefing session goes beyond getting your team members to talk to you. You will need to direct their attention to priority subjects that go deeper than their felt needs. Most teams need to discuss issues such as misconceptions about missions (making sure the team sees the big picture), exaggerating team experiences and disillusionment upon returning home. Team members should also be empowered to learn the priority lessons God has for them and how they can communicate these lessons with others.

9. Make sure the team is ready to strike while the iron is hot. Team members will encounter the most strategic opportunities to share about their trip within the first 48 hours after they return home. Team members who decide to wait until they get home and rest up to rehearse what they will say about the trip will likely miss out on the best opportunities God has prepared for them. Push your team members to process the information before they arrive home.

10. Meet one-on-one with each team member. In addition to group debriefing sessions, you should plan to meet with every team member before you return home for a personal appointment. Review the evaluation form in preparation for your meeting and think through the ways the team member has contributed to the efforts of the group. Give them an opportunity to share issues they were uncomfortable sharing in front of the group. Speak words of affirmation, encouragement and correction into each team member's life.

DEBRIEFING - PRINCIPLE #3

2010-09-29T08:30:00.002-04:00

#3 - Schedule your debriefing sessions with your missionary or in-country contact during your logistical planning stage. Your host contact will want to get every minute of ministry and service out of your team. And so will you. Make sure you tell your contact in your advance correspondence that you will need up to six hours of time for debriefing two days before you depart for home. It is always easier to carve out time for debriefing before you arrive in the host country than afterwards. If you wait until you arrive to bring it up you may discover they have your team scheduled by the minute until you depart. Don't take a chance with what you have determined is a non-negotiable.

DEBRIEFING - PRINCIPLE #2

2010-09-27T09:09:00.002-04:00

#2 Plan to hold your debriefing sessions in your host country. Most short-term team members have an internal switch that goes off as soon as your plane touches the ground back home (for some it's just being in our airspace that does it!). Team members tend to become preoccupied, focused on reconnecting with their friends, family members and favorite fast food meal upon returning home. There is a measure of honesty, vulnerability and team chemistry that is nearly impossible to recreate outside of your host country.

DEBRIEFING - Ten Proven Principles

2010-09-23T13:43:00.004-04:00

Experienced short-term mission leaders know what God does in the hearts of team members is just as important as what He does through them. Every team leader wants the members of the team to come home changed, to have a vision for the world and to act out the next steps God has shown them. A quality debriefing experience is the key that unlocks the potential of long-term life change for most team members. As a team leader, planning and executing the debriefing sessions is like putting the key in the lock. It is up to the team members to "turn the key" as they engage in the process with you and open their hearts to God's next steps. Here are ten proven principles that will help you prepare for a quality debriefing experience.

#1 Make it a priority from the start. You can't wait until your ministry is over, bags are packed and the team is standing in the airport waiting for the flight number to be called to think about debriefing and expect it to be productive. Decide in advance that you are going to provide your team with a designated time to process the whirlwind of events and activities they have experienced together.

THOUGHTS ON MISSIONS

2010-09-21T10:50:00.000-04:00

Any church, regardless of size can be involved in short-term missions. Even the smallest churches of our denomination can make a significant contribution to the mission field and at the same time gain an awareness of missions through participation in the great commission.

Why do you want to send a team?

There are many legitimate reasons for wanting to send a team to the mission field. It is important that you think through clearly why you want to take this step. It will take time and money to send a team and you want to be able to justify the resources it takes to do so. Here are some reasons to consider and develop:

• sending a team can lead our congregation into a deeper awareness of missions

• we want to be able to get personally involved with the missionaries we support

• we believe we have resources that can be of benefit the cause of world evangelization

• as a church we need an outward focus

• we want to expose our young people to missions

Any and all of these are legitimate reasons for getting involved in short-term missions. No single activity will help produce a missions minded church as sending teams or individuals on U.S. or overseas short-term missions.

CORRECTION ON POT DATES

2010-09-01T15:06:00.001-04:00

2011 Fairmont Project Orientation Trip (POT)

May 6-7 2011

If you have any questions please contact Mark or Holly at Mission to the World.

PRAYER

2010-09-01T12:35:00.002-04:00

Prayer is the forerunner of mercy. Turn to sacred history, and you will find that scarcely ever did a great mercy come to this world unheralded by supplication. You have found this true in your own personal experience. God has given you many an unsolicited favour, but still great prayer has always been the prelude of great mercy with you. When you first found peace through the blood of the cross, you had been praying much, and earnestly interceding with God that he would remove your doubts, and deliver you from your distresses. Your assurance was the result of prayer. When at any time you have had high and rapturous joys, you have been obliged to look upon them as answers to your prayers. When you have had great deliverances out of sore troubles, and mighty helps in great dangers, you have been able to say, "I sought the Lord, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears." Prayer is always the preface to blessing. It goes before the blessing as the blessing’s shadow. When the sunlight of God’s mercies rises upon our necessities, it casts the shadow of prayer far down upon the plain. Or, to use another illustration, when God piles up a hill of mercies, he himself shines behind them, and he casts on our spirits the shadow of prayer, so that we may rest certain, if we are much in prayer, our pleadings are the shadows of mercy. Prayer is thus connected with the blessing to show us the value of it. If we had the blessings without asking for them, we should think them common things; but prayer makes our mercies more precious than diamonds. The things we ask for are precious, but we do not realize their preciousness until we have sought for them earnestly.

Charles Spurgeon

A FEW STORIES

2010-08-27T09:25:00.007-04:00

Here are a few stories from over the summer that the Presbyterian Church of Manchester shared with us. I hope you enjoy them and that they are a testimony to what the Lord does through the teams that come and serve at the MTW ministry here in West Virginia.

On Sunday as we pulled into the Miles Chapel parking lot (Fairmont church where we have held VBS for 7 years now) three little boys came riding down the street on their bikes, saw our license plates, and immediately turned around and pedaled back up the hill, yelling, "Connecticut's here! Connecticut's here!" These kids have so very few opportunities to experience faithfulness in their lives that the smallest thing, like us coming back every July, is disproportionately important. What we do at VBS in Fairmont really matters. And doing it year after year after year really matters even more.

One of our home-owners, for whom we've worked twice before, said at the end of the week: "After all these years, I still can't get over the fact that you come all the way from Connecticut just to be with us." Notice that she didn't say, "To work on our houses..." or "To tell us stuff." She recognized that it is all about "being with". She recognized that it is all about Emmanuel--God with us. She recognized that we come because He came, and He still comes, with & through us.

As team leader, I believe it's part of my job to meet the neighbors of all our homeowners and let them know what we're doing, what all the noise is about, and why our cars are parked in front of their houses all day. As I began introducing myself to one elderly lady and explaining who we were representing (MTW/Impact Fairmont), she suddenly interrupted with a wave of her hand, "You don't have to tell me any more than that, honey. We all know you're here in Christ's name."

2010 SUMMER VIDEO

2010-08-23T20:22:00.001-04:00

NEW VIDEO FROM THE SUMMER

2010-08-20T10:36:00.000-04:00

ANNOUNCING 2011 MISSION TRIP DATES

2010-08-16T11:55:00.008-04:00

For more information please contact:

Mark Thompson

Senior Project Administrator

Mission to the World

678.823.0004 x2333

mark.thompson@mtw.org

Holly Powers

Project Assistant

Mission to the World

678.823.0004 x2309

holly.powers@mtw.org

Both one- and two-week trips are now available. Fairmont is an exciting and rewarding challenge for those who have no previous missions experience. Serving in partnership with Christ Community Church, teams will repair and paint homes in the community while developing close relationships in a culture somewhat different than their own. Additional ministry opportunities include: backyard Bible clubs, VBS and sports camp in local parks, day camps, camp kitchen support, tutoring, one-on-one evangelism, and distribution of food and school supplies. Team building and individual Christian growth occur as the gospel is demonstrated in both word and deed. Accommodation is provided at Dayspring Camp. It is especially well suited for junior high, age groups and families with small children. Team members will need to bring their own tools, bedding, and personal items.

FAIRMONT VIDEO

2010-08-14T12:49:00.004-04:00

Here is a video about serving with Mission to the World in Fairmont, WV.

If you are interested in serving next year at the ministry in please contact:

Mark Thompson at mark.thompson@mtw.org or at 678-823-0004 ext. 2333

Holly Powers at holly.powers@mtw.org or at 678-823-0004 ext. 2309.

Dayspring from Cellar Media on Vimeo.

NEW VIDEO ABOUT MISSIONS WITH MTW

2010-08-07T10:14:00.005-04:00

Here is a new video about serving with Mission to the World in their short term one and two week trip program . If you are interested in serving next year at the ministry in Fairmont, WV please contact:

Mark Thompson at mark.thompson@mtw.org or at 678-823-0004 ext. 2333

Holly Powers at holly.powers@mtw.org or at 678-823-0004 ext. 2309.

Go Global from Go Global on Vimeo.

WEEK #6 OF SHORT TERM TEAMS

2010-07-25T11:58:00.000-04:00

Well, we are on our way with week #6 of short term mission teams. Here is a list of the churches here this week. Please keep these teams in your prayers this week.

Safe Harbor Presbyterian Church
Stony Point Presbyterian Church
All Saints Reformed
St. Matthew's Episcopal Church
Chapel Hill Presbyterian Church
Bethel Reformed Presbyterian Church
Mount Airy Presbyterian Church

McLean Presbyterian Church

Severn Run EPC

Pray that we may have this "mindset" as we serve others in the community this week. Especially pray that we can keep these things in our hearts as we continue to serve and love one another back at the camp as well.

1 Corinthians 13

¹ Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. ² And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. ³ And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,^[a] but have not love, it profits me nothing.
⁴ Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; ⁵ does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; ⁶ does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
⁸ Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. ⁹ For we know in part and we prophesy in part. ¹⁰ But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. ¹¹ When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. ¹² For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.
¹³ And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.