We are getting ready for the first day of school! We are excited to start back Sunday Night Youth Group, Youth and Children’s Choirs, and Bible Encounter. We are looking forward to Connecting Faith & Family and Round Table. We will begin activities on Promotion Sunday, August 10!
Before we begin, we give thanks for this summer! Our youth and children had wonderful experiences at Passport, which they will share on Thursday, August 21. We also had a terrific week on the mission trip to Miami. The mission team will share their reflections on Thursday, August 28.
While in Miami, the mission team worked with children in the Overtown neighborhood. Touching Miami with Love supports these children year-round, providing tutoring during the year and a day camp in the summer. While there, our team noticed a need for supplies.
Out of the Benevolence Fund, the church sent a long list of supplies. The TML staff called it Christmas in the summer!
Trina Harris, the CEO of TML, also told us about a student, who grew up attending TML. He graduated from high school and attends a college in Alabama on a band scholarship. A few years ago, his mother was diagnosed with cancer, and she was forced to stop working for her treatments. She is able to work again, but this prevented her from paying her property taxes.
In Miami-Dade County, a person can place the amount of unpaid property taxes in escrow, and if the property owner cannot pay the taxes, the owner loses their property after six months. This family was in danger of losing their home, which was paid off and has been in their family for two generations.
After hearing this story, the youth on the mission team asked if their mission funds from parking cars might help. When the mission team returned, the youth voted to send $5,000 to help with the property taxes, and this family was able to keep their home.
We celebrate our youth and their deep commitment to serving the needs of others!
– Tripp