Click the link to see a little of what our team experienced in Swaziland.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=3vx2pq7h.2zglv0tp&Uy=or15ty&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=1
Thank you again for your prayers. It was truly incredible and life-impacting for all involved.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Swazilan Update - August 8th
Hello all,
We are having the best time here. God is working greatly through the missionaries of Children's Cup here in Swaziland. They have such a loving and giving heart. One of them (Charles-the crazy young one) when telling us what they're doing here said, "Just giving them Jesus, man. Just giving them Jesus."
I must tell you a little of our challenging journey.
We got on the plane RDU right on time.
We taxied to a place near the runway...and waited for over 2 hours. The word was that there was a storm in DC and the Dulles airport was shut down.
We finally flew to DC and as we were nearing our terminal we saw the South African Airways plane loading on another tarmac.
Naturally when we got off our plane and found gate 32A the plane had already taken off. We left 2 1/2 hours late and missed our flight by 20 minutes.
After working for another 4 hours to try to get to Africa by another route, we finally took a shuttle to a hotel for the night.
Saturday, when we should have been landing in South Africa we were actually taking off from Washington DC. Actually only 15 of the 31 of us were taking off. The rest had to wait til 11pm that night for a flight to London because there were no more seats.
The first group arrived in Johannesburg Sunday night, hurried to a bus(minus on member who didn't have the required visa and flew on a small plane), ran out of gas, got on another bus and made it to the border 10 minutes after it had closed. The guards that were leaving were not so sympathetic. We found a nearby place to stay, missed dinner and finally drove into Swaziland Monday by lunch time.
The second group left London and made it to Swaziland by 6am Sunday and drove to Swaziland in time for a late lunch.
We all then drove to a nearby Care Point and had an amazing time with about 300 precious children. We played with them, helped feed them and hugged them. They love to be loved, and we loved loving them.
As you look over this rough account please make a note of the fact that we missed a meal. The children that we have seen at 6 different centers are fed a very simple meal once a day usually just Monday through Friday. Few have shoes for the cold nights of winter. Things here are very different, very hard and yet there is hope. Hope for the children that are able to come to a Care Point or Mercy Center to get food for their bellies and the message of a loving Jesus.
We look forward to working in cement and enjoying lunch with the child that we are sponsoring tomorrow (Thursday).
We look forward to working on crafts and sharing in games and a Bible story on Friday.
We are looking forward to having a very fun day with these children Saturday morning then having a meal with all the missionaries and their families.
We most look forward to hearing stories for years to come of how God is changing the Kingdom of Swaziland through the changed lives of these precious children.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us and especially these children. They are so ripe for all God has to offer them.
We love you,
Steve & Debbie Turley
And the Christian 107.3 Mission of Mercy team
We are having the best time here. God is working greatly through the missionaries of Children's Cup here in Swaziland. They have such a loving and giving heart. One of them (Charles-the crazy young one) when telling us what they're doing here said, "Just giving them Jesus, man. Just giving them Jesus."
I must tell you a little of our challenging journey.
We got on the plane RDU right on time.
We taxied to a place near the runway...and waited for over 2 hours. The word was that there was a storm in DC and the Dulles airport was shut down.
We finally flew to DC and as we were nearing our terminal we saw the South African Airways plane loading on another tarmac.
Naturally when we got off our plane and found gate 32A the plane had already taken off. We left 2 1/2 hours late and missed our flight by 20 minutes.
After working for another 4 hours to try to get to Africa by another route, we finally took a shuttle to a hotel for the night.
Saturday, when we should have been landing in South Africa we were actually taking off from Washington DC. Actually only 15 of the 31 of us were taking off. The rest had to wait til 11pm that night for a flight to London because there were no more seats.
The first group arrived in Johannesburg Sunday night, hurried to a bus(minus on member who didn't have the required visa and flew on a small plane), ran out of gas, got on another bus and made it to the border 10 minutes after it had closed. The guards that were leaving were not so sympathetic. We found a nearby place to stay, missed dinner and finally drove into Swaziland Monday by lunch time.
The second group left London and made it to Swaziland by 6am Sunday and drove to Swaziland in time for a late lunch.
We all then drove to a nearby Care Point and had an amazing time with about 300 precious children. We played with them, helped feed them and hugged them. They love to be loved, and we loved loving them.
As you look over this rough account please make a note of the fact that we missed a meal. The children that we have seen at 6 different centers are fed a very simple meal once a day usually just Monday through Friday. Few have shoes for the cold nights of winter. Things here are very different, very hard and yet there is hope. Hope for the children that are able to come to a Care Point or Mercy Center to get food for their bellies and the message of a loving Jesus.
We look forward to working in cement and enjoying lunch with the child that we are sponsoring tomorrow (Thursday).
We look forward to working on crafts and sharing in games and a Bible story on Friday.
We are looking forward to having a very fun day with these children Saturday morning then having a meal with all the missionaries and their families.
We most look forward to hearing stories for years to come of how God is changing the Kingdom of Swaziland through the changed lives of these precious children.
Thank you for your continued prayers for us and especially these children. They are so ripe for all God has to offer them.
We love you,
Steve & Debbie Turley
And the Christian 107.3 Mission of Mercy team
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Swaziland Mission Trip participants:
Sabine Jacob Beth Peck Kate Walters Aaron Walters Emily Brown
Heath Brown Mason Pluimer Debbie Turley Steve Turley ValariaMitchell
Isley Cotton Crystal Jackson Mike Kocher Diane Page Donald Page
Brett Asher Tammie Evers Roxann Linthicum Megan Hall Diane Hall
Hattie Pittman Thomas Jernigan Kevin Jernigan Loren Popelka Jessica Vann
Richard Holder Marta Holder Tracy Collins Heidi Collins
Mark Pluimer Dee Pluimer
Thank you for your prayerful support. Get updated details of our trip to Swaziland at the Mission Blog at www.christian107.com.
Heath Brown Mason Pluimer Debbie Turley Steve Turley ValariaMitchell
Isley Cotton Crystal Jackson Mike Kocher Diane Page Donald Page
Brett Asher Tammie Evers Roxann Linthicum Megan Hall Diane Hall
Hattie Pittman Thomas Jernigan Kevin Jernigan Loren Popelka Jessica Vann
Richard Holder Marta Holder Tracy Collins Heidi Collins
Mark Pluimer Dee Pluimer
Thank you for your prayerful support. Get updated details of our trip to Swaziland at the Mission Blog at www.christian107.com.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Swaziland's children need our help
If you would like to help us help the precious children of Swaziland, here's your chance.
Our suitcases are getting overstuffed with crafts, toys and school supplies.
One thing we will gladly make room for is dollars.
Join us at any of our upcoming events between now and Aug. 2nd, and every dollar, quarter, nickel and penny that is donated will be taken with us to Swaziland. (Head to www.christian107.com and click on the calendar page for upcoming events.)
Your support is vital in helping these children. Thank you and we'll see you at the ballgame, the waterpark and the concert hall.
Our suitcases are getting overstuffed with crafts, toys and school supplies.
One thing we will gladly make room for is dollars.
Join us at any of our upcoming events between now and Aug. 2nd, and every dollar, quarter, nickel and penny that is donated will be taken with us to Swaziland. (Head to www.christian107.com and click on the calendar page for upcoming events.)
Your support is vital in helping these children. Thank you and we'll see you at the ballgame, the waterpark and the concert hall.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Swaziland Trip Itinerary
3rd August (Friday)
Begin journey leaving RDU at 2:45pm
Enjoy 15 hour flight from Washington D.C. to Johannesburg, South Africa
4th August (Saturday)
Arrive in Johannesburg and travel by bus to Manzini, Swaziland (about 4 hour ride)
5th August (Sunday)
Church in the morning
Community braii in the afternoon (community outreach)
6th August (Monday)
Construction project at Zombodze Care Point in the morning
Community walk in the afternoon (praying with people in the community, handing out sweets)
7th August (Tuesday)
Construction project at Maphiveni Care Point in the morning
Drive to Hlane Game Park in the afternoon
8th August (Wednesday)
Drive from game park to Manzini
Split between 5 care points in the afternoon to do Bible clubs with the children
9th August (Thursday)
Construction project at Zombodze/LaGoba care point in the morning
Split between medical clinic and child sponsorship luncheon in the afternoon (this is where team members who sponsor a child in Swaziland through Mission of Mercy get to meet that child)
10th August (Friday)
Construction project at Zombodze care point in the morning
Split between 5 care points in the afternoon for more Bible clubs or medical clinic
11th August (Saturday)
Fun day at Zombodze Care Point in the morning
Shopping for gifts in the afternoon
Begin journey leaving RDU at 2:45pm
Enjoy 15 hour flight from Washington D.C. to Johannesburg, South Africa
4th August (Saturday)
Arrive in Johannesburg and travel by bus to Manzini, Swaziland (about 4 hour ride)
5th August (Sunday)
Church in the morning
Community braii in the afternoon (community outreach)
6th August (Monday)
Construction project at Zombodze Care Point in the morning
Community walk in the afternoon (praying with people in the community, handing out sweets)
7th August (Tuesday)
Construction project at Maphiveni Care Point in the morning
Drive to Hlane Game Park in the afternoon
8th August (Wednesday)
Drive from game park to Manzini
Split between 5 care points in the afternoon to do Bible clubs with the children
9th August (Thursday)
Construction project at Zombodze/LaGoba care point in the morning
Split between medical clinic and child sponsorship luncheon in the afternoon (this is where team members who sponsor a child in Swaziland through Mission of Mercy get to meet that child)
10th August (Friday)
Construction project at Zombodze care point in the morning
Split between 5 care points in the afternoon for more Bible clubs or medical clinic
11th August (Saturday)
Fun day at Zombodze Care Point in the morning
Shopping for gifts in the afternoon
Dinner with host missionaries from Children's Cup
12th August (Sunday)
Depart from the hotel for 4 hour bus ride back to Johannesburg for 5:55pm flight
13rd August (Monday)
Arrive at Dulles Intl Airport about 6am and arrive at RDU at about 10am
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Casting Crowns plays at North Korea festival
Casting Crowns received a rare invitation to participate in North Korea’s 25th annual April Spring Friendship Art Festival in Pyongyang last week. Casting Crowns played three standing-room-only shows April 11-13 at the high-profile event. Performers from around the world were invited to the festival, with Casting Crowns the only native U.S. band to attend.
The band incorporated a few Korean favorites in their live show, including the popular song “White Dove, Fly High,” which is recognized as an anthem for peace. The vice chairman of the festival personally sharedhis gratitude to Casting Crowns for their participation and especially for the beautiful performance of the peace song.
The band incorporated a few Korean favorites in their live show, including the popular song “White Dove, Fly High,” which is recognized as an anthem for peace. The vice chairman of the festival personally sharedhis gratitude to Casting Crowns for their participation and especially for the beautiful performance of the peace song.
Avalon member leaving for health reasons
After nearly 12 years with the group Avalon, founding member Jody McBrayer says he will step down due to pressing health issues. The group will continue to record albums and tour nationally. In March McBrayer was diagnosed with a heart condition called hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Even
though it’s manageable, the disease often affects an individual’s ability to undertake physical work, as in McBrayer’s case.
After much prayer and lengthy discussions with his family, doctors and the members of Avalon, McBrayer says he will resign from the group to focus on his health and his family’swelfare. McBrayer is still in the studio recording his last record with Avalon, which will be released in September. He will also travel with Avalon through the end of the year on their 40-city fall tour.
though it’s manageable, the disease often affects an individual’s ability to undertake physical work, as in McBrayer’s case.
After much prayer and lengthy discussions with his family, doctors and the members of Avalon, McBrayer says he will resign from the group to focus on his health and his family’swelfare. McBrayer is still in the studio recording his last record with Avalon, which will be released in September. He will also travel with Avalon through the end of the year on their 40-city fall tour.
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