April Wrap-up

Last day of the month....on to May!  First off I am very happy to report that Milagros (the little girl from Peru that I mentioned in the previous post) has a new sponsor family!  Before Compassion Sunday I had purchased the national flags from all of the countries that our church members sponsor kids from.  After our sponsorship emphasis Sunday, I will need to purchase 10 more!  A big THANK YOU to all of the Hope Community members who sponsor kids or who became new sponsors!  I can't tell you how blessed I am to be part of such a wonderful church family.  If you would like to know more about Compassion and the work that they do to help release children from poverty all over the world, please contact me.  I would love to tell you more

Last week I had the opportunity to attend Connect 2012.  This is the national conference for Operation Christmas Child volunteers.  Along with Compassion, Operation Christmas Child is one of the organizations that I am most passionate about.  It was a great time to be able to learn how to serve better in the position that I hold.  It was also a wonderful experience to hear from the National Leadership team from Zambia.  To hear first hand how the shoeboxes that we pack with gifts are impacting the lives of children in Africa was very inspiring.  I was fortunate enough to be able to spend some time with one of the team members over breakfast.  The photo is of me and Rev. Ernest Mangamu.  Rev. Mangamu told of the work that goes into training Zambian leaders and teachers that work with the children who receive boxes.  I even got to hear the story of how he got up close and personal with some lions. :)

This is some of our Central Indiana team members with the Zambian national team.  I got to hear from Ted who grew up in an orphanage in Russia.  He received a shoebox and the impact it had on him was life-altering.  I can't say enough for Operation Christmas Child and the work they do.

Sunday was jam-packed as well!  It was time to update the band photos for Reality 3:16.  Armed with 2 cameras, 4 lenses, a reflector, 6 band members, their 2 leaders and a dog, Paul and I got the job done!  Actually Paul got the job done....I managed to get tripped up and scrape up my hand and knee.  After the long weekend in Chicago I was happy to work the reflector, straighten up collars, move people around, do a little shooting, and basically let Paul do the hard work....which he does well.  A preview...

Paul's shot...my photoshop work :)