You can make a difference... even when you aren't on foreign soil!

Everyone has a part to play in sharing the gospel. So many believe that if they aren't going on an international mission trip, they aren't as important. But that's just one of Satan's lies. When a team is on the mission field in another country, we all have a role to play... There are those that helped financially to send the team, there are those who gave of their time and helped the team prepare for the trip, but there is something we can all do no matter our age, race, gender, denomination, or income... PRAY! 

Hardee County has two youth teams out in the field this week. They are finishing up the work they've been called to do and will begin preparation to come back to the U.S. Departing from a foreign country after falling in love with the people is always bittersweet.

• Pray for each of the team members as they say goodbye and return to their home mission field in Hardee County. 
• Pray for the conversations they will have with other students next week as they return back to school and that God give them the same boldness they have in Haiti and the Dominican Republic at Hardee Senior High School. 
• Pray for safe travels home. 
• Pray for their spiritual walk with the Lord and their conversations with Him throughout the next few weeks. May they apply what they've learned and seen to their every day walk with Christ.
• Pray that the impact of this trip forever change their lives and that they always seek opportunities to share the gospel with others and show love. 
• Pray that each team member recognize that they are always on mission for the Lord and that our mission field is where we are each and every day. 

He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out worked into his harvest field." - Luke 10:2

Haiti Mission Team - Florida's First Assembly 

Dominican Republic Mission Team - First Christian Church

Spring Break Mission Trips for Hardee County Youth

For many, Spring Break means vacation or time off, but for two of our local youth groups, it means leaving the country to serve others.

Pray for both of these teams as they will be leaving Saturday morning and returning later on in the week.

Florida's First Assembly Haiti Mission Team

First Christian Church Dominican Republic Mission Team 

Marvina Hooper & The Story of Casa David

If you've ever met Marvina Hooper, YOU FALL IN LOVE WITH HER! 

If you've ever met Marvina Hooper, YOU KNOW SHE LOVES JESUS! 

And if you've ever met Marvina Hooper, 

SHE'S GOING TO CHALLENGE YOU! 

About Casa David:

CASA DAVID was opened in Feburary 2014. It is a beautiful and comfortable home just a half block from the Seguro Social Hospital in Barrio La Granja in Comayajula, Honduras. Much like a Ronald McDonald House, CASA DAVID provides a safe home for family members who bring their loved ones to the hopsital. It is made available to those who travel great distances to come to the hospital and who have no other place to go. 

With 30 clean and comfortable beds, CASA DAVID opens it's doors to those who are often facing their darkest days. Not only do we provide a bed, we serve 2 meals (breakfast & dinner) everyday... 365 days a year our guests are able to take hot showers and have a place to wash their clothes. An armed guard stands watch 24/7, insuring the safety of our guests. But most importantly, our guests are treated with respect and love.

The Story of Casa David:

Casa David was a dream that we believe started in the heart of God many years ago, when former IMB, SBC missionaries, Howard and Marvina Hooper, were working with university students in the capital city of Honduras in the early 1990's. Together, the Hoopers and the students, witnessed the great despair of the people who traveled from all parts of the country to bring their loved ones to the hospital with no means to pay for a place to stay while they were so far from home. Family members often slept on the floors in the lobby of the hospital for days and many times even weeks having no place to sleep, eat, shower, or wash their clothes. 

Years later, back in the States, Marvina read a book (January 2103) that asked "What is the dream God has given to you, that you have never done anything about...that you could never do unless He does it through you?" Instantly she knew... it was to have a place where these people could rest safely, have a hot meal and most importantly find hope in Christ Jesus. 

To learn even more about Casa David, visit: http://www.casadavidhn.com

Pray for Marvina & Casa David:

We've been sharing with you mission teams from Hardee County that have been serving on the mission field this summer. We wanted to take the time to introduce you to Marvina Hooper & Casa David in case you don't know her and the ministry. She arrived in Honduras today and will be serving there for a few days, so keep her in your prayers. 

"Arrived safely in Tegucigalpa after having church on the plane with a crazy Jesus lover in the seat beside me! It was SO awesome! Hit the road running and am just getting to bed💤 after getting up at 3:30am... This ole gal is pooped! So... Buenas nachos until tomorrow! 😜 So excited to see what tomorrow will bring. Are you?" -Marvina Hooper 

Marvin served with us in 2012 when SendMeMissions took our first mission trip to the Dominican Republic with Orphan's Heart. Our Team Leader was Marvina's husband, Howie. We will forever be grateful for this dynamic duo... for their amazing leadership and love for us! 

DR Update - adios amigos

even though i spent the day with my compassion kiddos on thursday with darin and megan...the rest of our group went back to wrap up the time we had in both centers...CWAH and cienfuegos.  it was a full day of activity!  there was a roof to be completed, more teeth to clean, games to play, Bible to review, school supplies to be given away...not to mention the countless hugs and and goodbyes.

Before

THE ROOF IS COMPLETE!  the boys did an amazing job...through many bent nails, falls, bumps, bruises, laughter (BBBBBBB!) sweat, and extreme heat...CWAH now have a new roof (without holes)...an example of love and dedication to provide a desperate need.  way to go boys...we are so proud of you!

After

the dental team cleaned over 150 sets of teeth...gave away dental packs with toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss and other goodies.  they did their best to educate them and give them hope for dental health!  they not only touched their teeth...but touched their hearts as well..."tres mas" (three more) at a time!  in their very small, very hot and sweaty clinic...they followed what Jesus had called them to do.  they even had a chance to go in the streets to pass out spanish Bibles and share the love of Jesus outside the walls of CWAH...God is sooooo good.

my "spanish jen"...dulce...(darin calls her carmello abuela..grandma caramel)  led Bible review and lesson time for over 3 hours!  (needless to say...she gave everything...even her voice!)  the children remembered the Bible points and Bible verses and were reminded how much they need Jesus.  they need their own relationship with Him.  she continued to teach how to follow Him...how to Shine for Jesus everywhere they go.  we both loved the older group of kiddos and how much they held on to every word.  we encouraged them to be an example for the others...and to believe that God has a plan for each of them.  dulce sang with them songs that we taught them...laughed and "excercised for Jesus"...then they blessed her with songs they knew as well.

our team played games and cheered...making memories in their heart about the children with a hope...moments in time that are forever a part of all of us.

cienfuegos was a tiny place stuffed to capacity with children and excitement.  it was difficult as the children would ask, "manana?"  (tomorrow?)  and the team would answer no, with tears in their eyes.  the children here are starving not only for food and water, but for love.  the team brought love everyday.  they poured out hugs and smiles and prayed for these lives that came searching daily.  

Cookie told the story of mary at the tomb...sharing the excitement about how Jesus is Alive!  9 more little hearts asked Jesus to be their Savior...a few of our construction boys were able to come and experience this little place...amazed at how the kids welcomed them and wanted them to hold and love them.  the cienfuegos team were able to bless the children with "prize bags" and school supplies.  they could not believe the items were "theirs"...truly belonged to them.  they proudly filled their backpacks with treasures to take home and share with their family.  and all of us who experienced cienfuegos have treasures to take home in our hearts to share with our families too.

our whole team was invited to a wonderful dinner...a final "dominican style" meal...complete with rice, beans, plantains, meat, eggplant and salad.  we sat in a beautiful room with new friends from the states and new friends from the DR.  we had become a family.  all of us.  51 new hearts found Jesus and asked Him to be Lord of their lives...but all of our hearts were different...changed from this amazing experience together.  Pastor Pablo and his wife (mi hermana sangre...my blood sister) Elizabeth presented plaques to the leaders of the different projects completed while there...what a nice gift!  and their beautiful daughter closed out the evening with an angelic version of "amazing grace" in spanish.

we returned to the hotel to pack our bags and rest before our 515am departure.  we all came to the Dominican Republic to find what Jesus had in store for us.  we knew we would come home different, changed, inspired to live in a new way.  we all saw things we had never seen before...things so etched in our hearts and our minds...that even our dreams at night find us there again.  but one thing that is common for each of us...one thing that none of us can deny or even explain well...we saw Jesus.

we saw Him in the people, the places, each other...we saw Jesus.  And when you see Jesus...He changes everything...we will NEVER be the same...and THAT is what we all needed most.

DR Update - Welcome Home

The DR Mission Team has safely returned home.

Thank you all for your prayers!