When the Costa Rica Team, parents, church leadership, and the Missions Team first looked at the $18,620 needed, everyone realized this was a no-go unless God led the way.  Thanks first of all to God’s gracious provision and guidance and then to ambitious fundraising projects, lots of hard work, and the generosity of family and friends, we have passed the halfway point.  A roast beef dinner and a taco lunch, both offered after Sunday services for a donation, launched our fundraising efforts; a yard/bake sale gave another big boost to the project.

A pig barbecue and auction on May 9 and a car wash on May 16 are the final two fundraisers.  When funds raised through these special activities are added to family contributions and help from the church’s short-term mission fund, we believe our goal will be reached, and we’ll be Costa Rica bound!

Youth members of the team are Rick Benson, Tommy Dove, Amy Duncan, Mary Elizabeth Featherston, Michael Iazzi, Kayley Kennell, Dawn Landis, Stephanie Pruett, Leah Schaefer, Meghan Schaefer, and Jeremy White.  Adult sponsors are Steve Graber, Team Leader, Paul Brenneman, and Kathy Featherston.

By Carolyn Nowlin

Pig Barbecue & Silent Auction

Saturday, May 9, 5-8 PM at PMC

Fun for kids of all ages 

Bring your lawn chairs and enjoy the fun and fellowship.

All you-can-eat food will be on a donation basis.

Silent and live auctions will consist of items made or donated by youth & friends.

(Some items: New weed eater & leaf blower, cookbook by Amy, baby blankets, rug, bluebird house, framed pictures and many more).

For more information contact Don or Janet Benson.

From Ed Ranck, Chaplain at men’s prison with We Care Prison Ministries in Atmore, Alabama

                 “Chap, today is my birthday.” At age nine Kenny was introduced to--no, literally forced into drug use by a brother who pushed drugs into his mouth to show him what it was like. That was the start of a string of events that led to Kenny’s spending his twenty-fourth birthday awaiting his release from prison. He is also waiting for a set of false teeth, his own having been ruined by that same drug use.  Kenny has committed his life to Christ and is learning what it means to walk with the Lord. He is a regular at discipleship classes and Bible studies. On his birthday the We Care volunteers presented Kenny with a soft drink, a large prepackaged sandwich, and some snacks from the prison vending machines and sang “Happy Birthday” to him. I would say from the tears he tried to hide that his heart caught a little glimpse of kindness and our affection for him.

From Donna Wyatt, Chaplain at women’s prisons in Montgomery with We Care

Spiritual growth through serving others
"Sue" has an enemy in the prison. Because the two women are not allowed on the hall at the same time, they alternate being held for three months at a time in Administrative Segregation (SEG). Even though both inmates have signed a peace agreement, the warden still requires their separation. Three months ago, and without warning, Sue was sent to SEG one month early. She had been attending and was more than half way through a class Anna Miller and I teach called "Making Peace with Your Past." Being sent to SEG early meant Sue would not be able to finish the class nor have closure for what is an emotionally intensive study. Because of this, I visited her in SEG every week, making sure she knew I loved her and was praying for her. When Sue was returned to her dorm, she told me when she had been put in SEG, she wanted to quit the class and give up trying to change. But because I had visited her, she was given hope and began to see her time in SEG as an opportunity for growth. Sue is back in the class and will soon finish. Praise the Lord for His infinite power to change lives. Not only did He restore Sue's faith and encourage her to a deeper walk, but my faith was also strengthened by the results I saw from allowing God to work through me. The Lord often shows up like this in prison, and I count it a privilege to be a part of it. 

From Ron/Regina Shultz in Cusco, Peru

We have had a group of sixteen juniors from a Christian school in PA here this week, April 18-27, with four of their teachers.  One of my highlights was teaching a short lesson on dental hygiene and passing out toothbrushes and toothpaste at two different Kids’ Clubs.  After the club leader requested us to teach on this topic, I got an email from the team saying that one of the youth had a father who was a dentist and wanted to send down free toothbrushes (God moment).  On the second day that we were passing out toothbrushes I gave the last toothbrush to the last kid in line.  Only God knew how many toothbrushes we would need, down to the exact number.  Another God moment was when we asked the team to cover the P.E. classes at PROMESA and we learned they had their P.E. teacher coming along.  He was energetic and great, even though he didn´t know a lick of Spanish, was over 50 and was still adjusting to the altitude.

This morning, since it was Sunday, our family decided to share breakfast with the team.  We left the house early to go to their hotel and make pancakes for them.  They were very appreciative since they had been eating bread and hot tea for breakfast every morning so far.

Our whole family has helped out, from Bethany’s translating the day they were at school, Hannah and Jeremiah’s helping them get around on public transportation, and Ron’s and my driving the church van to transport one youth who is in a wheelchair.  We have had many God moments and have met new "friends" in Christ.  They also brought down and donated 100 bilingual Bibles for the school. We are very thankful for that.

We challenge you to look for the God moments that He is bringing your way.

From Doris Ranck, on staff with We Care Prison Ministry

A dear friend sent me a card with this quote:

           Lord, temper with tranquility
           Our manifold activity

            That we may do our work for Thee
            With very great simplicity.

That card continues to sit on the window sill above the kitchen sink to remind me of my need for a quiet heart amid the busyness at We Care Headquarters.

Crusade week is history, but I have stayed busy with hosting both visitors and events.  Spring in south Alabama is a favorite season for guests because the weather is perfect and the flowers are beautiful.

In February, March, and April we've had 50 people spending the night, some staying several days and some just needing a motel room for one night.  The highlight event was having Jon Michael, Jaime, AJ, and Jed here for four days!  The twins loved the big open spaces of this building and especially the large deck.

In February we also hosted a Day of Prayer for the We Care staff , and Ed and I worked at the national MDS convention held in Mobile.

Three Saturdays in March were filled with hosting the annual orientation for religious volunteers that the State Prison System requires.  Ed led the training at one of those sessions.

April 17 &18 I hosted the We Care ladies for a slumber party!  There were twenty women here at Headquarters--playing games, putting puzzles together, getting free facials, watching old movies, laughing, praying, gabbing, and just hanging out.  Door prizes and going out to supper together topped it all off!

Meanwhile, Ed and the VSers headed for Montgomery to camp Friday night and kayak the Coosa River on Saturday.  Class 3 rapids added excitement and challenge.

Martin Weber's death on April 18 also gave us extra service opportunities as We Care family and friends came to attend the funeral.  The local phone company established a DSL link as a community service, and there were at least 150 sites where the service was watched live over the internet--several in other countries.  That service can still be seen on the We Care Web site.

On Friday, May 1, this year's Young Adults will complete their seven month service term and head home.  It will be so quiet after they leave (not all bad!), and we will miss them.  These last few weeks have been filled with trying to pack in all the last minute activities we wanted to do with them.  Tomorrow morning they will each share during our weekly staff devotional time.  I want to have a special treat with the usual coffee, so this evening we're making homemade doughnuts!

...So it's back to that balance between activity and tranquility!

Thanks for your prayers and your support.  Believe me, we feel them in a very real way!                                                  

Doris