Ministry Garage Sale

     Stepstones Ministry International is preparing for a Ministry Garage Sale in Center, Texas during the month of November.   All proceeds will go toward moving the ministry forward in 2012 with the emphasis of the proceeds going to help children receive an education in Guatemala.  Do you have quality items that you would like to donate? We are in need of some clean, quality  and fully working appliances, furniture, sporting equipment, tools, TV’s, automobiles etc.  The weather is beginning to cool down so now would be a good time to take care of some late “Spring Cleaning” with a Greater Purpose!  All donated items are tax-deductible!  Do you need some quality items?  Do you have a need for padded interlocking chairs, file cabinets, folding tables, office furniture or other items?  Will you help Stepstones help others by donating items, purchasing some items or making a monetary donation?  Those desiring to donate can make contact through the webpage at www.stepstonesmissions.org

ENERGY EFFICIENT STOVES WIN, WIN, WIN, WIN INVESTMENT!

     An investment of $125.00 provides a win, win, win, win situation in Guatemala!  The $125.00 investment in an energy efficient stove makes an enormous impact on family budgets, time, health and environment.  The stove is designed to use a small amount of wood to cook a meal.  The reduction of wood required by this stove will save a widowed mother the equivalence of $600.00 U.S. per year.  The stove is designed to remove 99+percent of the smoke from the home providing cleaner air inside the home.  With cleaner air comes better health!  Families use less time cutting and hauling wood providing them more time as a family and/or time in their gardens.  With the reduction of the number of trees being harvested it helps the environment.  Energy Efficient Stoves a win, win, win, win situation! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What Happens When Youth Work Together

        What happens when youth work together?  I am so glad you asked!  This summer Stepstones taught a mission track and provided a nightly mission emphasis during four weeks of youth camps.  Through the four weeks of teaching the mission track we had the privilege of directly investing in over 80 students and adults.  These students and adults arrive to class only knowing a few people at most, but leave camp feeling they have known each other for a lifetime.  During the week they are challenged to consider who they say Jesus is, look at ways the world is influencing their decisions, they learn how to walk on mission with Jesus and study the great calls on the life of a disciple.  The teaching times are immediately enhanced by participation in a low ropes challenge course.  The ultimate enhancement of the lessons takes place the last full day of camp as they are taken outside the camp facilities to serve and minister to others.  This year the mission project was to help remodel the fellowship hall and kitchen and do outside repairs for Scrub Creek Baptist Church in Pennington, Texas.  This part of the camp week is always a faith adventure as we have to learn what skills are represented within the group and then assign places to complete the task.  Each week God supplies key skill sets to accomplish the overall goal by the end of the fourth week.  Thank you God for your provision of willing workers!  Thank you to all the adult sponsors and willing students who worked on the remodel of Scrub Creek Baptist Church!

Original wall color.

Fresh new look.

New kitchen cabinets.

Old kitchen cabinets.

 

                                                                                    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DROUIN, HAITI TRIP REPORT

      A team of 21 traveled to Drouin, Haiti June 4-10 to work on the school and start a new project. The team representing five churches gathered from South and Northeast Texas.  During our time we primed and painted all six classrooms, primed the front wall and helped place texture on the porch columns.  The first phase of the school is almost complete and has 350 students enrolled.  The final touches to complete this phase will be to finish the textured siding on two sides and then prime and paint.  Upon completion of this phase, phase two will begin when resources for construction are available.  Will you join us in praying for God’s provision of $30,000.00 for phase two?  The team also dug trenches, moved rock, tied rebar, mixed concrete and began laying the foundation for a Mission Team Facility.  This new facility will have two dorm rooms that will sleep 28 people, have a large kitchen/dining room and will have three toilets and two showers with gravity fed water.  This facility will allow Stepstones the freedom to host children’s programs, teacher training events, church leadership training and crusades since we will no longer be staying in the church or school.

 

 

 

                                  

 

 

 

 

 

       Front of School

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     Beginning of Foundation

 

 

 

 

“THE WALK” UPDATE

  

   I would like to provide an update on a previous post concerning the Youth Ministry of Summit Heights Fellowship in Hawkins, Texas and their project entitled, “THE WALK”.  On Saturday May 7^th, 68 youth and adults did a 10K Walk to raise money to build a structure to house a ladies bible study in Guatemala.  The day was beautiful, but the hearts, attitudes and selflessness of this group was even more beautiful.  This group willingly gave of themselves to help proclaim the Light of Jesus Christ to people they may never see this side of heaven!  As they walked, they had opportunity to share Christ locally while thinking globally.  Praise God for giving this group a vision for the nations, for providing them the endurance to complete their commitment and for allowing them to reach their goal!  Blessings to each person who walked, helped or contributed!

HAITI HAPPENINGS

                With great excitement I get to share with you what is happening in Drouin, Haiti.  During the early part of June a team of 21, representing six churches, will be traveling to Drouin, Haiti to continue the work.  We will be installing doors and windows on the school.  We will also be helping to plaster the walls and if, all goes well, paint them as well.  Another project will be to install a pump in the water well that was drilled in January, set a 600 gallon reservoir and run pipe from well to reservoir to provide gravity fed water to the school and community.  This is a very exciting trip as we will get to see the completion of the first phase of the school and begin providing purer water to the community.  While part of the group is working on the school, another part of the team will begin building the foundation for a structure to house future teams at the church.  The final project during this trip will be to drill a water well at the church.   Please be in prayer as we walk with the Lord in serving the people of Drouin and each other.  Please pray for safety, health and an open door to share the love of Christ with those we meet and that the Gospel will move quickly through this community.  Finally, please pray daily for God to touch person “A” a voodoo witch doctor who we witnessed too in January.  Pray that God will give him confidence to turn from the darkness to the Light.  Pray that he will trust God to be the provider for his family.  Thanks in advance for your prayers

PRAYER & PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITIES

     I write today to share a couple of prayer requests and unique opportunities for you to participate in what God is doing through Stepstones Ministry International and partner churches.  I would like to ask you to pray for the youth ministries of Summit Heights Fellowship in Hawkins, Texas and FBC Diana in Diana, Texas.  These two groups have been lead of the Lord to step out and make an impact in two different countries where Stepstones is involved.  Please pray as they work toward their goals for God to touch the hearts of people to participate and for God to touch those who observe their actions to Glorify God as well.

     The Youth Ministry at Summit Heights will be involved in a Disciple Now Weekend this coming weekend May 6-8.  As a part of their weekend, they have set aside time on Saturday for an event called, “THE WALK”.  This event is a world mission event designed to raise funds to build a facility in Guatemala for a group of widowed and abandoned mothers and their children to hold their Jesus El Camino (Road to Jesus) Bible Study.   In January of 2006 there were twelve ladies participating in Jesus El Camino, but Praise God for the growth He has added both spiritually and numerically.  There are now over 120 ladies participating in this bible study.  Since August of 2010, 41 ladies have accepted Christ as Lord and Savior.  This group has out grown the home where they meet and are in need of a new place.  The goal for “THE WALK” is to raise $4000.00 which will provide a 30’ x 23’ building.  This breaks down to a building cost of around $5.80 per square foot.   Please pray for this group as they strive to meet this need! 

     The Youth Ministry at FBC Diana will be hosting a RUN 4 HAITI on Sunday evening May 29^th.   RUN 4 HAITI is a 5K Run/Walk to raise teacher salaries for a school in Drouin, Haiti.  The school in Drouin, Haiti has seven teachers and 350 children.  The school day consists of three sessions to accommodate the number of students attending.  The teachers are paid $115.00 per month.  The goal of RUN 4 HAITI is to raise funds as part of the CHANGE A NATION THROUGH EDUCATION CAMPAIGN through Stepstones Ministry International.  The 2011-2012 school budget for paying teachers is $9960.00.  Please pray for this group of youth as they strive to meet this need?  If, you are interested in helping this group by running or walking in the RUN 4 HAITI you can get more information and register at http://fbcdiana.org.