'Mission Lemonade' to Raise Money
for Open Arms' Africa Trip
A few weeks ago, a handful of Sunday School kids put their faith in action, and that action is motivating others at Open Arms Community Church in Bradford to do the same.
"Before church, they were selling rocks for a dollar," said Josh Hatcher, Outreach Coordinator at Open Arms. He said the kids had handwritten a little sign that said, "Rocks 4 Sale to help the Africa 'Mishuns' (Missions) Trip."
Open Arms has been planning a trip to the city of Conakry in Guinea, Africa in the Spring of 2009 to do humanitarian work.
After church, while the some of the adults were in a leadership meeting, the kids took their passion to the streets, putting together a makeshift lemonade stand and attempting to hawk their wares to passing cars.
Children's Ministry Coordinator Michelle Mahaney said, "I was really moved by what those kids did! They had that burning desire in their hearts; they were on a mission! They wanted to help and they did it the only way the knew. They had one hour to work with, and it got me thinking about how much they did in one hour."
Mahaney was inspired to launch what she calls "Mission Lemonade." She will work with all the kids from the Open Arms Children's Ministry to put up a lemonade stand at the church this weekend. All of the money raised will go to fund the upcoming missions trip.
"It's really the idea of a handful of elementary aged kids. I just want all of the kids to see that they can help make a difference. I want them to have a sense of accomplishment. If it works out well, we may sell lemonade once a month," said Mahaney.
Hatcher said that the church's trip to Guinea will be to help out a church and school comprised largely of refugees from Sierra Leone. "These are the refugees that you see in the movie 'Blood Diamond'. Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world. We've been in a close relationship with this church and school for about a year now, and we're excited about meeting our friends there face to face."
The "Mission Lemonade" stand will be open this Saturday, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and Sunday form 10:30 to 12:00 PM in front of Open Arms Community Church on East Main Street.
"Before church, they were selling rocks for a dollar," said Josh Hatcher, Outreach Coordinator at Open Arms. He said the kids had handwritten a little sign that said, "Rocks 4 Sale to help the Africa 'Mishuns' (Missions) Trip."
Open Arms has been planning a trip to the city of Conakry in Guinea, Africa in the Spring of 2009 to do humanitarian work.
After church, while the some of the adults were in a leadership meeting, the kids took their passion to the streets, putting together a makeshift lemonade stand and attempting to hawk their wares to passing cars.
Children's Ministry Coordinator Michelle Mahaney said, "I was really moved by what those kids did! They had that burning desire in their hearts; they were on a mission! They wanted to help and they did it the only way the knew. They had one hour to work with, and it got me thinking about how much they did in one hour."
Mahaney was inspired to launch what she calls "Mission Lemonade." She will work with all the kids from the Open Arms Children's Ministry to put up a lemonade stand at the church this weekend. All of the money raised will go to fund the upcoming missions trip.
"It's really the idea of a handful of elementary aged kids. I just want all of the kids to see that they can help make a difference. I want them to have a sense of accomplishment. If it works out well, we may sell lemonade once a month," said Mahaney.
Hatcher said that the church's trip to Guinea will be to help out a church and school comprised largely of refugees from Sierra Leone. "These are the refugees that you see in the movie 'Blood Diamond'. Guinea is one of the poorest countries in the world. We've been in a close relationship with this church and school for about a year now, and we're excited about meeting our friends there face to face."
The "Mission Lemonade" stand will be open this Saturday, from 5:30 to 7:00 PM and Sunday form 10:30 to 12:00 PM in front of Open Arms Community Church on East Main Street.
.jpg)
Comments