Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first, the lesson afterward. But properly learned, the lesson forever changes the man.
March 17, 461 A.D., Saint Patrick, Christian missionary, bishop and apostle of Ireland, dies at Saul, Downpatrick, Ireland.
Much of what is known about Patrick's legendary life comes from the Confessio, a book he wrote during his last years. Born in Great Britain, probably in Scotland, to a well-to-do Christian family of Roman citizenship, Patrick was captured and enslaved at age 16 by Irish marauders. For the next six years, he worked as a herder in Ireland, turning to a deepening religious faith for comfort. Following the counsel of a voice he heard in a dream one night, he escaped and found passage on a ship to Britain, where he was eventually reunited with his family.
According to the Confessio, in Britain Patrick had another dream, in which an individual named Victoricus gave him a letter, entitled "The Voice of the Irish." As he read it, Patrick seemed to hear the voices of Irishmen pleading him to return to their country and walk among them once more. After studying for the priesthood, Patrick was ordained a bishop. He arrived in Ireland in 433 and began preaching the Gospel, converting many thousands of Irish and building churches around the country. After 40 years of living in poverty, teaching, traveling and working tirelessly, Patrick died on March 17, 461 in Saul, where he had built his first church.
Stephen Masood is teaching a seminar on Islam and Christianity at Abundant life church at 1550 Belcher Road S. in Largo on March 13 from 9am to 1pm. Steve is a former Pakastani Muslim with an incredible story and amazing insight into the Koran and the Bible. For more info contact Cindy at 727 210 5433
Christian missionaries from around the globe run an orphanage in Morocco. Instead of adopting these children and bringing them to their home countries (ranging from Holland, New Zealand, and America), these couples go to Morocco to raise Moroccan children as part of their own families until they are fully grown. These children are their children, and have gone through all the legal paperwork in Morocco to be their caretakers for life, though they cannot legally adopt them as foreigners. They all live together and are called the Village of Hope. The Navigators in New England has had a friendly relationship with this orphanage.
Yesterday, Monday March 8th, the Moroccan police came to their home and insisted that all foreigners leave. This means that the parents of these children are being forced to leave the country and leave their children behind. This is apparently not surprising with some recent changes in Moroccan politics that has ushered in a dramatic increase in hostility toward foreigners, and especially Christians. And behind all of the politics, 33 children are being left parentless, for the 2nd time in their life. After being welcomed into an adoptive family, can you imagine watching your parents being forced into police vans not knowing if you'll ever see them again?
Ellyn and Tony up in Erie, PA are possibly looking for young people as interns for the summer months to organize and lead outreaches, VBS, children's ministries, etc. The position possibly comes with a small salary and free room and board for the summer. It is a great opportunity to serve and gain experience. If you know anyone, please get them to contact us at the office.
HUNGER EDUCATION AND RESOURCE TRAINING INSTITUTE
Purpose: H.E.A.R.T. provides missionaries and those who want to learn more about missions with hands-on application of practical and technical skills, as well as instruction from professional and experienced staff. As part of a Work Weekend Group (WWG), Calvary Chapel St. Petersburg team members typically provide maintenance and general labor to prepare the H.E.A.R.T. village for future training. There is also an alternate opportunity, the Missions Awareness Venture (MAV), which combines brief classes on various missions-related topics with hands-on lessons in the village's garden, fish farm and/or other learning areas. This mini-mission trip is a great and inexpensive way to get away and serve missionaries in a practical, hands-on manner. This trip is open to anyone with a heart to serve and learn, and either the WWG or MAV can be chosen.
The HEART mini mission trip interest meeting is this weekend after all services in room C 21.
Proposed Dates: April 16-18, 2010
Estimated Cost: $70 per weekend
Team Leaders: Gary Sanderfur, 727-366-4651 and Julie Murphy, 813-298-6935
MARCH 28 AT 6 P.M., BAYSHORE MENNONITE CHURCH FUNDRAISER AND BENEFIT CONCERT FOR PATRICK AND BARBARA LATAILLADE, MISSIONARIES TO HAITI FOR THE PAST 28 YEARS. THE CHURCH IS LOCATED AT 3809 CHAPEL DRIVE IN SARASOTA
Several local Christian musicians will take part in the concert. This will be a night of praise and worship as well as an opportunity to help meet the needs of the Lataillades, who were both seriously injured in the recent earthquake that shattered Haiti on January 12. Patrick spent eighteen hours buried under the rubble of their home. He lost his right arm and Barbara lost her right foot. Patrick was in ICU and was close to death at times. They spent two weeks in Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami before transferring to Tallahassee for therapy and preparation for prosthetics. Patrick will need about $25,000 to receive a prosthetic arm.
Come hear their remarkable story of rescue and recovery and their vision to return to the work in Haiti. For further information call 941-776-0432 You may check for more information regarding the Lataillades by going to their blog at http://patrickbarb.blogspot.com/
