you expect when you put five high school- and college-age boys together to move stacks and stacks of numbered things? Over the course of many days? I’ll tell you what you could expect. An amazing amount of muscle and stamina all of us AARP-qualified librarians with 9 to 5 jobs could never have pulled off. It couldn’t have been done without them. I would have buckled under the strain if those boys didn’t help. Howard and Dave Carlburg’s amazing ideas of just how this could actually work allowed me to sleep at night. And with a fresh coat of paint, the whole place became much brighter. It is amazing, and I’m so glad the facility director, God bless him, finally won the carpet debate. Oh, and then there’s the rest of the story. Many books checked out, many new patrons added, many many prizes purchased in the reading program prize store and many happy crowds every Sunday in the library. I’m happy to be able to serve here.
Ann Deckert
Later in the morning, Leslie Trautwein, Irene M. and Debby Nichols gave short talks on their own missionary experience. Each speaker emphasized a different aspect of ministry life. The talks were powerful and memorable for their honesty and their recollection of utter dependence on God’s intervention and blessing in their personal journey with him. Each month, MPF groups gather to hear news from a missionary speaker followed by a significant time of prayer. Missionaries are prayed for by name with recent information about specific needs. MPF groups have been praying together for years at College Church. Consider joining a group. All groups are open to new friends. Look for the announcements in Connections and other church news. Find a group that is convenient for you. Come when you are able. You are always welcome. In addition, consider committing to pray for one or two of our missionaries as a family. The missions department at College Church prepares regular recent updates from our global partners. These updates can be found on the church website, in Connections, weekly prayer news and online church news. This information is a goldmine of ideas for bedtime prayer and family devotional times.
Missions Prayer Fellowship Coordinator The theme of our annual Missions Prayer Fellowship (MPF) festival brunch was “Joy in the Journey.” Our MPF women who pray together regularly valued the informal time spent around their tables as they listened to our guests and global partners talk about their experiences in ministry and personal/family life. As one by one table hostesses paused for a time of prayer, a beautiful picture of partners in a shared ministry began to emerge. The prayer partners and the ministry partners, together with heads bowed in worship, petitioned God for the needs and cares of one another.
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Tom Paulsen
STARS Family Services President Since 2011, STARS Family Services (SFS) has provided homes for adults with intellectual disabilities within a Christian environment as well as a job coaching program open to all STARS. Washington House, renovated to accommodate five men, was the first residence to open followed by two brand new homes, the Jean Hooten Home for women and Kenny’s Home for men.
