US Navy helps Siloam

Cool article about how the US Navy touched Siloam Children's Hospice on Curacao. Thanks Gene Hundley for passing this along.

USS Farragut Makes a Difference in Curacao

By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman (SW) Shanika L. Futrell, Destroyer Squadron 40

CURACAO, Netherlands Antilles (NNS) -- The Guided-missile destroyer USS Farragut (DDG 99) along with Commander Destroyer Squadron (COMDESRON) 40 Sailors participated in a community relations (COMREL) project Sept. 2 in Curacao, Netherlands Antilles.

During the COMREL, 20 volunteers spent the day interacting with children through a soccer game, painting the school walls, and providing some landscaping at "Skol Dr. Nelly Winkel" School.

The principal of Skol Dr. Nelly Winkel, Soraida Mardenborough, was amazed with the outcome of the project.

"We are very happy that you guys came out here to help us," said Mardenborough. "Our school really needs a lot of repairs, and we didn't expect [the Sailors] to pull the weeds and cut the grass. I was shocked and amazed by the extra things [the Sailors] were doing for the school and we are all pleased with the outcome."

The COMREL didn't end with the volunteers refurbishing and landscaping; Farragut also joined efforts with Project Handclasp (PH) to provide toys and hygiene products for the Siloam Foundation of Brother Herman Gijsbers Orphanage children.

Project Handclasp is an official U.S. Navy program that coordinates transportation and delivery of humanitarian, educational and goodwill materials on naval vessels and distribution by U.S. Navy and Marine Corps personnel on behalf of American citizens to people in need.

"I enjoyed participating in PH simply because seeing what brother Herman and his wife are doing for these terminally ill children was inspiring and knowing that I could be of assistance was gratifying," said Chief Culinary Specialist (SW) Wendell Heyward. "This one project alone has inspired me to help out more people in need when I can."

Farragut donated two pallets of supplies Sept. 1 to Siloam Foundation of Brother Herman Gijsbers Orphanage. The two pallets included hygiene items and toys for the children. The toys included skateboards, roller blades, helmets and more. The hygiene pallet included items such as mouthwash, bath soap and baby bath wash.

"COMRELs and Project Handclasp are a way to reach out to different nations to show that we do care and we are willing to lend that helping hand in their time of need," said COMDESRON 40 Chaplain Andre Trofort.

"Participating in events like this always boosts my moral knowing that by just providing a little bit of my time and elbow grease I can make a difference in the lives of many (emphasis mine)," said Aerographer's Mate Airman Apprentice Steven Bell.

The COMREL and Project Handclasp were held in support of Partnership of the Americas 2008 (POA 08) throughout South America, Central America and the Caribbean. Farragut supports U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security, which highlights interoperability and cooperation between U.S. and partner nations' maritime forces through a variety of exercises and events.

For more news from Commander, Destroyer Squadron 40, visit www.navy.mil/local/desron40.

Go Hub to launch soon

Bob Roberts writes about the early church in Actswhen he says,

"So many followed Christ that the church was necessary. How's that for church planting? The church was planted not to do evangelism, but because so much evangelism was happening!"

What do you think about that? Does that sound foreign or unusual to you? Why or why not?

Check out his latest project.

Hurricane Omar impacts Curacao

Hurricane Omar has wreaked havoc on Curacao. Curacao, not in "Hurricane alley" usually avoids the severe tropical weather common in the region. But here is an account from our very own Cesar:

Hi Gene,

Yes we also had the beginning of what is now hurricane "OMAR".

Many beaches and structures near the west and south coasts of Curaçao were destroyed or heavily damaged by up to 8 meter (24ft) high waves.

The waves were even destroying the week-end houses ontop of the cliffs at Westpoint.

The beach where the older boys went for the VBS is completely destroyed.

Even the parking area is damaged.

At Knip-beach (Westpoint) all the roofs, benches and trees are "gone".

 

More than 80 trees were reported down island-wide.

 

Our home only had rainwater coming in from the South-West.

The two tents are destroyed.

For the rest all is OK.

Our neighbourhood had a power outage on Tuesday, Oct 14, from  10:00 am till the next morning Wednesday 4:00 a.m.

 

Just this past week we had company from Colombia (8 persons).

They came to minister at the Evangelical Church nearby, but wanted to remain (stay) at one place altogether.

So, as we always do, we said "Yes why not".

The office is their dormitory.

 

The Lord is good, and we have not words to explain it.

Emma and Carol are doing well.

 

Please give our regards to all.

 

God bless you.

Cesar

George Barna on short-term mission trips

Despite Benefits, Few Americans Have Experienced Short-Term Mission Trips

For millennia, the missionary journey was an essential aspect of religious commitment. The twist promoted in recent decades has been the short-term mission trip – the compression of a missionary journey into a few days or a few weeks. Find out how many Americans have ever been on a short-term mission trip and how short-term service experiences affect the people who go. Click here

for more. The Impact of Short-Term Missions