AWAKE COFFEE COMMUNITY
PET OF THE MONTH
DEVOTIONAL
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AWAKE COFFEE COMMUNITY
POVERTY AND BEAUTY INTERTWINED
Haiti is a country of great beauty and devastating poverty intertwined so tightly ; you can ’ t see one without the other . This is the best description I can give of Haiti . There is so much to love such as the rugged beauty of the coast and the way the clouds sit just above the mountains like a blanket . The big smiles on mahogany skinned faces and laughter of children getting fresh mangos from the trees . However , there is a dark side to Haiti . A lack of life ’ s necessities like food , clean water , employment and medical care . Things that we take for granted on a daily
basis . Some mothers resort to feeding their children mud cookies when food is scarce , and bellies are empty . It ’ s a reality I first learned of five years ago on my first mission trip to Haiti . I came home and cried for weeks and I still cry over the devastation . But then I booked flights for my daughter , sister and myself to return only four months later . We raised money and set off to make a difference in someone ’ s life . I will be returning to Haiti for the seventh time this year . We will be heading out on March 16th along with three other college girls .
Our focus for this trip is to help the patients in the Haitian hospitals . The conditions are extremely poor . There is nothing extra , such as food , drink , toiletries or linens provided . If they have no friends or family to provide these things they may go without . I recently read an article about a resident at a Hospital who watched a woman die because she could not afford the $ 11 needed for oxygen . I knew that was why we needed to go . Can we save everyone ? No . Can we pray for people to be healed and give them hope ? Yes . Can we provide material comforts ? Yes . Will what we do there really make a difference ? It will to the people we reach . If you would like to partner with us and help us make that difference , please drop by AWAKE Coffee Community in Old Town Conyers and let them know you would like to donate to the Haiti fund . This trip is part of an outreach by AWAKE and also supported by Conyers First United Methodist Church . Donations will be used to purchase
AWAKE IN HONDURAS
“ It ’ s so green ... It ’ s so green !” was all I could say from the moment I saw Honduras for the first time from the airplane window . Our team was greeted with an endless expanse of rivers and mountains and forests , and I couldn ’ t stop marveling at the vibrancy of this nation . However it isn ’ t just the land that is lush and vibrant ... it ’ s the people . Despite language barriers and cultural differences , almost everyone we encountered welcomed us like family . From home cooked meals in the mountains of Olancho , to bonfires with our new next door neighbors , we were warmly invited into the riches that Honduras possesses . Not in literal riches , but rich in community wealth . supplies , food and medicine in Haiti to be distributed to those in greatest need . Contact me at 678-392-2400 ext . 4 with any questions .
Join us also on March 4th from 4-7 pm for a special wood-burning event benefiting the Haiti Mission Trip in conjunction with Awake Coffee and Conyers First United Method-ist Church . Whether you have used wood burning tools or not , we will make it so easy for you to create a beautiful masterpiece . Use one of these two designs or send us your
PET OF THE MONTH
March 2018
alternative text ahead of time to create a truly personalized sign . The cost for this workshop is $ 30 per person and includes all supplies . To register and pay for the event , go to www . thesketchingpad . com . Someone will also walk away with a gift certificate for a FREE FACIAL at Alli Roberts Salon . Come and support a good cause !
Toni Kelecheck Local Outreach Project
Manager AWAKE Communities
International
My name is Mad Maxx Rios . I have a brother ( Ragnar ), a sister ( Zillah ) and a new human ( Baby Callista ). I love to go hiking and swimming in the river with my humans . When they got me , they were told I was half lab and half husky . Yeah , I laughed too . If you want to set up doggie dates , let eMetro know !
P . S . I ’ m free on the weekends .
DEVOTIONAL
BEAUTY IS IN THE EYE OF THE CREATOR
It is said by many that “ beauty is in the eye of the beholder .” However , one might also rightly state “ beauty is in the eye of the creator .” These phrases couple together to help paint a picture which reveals a source and a recipient . This powerful implication permits and draws the beholder to seek a creator .
In the book of Exodus , the Lord is imparting to Moses the vast array of instructions and details in the assembly and construction of the Tabernacle , which is God ’ s first physical dwelling place amongst His chosen people . These guidelines included a significant amount of attention toward the artistic designs to be displayed . In the thirty-first chapter , the Lord explains to Moses “ to all who are wise-hearted I have given the skill and ability to make everything that I have commanded you ” ( Exodus 31:6b AMP ). This passage reveals that the ability to make beautiful things accompanies the command to create beautiful things .
In the midst of all Creation , beauty and diversity are overwhelmingly established . Inanimate objects , flora , and fauna as well as the human race all display flourishing , eternal beauty . Birthing from the most difficult of hardship to the epitome of bliss , beauty can be brought forth and displayed because of the wisdom and skill God gave to His Creation . Once more , the beholder and the creator can be recognized in every occasion and occurrence of said beauty .
The concept that God desires and produces beauty in and through all of His Creation is stunningly vast . He has enabled His Creation to continue to create beauty for generations to come . His Bride , the Church , has been given the ability and authority to create beautiful things that bring glory and pleasure to both Him and all of humanity . Therefore , the Church has been given the full permission and , dare I even say , the command to create beauty for all the world to see . If we as the Church know the Origin of all things beautiful , how much more will our worship of the Divine Beauty be glorified through creating more beauty for the eyes of the beholders , both Heavenly and earthly beholders ? Worship requires and displays beauty . So then , call forth and create beauty in your worship .
Caleb Halstead Student & Worship Pastor Eastside Baptist Church