MMS Love Never Fails Christmas 2019

A Holiday Message from Mountain Mission School

CHRISTMAS

2019

Where Miracles

Happen!

Nearly 100 years ago in a remote, coal mining community, on a dusty road that later became known as Hurley Street, a miracle took place.

It was a small miracle for a giant of a man, Sam Hurley…one that led to countless other small miracles that would eventually take place on Hurley Street.

It’s the kind of story that movies are made of.

O

rphaned at the age of 10, young Sam found himself alone, scared and hungry. Daylight hours were spent foraging around the community, desperately seeking work in exchange for food. With no roof over his head, Sam found refuge in the mountains. One particular night, as he was making his bed of leaves to sleep on, he heard the cry of a mountain lion nearby. Terrified, young Sam cried out to God for help and made a promise, “If You get me through the night, when I grow up I’ll build a place to help children like me.” God answered his prayer.

Fast-forward some 30 years. “Big Sam” as he was then known, had forgotten about that promise. But God had not.

By that time, Hurley had finally learned to read and write, and had become a successful businessman. Sam was marked with the favor of God, and known for his kindness toward children in desperate need of help—children with whom he could relate.

It wasn’t until the day in 1921 that a young boy, alone and desperate, came into his office seeking help that Sam was reminded of the promise he made to God. That’s when the first small miracle occurred: Sam and his wife, Jane, were able to open Grundy Academy as a home for orphaned children. It later became Mountain Industrial Institute and now, Mountain Mission School.

A century later, Grundy, Virginia, has earned the nickname, “The Small Town That Moved a Mountain.” The name of Hurley Street has changed. But one thing remains the same: God is still working miracles in the lives of thousands of children in need—children like Solyanna and her sisters.

The parents of the three girls had been attempting to raise the children in Washington, DC, when overwhelming financial setbacks suddenly landed the family in a homeless shelter for several months. “It is very difficult waking up every day wanting to provide a better life for your children but not being able to,” said their mother.

This is when she reached out to Mountain Mission School. There, she says, “they can help my children have the basic necessities and get the necessary education they need to have a chance at a successful future. Mountain Mission, you are my kids’ miracle!”

For children from abject poverty, homelessness, and other desperate situations, God is still moving mountains in the small town of Grundy by providing them with a safe home, a thriving church, and a first-class education. What started in response to the needs of children in Appalachia has now expanded to include thousands of desperate children from over 80 countries around the world.

One hundred years ago tragedy struck a young boy’s life, but resulted in a triumph. It was a miracle that sparked a series of miracles right here on Hurley Street, and they continue to this day…begging the question, “Do you believe in miracles?” We do!

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Thank you for helping Faith find her w ay to Jesus !

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ore than a century has passed since that terrifying call of a mountain lion mentioned in our opening story. It was a call that inspired a legacy that lives on today in thousands of alumni. For them, MMS isn’t just a place they once lived. It’s home. The people who have served here aren’t just staff. They are family. Humbled, and deeply grateful for the sacrifices made by many on their behalf, those alumni give back in a variety of ways.

are former MMS students themselves— All the adults posing with the MMS kids in this picture on staff and care for today’s students! serve to s campu the to d and all of them have returne donated by MMS alumni, What’s more, the playground seen in the photo was on campus. ere elsewh set similar r along with anothe

In Their Own Words JIMMY HOOKER / CLASS OF 1956 “We do it for the children!” That is the reason I support MMS and the work that goes on there. I love to tell others about it, participate with work groups, organize donation events and special programs/ auctions to help contribute to the ongoing work at Mountain Mission School.

It is an honor and privilege to be able to give back, in some small way, to that most wonderful, Christ-centered, home/school where I was given so much!

GENE & RITA (COLEMAN) CARTER / CLASS OF 1973 MMS played a major and overall positive role in making us the people we are today, especially when it comes to our work ethic.

And for that reason, we feel obliged to demonstrate our thanks by giving back, using that work ethic and talent to benefit our home.

While we realize we can’t repay MMS for standing in the gap for us, it’s so much fun trying. We challenge our MMS brothers and sisters to recognize the collective and individual debt we owe, and to begin today to show through our actions and financial support how much we appreciate what MMS did for us in our time of need. Try it. You’ll be impressed by the joy it will bring.

EYALUTA “KATIE” ABEBE / CLASS OF 2005 Reflecting back, I appreciate the continuous dedication from the staff to invest love, compassion and patience. MMS has given me a root base of my values in life and how I view anyone I come across.

I think it’s so important for alumni to give back to the staff because they are the blood line for every child to experience genuine love. I’ve cried in arms of the staff from joy to heart ache. The arms have security, safety and a push to challenge. These arms are a reflection of love. It’s our duty to give back to what we’ve been given. From staying connected, to dedicating to support financially or committing time to be on campus and being hands on, it’s our duty to give back to the source of love.

AMINA “KIKI” ABDOULHAMID / CLASS OF 2008 I was at Mountain Mission for 11 years. In those 11 years, Mountain Mission School became more than a school to me. It was and still is a place I call home. The students and teachers were my family; and I made lifelong relationships. MMS also enriched my life by teaching me valuable life lessons, giving me a great education, and exposing me to new places, experiences, and people. Above all, that’s where I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I will forever be grateful. It is important that I give back to MMS to make sure others have an opportunity to experience and have what I did.

Mountain Mission School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin.

1760 Edgewater Drive Grundy, VA 24614

A toAll!

We’re so blessed to have generous friends like you who have a heart for children.

You love to see children live a happy and full life and grow up into healthy, happy adults. So, as Christmas appoaches, prayerfully consider Mountain Mission School in your end-of-year giving.

You can use the envelope inside to send a tax-deductible gift today before the Christmas rush, or any time by December 31.