November 2013
Vol.1, Issue 4
For This Day
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7 As we go into the holiday season, there is so much more than food and gifts available for our youth. Mission trips are being planned right now in many of our churches. The world is a big place and most of it is different from what we see around us. Coram Deo Academy encourages students to go on missions through their churches. Read how a mission trip changed Justin Pelletier’s outlook.
It was December of 2012 when I first heard about our church planning to send a group of students to Trinidad for a combination leadership training and mission trip. When I learned that this group was going to visit orphans, serve an elderly home, help build a house with Habitat for Humanity, volunteer at a local church, participate in street evangelism, and on top of all that; hold leadership training at night‌I knew that I wanted to go! Raising money was an overwhelming task, as it costs quite a bit to participate in a missions trip. I followed the advice of my Pastor and hand wrote letters asking for support and then followed it up with
a phone call a few days later. I was blessed to receive some extremely generous donations! After attending classes at church that prepared us for the trip, the time rolled around to leave for Trinidad; it was exhilarating! Sixteen high school students and six amazing leaders set out for Trinidad and Tobago International Airport mid June 2013. Our team was just so ready and excited to pour into and serve the people of Trinidad! Throughout the course of 9 days, we did all that we set out to do and more. I could not believe my eyes when I saw the shack an elderly woman
raised 11 kids in over 40 years. It was rusted, dirty, and barely standing. Our team actually finished the home for her by pouring the outer foundation. I was so happy for her to receive a new house that I didn’t even mind having to mix the concrete by hand because the mixer broke!
Moms in Prayer Where: Chapel at Harte House for M/W Moms And the Gazebo for T/Th Moms Contact individuals below for information M/W contact: Leah Clark T/Th contact: Tessa Nownes
We spent the majority of the days working on the house, painting a retirement home, and cleaning a church. Three of the afternoons were spent at an orphanage of about 100 kids, ages four through eighteen. It was touching for my whole team to witness our impact on the lives of these kids. I tried to teach them how to play wiffle ball, but they didn’t quite understand it so we did it their way! I really connected with a sixteen year old boy named Moses, who is on his way to become a chef on a cruise ship. We still keep in touch.
Coram Deo Café “Encourage one another and build each other up” (1 Thess. 5:11) Where: Fireside Room, Grammar Building When: 8:30-9:30am Feb 3 & 4 and March 30 & April 1. Contact information: M/W contact: Jacque Younger T/Th contact: Donna Rector
Besides spending time with orphans, my favorite part of the trip was street evangelism. Most of the people in Trinidad are Hindu or Muslim. My leaders taught me that some of these people hear of the One True God and want to add Him to their gods. We were encouraged not to argue with them, but say things like, “have you considered…..” I really enjoyed having conversations with them about what they believe and sharing what the Bible says about the things they believe. I shared this with a Hindu lady and thought that I saw her in church the next day! I really loved the full gospel church service that we attended. However, I wasn’t a fan of the food. I learned how to sleep on a bus…as we didn’t have much down time. The scenery was beautiful. And I made some great friends on my team. Being in Trinidad really opened my eyes to the things we don’t see in America, and it was powerful to see the change and influence 22 people can bring to a foreign country!
Morning Prayer, Scripture Reading & Bible Studies Scripture Reading and Prayer Contact: Jon Jordan Where: Room 113, grammar school building When: Monday and Tuesday, 7:40-7:50am Who: Parents, students, and faculty are all welcome. 6th and 7th grade Girls Bible Study of James Contact: Alicia Roy Who: CDA students, 6th and 7th grade girls and friends Where: Jeff and Alicia Roy’s home Logic School Boys Bible Study When : Every Other Monday 7:00-8:00pm Contact: Rodney Ashby Where: Jeff and Shelley Vosburg’s home CDA Bookclub November 19, 7:00pm Crossroads Bible Church We are reading Ann Voskamp’s,1000 Gifts. . Contact Janelle Oppenheimer for more information