they have stories to tell…full of beauty and grace… sadness, but lots of HOPE because our God is BIG!!!!

Come out and see us…they will be coming and going… but in the state of Georgia…WHOOOHOOO!!!

In fact, Casey will be around a lot…because I (Natasha) will be off for the next two weeks as Junior and I prepare for our wedding and go on our honeymoon! therefore Casey will be replacing my role in the World Changers program… bringing beautiful Casey-ness to the programs end…no doubt that it will end strong with her presence being involved, full of beauty & growth!

Laura Lynn will be around making preparations for her return back to Haiti on July 25th. Check back for more on LALA as we hope to have her here to share a bit about what is happening in Jubilee Blanc, Gonaives!!!

two separate summer programs are on the move… they are….

CREATING A COMMUNITY OF WORLD CHANGERS -With local kids

World Changers Camp is 5th-12th grade kids coming and exploring different forms of art to expand their minds and create change. Everyday looks a little different to keep them on their toes, ranging from dance, pottery, Haitian creole, building and more. its great to see us come together and explore how things like pottery can effect change and expand the hearts and minds of the youth in our community here. We are so blessed to have the opportunity to sew into them while we can! PRAISE THE LORD!

Helping to facilitate this program is Cory Brooks, Nikole Brown and Emily Moran.We are so blessed to have them as new staff this summer (we are calling them Interns).  They  are facilitating these classes and of course just being available workers for all that goes on around here. We also have great volunteers like Judy Marshall, Junior Jovin and Kathy Deason who are involved. We are SO grateful for each of them!!!!

WAYNESVILLE COMMUNITY MAKE OVER -with Team Effort

Team Effort is going out into the community and loving on people by cleaning up trash, planting trees, doing repairs and investing in local families. what a beautiful thing to reach out and beautify the land… to build relationship and claim glory for the GOOD things that already exist here!!! we are so honored to have around 100 people each week this summer from other regions of the USA to come and serve our community.We are learning that the programs are not so much two separate, but two connected, ALL centering around transformation of our town. Transformation that breaks cycles, expands vision, brings awareness and gives LIFE!

Helping to make all of this possible is the Team Effort staff, Terri, Carrie, and Jennifer. Then we have locally, Taylor Brooks and Chris Greene! They are making all the makeover sites move smoothly and function well. They do prepping for materials and all that comes with a makeover!! We are SO thankful for each of them!

HOWEVER-

in these two separate programs we have realized that they really are NOT separate, but greatly CONNECTED… they are both about changing the world. They are both about opening our hearts and minds to expand the kingdom of heaven. They are both about connecting and building relationships to show love. they are both about bringing all the GOOD out of the spaces were we walk and dwell. they are both programs about creating and building an environment that sustains LIFE & LOVE… whether it be physically, mentally, spiritually or all thee above!

Therefore every lunch time we connect…learn about something going on in our world today…and be encouraged to GO OUT and MAKE CHANGE!!!! THIS IS WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE….. HALLELUJAH

doing life in the simplest of ways with the poorest of poor in Jubilee Blanc..it truly is a castle…the KINGDOM shines through…getting the opportunity to do life with Haitians. Their strength and beauty teach us just as MUCH about Gods love as  Much Ministries could ever share with them…its a beautiful balance of give and take…L-O-V-E. here is a little blurp casey wrote from facebook….

“en aiyti. baths in the moonlight at night. house full of children all day. view of the mountains and the ocean. sharing meals and bandaging scrapes. swapping tips as we discuss the fine art of “popping a squat”. learning and teaching. raising buildings and lowering fevers. explaining why a crab shouldn’t be on a leash. earning a place in the family of jubilee blanc. so much life around all the time. m’ap boule.”

ITS WHAT ITS ALL ABOUT GETTING OUR HANDS AND FEET DIRTY…WALKING OUT LIFE WITH ONE ANOTHER…NO MATTER OUR STORY, BACKGROUND, STATUS, OR LOCATION…. ITS TAKING ACTION!!! PRAISE THE LORD FOR ALL THAT IS HAPPENING HERE IN WAYNESVILLE & THERE IN HAITI!!!!

We held this tiny paycheck ( that was really so huge ), and with tears running down our faces we gave thanks.

This piece of paper represented something so big and beautiful and brave…it represented a week of work, honest work, honorable work. Work done with dignity and knowledge of bringing goodnesss to the world.

Today a young lady received her first real paycheck in 15 years. She is 30 years old. Today she sent in a money order for the first time for her court mandated child support. Today we witnesssed further transformation of a beautiful woman….taking steps in freedom .

This young lady has “worked” the sex traffic industry in our country for years, enslaved to crack cocaine and the people that quickly abuse that addiction. She never before filled out W-2, she never before had enough Peace and Courage to begin to send money to the state where her childern are being raised lovingly by relatives.

Today she is living with people in a safe and nurturing environment….Today she meets regularly with her mentor. Today she has a paying job in a safe place. Today she also fills her days doing volunteer work . Today she takes classes in relapse prevention and is part of a recovery community. She creates beautiful artwork with clay . She cares for others, is sympathetic, humble, grateful and kind.

Today is a good day and i am so so honored to get to watch.