"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble". Psalm 46:1

"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land". 2 Chronicles 7:14

• Mark Kemble's brother, Todd (59 yrs old) passed away suddenly this past Monday. The family will be traveling to Texas this weekend for the funeral service. A special concern for the family is they will be driving Mark's mom who has some physical challenges on this long trip. Beth is asking for traveling mercies, protection and strength. 
• Sharon Wichert was admitted to McCall Hospice House. Please pray for her health and her spirit that she may shine Jesus during this difficult time.
• McKenna Jones was in a serious roll over wreck last week. She is the daughter of Bob and Vicki Jones. Please be in prayer for continued improvement and recovery.
• Tommy Cheek was admitted to ICU over the weekend with Covid-19. Please be in prayer for him and for his family as they are suffering with Covid as well.
• Please be in continued prayer for Kristen Mixson. The doctor is planning to start radiation mid-August here in Greenville so she can be with her husband. 
• Please continue to pray for Austin Somerville. He is making amazing strides at the Shepherd Rehab Center in Atlanta. He and Kasie (his mother) continue to witness to those around them and bring people to the Lord! 

"A 24-year-old Ugandan woman named Rehema was traveling with her father, a Muslim sheikh, on a business trip to the eastern part of their country this past March. Because of the travel restrictions of the Covid-19 virus, they were required to extend their stay in the Mbale District. On May 4, 2020, Rehema found a Christian radio program, and as a result of listening to it, she came to faith in Christ!

However, Rehema's Muslim father was so angry about her conversion that he beat her, poured gasoline on her, and set her on fire. Rehema’s aunt intervened and took her to the hospital for treatment, but she is expected to be hospitalized for at least a month until her extensive wounds heal." Via: Frontline Missions

Way to Pray: Please pray for Rehema’s recovery, that she would grow in her new faith in Christ, and that God would open her father’s heart to the Gospel.

A native Colombian, Bernardo Gonzalez pastored a Colombian church and worked with several missionary organizations for over 13 years while working a secular job for 10 of those years to support his family. In 2011, Bernardo stepped into the role of Colombia National Director with e3 Partners. In this role, Bernardo now devotes all of his energy to reaching Colombians for Christ by coordinating the efforts of different Christian associations and churches to accomplish this goal. His vision is to help grow a passion for church planting in the local church. He and his wife, Mildred, have been married almost 15 years and have two daughters, Emily and Mariana.

Way to Pray: Please pray for Colombia and specifically the area where Bernardo and his family live, as COVID numbers are high. Bernardo's brother has tested positive for the virus. Pray for healing for his brother, that God would protect the rest of the Gonzalez family, and that He will bring healing to the city! Bernardo's team is close to launching online mentor training, utilizing several different online tools. Please pray that this launch goes well and is an encouragement to many different pastors. The Gonzalez family is excited to see the ways that God is continuing to work all around them despite this tough time. 

Local ministry, Mill Village Farms (under the umbrella of Mill Community Ministries) is transforming vacant properties into bountiful gardens to grow locally-sourced produce for communities that often have limited access to fresh and local foods. While they grow fresh produce, they are also growing employment and training opportunities for community youth. Their goal is to empower youth with experiences in basic job skills, sustainable agriculture, and entrepreneurship.

In response to COVID-19, Mill Village Farms asked our community to come together to help feed families facing hardship as many found themselves suddenly and unavoidably out of work. In addition, many families had more mouths to feed at home due to schools shutting down. 

Since the first week of April, they have: 

• Delivered 11,481 boxes of produce to families facing hardship
• Distributed 172,215 pounds of fresh fruits and veggies
• Employed 8 community teenagers on their farms (a smaller crew with extra precautions due to COVID)

We're thankful for ministries like Mill Village Farms for doing so much to care for our community!

• Pray Sam Ingrassia's mother, Mary, who had an aortic heart valve replacement on July 6. Initially, the family was overjoyed the surgery itself went well, however, following the surgery, she had trouble waking from the anesthesia and suffered a stroke. Please pray for the family as they deal with the grief from this new development.
• Pray for the Shepperson family and their Josiah Venture team as they prepare for camps this summer. They will look a little different this year, but they are excited to be able to do the camps. 
• Pray for the Martens (Germany) as they prepare to come home for a multi-month furlough this fall. They have a lot to wrap up before they head to the states.

New Hope for Girls, a ministry based in the Dominican Republic, works with vulnerable girls and women by offering education, employment, safe housing, and more. 

The women that New Hope for Girls, partners with Vera Bradley to make and sell beautiful bags that benefit the now employed women and the ministry. They have recently rolled out a new line of face masks! Check out these face masks that will allow you to protect yourself, protect those around you, and support an awesome ministry!

Lt. Matthew Clark
Caleb Ford
2nd Lieutenant Parker Lewis
SFC Josh McSpadden
Cpt. Laura Rodgers
Major Tiffany Scheivert
...and the many others who are in active military service.