"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

• Please be praying for John Philips, the brother of Michelle Alvarez, who is in ICU as a result of injuries sustained in a motorcycle wreck.
• Prayers for Patty Roberts who was in an accident last Friday. 
• Teresa Smith's dad, Curtis Batts, passed away on August 18th. Please be praying for the family! 
• Rose Hazen had a stroke a few weeks ago and is struggling with mobility and some confusion as a result.
• Please pray for Mark Preddy who is struggling with health issues.
• Lynn Cassano has recently been diagnosed with cancer. 
• Brandi Brogden needs prayers for a litigation they are in regarding their home. She is asking for miracles to happen.
• Mike Greer would like prayers for peace and wisdom.
• Becca Williams is asking for prayers for her and her son.
• Annette Reddick is requesting prayers for her and her husband David regarding their spiritual and financial health as well as some family dynamics.
• Christine S requested the following: Pray for my husband for the Lord to give him a new job. Pray for me that the Lord would help me at my job. Pray for our 3 children that there would be a hunger in them to know more of the Lord.
• Pam Reid and her husband Tim are praying for their daughter and her husband who are struggling with infertility.

"One-third of Pakistan has been completely submerged by historic flooding. Devastating flash floods have washed away roads, homes and crops - leaving a trail of deadly havoc across Pakistan. At least 1,136 people have died since the monsoon season began in June, according to officials. Of those who are known to have died, 75 were in the past 24 hours alone, officials said on Monday, adding that the death toll is expected to rise." (via: BBC World News)

Way to Pray: Please pray that the waters will recede and that those who are in immediate danger can be evacuated to safety. Please pray for their government's wisdom as they look ahead to rebuilding. Pray for aid organizations who are trying to help, but are facing logistical issues with so much of the country being submerged.

Zac and Kim Shepperson first experienced Slovakia with their Fellowship Greenville youth group in the summer of 1999, while on a short-term mission trip to the capital city of Bratislava. Their heart has always been for young people, and so it wasn't too surprising when God called them into the movement He began in Eastern Europe through Josiah Venture. God led them back to Slovakia to serve full-time in 2001 with their two girls, Emili and Gwyneth. They now have four children: Emili, Gwyneth, Samuel and Hampton. They work with Kompas Training Center (Josiah Venture's partner organization in Slovakia), training young leaders through a leadership school, conferences, and camps. They live in Zilina and serve in their local church as elder and teachers.

Way to Pray: Pray for the Shepperson family as they navigate schooling and having children in different countries. Pray that the Sheppersons will continue to build on the ministry growth they've experienced this year. 

The Upstate is in need of blood donors. For each person who donates blood, the Blood Connection will make a charitable contribution to our partner World Relief. Every donation has the power to save up to 3 lives. Every 2 seconds, someone in the U.S. is in need of a life-saving blood transfusion. You’re 1 person who can make a difference! The Blood Connection is the only blood donor center benefiting the Upstate directly.

On Sunday, September 11, we will have the Blood Connection Mobile in the parking lot on the east side close to the building! We highly encourage people to use the online sign-up system to make an appointment as that will help the whole process move faster! Walk-ins will be welcome, but the process will not be as quick.

• The donation process takes about 45 minutes.
• Donors must have a photo ID with them.
• Donors must have eaten a meal within four hours of donating.
• Donors should drink at least 16 ounces of water before donating!
• Donors can save 10-15 minutes by pre-answering heal questions--must be completed the day you donate--via this link: Blood Connection Questionnaire.

• Jaz Mackey (Thailand) and her team recently had a visiting summer missions team that was able to interact with 50 new Thai students. Now Jaz and her team will have the opportunity to grow and further these relationships with the students. Pray that God will continue to open doors for Jaz to share the gospel. 
• Pray for the Hallfords (Alaska) as they are currently settling into life and ministry in Alaska.
• Pray for Rene Foth (Australia), who has just recently lost her grandmother and is back in the states to be with her family. Check out their recent update for more prayer requests.
• The McCrakens (Oregon) ask for prayer for new believers in their church. The wife was just diagnosed with cancer and also just lost her job. Pray for peace, comfort, and discernment for next steps!

Greenville County DSS needs help with their meals and the South Carolina connect. If you are interested in providing meals for children at the DSS office who are waiting for placement, check out this link. To view additional ways to serve children in foster care, check out SC connect. 

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.