God gave us the “ministry of reconciliation” so that He could reconcile the world to himself in Jesus Christ (2 Cor. 5:18). He gives us this sweet opportunity to work alongside Him and other believers to strengthen, encourage, and grow the church. This summer some of our church members were able to take this opportunity in one of our first family-friendly mission trips to El Paso, Texas.
Read MoreSEND Relief (part of North American Mission Board) has a significant presence on the island of Puerto Rico. CATC sent a nine-person team to be a part of the remarkable work that is happening there. Our team served alongside a NAMB supported Puerto Rican church as well as an adoption agency known as Adoptando en Puerto Rico.
Read MoreSome of us know have felt the frustration of the airlines losing our luggage. Whether on vacation or a business trip, this can be a major setback and leave us annoyed at best. But how many of us know what it’s like when an airline loses your luggage upon landing in an unfamiliar country across the world where you plan to be living for several months?
Read MoreThat evening, a person who had graduated from Compassion’s program spoke to the campers about how she was “released from poverty in Jesus' name.” Amy’s heart was touched. For $30 a month, she could support the needs of a child in poverty across the world. Amy just started a job at the local theater, making little more than minimum wage. She decided this was how she would spend her money. After all, it wasn’t hers, it was God’s. And there was Lucy’s picture, calling her name.
Read MoreMiriam went on to share with us a little more about her husband. He had grown up in the neighborhood where they lived. Most of the people in the neighborhood were related to him in some form or fashion. Cousins, second cousins, uncles, aunts. He earned the nickname “Papo Fuerte.” Papo’s mother’s maiden name was “Fuerte.” But that is not solely how he got the nickname. Papo was a welder by trade. But basically, he could fix, or build anything he put his mind to. You name it, Papo had built it. He built the entire concrete house 30 years ago where they were living to this day. He built the water tank used to irrigate all their land. At one point Miriam told us the story of how he built a private elevator in someone’s personal home. Papo would also repair and build for everyone in the neighborhood. If anyone ever needed anything, he would not hesitate to build it for them and take care of his family. Family is everything in Puerto Rican culture, or at least on the surface it is. Fuerte means strong in Spanish, and Papo was the neighborhoods strength… was.
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