A SHOEBOX AND A MISSION

Greetings Friends,

As I mentioned in my January blog, there are several projects that I feel the Lord has called me to be involved in this year. I would like to share one of them with you today. It is called the Elsie Conde Special Needs Camp, a not-for-profit organization to teach sports to children with special needs, within their own abilities, in an environment where they learn, see, and experience the love of Jesus. This new camp is a part of the Cross Training Sports Camp which began in June of 2001. This special needs camp was added to the program last year in memory of little Elsie who went home to be with the Lord just a few short months after she was born. Her grandmother, the director of the camps, was first drawn to mission work as a child in Sunday School. God used "a little shoebox" filled with supplies for a missionary family in Africa to bring her down a path that would birth the Cross Training Sports Camp Program. Since that time, CTSC has held camps in Africa, Honduras, Bolivia, Washington, Oklahoma, Montana, ElSalvador and local camps in Gainesville, Georgia where they have witnessed God at work changing lives and whole communities.

All the volunteers who work these camps raise their own support and that is where I feel the "call to help". The very first Elsie Conde Special Needs Camp will be held in Suwanee, Ga. this year during the week of July 20-24 and will require extra training, more volunteers and special equipment to meet the needs of these precious children. Because the path of CTSP began through a shoebox mission and since I am unable to physically participate at the camp this year, I would love to be able to fill a "little shoebox with donations" and present it to the director at our kick-off meeting on Sunday, March 29. If you are able and would like to help me fill my shoebox I would need to receive your donations no later than Friday, March 27. Please make your donations to CTSC Elsie Conde Camp and mail them to me at 799 River Chase, Hoschton, GA 30548.

I realize that financial situations for all of us are strained at this time but I also know that little is much when God is in it! If you are unable to financially contribute I want you to know that your prayers are equally important and just as meaningful. Please pray that God will guide and bless every area of planning and preparation for this special camp. That He will send the workers and bless them with wisdom and strength as they work with these special needs children. That the financial expenses will be met and that the lives of all those involved will be forever changed!! I thank you in advance for sharing this call with me. May "the shoebox on a mission" continue to spread God's love!

I love you guys,
Judy

ICorinthians 3:9 For we are laborers together with God.