|
We joined Literacy Connexus . . .
In January, Larry Floyd traveled to Presidio, TX, a border city in one of the poorest counties in America. Seeking to connect his church with the Presidio community through involvement with Literacy Connexus, he returned to Lakeshore Drive Baptist Church in Weatherford with a vision no one expected: Basketball and Bookcases!  It was obvious God was in the process. Plans came together for a June basketball camp and family reading fair, and an inter-generational group of 20 missionaries, ages 13 to 82, signed on. They built a hundred bookcases, gathered books, and traveled 520 miles to their destination.  God opened the doors of Presidio ISD to the group. Basketball Camp averaged 30 students for each of the three 90-minute sessions, ending with a 3-on-3 tournament. Winners played a three-person team from Weatherford as the prize, and the old men showed the young boys how to play! Camp concluded with a pep talk from Larry about honoring God with their game.  |
The family reading fair/bookcase project was spectacular. Children of Presidio Elementary painted their own bookcases with a choice of five colors, and decorated them with a multitude of stickers. A group of special needs children had a huge impact on the Weatherford team. One of their teachers commented, "We could not have prepared a class any better than this project. The vibrant colors were stimulating to the mind; the project was hands-on, creating a tactile effect as they worked!"
On the third and final day, families shared books together to promote literacy through reading. Students departed with 15-20 books, packs of crayons, and, of course, their very own bookcase--all the makings of a beginning home library.
God was at work in the school district of Presidio. A teacher asked if it was true that the Weatherford group had spent their own finances for the mission trip; Larry said yes, adding that some had spent vacation time as well. "Why?" the teacher asked. "Why would they do that?" Larry's answer: "Because God loves people, and so do we. We came here to show you the love of God."
Larry Floyd
Education Minister, Lakeshore Drive Baptist Church, Weatherford
Board of Directors, Literacy Connexus
|
|
Say hello in San Antonio . . .
Look for our display today and tomorrow at the Texas Baptists Family Gathering in the Christian Life Commission area. We're the ones with the banner and the bookcase! Grab a wristband, a piece of candy, and some brochures to share with your church. We would love to hear your ideas for this ministry, and  to thank you in person for your encouragement and support. The Hispanic Woman's Missionary Union is collecting books to encourage early literacy in families and churches. Leave your donation with us, and we'll be sure to pass it along. |
|
Four weeks from today . . .
|
|
Lester Meriwether, Executive Director
|
|
|
|
Trivia Challenge
|
1. July 19 is National Flitch Day in England. Dating back to the early 1100s, a couple married and faithful for at least a year and a day were rewarded. The word flitch refers to a:
a) slab of bacon
b) clock
c) honeymoon
d) gift made of paper
2. The Spanish term precipitadamente means:
a) beforehand
b) fussy
c) hastily
d) rainy
3. Currently, the U.S. allows about 226,000 immigrants per year to receive green cards through family-based petitions filed by relatives in the U.S. At that rate, how many years would it take to clear the existing backlog of immigrants waiting for green cards?
a) 29 years
b) 19 years
c) 9 years
d) 9 months
Problem accessing the answers? Reply to this email and we'll shoot them your way.
These instructional links may help:
|
|
Training Webinars
| |
Glenda Reece will offer two free training sessions:
July 31, 2013
12:15 pm EDT
The Basics of teaching ESL and beginning an ESL program
August 1, 2013
12:15 pm EDT
How to begin and conduct an ESL class during the Sunday School hour
|
|
