From the Pastor : Written on Tuesday, Aug 25, 2015… Waking up to 55 degrees in August is pretty crazy. I’m not used to it at all, but it is beautiful. It gets me thinking of Christmas when it’s still 4 months away. As you know, we are collecting for Operation Christmas Child, and I thought it would be great to read a story about someone effected by the program. Please read it, and then pray to see what God would have you do. Love You All In Christ, Bro. Nick Abandoned at a Romanian orphanage at age 2, Livia Satterfield dreamed of one day owning her own hair clips. After spending 10 years in poor conditions, Satterfield received a package from Operation Christmas Child that not only fulfilled her dream, but changed the course of her life. Satterfiel, recalled the hot summer day a mission group from Georgia arrived at her orphanage to help pass out the packages. Operation Christmas Child, a program of the international Christian charity Samaritan's Purse, collects and distributes shoe boxes of items for millions of children in need around the world each year. Making her way past hundreds of other children at her orphanage, Satterfield said she found herself at the front gate. Satterfield, who said she had no idea what it felt like to be loved, craved attention. Zoning in on one woman in particular, Satterfield said she quickly made a connection. “I didn’t even let her go to the bathroom. I was so afraid of losing her,” said Satterfield, a national spokeswoman for Operation Christmas Child. As she tore open her shoebox, Satterfield was shocked to find her childhood dream sitting on top. “My dream came true,” Satterfield said. “I had very short hair at the time and I put all the clips in my hair.” As Satterfield explored the rest of her presents, she found what she called a “best friend” necklace and gave half to the woman. “I gave her half and she said she wanted to adopted me,” Satterfield said. “God wanted to me have so much more.” Two years later, Satterfield said the adoption was finalized. She then made her first trip to the United States to be with her new family in Atlanta. Knowing what it was like to receive an Operation Christmas Child package, Satterfield said she volunteered with the organization 10 years ago. Although she doesn’t know what happened to the hair clips, Satterfield said her adoptive mother saved the necklace. Now, when she creates her shoe boxes, Satterfield said she is sure to add a set of hair clips and a letter. “I tell them that I received the shoe boxes too,” she said. Had she not received that package and met her adoptive mother, Satterfield thinks her fate would have been much different. “I probably would have ended up on the streets,” she said. “But I got everything in a bundle. I got love. I got hope. I got a family.” [email protected] We would like to welcome new members, Travis and Renita Leffew along with their two children, Peyton and Karrington. 11th - Evonna Marcum 20th - Donya Baker 11th - Anne Nita Rankin 20th - Anna DeMarcus 11th - Rosanna Sutherland 20th - Allie Sebastian 11th - Kyle Walls 20th - Kendall Smith 13th - Mildred Goodwin 22nd - Herner Burton 13th - Hartese Johnson 22nd - Allyson York 15th - Marcus Denham 24th - Nakeya Derringer 15th - Christine Killen 25th - Jamie Leigh 15th- Amy Tracy 25th - Debbie Playforth Rudd 17th - Glenda Estes 25th - Devona Stamper 18th - Dallas Fletcher 27th - Keeton Burnside 18th - Roby Mullins 29th - Kayla Upchurch 19th - Sue Brewer 30th - Lynne Farmer 19th - Lowell Jones 30th - Ramona Wall ____________________________________________________________ Chaplain of the Week Chaplain (Lieutenant Colonel) Robert Glazener (& wife Stephanie) U. S. Army Based: Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia 950 Jefferson Ave. Ste. 4060, Rm. 4055 Fort Eustis, VA 23604 Pray that all chaplains will guard their faith, be strong and courageous and do everything in love. The September Deacons meeting has been moved to Monday, August 31 at 7:00 PM. 1st - Nancy Humphrey 1st - Rita Maddox 3rd - Trena Carrier 3rd - Farris Marcum 4th - Tate Curlis 9th - Maonia Jones 9th - Hallie Stafford 10th - Tim Whitis Sunday, August 30 is Sunday School Recognition and Promotion Day. Everyone should go to their regular class and someone will come get you when it's time to move to your new class. Registration dates: September 26 * October 3 Christian Life Center You can also register anytime during regular office hours. Cost: $55.00 Saturday, August 29