In Focus Church

Dr. Reed shared a Sunday School lesson with us this morning. We enjoyed learning about the friends who brought their friend to Jesus. We were challenged to be a good friend and that Jesus calls us friend. He sees us and He gets us. 

This week's devotional is from the story of Joseph. Dillion and Josiah shared the reflection as we thought about if we ever wished for the beginning of our story to be different and how God has changed our story from how it started. 

Pastor Joyce shared a passionate message on the healing of the blind man. He reminded us that Jesus spat and Pastor Joyce does too. 

We love the passion that Pastor Joyce has for his community and the emotional gratitude that he has for our team and the way we care and keep coming back. 

It's the long term relationship that is so encouraging to our partners.

Brother Ransom also reminded us to get up and make a difference everyday 

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Some of the men moved the furniture from the game room to another room. Now we have a place to chill.

The Monday morning started with Funmi and Lena taking us on the continued journey of Joseph in our Spring 2024 Alternative Devo. They presented beautifully. 

Our first partner for the week is Sea Isle Elementary where we were divided into groups to assist teachers and the librarian. We read books, helped the children with assignments and anything else that was needed, including preparing for the great eclipse. We love serving at Sea Isle!

We had some Butterific cookies and we're glad to support a local business owner who loves her people well. 

And yes, the cookies and puddings were Butterific! 

We spent some time at the Beautiful Tom Lee Park. There was a lot of intention built in to the park that was full of people in community. 

Some were able to think about how we could bring a place like this home to GA. 

We took a group picture just before the rain began in this iconic location with the bridge, Bass Pro Pyramid and Downtown skyline. 

Today we spent the second round of ministry back at Sea Isle Elementary taking the lead in classrooms. The children and teachers enjoyed seeing us again as we gathered in small groups to read and explore books.

We have served at Calvary Rescue Mission eight times and each time the menu is different, the group of men is different, the team is different, but God is still the same! Loving and serving these brothers in Christ always brings a humbling effect to our souls. Today's menu: Beef Stroganoff, Tossed Salad, Chocolate Cream Pie and Lemonade. 

While some of the team went to the Grizzlies Basketball game, the rest of us went to Insomnia Cookies for a treat! 

We started Wednesday with a great devotional led by Rachel, Anna and Breannah. 

The devotional centered us as we prepared to serve.

We cleaned several areas to prepare a new PPM storage room.  Everyone worked to move food items, boxes of clothing and other items to make room. The clothing boxes were taken to the Salvation Army where we met Clarence. The rooms were thoroughly clean and reset.

We were able to serve at the Mid South Food Bank. We packed boxes of frozen chicken, gravy and bacon for senior citizens who are in need of food access. 

We worked as a team and accomplished 3 pallets of boxes packed and stacked. 

Well Done Team! 

We were all excited to go to Memphis Athletic Ministries of Olivet to play with kids in the after school program. 

The school had old folks day and a few were still dressed up like grandmas and grandpas. It was really cute. 

Many of the kids remembered In Focus and this was really cool for us as we continue to build long-term relationships with our Memphis church partners and ministries. 

We traveled to Henning, TN to visit Alex Haley's boyhood home and Interpretative Center. Mr Griffin met us to provide an impressive history of the home where Haley lived with his grandparents and mother. Haley is buried on the property and the house was restored to look like it did when his grandparents were alive. 

We had a late but great lunch of Mexican Food. We were all so full but grateful! 

We took a little bit of time to visit and enjoy Beale Street. 

We saw a van with a new ministry for unhoused people and reminisced about past trips 

Mrs. Robinson provides wonderful meals for our team each evening. We are grateful for how she uses her gifts to bless us. We had a special time of prayer for her and her family. 

We also are so thankful for Mr. Robinson and how he gives his extra time to serve the church and our team through caring for the building. These two are powerful servants for the kingdom 

We love our last connection with our partner Pastor, Pastor Joyce. 

We prayed for refreshment and renewal for him to continue the race marked out for him. 

There were many meaningful prayers prayed and it was a beautiful movement of the Spirit. 

We had a wonderful time of prayer for Karla and Marc, our Group Leaders. 

The humble servant hearts led our teams throughout the week and we know it will continue as we arrive home as well. 

Marc was a group leader this week and he served, worked and led hard! 

He continued to encourage the group towards unity and to finish strong. 

The trip is not over yet-keep your mission hat on! 

We know that In Focus believes in long term relationships! The next trip is already set and we can't wait to be together again in ministry in October! 

See you next time!