An Unlikely Lemonade Stand
date posted: Sep 3, 2007
On Sunday, August 26, we presented to the congregation the project and the “case” or renovation of our church. I shared what I felt God was calling us to do – to link our renovation of our building (our mission base) with our mission around the world by matching our renovation giving with world outreach giving – dollar for dollar.
I shared some stories from our recent VISA trip to the countries of central east Africa. The response of our people was quite affirming. Since that day, one family in our church has funded a new roof for one of our churches in Burundi. Others have expressed interest in our Kibera Light and Life School, located in the heart of the Kibera slum in Nairobi. We are researching the best way to go about helping.
The most heartwarming story, however, was when one of the members of our Living Water Church told me that she was driving through town and spotted some kids selling lemonade. She stopped and bought some and asked what they were going to spend the money on.
They said they were from Spring Arbor Free Methodist Church and they were selling lemonade to raise money for children in Africa.”
I later found out that it was Susie, Charlie, and Jackson Davenport, children of Steve and Laura Davenport who started their enterprise when their parents were out of town! They raised $43.36! Their money will be joined with monies raised by SAU students towards funding a house for a widow in Burundi through “Sister Connection”, a new ministry of our Burundi FM Church. A house can be built for $500 and it will help a widow who likely is raising her own children, plus several orphans.
Way to go Susie, Charlie, and Jackson!
Pastor Mark Van Valin