To Albania or Bust

After 30 hours of travel, we arrived in Tirana, Albania.

While it was eventful - weather delays on the runway at JFK that incentivized us to race through the airport to make our connecting flight to Rome. Only to sit on the tarmac for hours waiting for 30 other flights to take off in front of us.

We made it Rome enthusiastic, then wrangled our way onto the plane for Tirana.

Our team of six will be up early to get to work helping make need repairs and improvements on the Bible School here, before heading to the city of Shkodër for the Convoy outreach event with Adopt-a-community.

Personally, I feel humbled to be here, half way around the world, to share the love of Jesus and show His compassion to a people that I have never met, and know so little about.

What do we have to offer? What difference can we really make?

My conclusion today - the love of Jesus and His gospel are universal messages of compassion and are relevant in every language, tribe, and nation. We are not here because we're Americans or because we have something better to offer them. We are here as representatives Christ, and our only mission is to make Him known. We'll keep you updated. As of now, we'll be back up and ready to work in 5 hrs, so to bed we go.

Convoy of Hope on Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

As we begin making preparations for Hagerstown Convoy of Hope 2012, I'd like to encourage you to check at what's happening both globally and nationally through Convoy.

Check out this edition of Extreme Makeover to see how they're working together.


Now a word from Hal (President of Convoy of Hope),

Dear [Sponsors],

Last May, after an EF-5 tornado carved a deadly swath through Joplin, Mo., Convoy of Hope rushed aid to the devastated community, which is only an hour’s drive from our world distribution center in Springfield.

In the following days, weeks and months we distributed more than 2.6 million pounds of food, water and emergency supplies. Convoy of Hope work teams also logged hundreds — if not thousands — of hours helping the community recover. To this day, we still have teams on the ground bringing hope to families in need.

None of this work would be possible without you! We’re so grateful for the thousands of individuals, families, organizations, churches and businesses who trusted us to help Joplin.

I believe that surge of support was one of the main reasons Convoy of Hope caught the attention of the national media — in particular ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition.

This coming Friday night (January 13), we will be featured on the 200th episode of EM:HE focused on rebuilding Joplin, and I will share some exciting news with viewers about our continued work there.

Please tune in to ABC this coming Friday night at 8/7 central.

Thank you for making a difference for families in Joplin and throughout the world!

Hal Donaldson
President

BE a TUTOR, GET a TUTOR - a service opportunity

If you're excited about Hagerstown Convoy of Hope, then this is for YOU!

Lifehouse West has launched a new educational ministry called Community Life Institute.

This is an exciting opportunity to both be served and serve!

Check it out here and found out what's available and how YOU can get involved.

This ministry is offering tutoring to get a GED, school tutoring, Continuing Education Courses, or Community Awareness Programs. If you NEED this tutoring, then check out the website and register.

If you are WILLING to be a TUTOR! Also, go to the website or comment on this blog.

Hagerstown Convoy of Hope TONIGHT & TOMORROW!

Calling all churches and volunteers!

It is now just 1 DAY until Hagerstown Convoy of Hope 2011. Two last minute reminders:

1. Tonight, Friday, September 23, 7:00 p.m. – Volunteer rally – LifeHouse Bethel, 515 E. Wilson Blvd., Hagerstown. There will be a LOVE OFFERING taken to help with Convoy expenses. We are trusting God to help us meet the remaining budget needs with your help!

All volunteers are invited to join us tonight!


2. Tomorrow, Saturday, September 24, 7:00 a.m. – Volunteers should arrive at Hagerstown Fairgrounds Park ready to serve in the power and strength of the Lord!

Invite anyone in need of HELP and/or HOPE!

THIS weekend, there are NO individual churches, just an army of Christians serving one Christ and one Church in a revolution of love!

Exciting Volunteer Opportunity THIS Saturday

Convoy of Hope is coming to Frederick, MD. We (local churches) have partnered to bring Convoy to Hagerstown for going on 4 years now. Our first coordinator, Matt Thompson, is now on staff at a church in Frederick and has coordinated to bring Convoy to their city.

Please check out their Facebook page, and check out their website. Exciting things are coming to Frederick this weekend- we will be providing many services and opportunities for the community, and we NEED volunteers.

If you would like to volunteer, clear your schedule for Saturday from 6am until 3pm.

We will be gathering at Bethel (515 E Wilson Blvd, Hagerstown, MD) and carpooling or caravanning down from the church parking lot. We will be leaving the lot at 6:00 pm on Friday (for Volunteer Rally) and 6:00 am on Saturday. We will leave promptly!

On Saturday, you can volunteer in one of many areas- kids' fun area, food services, grocery hand-out, security, hospitality... For more info, go to their website.