What can a few miles and a few dollars do?

                                                           Fall 5k & 1 Mile Fun Run
Have you ever heard the saying "if you could only walk a mile in my shoes"?  Think just a minute if you where to exchange the life we have here in the US and instead where born into a typical Honduran family.  The life of a child for an average family in this Central American Country is very different from that of our own children.?  In America we ask whats for supper,there the question is are we going to be able to eat supper.  Here we ask if the children like school, there the question is do you have the money to be able to attend school.  We ask when was our last check-up from the doctor, there the question is how can we get to a doctor, and then how can we pay.  Here we are concerned with the up keep of our homes there many people are asking where they might sleep each night.


Join us October 8th @ Carrier Park off of Amboy Rd in Asheville for a 5k and fun run to help make a better life for the children of Honduras.  There are two ways to get involved.  There will be a 1 mile fun run starting at 9am with an entry fee of $10 per person.  There is also a 5k that will start at 9:45 with an entry fee of $25.  Registration for both events can be done online at www.carpentersheart.org now until October 6th at 5pm.  There will also be race day registration available starting at 8:15am on race day inside the racetrack.  We would like to invite you to come and walk a mile or 5K in there shoes.

Seeking to Serve: Urgent Call for Help.

Seeking to Serve: Urgent Call for Help.: What really is important as Christians? What truly pleases God? What are we doing that fits into these categories? These questions seem ...

Urgent Call for Help.

What really is important as Christians?  What truly pleases God?  What are we doing that fits into these categories?

These questions seem deep and almost unanswerable to many.  I have herd, and even said myself "If I only knew what God wanted me to do."  Well the answer friends is spelled out in a love letter written to you.  In Gods word it makes it so simple I think we miss it.  Feed the Hungry, Visit the sick, Cloth the naked,  Care for the sick, and comfort the grieving in His name.  Seems so easy to read yet are we doing it?  We talk about protests and the state of society, but what are we doing to show Gods love ourselves.  Life is not about us doing better than the world, it is about seeking to glorify God with our every action. 

People will gather by the hundreds for a party to celebrate sin, or listen to music that blasphemes God and glorifies sin.  Where are the Christians willing to gather to do Gods will.  There are ministries much like this one all over WNC fighting to get by and help as many as they can, while we as Christians go to church on Sunday and think we are doing enough.  What if Half of the Christians in Buncombe County where to sell out.   Not for a show or a service but sell out for God.  Like we read in Acts.  Church fundraising and ministries struggling would be a thing of the past.  You see the greatest time of spiritual growth is when we seek God fully and ignore our own comforts. 

What if we loved like Jesus?  What if we gave a a tithe of all we have, time, money, attention and love. Would our world look different?

I feel God calling on this community to a life of revival.  Not just pitching a tent and huddling together for a few days of pep talks from Gods word.  I mean full on transformational reform through Gods Holy Spirit to change this community from the inside out.   God is still in the miracle business and just like in the days of Ninevah all we must do is humble ourselves turn to Christ and repent of our sins. 

The child in the picture above is no different than the child you may tuck into bed tonight.  He was lovingly made by the creator to Glorify the maker.  Yet by Gods design he will go to bed hungry, his dad has left to find work, and his mom cannot go to the doctor because she has no car to get there.  His sister can't go to school because she can't buy the shoes required.  His Grandmother passed away from asthma, and her baby sister is on deaths door due to diarrhea and lack of clean water.

What can you do?

Feed them, cloth them, comfort them, simply love them.  The first way is to support ministries and church groups that are doing Gods will.  Then get involved, get active,  give of your time, prayers and even your money.  Lastly go yourself.  Whether on the streets of Asheville or in the trails of Honduras  God is placing people in need in front of each of us daily.  It is not the work of missionaries, pastors, or preachers.  It is our privilege and responsibility to show the love of Christ. 

If you would like to join in a movement like this come out to Fatz next Sat Sept 10th and eat pancakes for $7 per person.  This money and any extra you may give will go %100 to the changing of children's lives to glorify God.  Please join us in Enka as we seek to ignite the world for the lost and the hurting.

If you are busy that Saturday set aside Oct 8th and join us as we Race two Reach Honduras @ Carrier Park in a 5k and a fun run.  Couldn't we all sacrifice a morning and a day at the movies to change the lives of children in honor of Christ.

Register online or donate now at www.carpetnersheart.org

When Pigs Fly BBQ and Carshow

This Saturday Aug 20th is a big day in in the process of building the orphanage in Honduras.  For the last 2 months work on the orphanage has been at a stand still.  We are much further along than we could have ever imagined.  Over half of the block structure is complete, and the foundation for the other side is well on its way.  We Are very thankful for the support this project has received by friends, family, and brothers and sisters in Christ.  We understand that the economy is a scary, but God is bigger than any problem we may be facing.  This Saturday we are hosting a day of fundraising with many chances to come and be a part of God plan in this village town of Honduras.

Trinity of Fairview we will be hosting a 3-3 basketball tournament at Newbridge Baptist.  This is open to anyone age 21 or under.  Entry fee is $30 per team with up to 4 players.  Please call Tanner Narron @ 828-458-2440.  Please call by Friday @ 7 to enter.

There will be a car show held from 10am until 3:30pm  Entry fee will be $10 and you may register at the show from 10am until 12pm.  Judging will be from noon to3pm with trophies awarded at 3:30pm.  This is an open show for all makes and models of cars and bikes.  To enter or to get more information please call Andy Plemmons @ 828-775-6646.

Family Festival will be open from 10am-4pm.  There will be Inflatables, cotton candy, sno cones, face painting, and more for you and your family to take in as you enjoy the car show and basketball tourney.  We will have concessions available as well until 3:30.  something

Starting at 4pm come and get the best meal deal in Asheville for the day.  We will be serving BBQ, hushpuppies, coleslaw, baked beans, and a drink for $5.  We will have take out available and will even deliver for orders over 10 plates or $50 dollars.  To call ahead and order you may call 828-279-3021.  We will be serving until 8:00pm.

This day holds great promise for this project.  Construction is waiting on funding,  the only thing keeping the structure from completion in 11 weeks is money,  $19,900 is what we project to finish this phase of building.  This is an extremely large sum of money, however we serve an amazing God.  We pray that this Saturday would make a great dent in this.  We are hoping for a great turnout for all the events of this day.  If you are looking for something to do next Saturday come join us and bring the family as we make this dream of a home reality for 40 children in Honduras.

Always remember that if you cannot make it to the event you can always send a tax-deductible  donation via Pay Pal at www.carpentersheart.org or send a check to Carpenters Heart @ PO Box 1220 Weaverville NC 28787.  All funds donated go directly to the mission field, no person within this organization receives a salary or help in funding there trips from any donated money.

Operation Soul Saver 2011

                                                                   Back 2 School
For kids it brings either excitement or dread.   For teachers it can mean back to the grind.  For parents around Madison and Northern Buncombe County it can mean the added financial strain of shoes, backpacks, and other supplies.  In the book of James it references "what good is it if you see a brother naked and do not cloth him".  It is with this in mind we look forward to Saturday August 13th and a chance to love our brothers and sisters in Christ by trying to meet physical needs in order to share the Gospel.  Over the last 3 years  Operation Soul Saver has put shoes on the feet of over 300 children and assisted in suppling the necessities for school.  This year from 4-6pm we will be eagerly awaiting the chance to serve anyone in need with what we have while it lasts.  We will be distributing shoes, backpacks, and school supplies to any who need a hand.  This will take place in Marshall NC at Enon Baptist church.  This ministry is only possible thanks to the support of many area churches including, Enon, Barnardsville, Morgan Hill, Flat Creek, and many others.   There is still time to donate items to be used in this ministry by dropping it off either at Enon Baptist, Barnardsville Baptist, or calling Andy Plemmons @ 828-775-6646 for pick up.  

Join us this Saturday August 13th in loving like Jesus!

Enon Baptist Church
174 Ammons Branch Rd
Marshall NC 28753
828-649-3986

What a blessing this last trip was.   The work that this team accomplished through God is mind blowing.  From the evangelism opportunities in the school, from the door to door visitation, to the work on the orphanage God truly blessed.  The support of so many made this trip a success.  Our prayer is that God is continually glorified not only in Honduras but here in the states as well.  We are so blessed to have the partnership of many wonderful brothers and sisters in Christ that allow God to produce miracles here and abroad. 
The foundation is almost complete, there have been almost 4,000 block placed and most importantly over 300 confessions of faith.  The work here is only just beginning.  We pray that you continue to partner with us in any way you feel lead.  We are always in need of prayer for the work that is ongoing on this project, for the safety of the workers, for the continued growth in Christ of our friends in Honduras, and a clear direction from Gods will on this project.    We are also planning a trip in November.  The dates fro this trip will be Nov 5-12.  Tickets are currently $385 dollars and can be ordered at anytime.  There will be another $300 due the day of the trip.   This will cover all expenses for the week.  If you are interested please call Doug or Andy as plane tickets change daily.  We are also in need of monetary support.  The current work expenses are running at around $1,300 per week.  You may join us at Chilli's this week on Thursday and present this article for a Chilli's giveback day.  Anyone who presents this article will give 10% of there total bill to the Carpenters Heart.    You may always donate through Paypal at www.carpentersheart.org or mail a check directly to us at PO Box 1220, Weaverville NC 28787. 

Doug Garrison 712-6406
Andy Plemmons 775-6646

Where does your joy come from?

James 1:27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this; to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.

What have you experienced this week to feel happiness.  Was it a special meal out on the town, a purchase of something not needed but really wanted.  Could it be the a walk in the mountains, or just the simple smile of your child after a day of fun at the park.  There are millions around the world that will  never experience any of those things, yet they are full of a joy that is unmistakable.  Where does there joy come from? More importantly how do I attain it and pass it along to my children. 

Joy of this nature comes from one place or should I say person alone.  God details in the book of James not how to be saved but how our lives should look after salvation.  For a big part of my life I assumed that God called me to sacrifice because I needed to suffer  for my sins.  I was incorrect in my thinking.  God doesn't call us to a life of sacrifice for our punishment.  If that was the true, then He would have never had to suffer on the cross.  You see the life of sacrifice He is calling me, really us, to is for our own benefit.  For the first time in my life the truth of the statistics that 3 million people are living on less than a dollar a day is real.  Not just something I tell my Sunday School class, or something I hope my daughter grasps.  I was shown what true happiness comes from over the last few years while serving in Honduras. 

The picture you see above is from the home of a  single young mother named Maria.  Her and her seven children ages 16 through 6 live in a two room home that is about 10ft X 10ft.  When we first met there was one bed for three of the children and a mat for Marie to sleep on.  There kitchen with a wood burning  plaster and iron stove and nothing else was barren of food.  The water from the mountain side is unfiltered.

The heat on the day we met was almost unbearable with no fans and no ac(or windows for that matter).  As we walked down a worn path to this beautiful Honduran home we where greeted with a smile only God could inspire. 

We where there in the village to hand out beans and rice as a means to share Christ, little did we know she was going to witness to us.  We found Maria in her hammock.  You see Maria age 35 is suffering from a 2 year bought with what was described as a lung and bone disease.  All 80lbs of her where smiling as she received food to feed her children where only minutes before there was none.  As we sat with her and herd her story our hearts where broken.  After becoming ill her husband had left her to care for the children by herself.  As her health had declined she was no longer able to do even the simplest of tasks.  Her oldest children where now carrying her to the hammock each morning and back to her mat each night.  She is now unable to eat anything but baby formula.  Baby formula that she had been out of for several days before we arrived.  Yet when we asked if she knew God her eyes became alive and she smiled as she told how she would have her children read from Gods Word each day.  She explained that God was what was carrying her through day to day.

Over the next couple of days money that had been donated went to fill her kitchen with over 100lbs of beans.  We where also able to secure 4 cans of enfamil, several bags of pasta, 25lbs of rice and other food.  We where also able to put shoes on the feet of all seven children and Maria herself.  God was also able to provide some medicines  for the children as well as clothes for everyone in the family.  One of the simplest but most appreciated blessings God allowed us to share was the gift of a bed.This bed not only allowed Maria to get off of a mat and her children off the floor.  A simple bed and pillow, something I have taken for granted all of my life gave her joy.

We have been truly blessed to see so many stories playing out in front of us over the last 5 years.  Stories that would not be possible without the prayer and support so many have offered.  We pray that you hear Gods call to find joy in your life.  See the reason Christ told the rich young ruler to sell his possessions and the reason we are called in James to put our faith in motion is not a punishment.  It is Gods call to each of us to have purpose to our lives.  He commands you and I to serve not to make us a slave but to free us from our own slavery.  There are many more Maria's and others not only in Honduras but around the world.  Please consider a donation to allow us to serve, feed, and just love people in the name of Christ. 

The Orphanage is coming along well over the last few weeks.  Construction is in full blast as we have seen the foundation come to near completions and interior and exterior walls grow from the ground.  Please continue to support this project.  At a cost of near $1,300 per week we are praying for God to provide.

Look for Gods joy in your life, it is the only joy that is everlasting.