Issuu

THE SERVANT

CONNECT E DITIO N NO. 22 .04

A PRIL 2022

MO NTHLY NEWSLE T TE R

HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE pg.3 BREATHE pg.4 SERVANT KIDS SAVE THE DATE pg.9 SERVANT STUDENTS Confirmation Update pg.10 MISSION Afghan Update pg.18

A NOTE FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER

A VICTORY ALREADY WON! • JOHN 20:1-18

GREETINGS, SERVANT FAMILY!

Dr. Matthew Mitchell Senior Minister

06-09 Servant Kids

10-12 Servant Students

16-23 Missions in Action

SERVANT CONNECT

On April 17, Church of the Servant will hold two Easter Sunday services in the Celebration Center at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m. Our church will also have two Holy Week services – A Holy Thursday communion service will be held on April 14 at 7:00 p.m. in the Centrum, and a Good Friday service will take place on April 15 at 7:00 p.m. You will not want to miss any of these services! Each of them is being carefully planned. I hope you invite your family and friends to join you for one or more of these worship opportunities. On Easter Sunday, I will begin a new message series titled, “NEVER LOST A BATTLE.” To prepare for this worship series, I need your help. Below is a unique QR code. Open the camera on your smartphone, hold your camera over the QR code, and when a popup box prompts you to open a link, please do so. Within the link, you will be able to answer one question. The question will be, “What is your greatest battle at the moment where you desire God’s help?” You will be able to share a one-sentence answer.

This opportunity will last for everyone through Palm Sunday, April 10. After this date, the results will be analyzed, and the four most common themes will be the topics of the weekly messages during the series. Week one will be titled, “A VICTORY ALREADY WON!” This year’s Easter scripture will come from the book of John. Read John 20:1-18 now and get ready to celebrate the greatest day in history! In the book of John, we read about Mary Magdalene as a shining example of faithfulness. After all, Mary went to the tomb alone and before the sun had crested the horizon. Mary encounters Jesus before anyone else! What a moment that must have been! What a victory for Mary Magdalene! However, Mary Magdalene had fought her share of battles too. In the book of Luke, Mary Magdalene had been cured of seven demons or ailments by Jesus. Not until she encountered Jesus did Mary Magdalene experience an eternal victory. >>> next page

April 10 (EASTER JAM) 3PM | CENTRUM (EASTER JAM). HOSTED BY SERVANT KIDS

April 10 Songs, Games, Easter Story, Egg Hunt 3PM | CENTRUM . HOSTED BY SERVANT KIDS April 13 (DINNER Songs, Games, Easter Story, Egg Hunt

& BIBLE STUDY) 5-8PM | COMMUNITY HALL

Dinner - 5-6:30pm | Bible Study - 6:30-8:00pm April 13 (DINNER & BIBLE STUDY) 5-8PM | COMMUNITY AprilHALL 14 (HOLY THURSDAY)

Dinner - 5-6:30pm7PM | Bible Study -. 6:30-8:00pm | CENTRUM MODERN WORSHIP

HOLY LAND 2023

Holy Communion Service

April 14 (HOLY THURSDAY) April 15 (GOOD FRIDAY) 7PM | CENTRUM .7PM MODERN WORSHIP | CELEBRATION CENTER

Holy Communion Musical Servicepresentation of “The Lenten Sketches” Kids will meet in The Point. Nursery available.

April 15 (GOOD FRIDAY) April 17 (EASTER SUNDAY) 7PM | CELEBRATION CENTER

9:30AM & 11:00AM | CELEBRATION CENTER

Musical presentation of “The Lenten Sketches” Servant Kids will not meet. Nursery will be open Kids will meet in The Point. Nursery available. for ages 3 and under during both services.

April 17 (EASTER SUNDAY)

9:30AM & 11:00AM | CELEBRATION CENTER

SCHEDULE

Servant Kids will not meet. Nursery will be open for ages 3 and under during both services.

Each of us is battling something at this very moment. No matter what, Jesus can help, and he wants to! I want to encourage you to be bold and take a moment to use the QR code on the previous page. Stating our battles can be the first step to encountering Jesus. Imagine if Mary Magdalene had never realized she was battling so much in her own life. Imagine if she had never sought out Jesus for help. Imagine if she had missed out on the greatest day in history. What a different story it would have been?

SCHEDULE

Writing a new story with Jesus,

February 14–26 I will be returning to the Holy Land from February 14 to February 26 next year. When I arrived in Oklahoma City in 2017, Rev. Dr. Norman Neaves told me how much I would love Israel, and I did not appreciate how correct he was when he first shared his experiences in Israel. I could never have imagined how special the Holy Land would become for me before my first trip in 2019. Now I am preparing for my third journey to Israel. Many people are asking about the trip and want to learn more. If you would like to know more or even sign up, please reach out to me or Rachel Gillespie at rgillespie@churchoftheservant.com or in the church office. There are currently 44 spots available for next year’s pilgrimage. Your spot cannot be reserved until a deposit of $500 has been made. I expect the final price of the trip to be between $5,500 to $6,000 for this next trip. However, if all 44 spots are filled and fuel prices drop, there may be savings for everyone! One question I have been asked several times recently: “Can family and friends who are not members of Church of the Servant join us on the pilgrimage?” Yes, this is allowed and encouraged. The bonding and connection that occurs while in the Holy Land are second to none! Feel free to reach out with more questions after reading this. I hope you will join me NEXT YEAR IN ISRAEL! Matthew

ServantOKC.org

A WOMEN’S MINISTRY EVENT

BREATHE The other day, as I was out for my early-evening walk, I noticed all the bare trees waking up from their winter sleep, blooming with shiny leaves and flowers that fell like snow as the warm wind whipped through their branches. Gardens were filling with colorful tulips and eager daffodils, the sun was shining bright, and I could not help but feel deep gratitude for the beauty and the life surrounding me. Lately, I have had that same feeling walking through our concourses on Sunday mornings. There is a sense of something new happening here at the church. It feels like longing and an expectation for more of God and His Kingdom. Conversation after conversation, a common theme keeps coming up – it is an expressed desire for a deeper commitment, understanding, and experience with the Holy Spirit.

Jessica King Director of Connections Questions about membership, Bible study, or how to get involved? Contact Jessica at jking@ServantOKC.org.

If you are sensing that same thing in your heart and you are looking for something more than you have now, I would love to help you discover ways to grow in your faith and connect with other followers of Jesus. Ladies, I would like to invite you to take that next step by joining us for a very special two-day event titled, “Breathe-Discovering the Holy Spirit” on April 29 and 30. You can find more information online at ServantOKC.org/BREATHE. Jessica King

SERVANT CONNECT

SERVANT KIDS Report SUNDAY MORNINGS WITH SERVANT KIDS Servant Kids meets in person each Sunday morning at 9:30 and/or 11:00 a.m. Two-hour programming is available once again. The same topic will be covered all morning long, but each hour will have different activities and videos to reinforce the lesson. This is a great option for parents who want to attend both a class and worship service on Sunday mornings. Drop your kids off between 9:15-9:30 a.m. and pick them up again at noon!

Kourtney Aller Director of Servant Kids

Elementary kids in grades first through fifth meet in The Point Student Center (south side of church), and kids in kindergarten, preschool, or who are nursery-aged (2 and under) meet downstairs. Virtual options are available on our website each week. If you can’t make it in person on a Sunday morning, check out the lessons and videos online!

Josh Snodgrass Assistant Director of Servant Kids

UPDATE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS AND OTHER INFORMATION, SO YOU DON’T MISS OUT ON COMMUNICATION ABOUT EVENTS! CONTACT KOURTNEY TO CHECK OR UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION AT KALLER@SERVANTOKC.ORG OR 405-728-4715.

SERVANT CONNECT

APRIL 10TH AT 3:00PM Get Ready for an Egg-stra Special Easter Jam 2022 We’re hosting an event for your family to experience together, where you’ll sing songs, play crazy games, laugh until your sides hurt, and hear the Easter story told in a way that engages every age. This fun experience will be followed by an egg hunt. We truly cannot wait to experience Easter Jam with you! #easterjam2022

Stuffing Easter Eggs!

ServantOKC.0rg

APRIL HAPPENINGS... WE GO TOGETHER

SUNDAYS IN APRIL AGES 3 YEARS THROUGH KINDERGARTEN Have you ever called someone your BFF? Maybe just the sound of it has you thinking of someone right now. BFF— Best Friend Forever. It’s hard to be a BFF, even with the best of intentions. It’s hard for you and me, but not for Jesus. Jesus is the one friend that not only wants to be our friend forever, but He can keep up His end of the promise. And, He went through a lot to make it possible. That’s why, this month, we are sharing the Good News with preschoolers that Jesus wants to be my friend forever. Your friend. My friend. Their friend. Everyone’s friend—forever! The best things that go together are my friend, Jesus, and me. And nothing, not even death, can come between us and His promise, because we go together forever and ever. Our memory verse this month comes from Matthew 28:20 and says, “I am with you always.” This month, we will learn that our friend, Jesus, is alive and He wants to be our friend forever. He is always with us, and we celebrate Jesus! Who wants to be your friend forever? Jesus wants to be my friend forever!

PUZZLED: BELIEVE THERE’S A BIGGER PICTURE SUNDAYS IN APRIL GRADES 1-5

This month, we will learn about the connection between HOPE and God’s character, as shown through God’s big story. Hope is believing that something good can come out of something bad. Life can sometimes feel like a giant puzzle. All we can see is the piece we’re experiencing right now, and we’re not sure where it fits into the greater picture the is forming. We can’t always understand why some things happen to us or those we love. Yet, despite our confusion, we can have hope. God has kept promises throughout history. We can believe that God will continue to be with us through what we face now. Even in the toughest times, we can have hope because we know God is always working and can make something good out of something bad. Our memory verse comes John 16:33b and says, “In this world you will have trouble. But be encouraged! I have won the battle over the world.” We will learn that whatever happens, God is powerful and is still working. He is bigger than your questions. Whatever happens, Jesus is alive. We can’t wait to see you this month!

SERVANT CONNECT

STILL TO COME... SAVE THE DATE FOR SOME FUN EVENTS HAPPENING SOON!

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA! WE POST UPDATES, INFORMATION, PICTURES, AND MORE, SO DON’T MISS OUT! GO TO @SERVANTKIDS ON FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM! SIGN UP FOR TEXT ALERTS BY TEXTING @SERVANTKI TO 81010.

KANAKUK KAMPOUT! It’s almost time for Kanakuk Kampout! We will host for two weeks again. The dates are May 30-June 3 and August 1-5. Contact Kourtney for information about scholarships. Register at https://kanakuk.com/kampout/. We need your help in the form of host homes, overnight security, and people (or groups) to provide lunch each day. There is a minimum of 3 counselors who need to stay at each home. Sign up to be a host home here: https://www.cognitoforms.com/ServantOKC1/KanakukKampoutHostHomes We need lunches provided for approximately 40 staff members. There are 3 spots left for each session. This is a great opportunity for your family or Bible study group to join together to make a meal. Sign up to make meals here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0a4ea5a922a7ff2-lunch If you are interested in security, it is from 6pm-6am. For doing security, you will receive one full scholarship for your child. It’s first-come, first-served on all these spots. Let Kourtney know if you have any questions. ServantOKC.org

SERVANT STUDENTS 6TH - 12TH GRADE

CONFIRMATION UPDATE

Heather Winner Director of Servant Students

We are nearly a month away from Confirmation Sunday. It is so crazy to be saying those words, but it is our reality. This class has flown by, but has been so fruitful for everyone involved. We have recently done some really amazing things in our class. Over the past few weeks, we have learned about the founder of Methodism, John Wesley. We learned about where he was from, how he was raised, some details of his mission to the United States, and how he ultimately started the Methodist Church. Along with learning about the roots of the Methodist Church, we also continued a new tradition, traveling to All Souls Episcopal Church in Nichols Hills. Methodism shares a lot of tradition and practices with the Episcopal Church, and we think it is important, but also a blessing to get to experience different traditions that helped shape the Methodist Church. The students noticed that we shared practices such as partaking in Holy Communion, reciting the Creeds, and praying the Lord’s Prayer. Overall, the experience was enjoyed by each of the students and offered them a view into how other traditions worship each week. Confirmation Sunday is on May 1st, which will be here so much quicker than we know.

APRIL SERMON SERIES

Skyler Rodriguez Assistant Director of Servant Students

Would you like more information about Servant Student Ministries? Contact Heather at hwinner@ServantOKC.org or Skyler at srodriguez@ServantOKC.org.

SERVANT CONNECT

We are approaching our final month of the school year! With all the times we had to start and stop programming throughout the semester, we have yet to really begin a consistent sermon series. The students usually go through a 4 to 5-week series that centers around a specific topic or book of the Bible. However, this April, it looks like there will finally be some consistency to end the year. For the last month of programming, we will be going through a sermon series titled, “Quotation Marks.” This series aims to look at some of the famous quotes of Jesus’ ministry. Many of these quotes have been taught for years, some of them even taught in children’s ministry. However, a lot of these quotes are stated without context or without true understanding of the meaning behind Jesus’ words. We look at quotes such as, “Everyone who hears words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock;” and “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life;” and even, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” We are really excited about this series as we hope to encourage conversation and deeper understanding of Jesus’ words.

WHAT IS AHEAD?

FOR SERVANT STUDENTS

WASHINGTON D.C.

DISCIPLE & DAYSPRING All middle and high school students are invited to join Servant Students for a summer camp experience they will never forget! Disciple camp is our annual summer camp for rising sixth-grade to rising ninth-grade students. Disciple will take place June 2 - 5 at Camp Heart O’ Hills in Tahlequah, OK. DaySpring is our annual summer camp for rising ninth-grade students to recent high school graduates. DaySpring will take place July 11 - 15 at Sky Ranch Camp in Miami, OK. At both Disciple and DaySpring, students will focus on knowing Christ and growing their relationship with Him. Interested in signing your students up for either of these unforgettable experiences? Email Heather at hwinner@churchoftheservant.com or Skyler at srodriguez@churchoftheservant.com.

SERVANT CONNECT

Yes, registration is still open! We are thrilled that this year’s high school mission trip is in Washington, DC from Saturday, June 18 through Friday, June 24. It will be an opportunity for students to be the hands and feet of Christ in a location they may have never been before through opportunities that will push them beyond their comfort zone. This trip is open to all rising freshmen to graduating seniors. The cost for the trip will be $750 and will include flight, stay, meals, t-shirt, and an incredible priceless experience of faith growth and community. Registration for all students will remain open until April 10th, so don’t wait! We will have numerous fundraising opportunities for students on this trip. If your student is interested, email Heather at hwinner@churchoftheservant.com or Skyler at srodriguez@churchoftheservant.com.

CHARIS CHARACTER CAMP June 13-17 & June 20-24 July 11-15 & July 18-22 at Church of the Servant Would you like for your children to learn about Asian Culture while integrating character development through talent enrichment? Reserve your spot today! https://www.charisalive.org/camp Charis Character Camp – the one and only Asian Cultural Camp in OKC – is offering 4 weeks of learning mandarin, traditional arts, etiquette, cooking, and more! Elective courses include musical instruments, arts and crafts, martial arts, traditional dance, creative media, drama, and coding. This year, we are adding the country of India to our Asian countries’ exploration! Watch the camp promotional video here: https://youtu.be/MOehd9gdVdI

ServantOKC.org

MAKE A RESERVATION TODAY! Born in South Korea, Jennifer Mihee Song had the honor to perform at Carnegie Hall in the New York Artist International

ServantOKC.org/PRIME-TIME

Winner Series as the solo recital. She enjoys a distinguished professional career that includes wins in the Bradshaw and Buono International, Suri, Nanpa, and Eumyeon competitions, as well as performances in Japan, South Korea, and the United States. In chamber music, she had given numerous performances with her sisters, who play the violin and cello as, “The Song Trio” They were invited and had recitals in New York City, Tokyo, Osaka, and Seoul. Ms. Song received Professional Studies certificate and Masters degree from Manhattan School of Music as a scholarship student. She graduated from Korea National University of Arts and Kyungwon University and earned a Bachelor’s degree with the highest honors. Her past teachers are Marc Silverman, Soojung Shin, and Daejin Kim. She had master

A teacher with her own large studio, her students boast wins in competitions such as American Protégé International Piano Competition, Piano League International Competition, The Kuleshov International Competition, Steinway & Sons Competition, the National Division of the MTNA, as well as the Meinders, Guilliam, Hubbard-Males, and Breckenridge competition. She also received Steinway Top Teacher Award, and Piano League Excellence of Teaching Award. APRIL MEAL: Honey Glazed Ham with Buttery Garlic Mashers, Caramelized Carrots, Salad, Dinner Roll, and Dessert. The cost for the program and meal is $10.00 ($2.00 for program only).

classes with many renowned pedagogues such as Maes-

There’s no membership fee, just a warm invitation to anyone

tro Joaquin Achuccaro, Erik Tawaststjerna, Robert Roux,

who would like to have a great morning of fun, food and

Támas Ungár, Yeheved Kaplinsky, Gean Paul Sevilla, Mikhail

fellowship! You can sign up anytime at Guest Central in the

Woskressensky, Yong Hi Moon, and Dae Wook Lee.

concourse, or online at ServantOKC.org/Prime-Time.

EARTHGLOW GIFT SHOP Because of your loyalty and patronage, one of the agencies that received money from Earthglow Gift Shop this year was Skyline. They provide food and clothing to individuals, as well as eye exams and glasses. A letter received from Rev. Debbie Ingraham, CEO of Skyline reads in part: “Your gifts impact lives! Your gifts make a difference. On behalf of the over 32,000 individuals who received assistance last year, and those who will be able to receive assistance this year, Skyline thanks you. Skyline is blessed to have these gifts to sustain us. Gifts, such as yours, enabled us to fill the gaps for those living in the shadows of the Oklahoma City skyline.”

Are you planning to garden soon? We have the BEST gardening gloves. They are one of the most purchased items in the shop. Another something new is a Flower Pot Mug. It comes with a spade to stir your drink or to use for planting seeds. Aren’t these baskets great?! See below. What a stylish way to stash away blanket throws, games, or toys! Shopping in Earthglow is fun, convenient and most of all makes a difference in our very own community. Thank you for supporting Missions. Together we are “helping fill the gaps for those living in the shadows of the Oklahoma City skyline.”

ServantOKC.org

M I S S I O N S 16

WHIZ KIDS HEAD INTO SPRING This year has gone by so fast for all of us involved with Whiz Kids. It seems like just yesterday that we moved into our new home at New Hope UMC. We have been busy improving our reading skills, celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday, and having fun on Spring Break with some tutors taking their kids to the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Martin Nature Park. We are looking forward to more birthday and “Star of the Week” celebrations, and our city-wide Whiz Kids end of the year party, Spring Fling, at Orr Family Farm. Carolyn Hays chays25@cox.net

SERVANT CONNECT

PURCHASE A LILY! Purchase a lily for $20/ea in memory or honor of a friend or loved one. Orders can be made online by credit card, or by check at Guest Central or in the Church Office. The lily will bring our worship areas to life on Easter Sunday! They will be available to take home after the 11:00 service on Sunday, April 17. Deadline is Sunday, April 10th!

Go to ServantOKC.org/Lily

REBUILDING TOGETHER 2022 - 30 HOMES FOR 30 YEARS! Our annual workday with Rebuilding Together 2022 will be SATURDAY,

APRIL 30.

TWO SHIFTS AVAILABLE: 8:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. AND 12:00 - 4:00 P.M. Thirty years ago (1992 to be exact), an organization was created to repair Oklahoma City homes, one at a time. Church of the Servant has been part of this wonderful organization for about 20 of those years. Saturday, April 30, will be the date this year when all ages and skill levels can come together to make a huge difference in the life of someone in our city.

ServantOKC.org

SERVANTOKC.ORG/AFGHAN

M I S S I O N S 18

AFGHAN MOVE-IN DAY!

On March 16, Carolyn Hays, Ann Knutson and I had the pleasure of helping Church of the Servant’s 2nd Afghan family move into their new home. This family of eleven had been staying in two hotel rooms for several months waiting for an appropriate apartment to become available. We arrived at their hotel around 3:00 p.m. and by 4:00 p.m. their friends and family had all the family’s duffel bags loaded into my truck and Ann’s and Carolyn’s cars. As you can imagine, it was a tight fit but we got it all in one trip. The teenagers were sad when they waved goodbye to their friends at the hotel, but the whole family was thrilled when they saw their new home for the first time. I really want to express my sincere gratitude to everyone from Church of the Servant who prepared the apartment for the family. Thank you! Since several of the family’s friends from the hotel wanted to come and see their new home, I watched the men carrying all the duffel bags up three flights of stairs and relished the privileged of experiencing the family’s joy of having a new home after their several months journey from Afghanistan. What a blessing that Church of the Servant was a part of this! James Maxwell

SERVANT CONNECT

e first decided to meet with two Afghani gentlemen, Amir and Kabir, because we were told that they were feeling isolated. They lived in an apartment complex near I-40, away from other Afghan families. When we met them, they seemed very eager to interact with visitors. Of course, we didn’t understand what they were saying, and they didn’t understand what we were saying; but, with the help of a translator over the telephone, we were able to communicate reasonably well. They were eager to provide us with a snack or some food every time we visited – usually tea and nuts, or fruit. The serving of tea is an important part of their culture. We tried to avoid sensitive subjects, but we found out that each of the men had families that were still in Afghanistan. These families were in a sense trapped behind Taliban lines (since the whole country is now Taliban). They said that their families were being harassed by the Taliban, especially if they went out into the marketplace. They were concerned about the safety of their wives and children (with up to 10 children each) and about them having enough food. For that reason, they were eager to find work and start sending money home. That first Saturday, Ed and Rick McDaniel took Amir and Kabir to get clothes at Walmart. On subsequent weekends we drove them around town to see the Murrah Building Memorial and Bricktown, among other things. They were always appreciative and very polite. The next weekend, we were surprised to find out that, somehow, they had obtained bus tickets to leave town in order to be with family who were out of state (Families are very tight-knit, and they help each other find jobs). They felt the need to start work immediately to help their families. Amir said he had a job waiting for him in Sioux City, Iowa, and Kabir was going to be with a brother in San Antonio, Texas. A call was sent out for volunteers to take them to the bus station, and we thought that it would be a simple and straightforward way for us to help them. In fact, it turned out to be anything but simple and straightforward. Kabir was going to San Antonio, with a layover in Dallas. We were worried about him catching his bus in Dallas and making the bus change, but after talking with the bus driver it appeared that he would be assisted with his transfer in Dallas.

O U R E XPE R I E N C E

WITH AMIR AND KABIR by Ed and Cecilia Beckham In my mind it was literally going to require a miracle for him to catch all his buses and not to get lost. For that reason, after leaving the terminal and thinking it over, we went back to the bus station to request a change in his tickets that would involve fewer buses, even if it meant waiting a few days. However, the previously patient ticket agent felt she had had enough of us and told us that she was off duty; she said that the next on duty ticket agent would be there several hours later. So, we decided to go back to Amir’s apartment and come back at 11:15 p.m. for the six-bus itinerary. We would just have to trust in a miracle. But when we arrived that night, we found out that THAT bus was also going to be late by three hours, which meant that there was going to have to be a change in ticketing and a new itinerary. The ticket agent was a different person but was not helpful in changing the tickets. Amir could get to Wichita but then would need to get someone to change all the rest of his tickets (in the middle of the night). Through an online interpreter, he and Ed decided that the bus was not going to work for him. Fortunately, two marvelous volunteers, Nick Knutson and John Hays, volunteered to drive him (yes drive him!) to Sioux City. Amir was truly fortunate to have two volunteers to be so giving of their time. It was the best of all worlds for him because there was no chance of him getting lost and stranded. We were looking for a miracle for Amir. It came, but from a different direction than we had expected it.

On the other hand, Amir’s ticket to Sioux City, Iowa involved four different buses and three layovers. He didn’t speak or read any English at all. He was just learning to recognize letters in our alphabet. If he missed a bus, he would not understand anything being said to him about a change in itinerary. Ed got him to the bus station with time to spare only to learn that the bus was going to be delayed by three hours. That meant that all his itinerary had to be changed. That ticket agent was helpful and patient and eventually printed him a new set of tickets. However, the new schedule involved six buses and five layovers! ServantOKC.org

M I S S I O N S

HELPING THE AFGHANS Each time I do work for God, I leave with the same thought. Did they bless me more than I blessed them? The answer has always been “YES,” and helping settle the Afghan families into their new homes is no different. After I participated in several opportunities, the need arose to help them hang curtains in their new apartment. My husband, Bill, and I agreed to be the hands and feet in this task.

said our goodbyes and left feeling more blessed than when we arrived.

Helping others who do not speak English comes with some challenges and endless amounts of blessings. On the designated day, we headed over with some anxiousness. We planned to get in and out as quickly as possible since communications would be difficult. Once there, Bill set off to work. The older girls encouraged me to sit with them and drink some tea while their dad helped Bill. Before long, they asked if I wanted to get a henna tattoo on my hand. Since I knew these were temporary, I thought that sounded fun and allowed me time to bond with the girls.

Yvonne Morgan

Once Bill finished his task and the girls completed my hand painting, they prepared a lunch of lamb kebobs, samosas, fruits, and nuts for us. We enjoyed our time together and used a translation program for some of the communications. When the time came for us to leave, they asked that we stay longer. We had somewhere else to go, so we

SERVANT CONNECT

My biggest takeaway is that I think they are lonely in this strange new world. These families long for some companionship. So, if you have some free time, why not visit with one of our Afghan families. Then, you, too, will be blessed by the time spent with them.

SCHOOL GIVEAWAY EVENT James and I recently had the privilege of watching angels at work. The principal, teachers and staff at Wiley Post Elementary School organized a giveaway event for our Afghan neighbors. Many of these students have newly arrived with very few possessions. The teachers requested donations of household goods, toiletries, clothing, toys, and so much more. Our neighbors were invited to come and take anything that they needed. The response was nothing less than incredible! In the short space of 2 hours, many, many parents and children selected their treasures. I have never been more impressed with the generosity and loving spirit of dedicated teachers. As one translator told the principal, Mrs. Rexach, “The new Afghan arrivals have been given many gifts, but to be able to choose exactly those items they wanted and needed was something very special.” What a blessing these angels are to our new neighbors! Cathy Maxwell

AFGHAN FAMILIES

PREPARE TO CELEBRATE RAMADAN We transported four families to the Ramadan Clothing Bazaar held at the CAIR Office (Council on American-Islamic Relations) for free traditional clothes for the celebration of Ramadan which begins April 2nd and ends on May 1st. It is a month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and community for Muslims worldwide. The women and older girls were able to choose 3 beautiful outfits for the holiday and one more casual dress for everyday wear. Men could also choose tunics for the special holiday. In addition, there was a room full of “western” clothing with sizes for babies through adult men. They also offered shoes and purses. This was an amazing shopping experience for all of us. Kimberly, Jaci, and Carolyn received special THANK YOUs from our family of 11 people. One of the daughters painted beautiful designs on our hands with henna. Pictured are a few racks of clothing with our lovely model, Ann, showing off one selection. Carolyn Hays

M issions

ServantOKC.org

M I S S I O N S 22

LANGUAGE BARRIER BROKEN DOWN BY LOVE

have been quilting for 45 years. Very seldom do I sell a quilt that I make. I tried many times over the years, but I could never put a price on my quilts. One day, I was sitting at my sewing machine, stitching, and I heard that small still voice inside of me say that I was to give my quilts away—a ministry in quilts was what God was calling me to do. I have given so many of my quilts away over the years that I have lost count. I just recently started to record and take pictures of these quilts so I could remember who I gave them to. I wish I had done that from the beginning. So far, I have cataloged over 500 quilts that I have made for others. When I sit down to design and make a quilt, I never know who it is for. I wait for God to tell me. He even helps me to come up with titles for my quilts. They always seem to fit the circumstance and time of need perfectly. Late fall 2021, I received the November Church of the Servant newsletter that morning and was very excited to read that Church of the Servant was considering adopting an Afghan family of 11 to help get settled in their new home in Oklahoma City. I have always wanted to do something in the way of missions, and I began to pray about what I could do to make a difference in this family’s life. As I sat at my sewing machine that next morning, I felt an urging from the Holy Spirit to make quilts for this family of 11. The mother and father would get a large queen-size quilt for their bed, and each child would be presented with their own lap quilt. All I kept thinking was what a big job this was going to be and how would I get them done by Christmas! Then God reminded me that I had two quilting students that might want to help. So, I asked my students, Debbie Gold, and Jo Edwards, if they would help me with putting together a few tops and then I would quilt and bind them. I had about 6 tops already made, and a

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few that needed to be sewed together. Of course, they said yes, and I knew they would. Debbie had blocks she had started and needed to finish. Jo took some of my blocks and stitched those together for me. I had another friend, Linda Meredith who said she could donate a baby quilt. So, after finishing the stitching, quilting, and binding the 9 quilts, they were finally finished. It only took a month of working on these quilts to get them done. I was so excited that we would

present these quilts to our family at Christmastime 2021— depending on if they moved out of the hotel and into a place that they could call home. Well, Christmas came and went, so did January, February... and on March 19, I met Ann Knutson at the new apartment of our family to give them these quilted treasures that were made just for them.

making us feel like we were part of their family. They even asked us to stay for lunch which the teen age girls were working on. I had to leave, but not without the mother packing me a lunch to take with me. For people who don’t have a lot of material possessions, they gave the best of what they had to Ann and I during our visit.

I was a bit nervous to meet them for the first time. We climbed the 3 flights of stairs to a 3-bedroom apartment, knocked on the door and were greeted by the most wonderful family I have ever met. There were hugs from the children greeting Ann as she has been helping them quite a bit —they were excited to see her. They had not met me until that day, yet they welcomed me into their home with open arms and with the most gracious hospitality I have ever experienced. The mother and her daughters made Ann and I tea and placed a tray of cookies, fruit, dates, and nuts in front of us. They took care of our every need, despite not being able to talk to them as they did not speak English and we did not speak their language. Ann called a translator to help us navigate our conversation with this family. As Ann passed out the quilts to each child and the parents, I saw such sparkle and excitement in their eyes. I was hoping that these quilts would make them feel loved and at home—I believed they did. I stayed an hour or so, sharing pictures of my family and showing the mother and daughter the quilts I have made in the past. With grateful hearts, they each took their quilt and hugged it in our presence. Thank you are the words I kept hearing. They have such grateful hearts for those who have helped them in this new land and wanted to show us their love by “feeding our stomachs and souls” with love and

I was not able to take a lot of pictures of the kids with their individual quilts, but the younger boys and girls were allowed to pose for a photo. Love speaks volumes despite language barriers that occur when ministering to a foreign family trying to find their way in the USA. I am so grateful I had a chance to do something nice for our Afghan family. My prayer is that they would feel as welcome in our hearts as we do in theirs. Peace and love to our new brothers and sisters in Jesus’ name. Nancy Harris

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