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All In The Name Of Religion

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I was 19 and in Haiti on a mission trip. I was getting ready to move there for two years with the mission org. Lifeline, which would never happen. I came back completely broken, but not in the ways one would think. The compound we were staying at required that the parents of the children who attended school convert to Christianity. If they were not Christian, the kids could not receive an education in that remote village. One father of two beautiful children happened to be the son of a very well-known warlock. The father converted to Christianity just so that his kids had a chance to better themselves one day. When his warlock father found out about his conversion, he took his two grandchildren and threw them into a large fire. Other natives went in and ripped the kids from the flames and brought them to the compound, where me and two team members were in charge of the children. I know they were in so much pain, but the shock was so intense, they just looked forward with no expressio...
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The Update Lost To Time

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When you're sick of being inside stuck to a screen    Hello Family and Friends,         Please forgive my lack of updates. As mentioned briefly in my last post, the property is a legal entity known as, Mission Restoration. Where typically I would have waited until I had a few more, “To do’s” checked off my list - there is an opportunity arising that required these things be done when they were.       I have been working with a gentleman since February of 2023. His project is a very extensive job that will require thousands of large tiles to be produced and shipped out of the country. In early 2023 two sample tiles were sent to the lead architect and to the building team. I am honored to know that my employer loved the sample so much that he has one hanging in his personal home. Due to some changes, a new architect was acquired for the job, and now we are starting fresh. New sample tiles will be produced here at the property and shipped overse...
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Location: Whitmire, SC 29178, USA
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The Cloak of Christianity

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“It is like trying to save a drowning man…” So let’s say this Cloak represents and represents every denomination, every religious leader, every religious act and the expectations and religious laws therein. Imagine with me… A drowning man. The man fully dressed. Boots, jeans, his shirt and this Cloak of Christianity. He knows how to swim. He knows how to tread water, but the waters are too rough and he’s been exhausted from trying to stay afloat. Perhaps in this scenario there is an undertow starting to pull him down by the length and weight of the drenched Cloak. The very thing he was awarded when he gave his life to Christ. The very thing he was given by the church to keep him safe from the elements of the world. That man was taught and believes that this cloak is to keep him safe - and should never be taken off, but if he does not take it off the garments weighing him down, he will surely drown. It will pull him down, take his last breath, and he won’t be able to rise back up. This ...
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Week 9 Up Date

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       I really enjoyed having Shawn here again last week! Again, he was a huge help and quiet the woodsmen considering we didn't have electricity the entire time he was here. The power was restored Thursday afternoon - minutes before getting ready to take him back home to Columbia, SC. We were just shy of a week without power due to Hurricane Helene. The county workers and linemen did an amazing job supporting and restoring our community back to functioning order. It hard to believe how much got done in just a short amount of time, as the damage was pretty extensive. Our prayers and thoughts continue to go out to our neighboring towns and states. There are many still in need of assistance and will need continue support to help rebuild.       Shawn, completed a product I produce for, The 3D Print Barn. It is a Ennis House - A Frank Lloyd Wright Tile Design or Blade Runner Inspired Vase. Every part of these cement vases are handmade. Shawn took the...
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Hurricane Helene

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        The wide spread deviation of Hurricane Helene was monumental. My prayers go out to those continuing to experience the devastating flooding and displacements in places like North Carolina, Tennesey, Georgia and South Carolina. It has been a blessing to see this community be so quick to pay it forward. Newberry County is already collecting previsions and water to take to the flooded areas of NC and TN. It has been a wonderful thing to witness and to be part of this community.      Our small town was hit as well. Downtown Whitmire was locked in by trees due to extensive tree and power line damage. They have been without running water for nearly a week. Food has become scarce as the little town doesn’t even have a main stream grocery store. Gas stations haven’t been unable to pump gas without electricity. Some becoming completely stranded due to this. Many of these people go on without complaining or asking, but instead offering assistance and givi...
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Week 6 Update

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Whew! It has been a whirlwind of activity! Saturday, Mary Ellen, John, Harold and Liz came to pick up Shawn who had been staying with me the past week. Shawn is Mary Ellen and John’s 21 year old son. When they came to get him they brought a trailer and some equipment to help get up and haul off leftover debris from years of discarded construction materials. It looks absolutely amazing! More to come, but getting the singles and some of the stumps up was a huge help! The well is worse off than thought. The main pipe to the house is corroded and will need to be reworked. Quite possibly the wire running to the pump house is bad as well. I’m working hard to get this off the list so that people can come and stay. I’m thankful for knowledgeable friends and tradesmen who are helping me chip away at this expanding project. I am certainly out of my wheelhouse. Shawn was a huge help this past week! I had a rush job I was working on when he arrived. He helped me fulfill a rather large order of out...
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Week 5 Update

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I had a chance to thank God’s Healing Springs Baptist Church this past Sunday for their donation. I was also asked to give my testimony. It was a whirlwind of emotions. Where I know God orchestrated this whole encounter - it didn’t make it any easier to follow in obedience. But God gave me strength in a situation I know was not my own. Not many know why I’m well suited for the vision given for this creative mission community. I understand the chain reaction and ripple effect of misunderstood and unresolved trauma. I can empathize, relate and help encourage those still stuck within the cycle of shame & guilt filled repression.  I am one of those individuals who was molested at an evangelical church by a church member. From about 9-13 each Sunday morning. Like many abused children, I didn’t come forward right away, because I was told and felt like I wouldn’t be believed. The first time I voiced the abuse - I wasn’t believed by those in spiritual authority. I was threatened b...
Location: South Carolina, USA
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