AHAT Project - Local Mission Work

Today is the morning that we are going to go to “Three Cedars” house to do our service project.

It is 6am and I am making coffee, eating my oatmeal and spending some time with the words of my Lord. I have been spending some time in the book of Revelation. Chapter 2 is my read on this morning. It just kind of hits me that I never want to be doing stuff in the name of our Lord just because it is what Christians do. I do this stuff because I Love God and am compelled to share this Love with others in my actions. It is an unfortunate thing that I am torn between “not telling anyone what I do” for fear that if I do, I will be bragging for my glory. To “telling and documenting” for the report to the church so that others may be interested in serving in the future.

I know why I serve. It is for the Love that over flows that I serve. My love for my Lord and because I love my Lord, I love my neighbor also.

My coffee cup is empty, my oatmeal bowl is in the sink and my bible is back next to my bed. I slip on my favorite hat and grab a shovel to go steal some plants from my neighbor’s yard for our service project today. He gave me permission, but at 7am on Saturday it sure felt like stealing when I was trying to be quiet as to not set off his 6 Pomeranian alarm system. No such luck, I am busted and greeted with a peek through the curtains and something yelled at the dogs with no success.

Later at “Three Cedars” we all gathered and meet Melody the facility director. She gave us some history of the AHAT organization and we were off and running. Everyone jumped in and started tearing weeds out of the ground and turning over the dirt. It just flowed organically. Weeding, moving plants, and planting new ones. I can’t really give a detailed run down of the day because it just happened with a lot of fun and goofing around. We all were talking, and doing, and laughing, and having a good time bonding.

Several times, patients of the house would come outside or to the window to talk with us. I had a warm feeling about how naturally we all shared in conversation with them. I just love learning someone’s history a sharing stories. I really think they got it. We cared about them.

Lindsay was definitely in her element and took a lot of initiative in helping with the design of the garden. Near noon Lindsay, Jack, and Allie went to Home Depot for more plants and flag stone. Upon their arriving back at the garden we all took a break for lunch at “Frisko Freeze”. We all sat around in the garden eating and talking. The bonding continued.

After lunch we all jumped right back in and started putting plants in the ground and adding the finishing touches to the garden. It was truly a God glorifying day.

Tired, happy, soar, and satisfied, we all gathered in the parking lot and Jack offered up a prayer. It was a good day, I felt the love of my Lord and I was happy to give it away.

-Barrett Hartman

Mission Auction

The Mission Auction was a success! We raised over $32,000 for both the Guatemala and the South Africa mission trips! As mentioned at the auction, the money raised will go towards building materials for houses and buildings the teams will complete while in their regions. It will also go towards medical, dental or school supplies for the communities we will be visiting. Any remainder will go to fill in some of the travel costs (capped at 25% per person) for those who have felt called to go. The generosity of those that gave, attended, purchased or donated...it just astounds me.

As each item was being auctioned off, it was a total adrenaline rush! Not just because the numbers were being raised and the mouth of the auctioneer just kept a runnin...but, it was amazing to think that people with such open and generous hearts were giving. Giving of their time and money both to purchase items and raise money but to donate these items.

What a wonderful night!

I wish I had pictures to share but we were all just working out little tails off and I didn't get any. Ouch. That kind of even hurt to admit out loud! ;)

Thank you to all of those that donated! And since I got to write this post AND knew some of the amazing people that donated...I want to make some special mentions! :)

Thank you to Peter Anderson of Galvin Flying for donating the Extended Intro Flight Lesson! He is SO supportive and I am so thankful for his loving kindness (and friendship) over the years!

Thank you to my Sis-In-Law for her TOTAL support! Not only did she purchase a whole table to attend but she donated three fabulous goody baskets to be auctioned off. AND she took 2/3rd of my children for a sleepover the night before the auction to allow me to help get things ready! What RockStars her and her husband are!!!

Thank you to my parents for taking the other third of my children, for attending the auction, donating some awesome goods. Also thanks for putting my kids to bed Mom, so I could stay at the auction longer. And thanks Dad for all the stuff you "won" for the kids and in support of the auction! Not to mention all the help you gave me for closing up at the end of the auction!

Thank you to my Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Jim for donating an Ocean Shores timeshare stay! And congrats to our friends that won it! Can I come?! ;) Also thank you for donating all the other misc goods and baskets that you donated! Your help is MUCH appreciated! So good to see you at the auction!

Thank you to Alyssa and Holly Sutherland for donating the kittens that my daughter would have given her entire family for! They got a good home! (the kittens...not the sisters!)

It was an awesome night and I can't wait to put all that hard work and support into action for the people in Guatemala!