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The Singing Revolution

June 14, 2012 in Missions by

Growing up I would listen to my grandparents speak of the day when Estonia, the land of their birth, would be free once more. However, the Soviet grip on that little nation appeared iron clad and nothing gave the impression that was ever to change.

Remarkably and against all odds, through bravery and solidarity, Estonia reestablished its independence after 50 years of Soviet occupation in the summer of 1991. The story of Estonia’s fight for freedom is a gripping example of a non-violent revolution that saw Estonia regain its independence without the loss of a single life.

The Singing Revolution is a tremendous documentary that recounts the history and events that led to the reestablishment of a free and independent Estonia. We require that each team member traveling to Estonia watch The Singing Revolution and now it is available for your viewing on Netflix.

Salem Chapel has strong relationships with churches and individuals in Estonia and I highly recommend that you take the time to learn more about this special country that means so much to me. You will be encouraged by their story and motivated to pray for Estonia. I look forward to both of those happening in your life. You can also be in prayer for our high school team that will be traveling to Estonia for ten days at the end of this month to share the Gospel though English camp for Estonian high school students.

Check out The Singing Revolution trailer below.

The Impact

April 26, 2012 in Missions by

The body of Salem Chapel sponsors a Children’s HopeChest CarePoint in Mpholi, Swaziland that feeds 210 children both spiritually and physically. In addition to financially providing for the children, sponsors are encouraged to write their “special friend” as often as possible. In the below post, Jude Pattisall, shares the importance of those letters to the children. For instructions on how to write a letter to your sponsored child, check out the Write Your Child page on HopeChest’s website. 

We often say, “I sponsor a child” without much thought of the impact. I know. It is hard. We get a photo, set up the bank draft, and sometimes, the child slips from our thoughts. We may send a Christmas card, but for the most part, we tend to forget about our sponsored child. I am here to say, to beg of you, do not let this happen.

When I journeyed to our CarePoint in Mpholi, I knew it would be a special moment when I finally got to meet our “special friend,” Lindokuhle. I was truly unprepared for just how special. The first two days, Lindo was not at the CarePoint. I was getting worried, due to the fragile nature of life itself in Swaziland. Finally, on the third day, one of the Go-Gos asked me if I was still looking for Lindokuhle Mlambo. She pointed and when that little girl turned around and saw me, she knew me. SHE KNEW ME! We sent letters (not enough) and photos (probably enough – I love photos!) and Lindo and I embraced as I wept with joy. My sweet girl was alive!

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A Gift Unexpected

April 3, 2012 in Missions by

Salem Chapel’s Swazi Team 2012 recently returned from their trip to the Mpholi CarePoint. While there, they had the opportunity to spend time with around 200 children  – playing, singing, crafting, and visiting homes. Most importantly, each day different team members taught the kids a Bible Story emphasizing the faithfulness of God. The post below is written by Lorena Hungerford, a Salem Chapel member & devoted Swazi Team volunteer, who shares how a Swazi father’s gratitude encouraged her walk with the Lord. 

It was Friday afternoon at the CarePoint. It had been a busy day filled with coloring, bubbles, singing, a Bible story and a craft. The children were eating their meal and the team was preparing to visit homes of children from the CarePoint so we could meet their families and give them a bag of food and other essentials.

We divided into smaller groups to visit various homes. My group included some Salem Chapel team members, a couple D-team members, and one of the missionary children. We grabbed bags of food and headed up the hill towards a couple different homes on the other side of the main road.

Once across the road we climbed another steep hill, dividing into two more groups along the way heading to our separate destinations. The bag of beans I was carrying on my head started to get heavy. The D-team member I was with, Nhlanhla (which translated is “Lucky”), was even beginning to breathe a bit heavy.

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Pray for Swazi Team 2012

March 2, 2012 in Missions by

Our Swazi Team 2012 leaves this week-end to visit our Mpholi CarePoint in Swaziland, Africa. If you would like to know more about our CarePoint and our involvement there, please check out other Mpholi CarePoint Blog posts and our Mpholi CarePoint video below:

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MS Outward | A Day To Serve

February 15, 2012 in Life at Salem Chapel, Missions, Student Ministry by

Located in Downtown Winston-Salem, the Winston-Salem Rescue Mission ministers to the physical and spiritual needs of homeless and broken men. These men not only receive help with physical needs like food, shelter, and counseling; but are introduced to the true forgiveness and redemption found in Jesus. Many of these individuals go on to find restoration with their estranged families, employment, freedom from addictive lifestyles, and an abundant life found only in a relationship with Jesus.

On Saturday, February 4th, Thrive Middle School students and student ministry staff met downtown to serve in the Rescue Mission’s Thrift Store. The Thrift Store sells donated furniture, books, and clothing, of which the proceeds go to support the operational needs of the ministry at the Mission. Twenty of our students spent several hours working to clean the retail shelving, front storefront, and items on the sales floor. Because the Resuce Mission is a not for profit ministry, the small staff at the store are already stretched in their responsibilities to maintain daily sales and inventory operations. Cleaning shelving on the salesfloor and presentation in a warehouse setting can be difficult to maintain in the middle of everything else. This is where our group was able to jump in with some rags and cleaner and help address a real need. The students worked tirelessly, without complaint, to clean and organize the shelves and inventory with the desire to see more sales to support the ministry there. We had a fun time working together, and based on conversations I’ve had with employees at the Rescue Mission, we really had a huge impact on the staff and the overall appearance of the store.

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Swaziland Preparations 2012

January 24, 2012 in Missions by

In the post below, Lorena Hungerford, who volunteers in many capacities at Salem Chapel and has specifically invested in the Swaziland Ministry, updates us on the preparations for the mission team’s visit to the Mpholi CarePoint in March of this year. 

Team meetings have begun. Plans are being made. Tickets have been purchased. We are 45 days out from boarding an airplane in Greensboro that begins our journey with a final destination of Manzini, Swaziland. As we make preparations to visit the children at the Mpholi CarePoint, there is still much to be accomplished. I wanted to take this opportunity to update you on everything that is happening.

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Swaziland | 210 Ziploc Bags

December 7, 2011 in Missions by

The body of Salem Chapel sponsors a Children’s HopeChest CarePoint in Mpholi, Swaziland that feeds 210 children both spiritually and physically. Through the month of December, we will be collecting ziploc bags filled with basic items for each of the 210 children at our CarePoint. Pick up a Ziploc Bag & instructions Sunday, December 11th at the Swazi table or  look for details in the Swaziland – Mpholi CarePoint group on the City.

If you’re not familiar with Salem Chapel’s involvement with the Mpholi CarePoint, check out Swazi On My Mind. In the post below, Lorena Hungerford, who volunteers in many capacities at Salem Chapel and has specifically invested in the Swaziland Ministry, shares about Swaziland the hope she sees there at the Mpholi CarePoint.

Maybe you are like me when you hear the word Africa and immediately think of dry brown plains with minimal vegetation.  I was surprised the first time I crossed the border to enter Swaziland when I visited with the Salem Chapel Mission Team in January of 2011. Swaziland is a beautiful country full of rolling hills, green grass and various trees; but it is also a country that is hurting.

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