Comments for a Cause has become my very favorite feature on It’s Just Life.  It has been one of the most positive things that I ever could have done and it has connected me and my readers with a lot of great causes since April 2011.  In February we focused on The Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County.  

I am thrilled to report that we raised $187.50 to give to the Boys and Girls Club this month to help in their efforts with the children in our community.  Thank you !   I can’t do this without my incredible readers.

One of my jobs in the past was working at Epworth United Methodist Church in Concord, NC.  I LOVED my job there and worked with the best staff ever.  One of those staff members. Teresa Gray and her husband Dennis, have a heart for mission and I am thrilled to announce that they will be my “cause” for March.  For each and every comment made on ANY blog post during March Chris and I will donate 50 cents to their mission trip fund.

Teresa was happy to answer my little interview questions and provide some pictures to help highlight my post today.  Please enjoy what she shared with me.

1. Summarize for me what you are fundraising for –where you are going, who is going and what you will be doing once you get there.

We will be going to Honduras with a small group of 6 people total, as well as two CCC staffers. All of us have been to Honduras many times and have a love for the country and its people. We also have a special heart for the children of Honduras. We will be helping in a small mountain community in the mountains of Copan the first week we are there and the second week we will be visiting orphanages in San Pedro and the surrounding area.
2. How many times have you made this trip and why is it so important for you to make the trip?

This will be my fifth trip and Dennis’ fourth trip to Honduras. This trip is important to us because we feel as though God is calling us to do more for the children of Honduras, but we aren’t quite sure what that is or what the more looks like. We are praying God’s guidance and basically taking one step at a time. We know that God has called us to return and we are excited about what He has in store for us and our team.
3. If you could summarize your experience in one short sentence what would it be?

God has taught Dennis and I how important it is to follow God’s instructions to “seek justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with our God.” Micah 6:8  Through our experiences He continually reinforces this through the relationships we build when we go, as well as the many experiences.

4. What has been your favorite thing that has happened as a result of these trips and experiences?

Our favorite thing is being in relationship with the children.—just playing and having fun!
5. Your children have been an important part of your mission work–both your own and the church children.(Teresa serves as Director of Children and Family Ministries and Director of The Flock Preschool)  What do you hope they learn from your example of putting your words into actual work?

Although we fall short each and every day, we hope that the children are learning the importance of loving each and every day the way that Jesus love us and that love is not just a word but an action. 1 John 3:18
6. If there was one thing you could tell my readers to inspire them about these children and this trip what would it be? You have so many great stories so this is where you can share that!

If you take one look at the faces of the children, it is hard not to be inspired. (These are two children that Teresa and Dennis are sponsoring as a result of their trips to Honduras.) They are precious children and they only seek to be loved. I remember the day I first met one child. She ran to the van when we pulled up to her home and as I got out of the van, she walked up and just took my hand. We spent the whole afternoon playing and beginning to build a relationship. I learned after returning home that she had only been at the orphanage a couple months and that her parents were not able to take care of her and her brothers. That is why they ended up in the orphanage. When I looked into her eyes, I could see the face of Jesus. Each time we leave, it gets harder and harder. We are fortunate, however, to be able to communicate with both of our sponsored children through Skype. Although it is not the same as being there, we at least get to stay in touch with them throughout the school year.

So what do you think?  Can we raise our max of $500 this month to help Teresa and Dennis with their trip to Honduras?  Remember that for each comment made on any blog post (that means from all almost 9 years of blog posts that I have written) Chris and I will donate 50 cents.   It’s easy and I usually publish a new post every week day so even if you just comment on each new one during March that would be $11.50.  Get 10 people to comment daily and that is $115.  See how quickly it can add up?

Thanks so much for stopping by, for taking the time to comment and for just being the best readers in the world.

If you would like to make a contribution to Teresa and Dennis’s trip on your own please mail your check to Epworth United Methodist Church, 1030 Burrage Rd. NE   Concord, NC 28025 and put Dennis and Teresa Gray–Mission Trip in the memo line.