From Cindy Rushton's Desk(TOP!)!

Mission Trip to South Mississippi for Hurricane Relief...

Hello Dearies!

This week we are gearing up to go into Laurel, MS with our first Mission Trip for ministering to Hurricane Katrina victims. Our church met today to gather help and make plans. Tomorrow a large group will go into Picayune, MS for direct relief. Those guys are leaving out in just a couple of hours. They will return on Wednesday. They will then gear up and go on other trips that are being planned at this time.

We are staying behind to help manage all of the distributions coming into the church and gear up for a trip this Wednesday-Saturday into the Laurel area.

Our church, HIGHLAND BAPTIST CHURCH in Florence, AL will be our dropping headquarters for those wanting to help us locally with supplies to carry into South MS, LA, AL. If you are local to us, you can bring any of your donations to the church CLC (Gym) and leave them there. For those wanting to bring items for our trip this week, we really need them brought in on Tuesday. The CLC will be closed on Monday and re-open on Tuesday early. You can bring your things to the gym if we are not there OR to the parking lot if we are there (after lunch) organizing and loading the trailers.

If you are not local and want to be a part, see my post last night for more information on what we need. The outpouring by all of you is simply breathtaking! I have NO words to express how much you are showing your great love for God. There are amazing miracles taking place here! I promise to journal them and post them in--you need to be encouraged in heart by what God is doing! He is pouring out soooo mightily. Get ready for what He has in store for all of us, those who are victims and those who are stepping up to the call to minister--it is like NOTHING you have ever seen before!

Just overnight, we have been able to plan a mission trip into the area for this week! We will be taking a large group down on Wednesday with the intention to get in and meet immediate needs.  Those who want to help with clean up will work with Harold helping those in need there in Laurel. Those who want to help with distribution of water and other essentials for those in need will work with me on the streets in Laurel. We will work hard each day until Saturday and return home on Saturday to make plans for other trips in. When I get home, I will post any updates on what is needed and other trips will be planned to meet those needs. There is going to be a need for months and maybe even years ahead!

Your prayers are absolutely coveted greatly as we go in. I firmly believe in my spirit that God is wanting for us to go in to meet physical needs AND even more so, spiritual needs.  We saw a shift this weekend in the spirit down there. Many are getting very tired and weary. Our prayer is to simply go in and meet as many needs as possible so we can refresh their spirits and extend love and compassion from God. I am literally full to overflowing and you haven't seen ANYTHING yet--our whole team is pumped up! They are coming from everywhere to be a part! It is going to be a outpouring that will make history! There is a mighty work going on here. Your prayers are absolutely MIGHTY at this time! AND...great news! They are not just WORKING, God is unleashed!!

Well, must get to bed!

I love you all dearly! I pray that you will be blessed and have a wonderful holiday with your family tomorrow. More later!

Love,

Cindy...who thinks she may just have to squeeze in some barbeque tomorrow!