**SPECIAL NOTE: Due to thunderstorms on the weekend of May 5th, we are postponing this mission trip to July 14th - 16th** Is the Holy Spirit prompting you to go on a mission trip? Is the distance and logistics holding you back? Well, this may be your chance to get your feet wet and participate in one that is only a few hours away! Are you ready to have fun, be an incredible blessing and roll up your sleeves for a wonderful cause? Well, here’s your chance! “Aunt” Martha Kemle is a resident of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, just 30 miles south of Nashville. She and her husband, affectionally known as “Uncle” Fred, spent every day of their married lives at the Good Shepherd Children’s Home helping make lives better for Children and families going through a crisis. For 27 years, Uncle Fred and Aunt Martha faithfully served as “Mom and Dad” to thousands of boys and girls facing overwhelming circumstances in their lives. Being a Christ-Centered home and taking no government assistance, this home was totally run by faith. Traveling along the back-hills of states like Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee, Uncle Fred would raise donations preaching the old-fashioned gospel to small country churches. With Aunt Marta playing the piano, the children entertained congregations by singing spiritual songs and reciting scripture. Since Uncle Fred’s death in 1992, a home was built on the grounds which serves as a permanent home for Aunt Martha. Due to her age, limited resources and being confined to a wheelchair, her home has come under some disrepair in the last few years – Aunt Martha needs our help! Many hands make light work. So, let’s pool our talents, roll up our sleeves and overwhelm Aunt Martha with a team of loving, caring singles from Georgia with a heart bigger than all of Tennessee! Here is a punch list of items that we could help with: - Boards need to be replaced on her fence - Repainting the entire fence - Weeding/Planting a lot of beautiful flowers in her garden beds - Weed eating and cutting grass - Cleaning and reorganizing her home - Miscellaneous handy-work - Sharing Christ and playing games with children - Encouraging and loving on Aunt Martha WHEN: Friday, July 14th – Sunday, July 16th TRAVEL: It is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes from Alpharetta. Carpools will be arranged closer to the travel date. We will be leaving at approximately 9am on Friday and will be leaving the Children’s Home about 12:00pm Sunday. (You may arrive early Saturday morning if you would like) YOUR GENEROUS DONATIONS WILL GO TO THE ECHO MISSIONS FUND. COST: Recommended donation is: $100.00 – you may give more if you wish. (This will be marked as a donation on your Year End Giving Statement as this is not a camping trip) (SPACE LIMITED) REGISTRATION LINK: https://tinyurl.com/EchoWeekendMissionTrip Please Note: This donation is non-refundable. FOR THOSE WHO CAN’T JOIN US BUT STILL WANT TO BE A BLESSING: You can donate by clicking on the link below and selecting “Missions” then “Weekend Mission Trip to Tennessee.” https://giving.ncsservices.org/App/Giving/ncs-3496 FOOD: All food and drink will be included in your donation. SLEEPING ARRANGEMENTS: Ladies: You will be sleeping in Aunt Martha’s home. You will need to bring an air mattress. Feel free to tent camp outside on her lawn, if you would like. Gentlemen: We will be sleeping inside the gym. You will need to bring an air mattress. Feel free to bring your own tent if you want to camp outside! KEEP IN MIND: There are always dangerous and unforeseen elements working with tools and being in nature: Cliffs, water hazards, weather, animals, insects, reptiles, falling limbs or rocks, Poison Ivy, Oak, Sumac, etc. Trails may be un-maintained, slippery, rocky, icy and have steep embankments. Shoes and clothing may get muddy or wet. WAIVER: By attending, each person assumes all responsibility and liability for themselves and their actions and hereby releases Echo Ministries, its employees, directors, officers, agents, and volunteers from any and all liability resulting from any loss, injury, illness, damages, or death, while attending, participating or volunteering in this event. Make sure that anyone you invite receives this information and understands and agrees to all aspects of it, otherwise you’re responsible for them. For more information please contact: Rich Forbes 770.807.2446 or richforbes2000@gmail.com or contact Greg Ford at 770-316-9200 or gregford@echoministries.com