And the total is...

AMAZING!!!

People gave so generously on Saturday night!! We raised almost $1500!!! So with what was sent in before the concert and what my friend is matching...

MY TRIP IS PAID FOR!!!!

This has turned out better than I could had ever imagined. God has answered my prayers with what seemed impossible... and my faith has been built because of it. I am in awe of the goodness of God and how He delights to answer our prayers. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers and to those who gave that night and are reading this, thank you a thousand times! You don't know what an encouragement you are to me! I pray that God will richly bless you in a way bigger than you could imagine! Stay tuned for more of what God is doing!

* * *

"Only fear the Lord and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you!"

1 Samuel 12:24

Almost time...

...for the concert fundraiser to start tonight!!!

So I had told you about the event we were having to raise money for my trip to China this summer... and it's tonight!!

God's been doing some crazy, awesome stuff lately! It would take too long to go in detail, but stuff like a friend redirecting all of her graduation gift money to me for my trip... another friend saying they will match dollar-for-dollar everything that is raised tonight... God providing the $500, what I have to give to Bring Me Hope for staying at the camp, by the concert tonight, just like I prayed He would!! The local radio station even called to do an interview about the concert tonight! This has been even better than I imagine. I am overwhelmed and humbled by the generosity of God's people and how He can touch hearts!

It's been an incredible, faith-building last couple weeks... and I know it will only get better! It is so obvious that I am headed the right direction by going to China this summer. Everytime I turn around, God has another confirmation right there! I have been praying that God will provide the entire amount of money needed for my trip -- before I leave! I know that He is so able to do that and I can't wait to see what other doors He will open! There's only $2000 left to go!!!

Please pray that the Holy Spirit will be with us tonight... I don't want to attempt this in my own strength. Pray that people can see the huge need there is to minister to the orphans. Pray that God will touch hearts with the message that we can be the avenue to get Christ's hope to the orphans! Most of all, pray that Jesus Christ is lifted up. I don't want the people to see any of us... just HIM and all that He can accomplish!

Thanks for standing behind me... it's so encouraging! Love ya guys!

THE Concert

I got my support letters sent out this week!  I am really excited to how God is going to provide for the needs of my trip through the help of friends and family.  I wanted to invite one and all to a concert fundraiser that we are having at our friends house May 3rd.  Our family will be singing along with several guest groups.  We will also be serving dessert, videos about Bring Me Hope and my trip last year, and of course have a free-will offering.  I know that lots of you aren't in driving distance... but I thought I would tell you for the fun of it.  If anyone is, come on over if you can!!

If you want to know anymore about the concert such at time, place etc or have any other questions about my trip, feel free to drop me an email!  

misschmelar@iowatelecom.net

Standing Together

Saturday evening - it was typical Iowa, 'almost-summer' weather. We gathered at our favorite little church in the 'blink-n-miss' town of Joetown. Seated in the hard, wooden benches were about fifty of our family's close friends who came out to show their support for my adventure to China.

Our family started out by singing a very fitting song for the setting:

"I recall a slender steeple, a church house filled with people

And voices lifted up in happy song!

With music so exciting, so warm and so inviting

I had to enter in and sing along!"

After we sang several more songs, our friends from HeartStrings played Amazing Grace and a very unsure version of Orange Blossom Special. (We failed to practice with our pianist before the performance! Not such a good idea.)

About midway through the program, it was fun to welcome the Ockenfels family to the small stage to share three very upbeat, bluegrass songs. The crowd really enjoyed their version of Cripple Creek, where they mixed in several simple, but very funny jokes!

Aaron: Alexander -

Alexander: What -

Aaron: Why were the little strawberries sad?

Alexander: I don't know, why were the little strawberries sad?

Aaron: Because their parents were in a jam!

During the time of the freewill offering, I had the privilege of showing a special DVD showcasing the ministry of Bring Me Hope and also what the summer camps entail. (Visit the site to see the same DVD!)

Tiffany and I closed by singing the song Handmade by God. It really summerized the reason I am going to China; to show those kids that they were made for a purpose, that they are special, and that I am so glad to be there spending time with them!

It was a special night of connecting with dear friends and seeing how they are standing with me this summer - both financially and in prayer! I know I am not going over to China alone! Thank you all again! You are all so special!

* * *

Of course no Chmelar event is complete without a game of football!

He IS My Supply!

The benefit concert was a smash-up success! The music was a very uplifting. Another quarter of my trip expenses were raised (That means I'm halfway there!) The prayers from precious saints were encouraging. And the cookies and fellowship was sweet. Praise God - it's all because of Him!
God's finger has been all over this trip thus far. It amazes me over and over again how the doors are thrown wide and you better believe I am walkin' through!
A more detailed report and pictures will follow soon!

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."

Psalms 37:23

Preparing to Perform

I have learned a lot the last ten weeks about international travel.

First, you need this thing called a passport. I guess it's what gets you in and out of the country... or something like that. Oh, they also want to you to have a special picture taken for the passport. No family snapshots. Though I must say I look a lot better in those. In my passport picture, I look like a jailbird because of my shirt - black and tan horizontal stripes. (Not such a great idea!)

You need shots... if you want to lessen your risk of contracting a disease like Hepatitis.

Then there's the visa. The cost of room and food. Luggage - kinda important for all the Chinese loot I plan on bringing home. (Kinda ironic since most the stuff from Wal-Mart is made there anyway!) I needed more clothes since I can't plan on washing all ten days. Toilet paper - for the squatty-potties.

All this makes the sound of 'ching-ching' in my mind. I've learned it's not exactly cheap to head halfway across the word!

Thus tomorrow night, we are having a concert fundraiser to raise awareness of my trip and help people see what I'm gonna be doing and to ask people to pray... and, ahem, to ask people for money. (There's no nice way to say that.)

On the serious side, I most of all covet people's prayers. I can always work more hours, get other jobs, and stop buying chocolate to pay for my trip. But no amount of money can buy the Holy Spirit going with me over to China. That's really the most valuable thing!