Naples 2014: Green Bay Volunteers in Naples
July 28, 2014:
Here at Naples OPC in Naples, Florida, we are hosting a short-term mission team from New Hope OPC (Green Bay, Wisconsin) this week. Associate Pastor Paul Mourreale and the group from Green Bay arrived in two vans on Saturday evening and will be here until Friday morning. They will canvass neighborhoods for us and do service projects, including a day of service at St. Matthew's House (a faith-based non-profit ministry to the homeless and those in addiction recovery). Our church has its office space at St. Matthew's, and it is through St. Matthew's that I have access to the inmates at the jail for ministry. We are so encouraged to welcome the team from Green Bay!
Green Bay Team on the beach in Naples, Florida, with new Haitian friend
This team shot includes me, my wife and my two college-age sons.
July 29, 2014:
Here is a photo of the sweet sunset last night, with some members of the team enjoying the sky.
Here are the two cabins at the local KOA campground where the team is lodging and making their meals. The cabins are very reasonable, air conditioned, sleep 6 each, and are located very close to a Super WalMart for shopping.
The team canvassed an East Naples neighborhood with invitations to worship. Pictured here are four team members putting invitations in door-jams in the Florida sunshine.
July 30, 2014:
Engaging with locals and tourists on Naples beach through soccer outreach last evening.
The team heard testimonies of men in the (faith based) Justin's Place addiction recovery program of St. Matthew's House.
July 31, 2014:
Dusting furniture
in the thrift store
at St. Matthew's House.
Making labels for the re-sale store at St. Matthew's House.
Cleaning drain gutters at St. Matthew's House.
The team visited shut-in, Betty Walenta, a member of Providence OPC (Bradenton, FL) who was moved to an assisted living center in Naples to be near her daughter. Betty recently celebrated her 98th birthday! The team visited Betty twice, singing to her, reading Scripture, praying, and encouraging her in the faith.
Ice Cream and Conversational English! Young ladies from New Hope OPC enjoying ice cream with Djina, a Christian woman from Haiti who wants to improve her English skills.
After a long day of service ... bobbing in the sunset in the Gulf of Mexico.
Sweet summer sunset over the Gulf.
Thanks for coming to Naples, Green Bay team!