The Oasis Church in Vancouver, Wash., is helping the LaVida Mission in New Mexico. It began with an earnest prayer that led to multiple ways to help the LaVida.
Kim Sellberg, community services co-chair, explains, "When God has a plan, it catches on fire and becomes bigger than you can ever imagine." During the first week of May a small group will make a trip to New Mexico to run a Vacation Bible School and to work on a building project at the mission, which will include laying new flooring and installing new windows. There will be many more opportunities for anyone to help.
The children of Oasis are eagerly helping the cause. Tomsi Logan has spearheaded an Adventurer Club for families of children in preschool to fourth grade. This club, the Oasis Son Seekers, sent 20 Christmas boxes to the LaVida Mission to earn a badge in Kindness. The children's Sabbath School classes saved change in jars and bought board games to send.
Oasis' community services has contributed in several ways. The entire church sent donations of winter clothing for these children. It is reported that the children were delighted with their new coats, hats, scarves and gloves. An Oasian Friendship Tea to support this cause was organized by co-chair Tonjha Monaco. This tea generated $1,400 towards LaVida's needs.
The Oasis men's ministry has been actively helping church members after the recent windstorms in the Vancouver area. To the rescue were men with chainsaws, trucks and talents to clean up yards. In return, a donation was encouraged to support the LaVida Mission trip. One recipient of the help said that when she asked to pay for the help, she was told no, but donations would be accepted for the men's group or LaVida. The men are also selling Papa John's Pizza coupons to raise money for sports equipment for the mission.
"We have been unbelievably blessed with funding and donations," Sellberg says. "God has been so gracious, and it is obviously His project."
Oasis has made Rom. 12:09 its prayer: "Don't just pretend that you love others: really love them" (The Living Bible). Oasis seeks to "grow with God, share with others, celebrate God's successes.
Oasis Church's Pathfinder Club, Son Seekers, sent 20 Christmas boxes to the LaVida Mission to earn a badge in Kindness.
