Hello, MI COMers!
We are on the road this first day of April, going to work at the 8th Annual National COM project with The Great Passion Play, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Rick will be working on construction projects assigned, and Cindy has volunteered to work in the office. She also brought her embroidery/sewing machine in case there’s an opportunity to plug it in and listen to it sing. Not only are we excited to work but to also see COM friends we have already made as we have traveled this last couple of years. They come from various states to work together and it is a blessing to be a part of this effort. Our National COM coordinators, Jerry and Renee McGovern, put a lot into getting this organized and we thank them for allowing us to be a part of it!
We are looking forward to MI COM Work Opportunity beginning May 20th. Be sure to get registered to come to that! This is also a great time to come together as COMers and bond with one another. We have new members that may be coming and we are anxious to get to know them better. As a Chapter we are growing and are trusting God to bring people to this ministry so we can do more each year for His glory. Thank YOU for being a part of MI COM! We are so blessed to be a “mission family” and that you are a part of it. God bless you!
“Sharing Christ as we go!” God bless you, Rick and Cindy
FAITH FELLOWSHIP HOUSING PROJECT UPDATE
In June 2020, MI COM began working on the Faith Fellowship housing project with Pastor Stan in Lansing. They worked at securing and stabilizing the walls, doors and windows, basically the whole structure. Inside walls were taken down and new walls were put up to accommodate the new floor plans for both apartments. They built headers where needed, rebuilt the stairway, ripped out and replaced rotted floors, and installed new door frames where needed. Finally, after working several months in freezing weather and where the cold air flowed inside, they insulated the structure. Now the house is sturdy, the effects of the weather outside will not come inside, and it is ready for the next phase of completion. Electricians came and wired the home. Plumbers got the lines put in but fixtures will be installed after drywalling is done. Two separate furnaces are installed so that each apartment’s temperature can be adjusted according to the resident’s comfort. Duct work is getting installed. Workers have started to drywall in the downstairs apartment.
This house will soon be ready for the finishing touches to be done; painting, cabinets installed, flooring laid. In the near future, this will not be called a project any longer, it will be a home. Double that - a duplex home.
Although MI COM does not have a scheduled workday right now, this project is still open for you individually to call Pastor Stan at the church and go there to work.
Rick wants to thank all the men who came to work in Lansing. Even those this job is not finished; he is proud of the work that was accomplished. He also wishes to thank Pastor Stan for the opportunity to work with him these past months. And to those who provided food for the workers. Other work opportunities are needing our attention right now, but we will not forget this housing project and hope to be back when we can. Our prayerful support continues as well.
LADIES' SEWING PROJECT UPDATE
After the Ladies’ Sewing Event in February, we had dedicated ladies that bought more material and sewed at home. MI COM and Heritage Baptist Church (Truesdail’s home church family) ladies made 24 teddy bears, 18 hooded bath towels, and 38 blanket/throws. Maria Hannuksela will soon be taking them to the foster and refugee children at Bethany Christian Services, Grand Rapids. We know the children will be warmer when they sleep with a warm throw covering them or when they wrap up in a towel after bathing, and feel comfort as they hug their teddy bear. These are examples of how small things can make a big difference in these little lives. Thank you, ladies, for such hard work and devotion to this cause. God bless you.
MI COM UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
Bambi Lake Baptist Camp Work Week and Spring Rally May 20-26th
Join us at Bambi Lake Baptist Camp, Roscommon, MI, Thursday, May 20, thru Wednesday, May 26, to work and get the camp ready to open for the summer and Memorial Day Weekend. Bambi provides MI COM members with campsite/lodge and meals. We will have a meeting and rally service Wednesday evening.
We will have the Country Store set up for you to purchase items you don’t know how you have gotten along this far without! If you wish to donate to the store, bring your items to put on the table. This money will go to our MI COM Fund and help pay for office expenses and food for meals we provide.
If you wish to stay through the holiday weekend, just let us know when you make your reservation with us or call Bambi. You will be responsible on those days to pay for campsite/lodging and provide your own food. This is a great time of fellowship as other campers come in. You will see the campground busy with everyone making great
memories!
NATIONAL UPCOMING EVENTS & OPPORTUNITIES
COM National Rally 2021, Duquoin, Illinois June 8-11, 2021
Registration online at www.campersonmission.net for the COM National Rally 2021 now! COM members bring their RV’s together, some stay in nearby hotels, and we all gather to share what COM is doing and get new ideas and motivation from each other. Here’s just a taste of what is offered at the COM National Rally:
Classes & Seminars can include topics such as: Basic Electrical Basic Plumbing, Drywalling: Hanging & Finishing, Fire Safety for RVs, RV Maintenance, Senior Heart Issues, Staying Connected Electronically on the go, Witnessing.
Entertainment such as a Christian Comedian and singers will be scheduled, as well as special Guest Speakers from various ministries such as missions, church planting, and camp directors.
Be sure to visit our National COM website for more information: www.campersonmission.net
HITCHING POST
Are you familiar with the COM reference to “Hitching Post”? As the Truesdails travel from Michigan to Eureka Springs, AR, they stop to sleep for the night to rest before going on the next leg of the trip. They stopped for a night at Highland Lakes Baptist Camp in Martinsville, IN, enjoying a beautiful cold, crisp evening with beautiful sunshine peeking through the trees.
Because they are going on a COM mission, there was no fee for camping this night. Several camps are happy to bless COMers by providing a free spot to cut their costs as they travel. By doing this, COMers are able to do more for the glory of the Lord.
When you go on mission, check out the National COM website for a listing of these Hitching Posts. Call the camp you are traveling past to your mission and see if they have a spot available for you.
CHAPLAIN'S CORNER
I just this minute finished reading a book written by my dear mother-in-law about her family, including many old photos. The story centered around her great grandfather who was a Civil War veteran (of particular interest to me), and her grandfather. As I was reading, it occurred to me how each one of us leaves a legacy of some kind.
Certainly, one of the greatest blessings of being a MI COM member is the hope that we are leaving a legacy through the work we do to help others in our service to the Lord Jesus. Not many may ever know much of what we do, yet there is only One that really matters—and He definitely knows, will never forget, nor allow your legacy to go unrewarded!
Brothers and sisters, be encouraged ...
To the Praise of His Glory,
Chaplain Chip
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
Birthdays
Gary Hannuksela – 4/1
Earl Dewley – 4/19
Terry Malone – 4/28
Dean Norrington – 4/28
Anniversaries
Richard & Linda Line – 4/7
Tony & Deanna Morningstar – 4/13
PRAYER REQUEST & PRAISE REPORT
Prayer Requests
As summer approaches and COVID restrictions lessen, many of us will be traveling more. Let’s pray for everyone’s safety as we drive and work.
Pray for Bambi Lake Camp as well as all church camps as they open to minister to children, youth, and various adults through retreats and conferences. May many come to know Christ.
Praise Report
Warmer weather is here and we praise God for getting us through the past year. In Michigan we love the four seasons and spring is one of the favorite for many because it brings new hope and life. Thank you, Lord, for Your life!
“I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness.”
Isaiah 42:6-7 NIV
If you have a prayer request or a praise report, please share it with us and we will post it on the website and include it in our monthly newsletters.
MI COM TEES & HATS
For Sale
We have fun things and essentials for you to let others know you are a MI COMer!!!
We encourage you to wear the tees whenever you are working or on a COM event.
Patches are iron-on or easy to sew onto your shirts or jackets.
Lapel Pins are easily attached to a suit jacket or coat.
Pens and Stickers accent your writing and notebooks.
Contact Cindy for your purchase.
MI COM OFFICERS & EXECUTIVE BOARD
Presidents/Project Coordinator: Rick & Cindy Truesdail
Vice-President/Project: Tony Morningstar
Coordinator Chaplain: Pastor Chip Collins Hospitality/Food Coordinator: Kim Norrington
Sewing Project Coordinator: Suzie Collins Secretary: (Vacant) Treasurer: Gary Hannuksela Historian: (Vacant)
Hospitality/Food Assistant: Maria Hannuksela
Sewing Project Assistant: Janice McKnight
NETWORKING CENTER
Tim and Gayle Jones are traveling to reach people for Christ. Tune into their Facebook for their 1002 Show at 10:00 am; “Praise on the Porch” evenings at 8:00 pm; Thursday Night Bible Study at 6:30 pm. You will be blessed by Gayle’s singing and Tim’s words from the Bible. Facebook: Chasing the Joneses
Cindy Truesdail enjoys machine embroidery. She likes the challenge of sewing customized embroidery designs and your personalization is available on most items. Profits from sales goes to support them as they travel and work with MI COM. Facebook: Cindy’s Stitch Art
Sharon Hessling knows how to bake and uses her talent to support their mission journeys to Africa. Profits from the sale of her homemade pies, cookies, and bake goods go to their missionary fund. She offers fresh and delicious fruit pies made to order. Facebook: Sahara Pies Plus
Keep checking at our online Website and Facebook for announcements!
Website: www.michigancampersonmission.org
Facebook: Michigan Campers on Mission
For more information, contact: Rick & Cindy Truesdail Phone: (810) 869-4716