Rutherford Weekly

OUR 24 th YEAR • ISSUE NO. 8 • FEBRUARY 25, 2016 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE INFORMING RUTHERFORD COUNTY INFORMING RUTHERFORD COUNTY To fi nd a drive near you call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org The need for blood IS CONSTANT! Every 2 seconds someone in the US needs a blood transfusion! WE NOW OFFER GUN SALES! 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Giving the gift of another birthday LOCAL LOCAL BUY Lani Warren and Riley Johnson have been friends for as long as either can remember, and with birthdays just six weeks apart, have always wanted to celebrate with one party. This year, to celebrate their 11th birthdays, the girls again approached their moms about a joint party - but this party had a twist. "They came to us and said 'We want to have a birthday party together, but we don't want gifts. We want people to donate money to St. Jude,'" said Lani's mom, Sandra. St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, located in Memphis, Tenn., provides care for children with various diseases at no cost. Families do not receive a bill, and funding for the hospital and its services are completely donor provided. The girls were introduced to St. Jude through Sandra's cousin, Noni, 7, who has aplastic anemia. Noni received a bone marrow transplant and still receives services through St. Jude. "Noni's experiences piqued their interest, and from there they began to research St. Jude," Sandra said. Riley began watching YouTube videos about St. Jude, said her mom, Mandy, and was impressed that children could receive care at no cost. "One thing I learned was that the hospital staff really tries to provide for children. One little boy loved Christmas, but he wasn't expected to make it until Christmas. St. Jude helped his family to have Christmas at Halloween for him," Riley said. To let those they invited to the party know they preferred donations to St. Jude rather than gifts, the girls created flyers that explained what St. Jude was. Because both girls are involved in dance, travel ball teams and church activities, it was decided they would have their party on Valentine's weekend. "It really fit with our theme, which was 'share the love,'" Lani said. Some of the girls friends were surprised that they were willing to give up their birthday gifts to help others. "I told them it was something that I felt like in my heart that we needed to do, and if I was in that position (a patient at St. Jude) I would want to have someone donate to help me," Lani said. The girls' party included love themed decorations, as well as poster boards with information about St. Jude they learned from researching the hospital. They also wore matching purple St. Jude T-shirts for the party. Riley and Lani had a fundraising goal of $500. When the amount raised at the party was announced, they were surprised to learn they'd more than doubled their original goal. "We were just floored," Sandra said. "We had kids show up with presents and donations, and while we didn't invite the girls' teachers, they also gave donations." Donations are still being accepted, and can be made online at stjude.org. Click ways to give and then dedicate your birthday. From that page, search birthdays and enter "Riley and Lani." Mission team heads back to Moldova to teach English, to Moldova to teach English, Bible study Bible study Since Susan Johnson first heard the voice of God, she's dedicated her life to doing His work. Among that work is going with others from Rutherford County to do mission work in Moldova. A trained Precept leader since 1993, Susan said she'd done mission work since that time, primarily in Panama and South America. But one day, the Eurasian area was put on her heart, and she began to pray for Moldova. "It wasn't until 20 years later I was finally able to go there," she said. Her first visit to Moldova was in the summer of 2014, and while there she ministered through English for a New Life camp. This weekend Susan, along with her son, Paul, and daughter, Sarah, and Reagan Davis, will visit Moldova for another mission trip where they will help run a weeklong camp to teach English. "English is the second language in Eurasian countries," Susan explained. "It opens doors for those who live there for future jobs, and for ministry." English is taught to those who attend camp through inductive Bible study. With inductive Bible study, students approach Biblical stories using observation, interpretation and application. "It allows them the opportunity to hear God's Word without the opinions of others," Susan explained. "It's not me speaking to them, it's the Word speaking to them." Campers are given opportunities to practice English and their understanding of the stories. "In the evenings each group is assigned a skit, song or activity based on what they learned that day," Paul explained. "It reinforces what they learned Biblically and English." Those who attend the weeklong camp have the chance to return for the longer camp in the summer. When the Johnsons and Reagan return for camp this summer, they will do so again with books and other items for campers. All fundraising they do for the mission trip is used to provide for campers, Susan said. "We have to take books for all the campers, and somehow we would up with almost double the books we needed," Paul said. "So, on the second day we gave each person an extra book that they could share with a friend. One camper said that she had prayed the day before that she would be able to share a book with her friend, and now she could." The people of Moldova, Susan added, are some of the most humble she's ever met. Sarah agreed. "I asked one boy what he would do with a million dollars, and his response was 'I'm going to go to heaven, why do I need it?'" Sarah said. Visiting Moldova will provide both Sarah and Reagan an opportunity to further consider mission work as a career. "I am a freshman at Gardner-Webb, and I'm majoring in missiology and teaching English as Second Language," Sarah said. "I've visited Panama, Haiti, Thailand, India…. but God has really put Moldova on my heart, and I think it's where I will end up once I'm out of school." "I believe this trip will influence my future by giving me more insight of what it will be like to be missionary," Reagan said. "Traveling to other countries has already broadened my experience and made me more appreciative of what I have." All are looking forward to seeing friends they've made and students from summer camp. "I'm excited to see what the Lord has been doing in their lives and what He's going to do with me while I'm there," Reagan said. Volunteering for English for a New Life Camp is open to anyone, no matter their church affiliation. Training is provided. Camp will be held July 12-22, and those who volunteer will travel from July 9-26. you would like to take part, get in touch with Susan Johnson at 828-245-7397. Article By: Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com Article By: Allison Flynn • allison@rutherfordweekly.com Best friends Riley Johnson and Lani Warren celebrated their 11th birthdays with a party to benefi t St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Lani Warren and Riley Johnson have been friends since before their fi rst birthdays, and have always wanted to have a party together. This year, they fi nally did, and had their friends bring donations for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital rather than gifts. Susan Johnson, center, leads an inductive Bible study during the English for a New Life camp in Moldova. Susan, along with her son and daughter, Paul and Sarah, and Reagan Davis will head to Moldova for a weeklong camp next week.

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