Guatemala – October 2008

By: Britt Edwards
When we arrived in Guatemala City I turned in my seat to welcome the Cookeville Assembly of God team sitting behind me.  “Welcome to being a minority.”  Soon we would all be realizing the extent of what that meant as we left the pristine new airport and made the four hour trek into a world that is not like ours.  The first night was a crash course in living without electricity and how to live in uncomfortably close quarters.

We spent the first full day in Guatemala walking from village to village, attending two church services and being welcomed into several homes to share a meal…and boy did they feed us!  We were all so amazed at the courtesy and generosity exhibited by these precious people.  We were learning fast what a giving people the Guatemalans are.  How could those who have so little give so much?  It was a question we struggled with for the remainder of our time spent in their country.   Read more

Brentwood Baptist’s Service Celebration

This fall semester SLAM has been facilitating service projects for the Brentwood Baptist Church high school youth group each Wednesday night During this time each of Brentwood’s 30 small groups opportunity to help serve the elderly and disabled in Nashville. This week they Read more

Brentwood Baptist’s Weekly Plunge

This fall semester SLAM will be facilitating service projects for the Brentwood Baptist Church high school youth group each Wednesday night. During this time each of Brentwood’s 30 small groups will have the opportunity to help serve the elderly in Nashville. We thank God for providing workers to meet the needs of the needy in Nashville!

Community Service Plunge

SLAM is facilitating a Service Plunge with Cumberland Church of Franklin.  They will be serving the eldery of Nashville.

Mahalia Howard Article

Grace M. Eaton Childcare Center has been serving the community of Nashville for 82 years.  Since it’s beginning, as a center where African American mothers could send their children while the mothers worked, it has developed into a multi-cultural atmosphere for children of single & working mothers.

Grace M. Eaton functions as a 3-Star educational daycare, the highest ranking in Tennessee, and is full of experienced and educated teachers.  The center allows for low-income families to have a place for their children to come and learn in a safe and secure environment.  Meanwhile the parent has the opportunity to go and receive outside job training, education (high school or college), or attend their job.  It is a way in which children can receive the education they need for development without the high price most childcare centers require.

With so much work to be done, it takes a special person to coordinate and handle dozens of children and their families. Mahalia Howard, the executive director of Grace M. Eaton, handles the behind the scenes logistics everyday.  Not only is she responsible for making sure the center is running smoothly, but she is also in charge of fundraising.  Due to the nature of their ministry, Grace M. Eaton must supplement their services with outside fundraisers.  Mahalia writes grants and solicits donations along with organizing community fundraisers for the center. Read more

Brentwood Baptist’s Weekly Plunge

This fall semester SLAM will be facilitating service projects for the Brentwood Baptist Church high school youth group each Wednesday night During this time each of Brentwood’s 30 small groups opportunity to help serve the elderly and disabled in Nashville.  This week they Read more