Stop 1 Charleston

God's Girls Ministry SOZO Tour Mission Trip is quickly approaching. I am taking one day at a time and still fundraising. ($400 to go!) We leave the morning of Thursday July 24th for Charleston, West Virginia. Yesterday I spent a few minutes looking up Charleston's history after being inspired by Connie to do so. I was intrigued by the industrial history of the city. It is based in Kanawha County. This Indian name means Canoe Way with a connotation meaning Transportation way. 

I also found it interesting that Charleston's industry began with the discovery of salt mines. While mining for salt, natural gas was found, and then coal. There is not much demand for salt from Charleston anymore, but the salt water brine is now a source for two chemicals that are in demand. One thing lead to the other...salt mines paved the way to the others.

Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. As He is the only way to The Father, so Charleston is the transportation way to our Mission, leading the way to more wholeness of Christ, (body, soul & spirit) to the streets of the midwest.

Charleston is a small city as state capital cities go, with 51,000 people making a life within the city limits. Of those, 64% do not claim to be followers of a religion of any kind. Now I do not know if some of these are the "no-religion, I- have- a -relationship -with -Jesus" folks. Still, 64% without  a home church, without experiencing the great love and grace and goodness of God, seems like a huge number to me. Most of the Christians there are Methodists or some other protestant religion. I am happy to bring God's simple message of unconditional love, grace, hope & healing to the city whether they go to church or not. Everyone needs what Jesus offers. He satisfies. His love is better than wine.

I see the importance of having a period of time without money concerns so I can focus more on the trip itself, the goodly encounters we will have and to  prepare with more praise, worship, focused Word studies, prayer and supplication. I want to prepare a blog entry in advance for each city to help me focus on the places we will be stopping. I would like to have all donations in by this Friday. Click here to add your's.


If you helped make this trip possible with your prayers and financial contributions, thank you. I hope you will follow our adventures along the way as I post updates from the road as often as possible.

Top left: Connie, first timer!
Top right:me

Bottom left: Lesa
Bottom right: Hayley, 15, also first timer

Love you
Carol