With summer in full swing, the days are long and full of fun activities. God’s presence can be felt like the warm sunshine each day. Joyful noises of birds singing, people laughing and an occasional rain shower fill the air. However, if we are not looking for these beautiful sights and signs of life, we can miss the comforting and good gifts God gives us every moment of our lives.
That’s right God is constantly covering us with His tender care and lovingly carrying us through the journey of life until we are at home with Him forever in heaven. Some days seem long and there are even season’s when we don’t see or feel this truth of God’s love. However, not only is God there protecting, guiding and blessing but He and His promises are always faithful and true.
It is in times like these we often need some extra nudges to see God’s blessings and goodness all around us. We need to be reminded that God is so good and that He is pouring out His love on us in so many ways. The song “Count your blessing, name them one by one” is not only for children but everyone regardless of age. It’s a sure way to brighten up a day and fill it with some “Sonshine” that will put bounce in your step and song in your heart.
In case you need some visual prompting to think and believe God’s best about the day, check out the attached pics below. :)
It reminds me of how God blesses each of us so we can be a blessing to others. In fact, one of the churches that brought out 175 volunteers to serve as buddies to the participants calls their volunteer ministry “Bless”. The great thing about God’s economy is that those who serve others are often blessed in return beyond what they give making our event an example of a heavenly win-win. You can never out give God and that applies not only to your finances but your time and talents, too.
The verse that often comes to my mind before, during and after each Expo is Deuteronomy 12:7 which says: ” There, in the presence of the LORD your God, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because the LORD your God has blessed you.” What a great word picture it gives to those who have worked so hard to put together the outreach of the rewards the actual event day will bring. This is God’s hope for our lives here on earth that until we reach our ultimate home of heaven we will serve Him enjoying the blessings He gives us each day.
We hope you enjoy the attached photo collage and pictures of God working, blessing and rewarding folks this past Saturday at the North Texas Expo and that you’ll be encouraged knowing God is bringing heaven to earth everyday and in so many ways through the lives of His people who have been blessed to bless others. If you’d like to see more pictures from this and past North Texas outreaches you can go to our North Texas Expo page on our website at: 
This past Saturday, the ministry was privileged to host not one but two Spring Flings. One in East TN at Shady Grove Methodist Church and One in North Texas at Valley Ranch Baptist Church! That’s right twice the ministry and twice the blessings all in one day. :)
It was the fifth time we held a Spring Fling in East TN but the very first one ever in North Texas. However, we had some great servant hearted and seasoned volunteers at both. Each event was attended by about 60 participants and volunteers and while the activities differed along with the locations, God was still present blessing each and everyone there!
We hope you enjoy the smiles in the photos here but feel free to check out more East TN Outpost activity pictures at 
If interested is starting a ministry Outpost in your area and hosting an activity or two please let us know and we will do all we can to help make things happen on our end. :)
You know, prayer is one of the most under utilized resources we as Christians have here on earth. It is not only the way we communicate and fellowship with God but it is how we engage Him in bringing more of Heaven to earth each day through our prayers of petition.
I wanted to share a great devotion by ‘Seeds of the Kingdom” I read [text is below] on wholesome thinking.
5/6 UPDATE:
Our 8th annual Expo in West Palm Beach and 42nd Expo overall was this past Saturday and God blessed us with a new all-time high for any of our outreaches of 1,307 attendees! As the event has grown, set-up and tear-down have become a larger and larger task each year and this year having over 50 tents including 33 for resource exhibitors was also record for any Expo to date. However, as always God gave us all we needed to accomplish the goals He set before us and the 160 kids from Palm Beach Atlantic’s Workship program with the youthful energy that many of us seem to be running low on from time to time were a huge help on both Frida and Saturday.
Finally, it is Leanne’s and my hope and prayer that you know how much we appreciate all our ministry partners and your commitment to share the love and gospel of Jesus with folks living with disabilities from TX to TN to FL and even Belize. Whether you are the hands and feet of Jesus through your prayers, giving or service THANK YOU for answering God’s call and coming together as His people to shine His light and shower His love on those who join us at each outreach. :)
While we had already given out over 12 wheelchairs and various other mobility items and medical supplies during the days leading up to the big event through visits to schools and homes as well as to those who came to the mission facility earlier, the over 40 wheelchairs and countless walkers, crutches, canes and medical supplies distributed that day kept everyone busy well before, during and after the posted Expo times.
The art, craft, prayer, picture and game activities also greatly blessed folks that day as they hopefully were able to take a deep breath and relax a bit enjoying the good gifts of fellowship and fun God brought in some unique ways. However, the best gift, both given and received, was the one little girl who prayed to receive Jesus as Savior on Expo day!
Once Wilson was settled in his classroom, Korie and some of the guys on the team began working on the ramp into his classroom. The original plan was for a simple ramp that would be attached to the sidewalk with concrete screws that could be removed and moved with him to other classrooms each year. After seeing the layout of the school and the sidewalks, the plans were enhanced to make a “three-way” ramp so that Wilson could go all directions coming out of his classroom.
While the ramp was being built, Nancy, the team PT and Pam, an OT on the team, evaluated Wilson in his classroom how to make the chair work best for him. Helen and Tiffanie helped Nancy and Pam to get the chair cleaned up and adjusted, and then the real fun began!
We brought Wilson to a picnic pavilion near his classroom and let him try out the chair. The look that spread across Wilson’s face when he realized that he could propel the chair on his own was priceless! Nancy and Pam made slight adjustments and showed Wilson’s parents how the chair worked, and then Wilson was off! He wanted to race with Doug and the two of them had fun wheeling down the sidewalks.
Others on the team were also able to adapt a desk for Wilson to be able to roll right under it and got it moved into his classroom. All of the teachers and staff at school were so helpful and it was great to see how they and the children all loved Wilson and were happy that he was able to get a chair!
In the aftenoon, the team went to visit Armenia Government School to bring a chair to a girl named, Neymi. She had come to the Access-Life Expo in 2015 and received a chair, but it was getting too small for her and it was not in good shape after three years of use. We found Neymi in her classroom and asked if she’d like a new chair. Her face lit up and she was excited to get fitted for the chair that had been chosen for her.
While the ramp was being built, some of our team put together packets of rice and beans and Bibles to distribute to the school families at dismissal. Many families came to get the packets and were thankful to receive the food. All capping off a great 1st full day in Belize.
The plan for the day was to build a tiered ramp for Edward Roland, who had recently had his right leg amputated. He and his family live in Roaring Creek Village, not far from the Hearts of Christ mission, so Korie and the building guys went to get the materials and headed to the house to get started. Alicia brought Nancy and Nanette over to meet Mr. Roland and to access his need for crutches, walker, wheelchair or a combination of the three. Edward’s wife, Juanita, also cares for their eleven year old granddaughter, Sherise, who has hydrocephalus and his blind.
After meeting the Rolands, Alicia brought Nancy and Nanette to visit Ms. Marcelina to see if she might have a need for a new cane. We found her in a neighbor’s house where she goes during the day, and Nancy talked with her about what would work best for her. Later in the afternoon, we were able to bring her a new cane that had pretty designs on it, which Nancy picked out after seeing some of Ms. Marcelina’s beautiful embroidery work. She loved her new cane and was happy to get it!
After lunch, the team all went back to the Roland’s to deliver a wheelchair, walker and cane, as well as some supplies to help with the care of Sherise. Nancy and Pam showed Edward how to use the equipment to get around in his house and then rolled him to the other side of the house so he could see the ramp that was being finished up. While the guys finished the ramp, Leanne and Sally spent time visiting with the Rolands, while the rest of the team walked around the neighborhood to give out rice. It was great to come back and see the finished ramp and to take a team picture with Edward and Juanita on the ramp.
Well, it’s been a good year of highlighting some of the ministry’s bright and shining hearts with our monthly Rays of Sonshne BLOG posts and today is our final highlighting post that features yet another very special volunteer: Helen McClaren.
Helen began serving with Access-Life at our first Expo in East Tennessee back in 2010. Since that time she has become a key member of the area outreach planning team spearheading the food service and volunteer recruiting at her church each year. She has also become an Area Outpost leader not only attending local ministry activities but seeing that her church hosts the annual Access-Life Spring Fling. To top off all of these accomplishments, Helen join the ministry’s board of directors this year. A real blessing for our leadership team. :)
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