We are on our way!

October marks an exciting month for AGC (All God's Children)! Sunday, October 6th, will be our first class. It will be an individualized class for a child with extra challenges in our church. The vision that I have is finally beginning to come into sight. There is still a long way to go to get this vision complete but that brings a saying to mind.... "A journey of a thousand miles, begins with one step". So very true at this point.


I also wanted to give you a heads up about a great program in the Portland Area. Sensory PDX. It is an excellent resource for any family or person that knows someone with Autism. Every month they have a guest speaker who talks about different subjects that pertain to Autism. At the end of the seminar they take time to answer people's personal questions. I have signed up for a few upcoming classes. Here is a link to check out the classes.
www.providence.org/classes
Simply click on "online class catalog" then search class name "sensory pdx"

Stay up to date with Sensory PDX by liking them on Facebook. Click Here for their page.


This morning I came across a scripture while reading out of Isaiah:

I am the Lord; that is my name;

    my glory I give to no other,

    nor my praise to carved idols.

Behold, the former things have come to pass,

    and new things I now declare;

before they spring forth

 I tell you of them.”

Isaiah 42:8-9 ESV

The words just jumped out of the page at me. Our God has a plan. He brings us hope no matter what is going on around us. No matter our current trials or situations. We have hope because we have Him. Even if I don't know what is to come this October, next year, or 5 years from now, I can be relaxed and even joyful because I serve a God who is All-Knowing and carries it in the palm of his hands.

Last but certainly not least, I wanted to update you on the trip to Houston. I have talked with a couple people from Lakewood Church and they recommended I come out in October. On the 19th they are doing some training that they though would be good for me to attend. The Houston Fund is currently at $929. I need a minimum of $1200 to get out there and stay a couple days. A friend of a friend is a travel agent and is working on finding me the best deal possible for round trip plane tickets. But the fact remains, if the funds aren't there then I can't book the trip. 

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this trip thus far. You guys are changing our church for the better. Please, now is the time to give. We are so close to being fully funded and I am so grateful. If you would like to send a donation. Please send it to:

Connection Church

PO Box 1973

Oregon City, OR 97045

Mark "Houston" somewhere on the check or on a note within the envelope.

Thanks for your time!
Bethany

Let me take this moment and introduce myself. My name is Bethany Condit and I am 29 years old. Oregon City, Oregon is the place I call home. I live there with my husband of 10 years and our two beautiful daughters. The oldest is 9 and the youngest is 3. My husband works full time+ every single week. That leaves me blessed to stay home and take care of our kids. A couple years ago, I became ordained to pastor over the children and families at Connection Church.

Last year, an awareness grew of a need for children with extra challenges to have a place that they could feel comfortable and safe. A place to feel God's Love. Children with extra challenges can be any child that cannot sit through a typical Sunday School Class. They may have been diagnosed with autism, Asperger's, ADHD, or down syndrome. With the increase of diagnoses of autism on the rise, why is there not a multiplication of classes or groups within the church where families can go?

At church, we have one child who attends occasionally. He was diagnosed with autism at a very young age. My goal is to start a class that he can attend. Starting in October 2013, it will be one Sunday a month. As the volunteers in our church increase, I will be able to offer the class every single Sunday. 

My second goal is to take a trip to Houston, Texas. Lakewood Church has a program for Special Needs Children. It would be beneficiary for me to get out there and experience it all first hand. Talk to some teachers/pastors/volunteers and take a tour of the classrooms. The congregation of Connection Church has started a fund to pay for the trip's expenses. It is currently at $749! I need about $500 more before I can get the trip scheduled. (Wahoo! We are over half way there!!) The fund will pay for 2 airline tickets and hotel accommodations for my husband and me.

If you would like to contribute to this fund you can mail a check to:

Connection Church
PO BOX 1973
Oregon City, OR 97045

Please mark "Houston Trip" in the memo of the check or on a note enclosed with the check.

I want to thank everyone who has given me words of encouragement, money, or kept me in their prayers as I embark on this mission. 

With Gratitude,

Bethany Condit

Let the little children come to Me; do not get in their way. For the kingdom of heaven belongs to children like these.
Matthew 19:14 (The Voice)