Benefit sale for missions

Seeing the devastation in other parts of the world has inspired at least two local families to get involved in world missions.

Mark, Kim and Kaylee Laster spent two weeks in Uganda with Empower-A-Child in 2010. The trip was an eye-opening and life changing experience for the Lasters who had the opportunity to work on construction projects and to work with children in a rural village, Kim Laster said. They also cleaned and cared for babies and children in orphanages in the capital city of Kampala.

Terry Warren has developed relationships with the Thirst No More organization and with local churches and pastors in Haiti during four mission trips he has taken since the earthquake in 2010. On the short term mission trips, teams support Haitian’s through work on construction projects, in medical clinics and by visiting orphanages.

Warren and other members of First Baptist Church in Pea Ridge will be returning to Haiti in December of this year.

The Lasters and Warrens are members of First Baptist Church,Pea Ridge, where Warren is the missions director.

In January 2010, a major earthquake caused widespread devastation, destruction and loss of life in Haiti, which was already the most impoverished country in the Western Hemisphere.

A huge rummage/garage sale will be held on from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Pea Ridge Middle School Cafeteria on Weston Street by members of First Baptist Church. The sale will include sporting goods, toys,games, furniture, clothing, shoes, tools, kitchen accessories, house hold decor and much, much more. All proceeds will be used to support international missions for children living in poverty in Haiti and in Uganda, Africa.

Half of the funds raised at the garage sale will benefit a home for orphaned children through Thirst No More, a mission organization that works to empower Haitians with the building block for a hope-filled future, Laster said.

The other half of the money raised at the garage sale will benefit impoverished children through Empower-A-Child International, a ministry organization that empowers children in Uganda, Africa.

More than 50 percent of the population of Uganda is under the age of 16. Approximately, 2.3 million of those children are orphans due to decades of war, AIDS and other diseases.

Empower-A-Child seeks to develop the future leaders of Uganda through educational sponsorship and mentorship.

Prices at the UGANDA/ HAITI Benefit Garage Sale will be kept low so shoppers can find real bargains while at the same time help two important causes. In addition to the sale, children can get their faces painted with African designs and families can learn more about opportunities to support or sponsor children in Haiti and Uganda.