Children Concerned News

CC Texas Weekend Update

Posted 6/7/2007

TEXAS JUNE 1-4th, 2007
Children Concerned, Tom and Candy Zackey, Ethan and Heretta, too!

Dear friends of Children Concerned;

Many of you have asked for an update on the weekend trip to Texas Tom and I and two of the children just took… here it is!

We started in Houston, TX at the home of Chris and Lisa Seay and their beautiful family. Chris is the pastor of Ecclesia Church in Houston (www.EcclesiaHouston.org). We had precious fellowship at the Seay's home all afternoon; and were interviewed by Travis Reed of The Work of The People (www.theworkofthepeople.com). He hopes to do something with the filming he took of us in regards to spreading the word about families involving their children in ministry and helping us share about Children Concerned's work as well. If you go to The Work of the People link above, you can see both Travis' work and a thought-provoking segment with Chris Seay entitled, "The Eight Dollar Hot Dog". Worth watching!!

We spoke to a group at the Ecclesia Coffee House in downtown that evening; sharing the vision God has laid upon our hearts about Liberia. Tom gave an inspirational message to families there about being involved in life with our children as they seek God's will for their lives. We spent time in fellowship with these precious folks of Houston, answering questions and hearing their hearts about working alongside us in Children Concerned.

Saturday morning we set out early to make the drive to Dallas, about 3½ hours. There we met with more key supporters, those who share the same vision we have for Liberia. Ethan and Heretta ministered in song and African drum, and we spent time in prayer together with our brethren about the needs and the future of the ministry and Liberia. Prayer is vital; it is almost all we need! We pray, and see God move… as we continued to see in Dallas.

Saturday evening found us at the Heritage Family Church of Colleyville, TX. There the congregation welcomed us with pure Southern hospitality! They reached out to us, prayed for us and we spent time in fellowship with them having a meal together after the service. Pastor Bobby Treece is an anointed minister, whose heart comes through his message ~ his heart is for pastoring his people. He spoke on the life of Joseph; how God gives us all dreams… Kingdom Dreams! Bobby is also a country singer, we got to listen to his CD of songs about family and things dear to the heart of God ~ he's more than a talented preacher… this man can SING! The web-site for their church is: www.heritagefamilychurch.org.

Our host family, Shane and Chace Simmons, took EXCELLENT care of us and made sure the purposes of our trip were fulfilled! We are so thankful for their kindred friendship! They had us stay at the home of a friend, a bachelor who lived just down the road from their house, who maintains a larger home just so he can house missionaries! We enjoyed sharing tea and hearing stories of Rich's experiences in Germany and other places he'd lived and traveled to. Heretta loved his many, many bookcases - and she decided that he was our new friend, and should definitely come visit US! We hope he will one day.

Sunday morning we worshipped with some precious saints, the church where Shane Simmons' parents Joe and Linda Simmons attend; Christian Center of Mesquite (christiancentermesquite.org) We were able to share the work of the Children Concerned ministry with this group, as they were interested in global missions.

We so enjoyed their music; old-time Gospel songs! Shane and his Mom helped lead the worship.

One thing God had impressed upon our hearts for this trip was the fact that we were going with the express purpose of sharing God's heart - to care for the widows and orphans - with His people! And God had prepared this people's hearts…the last, unintended (by us, not by God!) appointment we had was with some special people, Chuck and Vickie Watson. Chuck is a man that makes things happen, as people say - and his wife and children share this man's love for reaching out to God's people. Chuck connected us with some folks, and in the end the needs of the boys' home we are starting were met. All the start-up items from beds & mattresses, personal care items, cooking supplies and two months' food & supplies! God is so faithful; and we knew those 32 boys were praying this weekend for this. And to complete the testimony of God's faithfulness - I must add here that the funding came from a group called, "Ministry to Widows and Orphans".

God is faithful, God is able. We are also able, by faith; if we will faithfully pray. Of this we are convinced!

A lot has been happening. While we were away the WIVB-TV News did a segment on our family and the Children Concerned ministry. If you would like to see the video clip; go to: www.wivb.com, or use this link:

http://www.wivb.com/Global/story.asp?S=6619538

Tom and Jack will be leaving for Liberia in less than 3 weeks. We ask for your prayers over their mission and the various projects, the 'House Flipping', and the set-up of the Boys' Home. Also they will be setting the ground-work for the future work of 'The Cross' - home for 750 orphans and many, many widows. They'll update you on that work when they return.

Thanks for your continued prayers and support of this ministry; one we feel privileged to be a part of!

For the Kingdom and His Children,

Tom and Candy Zackey and Family