Eagle Scout Projects Spruce Up Austin Neighborhood

In three separate but related projects, eighth grade Boy Scouts Hudson East, Shaun Maloney, and Andrew Reue will focus their efforts on one East Austin neighborhood and its need for improved children's play areas. The area around the True Light Daycare on Forth Branch Blvd will benefit from three Eagle Scout projects which include a new playground structure at the community park (East), a Safety surface and trike track for toddlers (Maloney), and a new water fountain and deck area for an outdoor kiln (Reue). St. Gabriel's is very proud to have such dedicated leaders in our middle school! Updates to follow...

An Update from the Harvesters

Rachel McCarthy is the eighth grader who suggested the Valentines dance fundraiser (see blog post below). She received this Thank You letter recently which details the recipient's graitude:

Terry and Rachel,

How are things in Austin? Everything at the orphanage and school are great! We are in the middle of a monthly testing period at the school, and in late April we start end of the semester exams! I cannot believe this semester is almost over.

I wanted to make sure to send both of you a "thank you" email for all the heart and hard work you put into helping the school. I just recently had a potential donor ask me "What kind of things do you need at the school?" and I responded with, "What don't we need?". In areas like this, every bit of help goes a long way, so your project was a huge blessing and encouragement.

Below I have included an excerpt from my newsletter I send out to interested people in America. I told the story of how my dad met you and what resulted from your actions...

God Bless both of you and thanks again!

Christina

Here it is:

Big Things Come from Small Actions

As many of you may know, my father is a pilot for American Airlines. He is also my agent. He frequently hands out my brochures on his flights and is constantly telling people about God's work in Sudan. Recently, we saw great rewards for his daily actions.

While on one flight, my father spoke to a man named Terry McCarthy. Mr. McCarthy mentioned that his thirteen year old daughter, Rachel, had been studying Sudan in her geography class. He asked for permission to have his daughter email me.

Terry and Rachel were quick to contact me. After looking at the pictures on my website, they felt called to act. Rachel petitioned her school in Austin Texas, St. Gabriel's Catholic School, to donate the money raised from their annual benefit dance to Harvesters. Terry spoke with the school about donating used laptops from their school to our school here in Sudan.

I was grateful beyond words when I read that so much came from the work of my father, Terry and Rachel. If my father had not been diligent in raising awareness about the need in Sudan, none of this would have happened. If Terry had not been moved to act, none of this would have happened. And, if Rachel had not already possessed the willingness and heart to help others, none of this would have happened.

I hope this story encourages all of you to use the tools God has placed before you to help others. It can be volunteering at a homeless shelter down the street, witnessing over coffee at your favorite shop or organizing a benefit during a school dance. We are all part of Christ's body, and we all have a purpose. I pray that God continues to reveal His wonderful purpose for you.

DEAR Day Donation

"Drop Everything And Read Day" was Thursday, April 12th. In honor of a beloved pastime, St. Gabriel's students did just that for one half hour of the school day. In addition to savoring some extra time for reading, the kids also contributed to a book donation hosted by our librarian Caitlin Robson. She asked students to bring in gently used books for Safe Place in Austin and received 957 books for the shelter's charter school's new library. What a nice way to share a love for books!