iRock Ministries

intentionally Reaching Our Community Kids

Dec 06 2019

Hevel, everything is utterly Hevel

In Hebrew, hevel literally refers to “vapor” or “smoke”. 

I’ve recently been reading Ecclesiastes and realized that 2019 was a year of hevel. It was a year that described for me how life is temporary and fleeting, like a wisp of smoke, but also how life is an enigma or paradox. Smoke appears solid, but when you try to grab it, it’s like nothing is there. Shortly after sending my last enewsletter in October 2018 my father passed away, just 11 months after my mother. My son and his family, after 12 years of service separated from the Air Force and moved in with us 2 weeks later, I broke my ankle 3 weeks after that, and then my husbands mother passed away 2 months later. Hevel, hevel everything is literally hevel. During that time my life was engulfed with unexpected distractions and responsibilities.
From this I experienced first hand what the teacher in Ecclesiastes was describing, that life is constantly unpredictable and unstable, like “chasing the wind”.
But just as the wind shifts so did my year. My son and his family found their perfect home, my ankle healed, estate business was coming to a close and summer was my opportunity to recalibrate and focus on something that was not hevel, helping myself and others realize that what gives life true meaning is hope.  

Recalibration

As the smoke lifted, there was hope 

Summer brought with it hope. Statistically we traveled over 7,030 miles, spent countless hours in preparation, invested over $8000 in playground equipment and ministry materials, were actively engaged in ministry for over 280 hours, resulting in 52 salvations, 13 water baptisms and an immeasurable number of life changing experiences. Was all of this hevel? It certainly was not! What happened in the lives of so many people is all that matters in the end. Lives were changed and drawn closer to the love of Jesus. We tend to find meaning in all of the statistics but there is no meaning and purpose apart from God. 

Written by Terry Williams · Categorized: Uncategorized · Tagged: 2019, arizona, hevel, Newsletter

Apr 09 2017

Engage Maryland surrounding area

Maryland offers a wide variety of attractions and things to do with its landscape extending from the seashore (the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean) to the mountains (the Appalachians) to urban areas (Baltimore and the Washington DC suburbs). In one day you can enjoy wonderful scenery and outdoor activities as well as visit museums, historic sites, and cultural events.

Hagerstown Cultural Trail
Hagerstown Cultural Trail
Cultural Trail
Cultural Trail
White House Washington DC
White House Washington DC
Washington DC
Washington DC
Frederick Library
Frederick Library
Air and Space Museum
Air and Space Museum

We live within minutes of Catoctin Mountain Park. The park is located in Blue Ridge Mountains,  which are part of the larger chain of mountains known as the Appalachain Mountains. Catoctin Mountain Park, along with neighboring Cunningham Falls State Park, Gambrill State Park, and Frederick and Thurmont Watersheds, are part of the area known as Catoctin Mountain.

Catoctin Mountain Park
Catoctin Mountain Park
Catoctin Mountains
Catoctin Mountains
Cunningham falls
Cunningham falls
Washington Monument
Washington Monument
Washington Monument
Washington Monument
Black Rock
Black Rock
Black Rock
Black Rock

The mountainous terrain of the park makes for several steep, strenuous trails that offer rewarding views to those that are up to the challenge.

If you are a history buff, we are only 90 minutes from Washington DC, 30 minutes from Historical Gettysburg and 20 minutes from Historical Antietam. Within 40 minutes you can visit Harper’s Ferry National Park and hike to the Maryland Heights Overlook for a magnificent view of the town.

Antietam National Park
Antietam National Park
Antietam Bloody Lane
Antietam Bloody Lane
Gettysburg National Park
Gettysburg National Park
Gettysburg
Gettysburg
Gettysburg monuments
Gettysburg monuments
Gettysburg
Gettysburg
Appalachian Trail at Weaverton Overlook
Appalachian Trail at Weaverton Overlook

Ski Liberty and Whitetail resorts are within 45 minutes for skiier, snowboarders and snow tubers alike.

The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (C & O Canal) is a national historic park that dates back to the 18th and 19th centuries. The 184.5-mile towpath extends from Georgetown in Washington, DC to Cumberland, Maryland. Walking or bicycling along the towpath, you can view original structures including locks, lockhouses, and aqueducts. A 25 minute drive will take you to a location you can begin your journey at the Cushwa Basin.

Liberty Ski resort
Liberty Ski resort
Whitetail Ski resort
Whitetail Ski resort
Near our home
Near our home
End of our road
End of our road
Catoctin Mountains
Catoctin Mountains
C&O Canal towpath
C&O Canal towpath

.

Written by Terry Williams · Categorized: Uncategorized

Mar 01 2015

Homes of Hope Heads to Minnesota

iRock Minnesota 2012_467In 2012, we took a team of 9 for our first visit to White Earth AG and Rice Lake Area Fellowship on the White Earth Chippewa Reservation. There we met Pastor Tim and Tammy Brown and instantly fell in love with them and the people they loved. Our purpose in going was to show the love of Jesus in real and practical ways through a camp for the kids. We prayed, played, served and made new friends along the way.

3 years later, we have decided to return to help with a much needed renovation project to one of the church buildings that is currently being used to distribute food and clothing to families in need. While renovations are being made, part of the team will be conducting a day camp for the kids.

The smiling faces alone are reason enough to pack your bags and come along with the team. We will be leaving on July 4th and returning on the 11th. If you are interested in joining us and would like more detail about the trip you can visit our Mission trip page or contact iRock Ministries, Missionary Terry Williams. Applications and the initial payment for the trip are due April 24, 2015. Act now to assure your spot on the team.

Inviting the neighborhood kids to camp

Written by Terry Williams · Categorized: Uncategorized

Sep 16 2006

Home At Last

We left Seattle at 8:30 am Friday and believe it or not I was separated from my luggage. It headed to Phoenix while I headed to Chicago. Notes were made in my record and I’m hoping that my luggage and I will be reunited sometime this weekend. We arrived home safely at 7:00 pm. Our families were there to greet us and take us home after 13 days of being away. We will miss the people in the Philippines but intend to keep track of our new friends and what God is doing in their lives. It’s our prayer that God will use thier new found skills to reach the masses with the message of Jesus Christ. I would ask that you continue to pray for Family Circus and the work they are doing in Davao City. As they move forward in building a new facility, my prayer is that we can continue to help them financially and through our prayers. I see an amazing move of God in the Philippines through the children and how exciting to be a part of that movement.

Written by Terry Williams · Categorized: Uncategorized

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