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Father-Son Team to Kayak 200-Mile Chesapeake Bay to Raise Support for Pandemic Hunger Relief

On July 16, a father and son sea kayaking team will embark on a self-styled expedition they’ve named the #bay200challenge, a 12-day kayaking project that will take them on a 200-mile (320 km) north-to-south traverse of the Chesapeake Bay, the largest bay in the United States. The challenge will help raise awareness and support for one of the most pressing COVID-19-related issues affecting people today—hunger.

Maryland resident Hearly Mayr and his 13-year-old son, Andreas Mayr, decided to create the challenge to spend time together outdoors this summer after more than a year of being mostly home due to travel and social distancing restrictions.

July 12, 2021: Amazing Love

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“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16, NKJV).

Early in my childhood, my mom made decisions that were best for me. She chose warm clothes, healthy food and safe toys. When I was older, my mom chose Desmond T. Doss Academy for me because she wanted me to have a “solid foundation.” I didn’t grow up going to church. My mom taught me prayers and read me stories from a children’s Bible, but she wanted me to know more. I knew who God and Jesus were, but it wasn’t until later that I learned how I could be saved.

Allegheny East Conference Hosts Second Virtual Communication Event

Story by LaTasha Hewitt

Allegheny East Conference’s (AEC) Communication Department recently hosted its sixth annual Connection and Ministry Conference (CAMCON), held virtually for the second year in a row. The theme, “Hands-on the Future,” was designed to give online attendees tools to improve or shift their communication ministry to become relevant in a pandemic-impacted world. Over the threeday conference, approximately 70 attendees joined via Zoom, including pastors, communication leaders and other church leaders.

July 7, 2021: God’s Adoption Plan

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“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15, KJV).

My daughter recently adopted a little girl whom she was fostering since she was two days old. It amazes me to see a person have so much love for a child that isn’t biologically theirs.

It took two years and fostering a total of five children until my daughter was able to adopt this girl. During this time, my daughter experienced heartache, sleepless nights, court dates, social workers, parental visitation and more. She battled tremendous emotional upheaval every time she bonded with a child, then had to send him or her back home.

July 6, 2021: Never Forsaken

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“Hear me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; have mercy on me, and hear my prayer” (Ps. 4:1, NKJV).

When I was 3 years old, my mother left me with family in Guatemala to immigrate to the United States. She wanted to give me a better future. My aunt guided me in the ways of God, but I asked Him why my mother left me. I suffered every Mother’s Day because all my friends hugged their mothers and gave them gifts, and I did not have my mother. I could not tell her about my sufferings. When I felt alone or needed a hug, she was not there.

July 5, 2021: He Completes Us

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“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hears My voice, and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me” (Rev. 3:20, KJV).

This verse gives me comfort because it reassures me that God will always be there for me, ready to come to my aid at any moment. I grew up in a Seventh-day Adventist home, but I didn’t have a personal relationship with God. When I got older, I felt like something was missing.

I grew up thinking about love and how I wanted someone to make me feel complete. I began dating, and every relationship started out great, but some of the guys wanted more than just love. This made me feel like I wasn’t good enough for anyone. I was tired of chasing guys and looking for someone to love me.

Year of the Bible Video Devotional: Peace

No matter where you go, there is always something trying to steal your peace. But Philippians 4:6–7 speaks to the heart of our struggle. It says, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (NIV).

Read articles from the July/August 2021 Visitor:

July 4, 2021: ‘God Found It!’

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“He replied, ‘Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, “Move from here to there,” and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you’” (Matt. 17:20–21, NIV).

My family vacations in North Myrtle Beach, S.C., at our family beach home every year.

July 3, 2021: Experience His Goodness

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“For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2, NIV).

Paul took great joy in knowing, walking with and loving Christ. His personal mission was to spread the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. But that hadn’t always been the case. Earlier in his life, Paul was against Christ and His divine message, and destroyed anyone who believed in it.

July 2, 2021: Love Is the Greatest

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“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love” (1 Cor. 13:13, NIV).

As I look at 1 Corinthians 13, it is clear that prophecy, the gift of tongues and other gifts of the Spirit will come to an end because they will no longer be of value. But verse 13 has the wonderful word, “remain,” which expresses the idea of permanence for the three basic elements of our Christian experience: faith, hope and love.

This verse signifies that love is the element used to describe the very nature of God. That’s the reason Paul clearly says that, above all gifts of the Spirit, this one is the greatest.