News from Dirk and Karen Martin, Volume 20, Number 2, July 2024

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits. Psalm 103:2
Dear friends and family,
Greetings from southwest Ohio where we are spending the month of July visiting with supporters in the area, getting medical check-ups, and helping Dirk’s mom. We are thankful for this past year in The Bronx and the ministry opportunities for us there. We thank God for His many blessings and provision of all that we have needed including a nurturing church body, an apartment well-suited to our situation, and a reliable vehicle.
It was a great joy for Karen to be a part of Hope Academy of The Bronx. Her participation included teaching geometry, tutoring individual students, and helping with various office tasks. It felt good to be back in a school environment helping students improve their math skills and develop a Biblical worldview. Please pray for God to provide teachers, students, and finances for this valuable ministry that offers help, healing, and hope to struggling students in The Bronx. An updated school video is here: https://www.bhof.org/hopeacademy/
Dirk’s focus continues to be adaptive Braille technology. By God’s grace, he is learning more essential
information and techniques to use with colleagues and blind students in Haiti. In June, Dirk made another trip to Florida for more training with a Haitian colleague in the use of the Orbit Reader. Each visit results in more progress for the Haitian man who is becoming familiar with the device and learning more of its functions.
During the next visit scheduled for August, Dirk hopes to introduce the remote teacher APP from Orbit
Research which will allow him to teach remotely using the Orbit Reader and Android phones. This colleague
continues to be a good person to collaborate with on this pilot project to introduce the device to those who
are blind and visually impaired in Haiti.
Mission Quest and our home church are in agreement with our serving in The Bronx until we return to Haiti.
We continue to pray, watch, and listen to advice from others about when would be the appropriate time to go back to Haiti. We plan to return to The Bronx in August where Dirk will work on developing a curriculum in Kreyol for introducing adaptive Braille technology and Karen will help with preparations for the upcoming
school year at Hope Academy. We are trusting that God will guide our next steps in His timing. Thank you
once again for your ongoing prayers and financial support which encourage us and allow us to serve others.
In Christ,
Dirk and Karen

Personal: Dirk & Karen Martin 813 Camden Rd. Eaton, OH 45320 937-524-0272 dirkandkaren@yahoo.com
Mission: Mission Quest, PO Box 4602, Wheaton, IL 60189 www.missionquest.org
Please use our account #187 (and NOT our name) when making donations through Mission Quest: https://missionquest.org/187
According to IRS guidelines, all donations are made to Mission Quest. Mission Quest must maintain sole control and discretion over the
use of the funds once a tax-deductible receipt is issued. Tax-deductible gifts are non-refundable.

Informational Meetings

Monday, July 29 and Monday, August 19, 6-7pm in Rm 101

Please plan to attend one of the info meetings to learn more about the proposed transition of Pastor Josh to Associate Pastor.

ECC Students – Mini Game Night

Sunday, July 28 from 5-8pm at ECC (Free!)

ECC Students – Mini Game Night

Sunday, July 28 from 5-8pm

More info and registration on our website.

Men’s Breakfast

Saturday, August 3 in Rm 101 from 8-9am

Come and hear Tony Baker share how God’s Story intersected his story and how he came to follow Jesus.
 

Men’s Ministry Trap Shoot

Sunday, July 14

• 2:30pm start time
• 1:45pm leave church if traveling with a group
• Middletown Sportsman’s Club, 6943 Michael Rd., Middletown
• Ammunition available at the range ($7 per 25 bird round)
• Spouse, daughters, girlfriends invited

Kids Summer Worship

July 21 & 28, August 4 & 11

• No classes for K-6th grade – Kids will worship with their parents
• Nursery and Preschool class are available

ECC Students

Wednesday, July 17 from 5-9pm

• Girls’ Night Out at the Brubaker’s – Pool Party
• Guys’ Night Out at ECC – Video Game Tournament

More info and registration on our website. $5 per student.

A Common Thread

Tuesday, July 9 in Rm 101, 6:30-8pm

Hey gals (7th grade and up) who love to crochet or knit! Join us at our first get-together. We’ll chat about what we want to do as a group. All skill levels are welcome to join. Bring your current project to share with the group. If you have questions, reach out to Mindy Pigg at 937-307-0228 or email her at booksmakemehappy@aol.com.

Men’s Fraternity Graduation Dinner

Sunday, August 11 at 5pm in Rm 101

All past class members are invited to support the current graduates. RSVP to Bob Jones or Bill Jennings by Sunday, August 4th.

School Supply Drive

The Common Good/Once Around Shop is providing school supplies to students in need. Items requested from ECC:

• College Ruled Loose Leaf Paper – 50 packs
• Glue Sticks – 50
• Dry Erase Markers (4 pack) – 50
• Rulers – 50

Please leave items in the tub at the Welcome Center. Thank you.

Blood Drive

Thursday, July 11 from Noon – 6pm at ECC

Everyone who registers will receive a “From One to Many” Beach towel. Schedule an appointment at www.donortime.com or call 937-461-3220.

PreTeen Pool Party

Tuesday, July 2^nd from Noon-3pm at Brubaker’s, 1968 E. Lexington Rd. Eaton

For those Kids entering 4^th, 5^th or 6^th grade. Lunch provided. RSVP by Sunday at Noon.

A Common Thread

Tuesday, July 6 in Rm 101, 6:30-8pm

Hey gals (7th grade and up) who love to crochet or knit! Join us at our first get-together. We’ll chat about what we want to do as a group. All skill levels are welcome to join. Bring your current project to share with the group. If you have questions, reach out to Mindy Pigg at 937-307-0228 or email her at booksmakemehappy@aol.com.
 

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts

Each month we are collecting specific items for our November Packing Party.

July: School Supplies – Pencils, pencil case, erasers, pens, crayons, markers, notebooks, index cards, calculator, scissors, ruler, glue stick

Items can be placed in the box in the Gathering Area.

Adventure Week Starts Sunday!

Sunday – Thursday from 6:15-8:45pm. Doors open at 6:05pm for Kids to check-in.

ECC Kids

PreTeen Pool Party – Tuesday, July 2nd from Noon – 3pm at Brubaker’s, 1968 E. Lexington Rd. Eaton

• For those kids entering 4th, 5th or 6th grade
• Lunch provided
• RSVP to Debbie by Wednesday, June 26th

Kids Connection Parents Newsletter

Scan the code to stay up to date on what’s happening in your child’s class

Luke 3:11…

If you have food, share it with those who are hungry.

The food pantry is asking for the following items:

• Peanut butter
• Canned meat (tuna, chicken)
• Pasta
• Mac & cheese
• Canned spaghetti sauce

Please place items in the grocery cart in the entryway.

Adventure Week

Child Registration:

Online registration ends Friday, June 21st. Go to the kiosk or our website. In person registration resumes Sunday evening, June 23rd.

T-Shirts:

• Volunteer T-shirts ($10) and wristbands are available for pick-up on Sunday.
• Kids’ t-shirts for those who registered by May 12 are available for pick-up on Sunday.

Stop by the table in the Gathering Area.

Meal Donations:

If you would like to contribute to the meals for Volunteers, stop by the Adventure Week kiosk to sign-up.

Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Gifts

Each month we are collecting specific items for our November Packing Party.

June: Crafts/Activities

• puzzles
• binoculars
• jump rope
• coloring books
• books
• stickers
• fishing kit
• compass
• playdough
• craft kits
• colorful twine

Items can be placed in the box in the Gathering Area.

Men’s Ministry Fishing Day

Saturday, May 25 at Brown’s Cabin, 1809 Washington Jackson Rd., Eaton

• Start anytime after Sunrise (6:15am). Come and go as you like.
• Bring your poles and bait
• Lunch: Hotdogs
• Fish Fry: 4pm (Food and water provided by Men’s Ministry)

Adventure Week Volunteers

Just a quick reminder that all volunteers need to make sure they attend training. If you missed the training on May 26, please make sure to attend on

• Sunday, June 9, 11:30am-1:30pm in Room 101

Create Crew for Adventure Week

Wednesdays from 6-8pm in the Storage Building (You can park in the back)

All are welcome to join us as we create decorations, props, etc. No experience necessary! Just bring your creativity and enthusiasm. Questions – Lisa Derringer, 937-533-5184.

Church Directory Roster – Deadline is Monday, May 20th

If you did not have your picture taken for the directory but would like to have your address, phone number, etc. listed, complete the form at the Welcome Center, call the office or email dee.carver@eatoncommunitychurch.org. We will not list anyone’s information without permission.

Adventure Week Volunteers

All volunteers must attend one of the following training dates:

• Wednesday, May 22, 6-7:30pm
• Sunday, June 9, 11:30am-1:30pm

Both trainings will be held in Rm 101.

Create Crew for Adventure Week

Wednesdays in May, 6-8pm in the Storage Building (You can park in the back)

All are welcome to join us as we create decorations, props, etc. No experience necessary! Just bring your creativity and enthusiasm. Questions – Lisa Derringer, 937-533-5184.

Men’s Ministry Fishing Day

Saturday, May 25 at Brown’s Cabin, 1809 Washington Jackson Rd., Eaton

• Start anytime after Sunrise (6:15am). Come and go as you like.
• Bring your poles and bait
• Lunch: Hotdogs
• Fish Fry: 4pm (Food and water provided by Men’s Ministry)
• Register at the Kiosk for the Fish Fry
• Spouses, daughters, girlfriends welcome
• More info at the Kiosk