Lady Builders-Do you know about Sheerah?
In the Bible, read 1 Chronicles 7:24. The only woman listed among an extended list of men, Sheerah is listed in the genealogy with this interesting historical note: She builds cities!

Verse of the Month
Matthew 17:20 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.

SAVVY Stewards
Advanced Design Innovation, a subsidiary of BSB Design (formerly Bloodgood Sharp Buster) has unveiled its new Adod series homes in Soshanguve, South Africa.

The Adod units provide a wide range of options designed to provide alternatives for the over 600 million people worldwide living in overcrowded, inadequate and poor-quality housing-slums, squatter settlements, shacks and shanties. The Adod unites constructed in South Africa demonstrate that the structures are affordable, easy-to-construct and secure. Leaders from South Afriac, Ghana and Kenya recently toured the Adod units to identify the range of possibilities of Adod providing an innovative solution to address the needs of shelter across the continent of Africa. Roll-out of the units on a large scale could result in the local mass manufacturing of Adod components and thus the creation of new jobs in manufacturing, distribution and construction. Other opportunities for Adod housing are being explored in Central and South America.

In addition, BSB Design will be exploring opportunities with church and social organizations that may have an interest in partnering in housing relief efforts worldwide. Contact David Soskolne at the Dallas office 972-720-1778 for more information.

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Mansfield homebuilder, Scott Jones of Jones Custom Building has been involved for years with numerous Christian charities, including Wings of Life in Alabama for drug addiction, Free the Oppressed in Honduras and the Harvest International food bank. At the local level, he is helping the Mansfield Cares organization achieve its long term goal to open a permanent facility that will offer free medical and dental services to those families that cannot afford traditional care. The new facility, called "The Caring Place," is currently in need of donations in the form of building materials and labor.

Mansfield Cares raises more than $100,000 a year for Mansfield residents in need. Providing school supplies and shoes for Mansfield school children are high priorities for the group. They also take unadopted angels from the angel trees at Christmas to ensure that no 'angel' is overlooked. They work closely with some local food banks and also help with prescription drug programs at area schools. The group has awarded college scholarships and has affiliations with daycare facilities to help provide services to single mothers. Much of the time, it's role is just to help people who have come on hard times.

To donate materials or labor to The Caring Place or learn how you as an individual, company or association can offer assistance to any of the charities that Scott is involved in, contact Scott or Joyce Jones at 817-561-5881.

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The purpose of the Dallas HBA's Support the Troops committee is to give tangible support and encouragement to members of the United States military forces in the Middle East, with special focus on Texas National Guard soldiers who are on active duty in Iraq, Afghanistan and other Middle East areas.

The committee organizes the effort to collect and ship personal items for U.S. troops serving in the Middle East. The collection box is in the HBA lobby, or items can be given to HBA staff at any division or council meeting. The top 12 most requested items are AA batteries, beef jerky, lip balm, eye drops, skin lotion, roll-on or solid deodorant, foot powder, Wet Wipes, phone cards, paperbacks, bug spray and SPF 45+ sunblock.

Greeting servicemen and women returning home after duty when they arrive at DFW Airport is another of the committee's missions. For more information on upcoming opportunities, contact Bruce Johnson of Tax Mediators for Texans at 972-960-8900 or email bruce@owetheIRS.com.