Jason and James Serve in TN

Last Tuesday, Nashville and Middle Tennessee were hit with a destructive tornado system that killed at least 24 and caused widespread devastation. Following the storm, Jason Duggar and James Duggar and a group from MEDIC CORPS, which included Lawson Bates and Nathan Bates, headed to Putnam County to serve. Using heavy equipment, the crew has been hard at work doing cleanup and recovery. In addition, they have also helped homeowners locate pets and important documents.

For photos, visit our blog about the Bates family.

MEDIC CORPS Bahamas Update

Happy Sunday! We wanted to give you an update on the crew that is doing disaster and medical relief work in the Bahamas with MEDIC CORPS. Some have returned home, while others have joined the team. The most recent crew has included Lawson Bate, Nathan Bates, John-David Duggar, Jana Duggar, Abbie Duggar, Jeremiah Duggar and the Duggars' friend Laura.

The team is stationed in Marsh Harbor, in the Abaco Islands, and has been working around the clock and sleeping on the airport floor. They have partnered with organizations like Samaritan's Purse and Team Rubicon to multiply their efforts. Visit the News4Jax website to read a touching story written by one of the anchors.
 
Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Duggars Provide Relief to Bahamas

Austin Forsyth, James Duggar, Jason Duggar, John-David Duggar,

Nathan Bates, Lawson Bates

For the residents of the Bahamas, the past 36 hours have been a nightmare, as Hurricane Dorian stalled over the islands and caused mass destruction. A few of the Duggars (John-David, Jana, Jason, James, and Austin), along with Lawson Bates and Nathan Bates, flew to the Bahamas this morning to lend a hand. They are with an organization called Medic Corps and will be using their training to deliver emergency supplies and provide medical and disaster relief. Those who are interested in supporting their efforts can do so on the Medic Corps website.

Photo courtesy duggarfamily.com

Kendra Turns 20

It has been a crazy day, but we wanted to jump on and wish Kendra Duggar a very happy birthday! One year ago today, she was choosing her wedding dress in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, with fiance Joseph Duggar showing up to surprise her for cake and pizza. Today, she's been a wife for eleven months and a mother for two. Happy 20th, Kendra!

Kendra Duggar, Joseph Duggar, Garrett Duggar

Nathan Bates, John-David Duggar, Joseph Duggar, Kendra Duggar, Lauren Duggar, Josiah Duggar

Kendra Duggar and Joy-Anna (Duggar) Forsyth

Sisters Lauren Caldwell and Kendra (Caldwell) Duggar

Photos courtesy joeandkendra.com; Josiah Duggar; duggarfamily.com; TLC

Kendra's Baby Bump

We know some of you have been eager to see a photo of Kendra Duggar's baby bump. This isn't a close up shot, but it's better than nothing, right? Pilot John-David Duggar recently took a group to Byrd's Adventure Center in Ozark, Arkansas, for a "fly-in" meal.

 Nathan Bates, John Duggar, Joseph Duggar, Kendra (Caldwell) Duggar, 

Lauren Swanson (soon to be Lauren Duggar), Josiah Duggar

Photo courtesy Josiah Duggar/duggarfamily.com

Duggars in Texas

We are well into November, and although chilly temperatures are expected, many regions in the United States are experiencing colder-than-normal weather. In Laredo, Texas, where it's usually in the mid-70s this time of year (about 23 degrees Celsius), it's currently in the low 50s (about 11 degrees Celsius) and cloudy. Jinger Vuolo is bundled up!

For those wondering where Laredo is, it's in southern Texas, along the Mexico border. Joy and Austin Forsyth were in Texas last weekend, and they met up with the Vuolos in Dallas for a friend's wedding. Jinger played music with Ashley Salyer, the gal who was previously courting Nathan Bates.

Jinger (Duggar) Vuolo

Photo courtesy jingerandjeremy.com

Joseph Duggar: Career Update

Joseph Duggar, who turned 21 yesterday, has completed his year-long program at The Crown College of the Bible, which he started in January 2015. The school is located in Knoxville, Tennessee, and is also where siblings Nathan Bates and Tori Bates currently attend classes.

Throwback: Joseph and Jinger

Joseph is now back home in Arkansas. Following in the footsteps of his parents, he aspires to pursue a real estate license, as well as a commercial driver's license (CDL), which a few of his older siblings have already acquired.

In addition to driving the Duggars' bus, a CDL will allow Joseph to operate rigs, such as dump trucks and rollbacks. He will use his certifications to work in the Duggar family business, which is in its 5th generation.

Building the Duggar house

Jim Bob Duggar buys fixer-uppers, which he and his adult children, as well as son-in-law Ben Seewald, remodel to either rent or resell. (Ben is researching options for Seminary and hopes to move forward this year.) They also maintain the family's existing commercial and residential rental properties.

Over the years, the Duggars kids (who are now adults) have learned a variety of skills in the areas of construction, plumbing, electrical work, and interior design. You may remember watching them build their 7,000-square-foot home in Raising 16 Children and 16 Children and Moving In. The Duggars have been working to perfect their craft in the nine years since completing that project.


Photos courtesy duggarfamily.com

1 Duggar & 2 Bates Leave for Philippines

Josiah Duggar, Lawson Bates, and Nathan Bates spent the day in New York City before heading to the Philippines for a month-long mission trip. ABC's Juju Chang gave them a tour of the Natural History Museum and ABC studios.

Lawson Bates, Josiah Duggar, Juju Chang, Nathan Bates, and two NYC producers

More Photos from the Philippines

John-David Duggar is back from his mission trip overseas. He traveled to the Philippines with Lawson and Nathan Bates to help typhoon victims, a trip that Nathan organized when he heard about the devastating storms last November. Scroll down to see pictures from the boys' trip. (Click here for more photos.)

 John Duggar, Lawson Bates, and Nathan Bates

 Sharing God's love with the locals

 John Duggar shares encouragement with a group of young girls

 The boys pose for a photo with locals affected by the storms

 The medical team

 Distributing prescriptions

 John-David Duggar

 Lawson, John, and Nathan

John Duggar shares the gospel with a nurse

Duggar on a Mission

John-David Duggar, the third oldest of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's 19 children,  is currently out of the country.

Nathan Bates, the fifth oldest of Gil and Kelly Bates' 19 children, was compelled to service when he heard about the tropical storms that hit the Philippines in November. He immediately began raising funds and gathering supplies for the typhoon victims.

To take his efforts one step further, Nathan organized a mission trip. John-David Duggar and Lawson Bates, Nathan's older brother, were eager to help, so the three men headed out to Tacloban. They rise at 6am, doing medical mission work by day and teaching Bible studies by night. (John and Nathan are able to administer medicine because they are trained first responders.)

 John Duggar and Nathan Bates fill prescriptions

 Lawson, John, and Nathan take a picture with two storm victims

John hands out medicine to thankful recipients

 Ready for another day of work!

Photo credit: Gil and Kelly Bates