January 20, 2006

 

Dear Fellow Servant(s) of Christ,

 

Happy New Year!  What will 2006 hold in store for “Standing in the Gap”?  Exciting things because of the response of God’s people!  Thank you.  He continues to remind us that “This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it” ~ Psalm 118:24.  Each day is unique when serving the King of the Universe, Jesus Christ!

 

Whenever possible, the acts of kindness are carried out in an anonymous way.  Every time someone is blessed, the name of Jesus is lifted up through an encouraging word to those who are believers. To those who aren’t believers, we send information about God’s love and forgiveness through his son, Jesus Christ, who is the giver of Life.

 

What your gifts have accomplished since our last newsletter:  a gift to a family whose dad fell 25 feet from a hunting tree and is alive now because of prayer; books about our Savior, Jesus Christ, were sent to a widower who is raising his two-year old grandson because his daughter is a heroin addict; an American Express gift was sent to a woman starting over from an abusive marriage of 20 years with two teenage daughters; a single mom who was discouraged and ready to give up ~ she said, “I knew Jesus wouldn’t forget me”; another single woman with four children that was struggling to get food and gifts for her family; several families received Giant Eagle gifts cards to encourage them through hard times; we went to the Veterans Hospital and handed out gift cards from McDonald’s to our veterans (What an exciting day that was for the King!); a monetary gift was sent to a man and his family who lost his job four months ago and had to put their house up for sale; a new widow received an enormous gas bill and you took some of the pressure off of her;  an 80 year old woman was emotionally hurting and you gave her a basket of her favorite goodies ~ she said, “You have no idea how much I needed that gift today”; and last, but certainly not least, we were able to bless a family who has come back from being missionaries in Africa for nine years.  The mother’s mom is sick with cancer, they are struggling to get established, and once again, you have been instrumental in their lives!

 

Be on the lookout not only for those who are physically and financially needy, but let’s continue to look for opportunities to minister to the spiritually and mentally starved individuals who need a “touch from the Master’s hand” as well.

 

God prompted some of us to begin to visit two elderly homes.  Because of this obedience to His call, the Activity Directors in both of these homes approached us and asked us to begin to do devotions for the residents on a regular basis.  We don’t know what will happen in this area, but we do know that God is pleased when we respond to Him.  There is a need in this arena, and if you feel compelled to help, please let us know.  We are currently going to the McMurray Manor Care on Tuesday afternoons at 1:00 p.m. and the Bethel Retirement Home on Thursday afternoons at 1:30 p.m.

 

In Galatians 6:10 it says, “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all….”  Looking forward to hearing from you with ideas, gifts, and names of people whose lives will be changed one at a time for Jesus Christ.

 

                                                                        Because our Savior cares, lives, and gives,

 

P. S.  We now have a Tax ID Number.  Thanks to my husband, David, who graciously looked at the “Application for Recognition of Exemption” (non-profit) forms and understands what legal papers need to be written and filed.  God bless him!!!