February 28, 2008

  

Dear Fellow Servant(s) of Christ:

 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow (James 1:17 – Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.); praise Him all creatures here below; praise Him above ye heavenly hosts; praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.  Many of us sang this at church at a young age but had no idea what it meant.  Today, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are our life at Standing In the Gap.  Our desire is to encourage others from just singing, doing lip service, or hearing words about Almighty God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit, to it being their life and passion as well.

 

I had the privilege of going to El Salvador this past month.  To experience the love and hope that the orphans received from us and us from them was powerful, life-changing, and extremely fulfilling.  Upon returning, it was spoken in my heart, “I gave you the honor of going to be with the orphans in another country, now it is time to come back and continue to minister to the widows, homeless, and hurting in your own backyard who don’t know the Heavenly Father and spiritually are orphans and fatherless without me”. 

 

We continue to be very active in the community.  As always, God goes before us and orchestrates the circumstances for us to praise and share His precious name with many.  Over the Christmas season, we were contacted by Kay Stepp from the South Hills Assembly of God and were able to direct many of our women with children to their gift shop to purchase gifts at a very affordable rate for their children.  One of the women called and mentioned that she felt special because she “didn’t feel like a mooch”.  Also, a woman who had raised two children of her own made a contribution for many of our single moms, and we purchased McDonalds gift cards and sent them each a note with the card.  Several of the women called to tell us how deeply this touched their lives.  We have become involved with the Pregnancy Resource Center as well.  We referred one of our single, pregnant women to them; we were able to drive one woman to a rehab facility for the center, and recently a twin bed was requested for another woman for her child.  As before, our greatest energies continue to be with helping to equip our women coming out of Bethlehem Haven with household items and furniture for their apartments.  Since the end of December, we have helped nine women get started over.  What a joy it is to go into a place that usually has nothing and to leave with the apartment starting to look like a “home”.  When speaking with one of the case managers at the Haven recently, I asked her if we were doing something that nobody else was doing and she exclaimed, “Nobody does it like you do at Standing In The Gap!”  Praise God that He has shown us a need and we are able to fill it with your continued support and encouragement in an excellent way!

 

Our behind the scenes giving is also another testimony of Christ’s love and provision for many -  A mother in need was given a gift card to help her family through the Christmas holiday.  She hugged Dawn through tears and asked that Dawn thank all those involved in Standing In The Gap.  She then looked Dawn in the eyes and said, “I feel so honored to pray for you and what you do.”  Dawn truly felt the Holy Spirit’s presence with them.  A gift was given to a new widower and his family; a Giant Eagle card and bed was provided for a man whose apartment burned; knitted blankets were donated and taken to Kane Hospital; grocery gift cards were provided to a single mom, a shut-in woman who is allergic to everything, and a married couple who have come in off the streets.  A Walmart card was purchased for a mom and her daughter to encourage them not to give up along with a winter coat for a single mom who didn’t have a coat. You helped one of our struggling, single moms buy Christmas gifts for her two teenage daughters; winter coats, a twin mattress,  and household items were purchased at the Goodwill for individuals beginning again; a family in between jobs was blessed with a monetary gift; gas cards were provided to people who needed encouragement and assistance.  This ended out our 2007!  The new year didn’t slow down!  We provided a crib for one of our pregnant moms due in April (We will be there for the birth.); stamps, pens, envelopes, and letterhead was purchased for a Godly man who is encouraging forgiveness letters be sent out in the churches to anyone who has hurt someone or anyone who has been hurt (Our God is a God of reconciliation.  It is time to take care of business so He can come back – yipee!); some utility bills were paid for individuals starting over or struggling.  As a result, one woman is planning on attending bible study at Elaine’s house!  You bought groceries for several women who just needed a jump start and one couple who had just moved and needed help, and a meal for one of the homeless women.  One family with four children (2 with asthma) had to leave their house because of mold and you provided them with a grocery gift card to alleviate some of the stress.  You also helped out with the orphans and single moms in El Salvador!  You bought 29 pairs of sandals and t-shirts.  We are also ministering in Washington County now.   Some children with a troubled mom needed help with getting rid of lice.  You bought new pillows, bibles, treatment, etc. for these precious kids.  The list goes on because of your love and desire to see God’s kingdom shine in places where it is difficult.

 

Standing In The Gap is doing what we are doing because of all of you.   Together the kingdom is increasing.  May His name continue to be glorified!                                    

                                                                                                Because He cares, gives and lives,

                                   

                                                                                                                                               

Contributions are tax deductible under Federal Income Tax Section 501 (c) (3).