So far as we’re concerned, in regards to the ministry of the Care Mission, the most important day of the year is coming up soon; Saturday, June 28th. That’s when we will celebrate our 9th Annual Day of Praise, which marks the ninth anniversary of the Care Mission.
While a love offering will be taken to offset the cost, this is in no way a fund raising event. It is a PRAISE RAISING event. On our anniversary each year we humbly and as sincerely as we know how, honor and glorify God with praises and testimony of what He is doing. And this year we have so much to be thankful for it’s hard to know where to begin.
We were recently blessed with a forklift; not some worn out, falling apart, ancient forklift, but a $7,500.00, fully refurbished, electric forklift. We give honor and glory to the One who gives more than we ask for or imagine. We thank Bill Byrd and the folks at MHI for their generous donation of this forklift.
God wasn’t done. In order to get the forklift inside our building we had to replace the front door. Our front door was already in desperate need of replacing, but we kept putting it off. Now we had no choice. So we refurbished the original door, which was being stored upstairs, and remodeled the front entrance. It looks much better now and is a lot more functional.
And in order to charge the batteries for the forklift we had to install a special electrical outlet. And in order to fully benefit from the forklift we need to install pallet racks in our storage area. Once installed these shelves will enable us to store more than twice as much stock and in a safer more productive manner.
These things cost money. But, God wasn’t done. Just a week after receiving the forklift, we received the funds needed for everything from an anonymous donor. The door and the electrical work have been done, the pallet racks are on order. Praise God for He is faithfulness.
On May 10th, the Lafayette Post Office and Mail Carriers collected non-perishable food donations from the folks within the 30728 zip code. Those donations were given to our food pantry; we estimate 6,600 lbs.! We greatly appreciate their efforts and those who gave. We are also grateful to the folks at the Mars Theater for their donation of funds raised at the “Battle of the Bands” benefit they held for our food pantry. Even though it rained on and off throughout the day, our First Annual Mission Fest did well. Everyone seemed to have a good time and we raised nearly $1,100.00. It’s easy to praise God in the sunshine, it takes more effort in the rain. “Thank you” to everyone who helped out.
Our God continues to provide the food and resources required to meet the needs of those we serve. During the first quarter of 2014 the Care Mission has assisted 1,471 households, which consisted of 4,438 individuals. When compared to the first quarter of 2013, we have served fewer households, but more individuals, meaning the households now are larger. We praise God that He is faithful and thank each of you who have remained faithful in your giving.
We have so many reasons to praise God. We hope that you and your family will make special effort to attend this year’s Day of Praise. This year’s event will be held at the Walker County Civic Center, Saturday, June 28th. Free food and fellowship will begin at 5:00 pm and singing, praises and testimonies will begin at 7:00 pm. Even if you can’t make it, please join us in thanking God for all He is doing each time you pray for us.
Please continue to pray for:
Our board members, our volunteer servants and their families.Deon and Kendra as we lead. Our supporters and those we serve.
Food for thought…
I was recalling the Grand Opening of the Care Mission, June 25, 2005. Few people even noticed. No one from the press, the city or the county attended, unless you count the lady who worked for the Dept. of Family and Children Services (DFCS). She was not impressed. She informed us that we would receive little support from the churches (she was right) and little support from area businesses (right again) and no way would our thrift store generate enough funds to support a meaningful food pantry (three for three). When I told her our hope and trust was in the Lord, she rolled her eyes and left.
Then there was the District Manager from Goodwill who stopped in a few days later. After seeing that Kendra had set clothing prices at 50 cents to a dollar, she estimated that we would be out of business within months if we did not drastically increase our prices. When Kendra told her that we were running a ministry not a business, she smiled politely and left.
We see the first lady on occasion, she no longer works at DFCS. We haven’t seen the second lady since she left Goodwill several years ago.
We will celebrate our Ninth Anniversary soon. By all accounts the Care Mission Food Pantry is now the largest by far of any in Walker County, if not all of Northwest Georgia. The Thrift Store’s clothing prices still remain at 50 cents to a dollar. Our hope and trust still remains in the Lord and we are still running a ministry not a business.
Thanks for your support!
Be Blessed! Deon and Kendra