The 3rd Annual IDMC Benefit Ride for the Care Mission is Saturday, May 11th at O’Reilly Auto Parts (1929 North Main Street, Lafayette, GA). Registration begins at 10:00 am, KSU at noon. Entry fee is $20.00 per bike, free to hang out! All proceeds benefit the Care Mission Food Pantry. Hope to see ya there.
Wardlaw’s Lucky Eye Q (103 North Chattanooga Street, Lafayette, GA) is celebrating its second year anniversary by distributing FREE MEALS to anyone from 11:00 am – 1:00 pm (or until it’s all gone) on Tuesday, May 21st. All meals will be free as a “Thank You” to friends and neighbors in our community. Donations will be accepted, but not solicited, and given to the Care Mission. For more information visit their website; www.luckyeyeq.com .
Mother’s Day is May 12th and Father’s Day is June 16th. The family unit is the cornerstone of society. Its impact cannot be overstated. The Godly design of family is under assault now like never before. We want to salute and encourage all the moms, dads, grandparents, and those who have stepped in when necessary to protect our most valuable asset, our children.
Our 19th Annual Day of Praise celebrating the 19th Anniversary of the Care Mission will be hosted by Gospel Light Christian Fellowship Church (36 Fortune Street, Lafayette, GA) on Saturday, June 22nd. Join us as we give honor and glory to God for all He has done through and for the Care Mission. Food and fellowship begins at 5:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall, and then Pastor Chris and Hope Spears will lead praise and worship in the sanctuary at 6:00 pm.
As we stated in our last newsletter, in 2023 we distributed more food to more people than ever before. In the first quarter of 2024 we surpassed the amount done in the first quarter of last year, so we are on schedule to go beyond the 2023 amounts. God faithfully provides.
Please keep the ministry of the Care Mission in your prayers. Obviously the enemy works against anyone or anything seeking to honor and glorify the Lord. While the food we distribute is important, it is secondary to the Gospel we preach through our actions. Pointing people to Christ in the midst of serving them in His name is the most valuable aspect of what we do. It is no surprise that those who serve alongside us, and/or support us, will often find themselves under attack from the evil one. Please keep us, our board members, our volunteer servants, and supporters in your prayers. Also join us in praying that Godly men and women will rise up and lead our nation and that our nation will return to its Judeo-Christian roots. And that the Church in America, with Christ as its Head, will once again stand up for His righteousness against the evils being promoted in our nation and our world.
Food for Thought;
As we near the end of our 19th year of serving God by serving others through the Care Mission I find myself recalling certain events that have occurred during that nearly two decades.
For many of those years I have begun my day by reading a devotional and/or Scripture.
I especially like to read the Book of Psalm. I like to ponder on it for a few minutes before moving on with my busy day. And then throughout the day, as I’m working through my tasks, I like to let that mornings Scripture roll over in my mind.
Recently I was reminded of a moment, about 17 years ago, when the Holy Spirit spoke to me as that morning’s Scripture settled in my head. Things were looking dark for the mission. As the ministry was growing we found ourselves short on volunteers, short on funds, and struggling to find that mustard seed of hope we needed to hang on.
Exhausted from another long day I rested in a chair outside Kendra’s office while she tied up some loose ends before heading home. While sitting there in near darkness, only Kendra’s office light was on, I began to challenge God in my mind, in my spirit. I arrogantly reminded Him that we had been obedient and done as He had directed us, maybe not immediately but eventually we had gotten there. And now here I sat broke and broken wondering why we did not have enough help. Where are the hands and feet? Where is the monetary support? Where are the churches? Where are my fellow Believers? It seemed God was not keeping up His end of the bargain. I felt betrayed.
As my eyes scanned the room I sat in silence; until I saw the mountains, not literal mountains. In my mind’s eye I saw a panoramic view of mountains along the back wall of the mission.
And then a sense of peace beyond my understanding washed over me as I recalled that morning’s Scripture;
“I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121: 1, 2
Over these past 19 years we’ve never had the amount of help or support we’d like to have. We’ve never had an abundance of volunteers, never had an endless supply of monetary support. And church support has always been embarrassing small.
But God has been faithful to provide just enough, just in time. And while I have wondered at times how we will survive a particular hardship I have never again questioned where my help comes from. Understanding that gives me hope. Gives me peace. Gives me strength.
Thanks for your support.
Be Blessed,
Deon and Kendra