We wanted to do something different for this edition of our Mission News – please enjoy our first video update!
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This is something we are planning to do each quarter in conjunction with this regular newsletter. We greatly appreciate our very talented daughter, Kelsey, and her assistant/boyfriend for donating their time to shoot and produce them for us.
As for this newsletter, I apologize for procrastinating so greatly in getting it done. I could use that time honored excuse that we’ve just been too busy. And that is true. We are on track to increase the amount of food we are distributing by 30% over last year since we closed the thrift store. This is in large part because we now have more time to focus on the food pantry and thus are doing a better job in meeting the needs of those were are serving.
However, the more accurate reason for my delay is that I’ve had a bad attitude.
Spiritually, emotionally, and physically Kendra and I, and the ministry of the Care Mission have been in storm for most of 2016. We have managed to keep moving forward, but the accumulative effect has begun to wear on me. My poor spiritual attitude made it impossible for me to offer proper praise to God for all the blessings He has given us while in the midst of the storm. I tried. I must have written a dozen newsletter drafts over the past two months. Each time I’d hit “delete” and walk away more discouraged than when I began.
But, early this morning, about 2:00 AM, the Holy Spirit woke me. I was all alone, Kendra is out of town babysitting our newest grandchild. And the Lord began dealing with me. I won’t go into all the details, but He got my attention. Don’t misunderstand me, our God is a loving God, full of mercy, and full of grace. But, He is also a God of authority and He will not be mocked.
For me the greatest lesson in the Book of Job is that it’s OK to question God. But, it’s not OK to feel you are owed an explanation. God owes us no explanation period. It is an example of God’s grace when He does explain Himself, but it is never something owed to us.
Somehow during the course of the past 10 months or so I had forgotten that fact. So in the early morning hours the Holy Spirit reminded me. I pray He never has to again.
So let me Praise the Lord for what He has done even in the midst of the raging storm, for He alone is worthy to be praised.
We have a beautiful, healthy, new grandson, Dakota, born July 27th. He is our third grandchild and he is every bit as charming as his Pappaw. His older cousins, our two other grandchildren, Zander (14) and Riley (12) are excellent role models for him. They are a blessing.
We have four outstanding adult children, five if you count our son-n-law, and we do. They are a blessing.
The amount of food we are distributing continues to increase. The number of households we are assisting is remaining close to that of last year, 600/650 per month, therefore the households we are assisting are actually receiving more food than ever before. That is a blessing.
Over the past six months or so we noticed a common phrase spoken to us by some of those we’re serving, “You just don’t know the difference you’re making.” This phrase, or something similar to it, has been spoken to us so often that it has become impossible for us to ignore.
I believe the Lord is making the point that we really don’t know and we may never know this side of heaven. But, we don’t have to know. We just need to be obedient and keep our hand on the plow. We are so thankful for all our volunteer servants who make it possible for this ministry to move forward. To those volunteers we say, “You just don’t know the difference you’re making. You each are a blessing.”
Free cooking classes will begin in February. These classes will teach how to prepare more nutritional, less expensive meals. They will include how to shop and budget for such meals.
We are offering these classes through a University of Georgia program. This is something we’ve wanted to do since we opened our doors. God has now made a way. This is a blessing.
We’ve noticed a definite increase in the number of people coming to us for prayer and desiring a closer relationship with the Lord. Many have no church home or pastor they can lean on. The Lord is clearly using us to stand in that gap. We are honored. This is indeed a blessing.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. In the midst of the storm God has remained faithful. His arm is not too short, nor His eye blind, nor His ear deaf. He continues to use us. Amen.
Holiday Donation Tips
As we enter the holiday season many businesses will be hosting food drives. However, not all will be actually collecting food for distribution in Walker County. Sometimes agreements are made at the corporate level and often local food pantries are left out. If it doesn’t matter to you where your donation goes, then by all means donate. But, if you want your donation to assist local families be sure to ask before you give. We will promote via our Facebook page and email any businesses that are collecting for the Care Mission.
The same can be said for the solicitations of monetary support. Monetary donations to national or regional agencies do not necessarily translate to support of your local food pantry. Monetary donations can always be made via PayPal or they can be mailed to 105 North Chattanooga Street, Lafayette, GA 30728. Every little bit helps.
We have food collection boxes and change jars available. If your church, school, workplace, or civic group would like one or both please let us know.
Upcoming Events and Announcements
We will be having another Parking Lot Sale, Saturday, Dec. 3rd, 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM. All proceeds benefit our food pantry.
Free cooking classes will begin in February. Registration begins in January. More details then.
Our weekly Bible Study, “Jesus Study”, is held each Tuesday, 6:00 PM (except 5th Tuesdays).
Our food pantry will be closed the week of Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas and New Year so our volunteers can be with their families.
Prayer Requests
Please pray healing for our Board Chairman Hope Spears, Board Members Thomas Milligan, and wife Melissa, Denny Cook, Ken Hooper, and volunteers James Walker, Chad Smith, Ron Leps.
Please pray for wisdom and discernment for Deon, Kendra, and our Board of Directors.
Please pray for the mission to receive an outpouring of monetary and physical support.
Please pray for the Lord’s favor toward all who do support the work done here.
Please pray for peace and strength in the midst of the storm.
Food for Thought
What’s the best way to support the Care Mission Food Pantry? Food donations are always appreciated and accepted. However, the thing we need the most is monetary support.
Here’s why:
First, through our connections we can purchase food for pennies on the dollar. In some cases we can purchase 20 times more food than you can at the local grocery store.
Second, we have bills to pay just like you do. Rent, fuel for our trucks, utility cost, and on and on. It really doesn’t matter how much food we have if we can’t cover operational cost.
Thanks for your support and Be Blessed!
Deon and Kendra