Terrorism,
bombings, Paris,
illness, disease,
poverty, homelessness,
abuse,
abuse,
joblessness ...
We're in quite a mess! So what can I do to brighten the world this holiday season?
. . . not just to people you know but to needy people you don't know.
In October and November I witnessed the miracle of a group of women, giving generously and, in fact, with abandon. Those of us who watched the beauty of giving each week by these ladies stood breathless with the joy of it. And that was the result of giving . . . JOY, JOY, JOY!
The Tuesday night ladies' Bible study at Parker Hill Community Church decided to make the Keystone Rescue Mission in Scranton and Wilkes Barre its mission this fall. The Rescue Mission is located on Olive Street in Scranton and on Parkview Circle in Wilkes Barre.
Both facilities provide a "Meal and a Message" nightly to needy and homeless people. They organize weekly clothing and food banks and emergency cold night shelters. The Wilkes Barre mission runs an addiction program also. The mission does all of this through charitable contributions.
Each week the ladies of the Bible study responded to the assigned giving themes: "Sock-tober,"
"Meat Me for Dinner" (canned meat and vegetables), "Cold Night Pick-me-up" (canned soup or stew), "Smell Me Night" (deodorant, toothpaste, tooth brushes), "Hot Drink Fixin's Night" (cups, creamer, coffee, hot chocolate, sugar).
The result? Well, here's the final tally of what the ladies gave:
 |
| The ladies filled the pantry of the Keystone Rescue Mission in November. |
The result? Well, here's the final tally of what the ladies gave:
524 pairs of socks
248 tootbrushes
285 toothpaste
148 deodorant
50 soap/body wash
30 lotion
214 shampoo
67 conditioner
427 razors
282 combs
18 hairbrushes
94 hair ties
435 soups
272 canned meats
308 canned vegetables and fruits
58 coffee creamers
266 pounds of sugar
80 packets of hot chocolate
600 napkins
3.717 cups
94 assorted hygiene and food products
Astounding!
The staff at the Rescue Mission barely contained their happy dance! What's the result of a group of
 |
| Director of the Rescue Mission John Gleason on the left with another staff member and the sock contribution. |
Your group or family can do this too!
Here's the link to the "needs" list for the Rescue Mission: http://www.krmalliance.org/this-weeks-needs-list/ This is a Christmas gift worth giving. Take the kids on a field trip to the Rescue Mission with your Christmas contributions. JOY awaits.
A gem God showed me this morning from Isaiah 58:6-14 (NIV) assures us of joy: "... if you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness ... then you will find your JOY in the LORD ..."
FIND JOY IN GIVING TO THE HUNGRY AND OPPRESSED THIS SEASON AND MAKE THE WORLD A LITTLE BRIGHTER.
A JOY-FILLED HOLIDAY TO YOU!
Thank you, Jo Ann, for letting us in on a joy-filled secret. And I appreciate the link to the list of what the mission needs. Blessings to you and the ladies of Parker Hill.
ReplyDelete