helping families with project warmThis month we have been helping at least one family each day. On December 1 with the snow travel advisory, the Oakland Park Help Center did not open. But Officer Zacher introduced Tammy to a new female officer in our neighborhood who will be working with us. Alesia brought Officer Poehler to Tammy. The family's mother went to Netcare that day for 24 hours. She was having a mental meltdown with no food, unpaid rent and no Secret Santa for her children. We were glad to help this family with 4 children with 4 blankets, hats, gloves, basic hygiene. She gave Officer Poehler 7 Kits of Kindness to share with others in need. Both officers received diapers. Tammy remembers her own family having no money and no resources and that her mother would cry every holiday. Terry said, "Wonderful that God connected them to you!" Then the next morning Diane went shopping at Infinity for 50 more hats and 50 pairs of gloves. When she went to deliver them to Tammy, she received an urgent call instead: "Officer Zacher needs you. She is helping a homeless family on 670 at Leonard. They need coats, blankets and more." So Tammy packed up a Kit of Kindness with extra toothbrushes, a lunchbag with juice, snacks, and suckers. Diane grabbed the 3 remaining blankets and 2 coats, then called Sarah with the Community Clothing Outreach. Luckily she found 2 large coats and 3 sweatshirts Diane could take to them. On the way there she also stopped to pick up a foot long Italian sub to go. Clarity, the mother, her daughter and son were so grateful to choose their color for hats and gloves. Then we noticed their shoes. Yes Sarah had shoes but it would take too long to drive back to Linden, so to the Dollar Store we headed. We found a pair of sturdy shoes that fit the girl and slip on shoes for the preteen boy. The officer also found some much needed thick black socks. So grateful that our Lord leads us to people so we can be the hands and feet of Christ. So grateful for the ministry of God's Hygiene Help Center to provide that help. Thank you to the UALC members who have delivered much needed hats, gloves, scarves, coats and other in kind donations to our Oakland Park Warehouse and Help Center and to Terry Starr's house in Arlington. On December 28 a message: "It's with a heavy heart I am posting this from another group. These children just lost their mom before Christmas and the family of eight now is struggling for food. They are in desperate need of food and cleaning supplies." God's Hygiene jumps into action to build a couple hygiene bags, adding some hats, gloves and donated gift cards. Thanks to Terry's niece for coordinating this help. 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person?18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18
“Father, in the middle of a strange Christmas season at the end of a long, difficult year, I thank you for the greatest gift of all, your son Jesus Christ. Thank you for sending him to pay for my sins. Thank you for your promise of eternal life to those who accept this gift. Holy Spirit, fill my heart with faith to trust in your promises like the three wise women of Christmas—Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna—have taught me. Help me to choose to trust your plan instead of being bitter. Help me to believe your Word instead of my fears. Help me to focus on your presence, not my disappointment, and talk to everyone about Jesus. Amen.” from Daily Hope by Rick Warren helping agencies
This holiday season Moo Moo Car Wash been selling peppermint air fresheners for $1, with all proceeds donated back to some pretty amazing local charities. Hurrah! Moo Moo has sent a check for $420 to God's Hygiene Help Center. They will continue selling these air fresheners throughout the month of January. So please visit the Clintonville Moo Moo on North High Street just north of Graceland or see Tammy to buy a few! community centers
grateful for our volunteers
MERRY christmasHave you trusted Jesus for your salvation? The Bible says we can only get to heaven by trusting in God through his Son, Jesus Christ. And we don’t have to earn God’s love or work our way into heaven. The Bible says, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast”(Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV). If you haven’t trusted in Jesus and committed to following him, why wait any longer? If you’re ready to step across that line and make a decision to believe in Jesus Christ and follow him, pray this prayer: “Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day. “I confess my sin, and I believe that you are my Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management. You have the right to call the shots in my life. “Jesus, I want to relax in your love. Thank you that I don’t have to earn it or work for it. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In your name I pray. Amen.” from Daily Hope by Rick Warren.
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