Update 1.4.09

Update 1.4.09
Jesus is the reason for the season, and this holiday season, Jesus has become a best-friend to many who previously did not even know Him! Wow! I am amazed at all that has happened in the past month, and how God is so graciously blessing our ministry here in Galveston, as we continue to reach out to those who are broken, hurting, and still continue to recover from the 3rd worst hurricane in our nation’s history.
C4C hosted a large distribution of Toys for Tots for the local Marine Corps where we distributed toys to over 2,000 children. For so many families, this alone was an answer to their prayers. Many parents confessed that, “They had accepted in their hearts that they would not be able to have gifts for their children this Christmas morning.” But, instead of the disappointment this would have created in both the parents and children, with your help, and the help of the local Marine Corp, we were able to bring hope and share the love of Christ to so many families. They were reminded of the love of Christ, when He gave the world His gift of eternal life….What a gift that is!
Families came at scheduled appointments to the facility where we are partnered here at Church of the Living God, and upon arrival had a place where they could check in their children to play, while the parents went “shopping.” The children enjoyed “Ms. Pearl” the clown, face painting, balloon animals, bubbles, singing, storytelling, and played, not having a clue that Mom and Dad were preparing for their Christmas morning by selecting toys and gifts. We then had a “shopping area” where the parents were able to shop with “points” for toys. They selected items for each child, and were then blessed by gift wrapping by the Lee-Gregory-Thompson Families who donated the gift wrap and served in personally wrapping each gift. Families left with smiles, and I would have loved to have been there on Christmas morning.
Along with the Christmas presents received, so many were prayed with, and we had over 100 salvations the week of Christmas. What a blessing to see so many come to know Christ as their personal friend. It has truly been the greatest gift we could ever give. We rejoice with the angels!
We have had so many wonderful volunteers during the month of December. A very special thanks to Wendy Koy and her family and teams from Houston, Mary Rimple from Wisconsin, Debbie Stinson from here in Galveston for her faithful service, Kristine Masorsky and her family, Josephine Salcedo and her family, Nicole McCann and Jacqueline Games from Franklin, TX, Stephanie Little from here in Galveston, Pauline Larson, Lindsey and the AmeriCorp team, Kyle Wilmers and the Cincinnati, OH team, Amanda and Alex Corbitt and family from Oklahoma, Rebecca and Alan Harris and their girls from Colorado Springs, CO, Gwen, Stewart, and Olivia Lee from Oklahoma, Alethea Ficklin from Long Beach, MS, Bill Sherry from Cleveland, OH, Melinda and Steven Thompson and their family and friends, Erik Perez and Erik Jr., Meryl Gregory and her family and friends, Ginny Hobbs, Bill and Clara Knee and their son, Robin Sturgis and family and friends, Rhonda VanLiew, Cissie Sandoval, Susan, Kathy Roche, Susan Kirksey and the Kirksey and Phillips families, Joan Ostroot and her family, Diana Tian-Yu, Gerry Burgess and family, Cliff Golden and Boy Scout Troop #33 from IL, Jennifer and Bob Ruggio and family, Sheri Robinson, Tina Bloom, Rose and Dennis McCarroll and family and friends, Jacqueline (better known as “Ms. Pearl”), Gary, Deanna Williams, Mary Garcia and family, Ralph and Anna Tims and their girls, Terry and Cynthia Owens, Lonnie, Henry and Effie Amparan, the YWAM teams from Tyler, TX, and all who participated with Toys for Tots and served with us. We could not have done it without you.
As we start this New Year, we are kicking off our rebuilding efforts and the recovery stage of our efforts here in Galveston. Our main focus will change to skilled construction teams that are capable of assisting homeowners with the repairs and rebuilding necessary for many of them to return home. We are in great need of skilled construction volunteer teams who can come and spend a day, week, or month and the funding to assist homeowners with supplies in order to utilize the volunteer labor when they have exhausted all other resources.
I pray that we will all see others as Christ sees them, and that our ministry here on the Coast will continue to be blessed, as we bless those who are recovering and rebuilding their lives and homes from Hurricane Ike. Your support, prayers, and volunteer service allow us to continue to meet the needs of so many who are walking through tough times. With God’s help….Together, we can rebuild the Gulf Coast and make a difference!