| Entry # 39 -- Ministry Choice: 12 Stones Church - Moorhead |
Just before Christmas with the help of my best friend, I started a fundraiser for Kids Against Hunger to help children in Uganda. I got the High School and Elementary School in on it and it turned out into this huge thing. It was amazing to see all the little kids excited to help children in a different part of the world. We ended up raising enough $$ to feed over 9,000 kids!!!!!
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| Entry # 38 -- Ministry Choice: Ruuska Village~ "orphanage" in Haiti run by Barbara Walker |
My brother and I were walking , and decided we wanted to meet some neighbors. We knocked on the door of a house, and there was no answer . Finally an elderly widow showed up VERY scared and WOULD NOT let us in. She just wanted to talk through the door. So, we did. After a while she decided to open it and let us in. (Although she had her cane ready to whack us just in case :). We started talking, and asked her if she was a Christian. She said yes. Since she has a hard time getting around a pastor goes there. She showed us pictures of her grandchildren, and gave us candy. We told her we could help around the yard and visit her . Since then, we've come back and brought her black jelly beans, (her favorite), homemade blueberry syrup and helped her organize some cupboards (she has a hard time reaching things). And she’s warming up to us! She is more smiley than our first meeting. :) She made brownies for us just in case we stopped in. We want to be able to show her God's love through our actions. :)
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| Entry # 37 -- Ministry Choice: STEM Haiti Restoration Team going in June |
I have a neighbor that has mental illness issues and is in bondage with a pill addiction. She is a born again Christian and one of the most loving/generous people I know, so it is difficult when she comes to my door begging for money and knowing she wants her pills. What I do offer is to pray with her. We have seen God work absolute miracles. Some being that peace that settles on you that passes all understanding, the return of her stolen car,and roommates when she needed help with rent and was afraid to be alone. Where two or more are gathered, there He is in the midst of them. Some day soon I hope she will have freedom from her bondage but in the mean time, I can speak reassurance of God's love into her life, and we both get our faith built up by seeing continued answers to prayer.
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| Entry # 36 -- Ministry Choice: oak hills bible camp ministry |
I currently helping out a friend fromm church in his resturaunt. he owns Baker's Place located in the NTC College Building. he needed a dishwasher that was reliable and a true hard worker. he appreciates the hard work i have given.
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| Entry # 35 -- Ministry Choice: northlands rescue mission |
a couple of weeks ago,my neighbor was taking apart his deck so i helped him out and we got it done in 2 evenings.
he said he was just going to bring it to the lake and burn it,so i said i would gladly take it off his hands. i knew most certainly that the good treated wood could be used again. i brought it out of town to a large family from my church. the kids helped me unload the trailer and were quite excited about lots of material for a treehouse.
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| Entry # 34 -- Ministry Choice: Adoption Avenue (new program to give people adoption inforamtion through the Clearwaters Life Center) |
My mom teaches ladies Biblestudy every Friday. A lot of ladies come from close and some far. I help out by babysitting the kids so their moms are able to come every Friday and get into the Word and study the Bible for a couple hours. So they are able to focus on Jesus and not have to worry about their kids in those couple hours.
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| Entry # 33 -- Ministry Choice: Adoption Avenue (new program through CLearwaters Life Center) |
My kids and I deliver "Meals On Wheels" to the elderly when it is our church's turn. Last week it was our turn. We came into a gentelmans home, and he was crying. I went over to his chair and kneeled down beside him and we started talking. He said he was so lonely and did not like the way the world was changing for the worst. I was able to encourage him, and reassure him Jesus IS still on the throne and is STILL in control...I was able to share with him Scriptures that I had memorized, and pray with him. I was also able to ask him if he had a realtionship with Jesus, and share & pray with him for that too. My daughter was also with me. I was able to be a vessle to show the love of Jesus in a practical way....on an ordinary day.... (which in the Heavenlies was extraordianary because of a lonely man who wanted to know Jesus!) The smile & hug I got when I left made my day and reminded me to use every opprotunity I have for the Lord!!!! :)
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| Entry # 32 -- Ministry Choice: Northern Pines Camp, Park Rapids |
I am watching several kids for a Dave Ramsey class. There were 3 famlies that would not have been able to go if there wasn't anyone to help them out with their kids. It has been fun.
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| Entry # 31 -- Ministry Choice: Grand Forks Womens Pregnancy Center |
In the winter i will occasionally see people walking outside to their destination instead of taking the bus or getting a ride from someone. I will stop and offer a ride to people, no matter how far out of the way. My little way of warming their bodies and hopefully their hearts.
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| Entry # 30 -- Ministry Choice: Cass Lake |
Last fall my family,our new bible worker and I started reaching out in the Cass Lake Community with Bible studies.
We are planning to buy a bulding to hold the Bible studies in and to have fellowship gatherings.
We have approx. 15-20 kids coming at the moment.
We started with the fall of Satan and have been going though the bible, but had a special Easter program.
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| Entry # 29 -- Ministry Choice: Kids Against Hunger-Park Rapids |
At youth group a couple of weeks ago, I saw a new girl standing by herself. I went and asked who she was and started talking to her. She was visiting her aunt and uncle for a few days. We talked and then when youth group started I sat by her and let her know that she had a friend here. I hope she comes to visit more often and will feel welcome to come to youth group again.
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| Entry # 28 -- Ministry Choice: Kids Against Hunger-Park Rapids |
Our friend, that lives down south, had a brother that died last fall. She couldn't afford to come up to Fargo and clean out his apartment and get rid of his belongings. My wife and another friend cleaned the apartment, but then there was another load of stuff to haul and try to get rid of. I went with my wife and we loaded the pickup up with his tools and furniture. We put it in our garage and then we put up ads and sold everything that was of value for our friend. She was so thankful, as she needed the money to pay his bills and she would never have been able to do sell his things from Utah.
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| Entry # 27 -- Ministry Choice: Kids Against Hunger-Park Rapids |
In November I was applying to be in National Honor Society, I have a friend who is just about blind and pretty shy. I told him that he should apply to NHS so that we could do volunteer work together. He applied and we both got accepted! He would never have applied if I had not encouraged him to.We have had fun doing things together for NHS.
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| Entry # 26 -- Ministry Choice: Kids Against Hunger-Park Rapids |
I volunteer at the local food shelf. It is so sad to hear about some of families situations. I try to encourage them by telling them they can give back to the food shelf one day when they get back on their feet. I also have a couple of families that help at the food shelf so they feel like they are giving something back now, and not being free loaders. Kids Against Hunger gives us packages to give out to the families that are hungary. I try to pray for the people that come into the food shelf.
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| Entry # 25 -- Ministry Choice: Camp Oak Hills |
As a young child, there was a person who was committed to picking me up every Wednesday night to take me to AWANA. Now that I have a family of my own, we have made a committment to do what it takes to bring our children's unchurched friends to AWANA. Sometimes that means picking them up, feeding them, taking them home. Even paying for their uniforms and books. We want our children to understand the importance of sharing Jesus to others in many different ways.
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| Entry # 24 -- Ministry Choice: Walker Area Pregnancy Support Center |
We give hurting young women and their unborn children choices when they are without hope or help.
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| Entry # 23 -- Ministry Choice: TimberBay |
Recently I was at Walmart with my chldren.While in the produce aisle an elderly gentleman asked me what cilantro was used for. He seemed kind of lost. He pulled out a prepackaged bakery item and set it in his left hand and shook his head. I almost smiled and walked away but something in his eyes made me stop and listen. I am so glad I did. While listening to him talk I learned he was 91 year old, was involved in WWII, and had lost his wife a few years ago. She used to be the cook/baker of the house. Now he was left to buying these prepackaged bakery items. He had had a heart attack and a stroke. When he put the pastry in his hand he was showing me that was all his hand could do. His companion in this season of his life was his dog who was waiting in his car, they "went everywhere together" he said. I think my connecting with this gentleman blessed him and I know I was blessed. I wonder how many of these opportunities/blessings I have missed being so rushed and not taking the time to really listen.
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| Entry # 22 -- Ministry Choice: Kid's Against Hunger, Park Rapids |
I heard of a guy that burns wood, but wasn't able to cut his own wood. I went with my dad and we cut wood for 9 hours to help this man have wood for the winter. He said it would have taken him many days to get all the wood we did that day.
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| Entry # 21 -- Ministry Choice: Family Life Center, Faith Baptist Church Park Rapids |
I help in the nursary at our church on Sunday mornings. The kids are so cute and some of them want me to hold them the whole time. The parents can listen to the pastor without having to worry about their children. I have no younger siblings, so this lets me enjoy little kids.
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| Entry # 20 -- Ministry Choice: Love-N-Care Ministry |
Everyday is an opportunity to sew into the kingdom whether it be finacially, by an act of kindness or through prayer. One time when I was watching the news the reporter was interviewing this man who had chosen the lifestyle of a Hobo. My understanding of the definition of a Hobo is they choose to be traveling homeless, but will get jobs here and there to meet their need, so they do not beg. This particular gentleman was one that would raise money for those more unfortunate then him and had already raised quite a sum of money and given it away to various needs he would become aware of in his travels around the US. It was a great story that touched my heart as I saw the humility of this man and his generous heart. The very next day as I was driving I saw him walking down the street with his pack of belongings so I knew I needed to stop and give him whatever I had in my purse, which wasn't much. As I was turning around to go back to him a van of young people were hanging out their windows mocking him severely. My heart was grieved. That terible unkind act just made it more necessary for me to bless this man. What I gave him wasn't much, but he was so grateful. I began to walk away, but he said just a minute and he went to his backpack and pulled out a gift for me that he had made from an aluminum can. I said there was no need, but I could not refuse this humble man. I felt more ministered to that day then what I did because of this generous man.
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| Entry # 19 -- Ministry Choice: Frontline Ministries |
This is an Act of kindness that was given to me, by a dear christian sister and friend.
I moved to Minnesota 5 yrs ago. All my family are in Washinton/Oregon state. In December my father was ill and my sisters had been relaying his health via phone and email.My daughter called and asked that I could come home because it would be the first time in 8+ yrs that all my children would be home together.My oldest son has been to Iraq 3 times and my youngest will be going in May. (he won't be back until Jan 2011)My husband and I just did not have the financial means to go. Well in December my christain sister and friend presented me with round trip tickets for her and I to go Washington. Words can not express the love and appreciation I have for her. Our first day there, we took my father to the doctors and he was admitted in the hostipal and was there for over 30 days. I was so scared and she was there subporting/praying me through it all. I saw my grandchildren, sisters, aunties, and all my children.
I am back in Minnesota and I am comforted knowing my dad is on his way to full recovery and that God is in control. This act of kindeness reflected the love of christ to me and to my family,and empowered us all to become instrumental to others in the name of Jesus.
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| Entry # 18 -- Ministry Choice: Bethany Bible Camp |
Just yesterday a friend of mine was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. I happened to hear about it from a neighbor, and went over there and stayed with her children until Grandpa was able to come. I also washed some dishes while I was there. Then I went home and made supper for her family and brought it over there. Thankfully, my friend will be OK, but I was glad I could be there for her family.
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| Entry # 17 -- Ministry Choice: Faith Baptist Church-Family Life Center, Park Rapids |
I help with the 7th and 8th grade cornersatone youth group at our church. I enjoy the kids on Wednesday nights, but I really enjoy when I see these kids around town. I always go up to them and say hi and talk to them. I can tell that it makes a difference that it isn't about church, but about them and that I care for them.
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| Entry # 16 -- Ministry Choice: Kids Against Hunger-Park Rapids |
We have had the opportunity to host a foreign exchange student. After he got here his dad lost his job. The program was going to send him back home, because he didn't have the money he was suppose to have each month to pay for his expenses. We couldn't let him go home, after we had prayed that God would send us the student we should host.We picked up the extra costs for him. He has stayed here and we have had some trails, but about 6 weeks ago we had a break thru, and we can see the difference that we have made in loving him unconditionally! He enjoys going to our church and we continue to pray that he will ask Jesus to come live in his life.
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| Entry # 15 -- Ministry Choice: Lifecare Center (TRF) |
A year ago my friends' dad died suddenly from a stroke. They were very close to their Dad and over the months I often heard them say that they wished they had something that was just their dad's to hold close. I helped their Mom with a garage sale last summer and after the sale she had a large rack of her husband's buttondown, cotton plaid shirts left and she let me take them. I used these shirts to make full-size "Dad's Plaids" quilts for my friends and was able to give the quilts to them at Christmas. My friends are blind and cannot "see" the quilts, but they feel the love and warmth of their dad when they wrap the quilts around themselves and snuggle into their father's arms. Not wanting to waste any fabric, I made a third quilt out of the remainder of the shirts and gave it to their Mom in March on what would have been her husband's birthday. There is so much joy in giving and doing for others.
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| Entry # 14 -- Ministry Choice: QFM Haiti Restoration Team |
For the past several months, I, along with members of the Evangelical Free Church of Bemidji, have been making little dolls (or action figures (; ) of yarn. These three inch tall dolls are being sent with missionaries to Mexico, and have already been sent to Haiti.
Last summer, I was part of a mission team to Ensenada Mexico. Before we left, I started making yarn dolls. I gave them to kids at an orphanage we visited. Seeing how those dolls put a smile on those kid's faces inspired me. I am planning on returning to Ensenada this summer with as many yarn dolls as will fit in my suitcase.
The youth group was able to make 160 yarn dolls, which were sent to Haiti with Kathie Pederson and the Oak Hills team.
These dolls are, to me, a little way to show the kids that we care. It is also a way to show God's Love to them through us. These kids don't have anything but these little dolls can give them something to call their own.
Also, by breaking the ice with these dolls, we are then able to share the message of God's love with them.
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| Entry # 13 -- Ministry Choice: Teen Challenge |
Last year when I heard a lady on this station mention how she would pay for the car's order behind her in drive-thru. I started do that in a different sort of fashion. Since my eyesight has gotten worse to the point I can not drive, I will pay for a customer's ticket whenever I go out to eat. I paid for two disabled customers order instead of their personal care attendants (one at Taco Bell, one at McDonald's) and a ticket for two senior ladies in a new restaurant at Grand Forks called Mi Mexico. I noticed how much of a joy I get from doing this even though my finances are few, and how much God is blessing me when I do this. I would like to thank the lady last year who gave me this suggestion. I never really done this sort of thing before until then--I had others do it for me when my two teenagers were toddlers--yet I never really done it for others. I keep thinking of that song,which has the verse: "I want to be your hands and feet, go where you need me, go where you want me." every time I do this. I love helping out others in this way--where over a year ago my response would be "no way I don't have that type of money, whose gonna help me when I need it--are you crazy." God is teaching me that selfishness gets a person nowhere and how much better it is to give than receive.
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| Entry # 12 -- Ministry Choice: Teen Challenge |
I befriended a student at The University of North Dakota. This student is totally blind and an international student from Thailand. He started in the Fall of 2009. He has been struggling since he's never been to the US before or ever experience winter before. This student has tried to get services through the Disability Support Services at UND and the School for the Blind to keep getting turned down since he's an international student. I have been taking time out of my busy schedule to introduce him to the bus service, take him shopping, help him get around the snow and ice (now the puddles and mud), read his English assignments for him and make changes as needed, etc. I am surprised UND is refusing to help this student. He is disappointed also and asked me if he is such a nuisance like the school and others told him. I told him no, when my eye sight goes (which now it's 20/400) I would hope somebody could help me too. I invited him to my church several times. He was surprised my church didn't criticize him for being Buddhist. I have been constantly praying for this student and ask of all you who reads this to pray for him also. Pray also that God can keep encouraging me to find the time to help this student with shopping, etc. I have had several people tell me boundaries girl boundaries--don't let him use you so much. I know if I don't help him, nobody will. I even bought him groceries myself to help out--which he was shocked with the gift telling me, "Oh my this is lots of food, won't you go to jail buying this much food for me?" He is so used to Thailand's rules that he is stilling learning how much the US is fortunate.
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| Entry # 11 -- Ministry Choice: Outreach! |
My husband and I started The First Widow's Club in Walker, Mn. after the death of my father. We saw a need in our area for widowed woman. We offer a place of love, support, prayer, laughter, healing and love. We meet once a month and have amazing food, entertainment and guest speakers. We love our ladies, and couldn't do what we do without the Lord's guidance, and help from our friends and family. We want to be the hands and feet of Jesus, and offer hope to the hopeless...
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| Entry # 10 -- Ministry Choice: Walker Pregnancy Center |
The Walker Pregnancy Center has already been a blessing to the beatiful volunteers as they are being trained and educated to be able to make a difference to those in our area experiencing the pain and confusion of a "crisis" pregnancy! People in our community have been so encouraging. We see God's great hand of blessing as we prepare to open the doors to the public in April. And now all the arrangements are "wrapping up" as we make final preparations for our 1st Annual Fundraising Banquet on April 13! Because of these slow economic times, we are struggling to find the needed underwriting, but we are learning to lean and learn from the Holy Spirit of the Living God to trust and obey. Our director, Lisa Boie is living her "act of kindness" in each and every way as she encourages us to keep on "keeping on"! Her hugs and words of encouragement are teaching us as we prepare to encourage those women and men in need in our community! We believe that God has put us here (and put Lisa here) for such a time as this! Thank you, Walker Area Pregnancy Center, for the opportunity to make a positive difference in our community!
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