I really enjoy this story. A local church wanted to pour into their community more, so they decided to focus on a retirement home. Check it out.
For the past 12 years Gary and his church have been reaching out to their local retirement community.
On the 4th Sunday of every month Gary and many others lead a half-hour service where they sing old hymns and have devotions.
Then twice a year on Easter and Christmas, Gary and other church members have communion with the retirement residents and their families. For many it`s the first time in years that they had been able to share communion with their loved ones.
So many lives are being positively affected in this small community!
Be a part of a community that reaches out to others. Go Beyond the Call!
Sarah
I wrote this story a month ago. I don`t know my neighbors at all but after the original story to this it does make me want to reach out more. Check it out.
What a team! Miriam and her husband really know what it means to love their neighbor.
This couple never misses an opportunity to bless others!
Nearly 5 years ago they opened one side of their duplex to families displaced by hurricane Katrina. With the help of their church and fellow neighbors the duplex was furnished in 4 days!
Then Miriam decided to start a Bible study for the ladies in her neighborhood. Four ladies ended up showing up! She started it nearly 5 years ago but it`s still going strong today!
Miriam says, “although there has been many trials, it have been a amazing journey led by God`s Spirit.”
Do you know your neighbors? Think of ways to bless them today.
Go Beyond the Call!
Sarah
I was thinking about Japan today. Maybe we don`t hear about it as much on the news but it`s still a serious situation there. So many people have lost loved ones and with certain situations continuing to erode, more life might be lost. My prayers are with them. I`m proud to say that HCJB Global continues to do ministry there. The story below explains what we`re doing there.
“It felt like the end of the world, “ is what one person said, after surviving the devastating earthquake in Japan.
Without hope many people living in Japan are having a hard time processing this terrible tragedy. Even through Japan is a prosperous nation many do not believe in Jesus Christ.
HCJB Global missionary Kazuo knows that the best way to reach them is through radio. Despite the earthquake he will continue to broadcast God`s truth to the Japanese people.
Kazuo has asked that we continue to pray for the nation of Japan. Pray that more ears will be open to the word of God and that the people of Japan would trust in the one who works all things for good… even an earthquake.
Take a moment to pray for Japan.
Sarah
Today, a co-worker stopped by with her new baby. He`s so cute! I loved seeing him make little faces. Most of all I loved the look of peace on his little face while his mom held him. And really that should be the look on every child`s face, but unfortunately we live in a fallen world. That`s why HCJB medical staff go out of their comfort zones to give hope and care to little helpless ones. Recently, the team went to Africa to provide medical care to a small community. Below is a story about their experience. Check it out.
I love that song, “Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world.” It`s so true, a child is a precious gift from God.
While ministering to the poor and sick in Burkina Faso, Africa many of our missionary`s had a chance to touch the lives of God`s precious children.
Missionary Shelia Leech recalled a little girl that caught her eye. She was 28 pounds underweight and malnourished. And then there was another little girl. Lying on the ground, she rested her head on a pot while kids played around her. She was suffering from a high fever.
Both little girls were treated and soon both active again. But you never forget the look of a child in pain.
Never forget about the least of these! Reach out to those who are suffering!
Sarah
Today, many people gather together for prayer. What a wonderful opportunity this day brings to demonstrate our faith in Jesus Christ to the world.
With prayer we experience a relationship with God. So, take time today and everyday to talk to our mighty creator Jesus Christ. Most of all don`t forget to listen to what God has to say back to you.
Today I know I will be praying for our counrty and for the men and women serving overseas, especially the men and women coming back.
While thinking about prayer, I thought of a story we recorded for Beyond the Call. It`s all about the power of prayer. The story is called “Skyway Prayers.”
At age 95, Ruth Mayhill lived on her own, drove her own car and always put prayer first.
Whenever she flew, Ruth always stopped by the cockpit and said, “Hi, I`m Ruth. I would like to pray for you and the safety of this airplane. Would that be alright?” She was never refused.
On one trip Ruth`s plane taxied to the end of the runway, just before it took off an attendant knelt by her seat and quietly said, “Ruth your prayers have just saved our lives. Another plane just came so close to hitting us, that the entire crew is still shaking with fear. Thanks for praying.”
Romans 12:12 encourages us to be faithful in prayer.
So be faithful to pray for others!
Never forget how blessed we`re as a nation to be able to come together and pray!
Sarah
Although I`ve never been to Africa, I truly care for the people that are suffering there. For many living in certain parts of Africa everyday is a struggle to survive. The worst part is HIV and AIDS is what`s taking the lives of most Africans. This can be prevented through treatment and care but for many that`s not a option. The story below is about a church who refused to sit back and watch. They decided to reach out to African communities that need it.
Did you know that in sub-Saharan Africa alone, more than 22 million people are living with HIV and AIDS?
This is an overwhelming high number. And with rampant poverty, many families can`t even ease the suffering of their loved ones.
That`s why pastor Stan is doing something about it. His congregation is helping to ease the suffering by partnering with a ministry that does in-home care kits. The kits are five gallon plastic buckets filled with medical and hygiene supplies. Some of the items include lip balm and clean sheets. And many other items we would never think about that people really need.
So far, more than 4,700 of these kits have been sent to all over sub-Saharan Africa with plans for many more.
Ease the suffering of someone who`s hurting. Every little thing counts!
Sarah
I must have 38 pairs of shoes in my closet. I have less than most people but more than I think I should have. Most of the shoes in my closet I only wear a couple times of year. I feel pretty blessed and then at the same time really selfish, especially when I read stories about orphanage`s full of young children in Africa that have no shoes at all. The next story is about a ministry called “God`s Feet” that is trying to fix this problem. Check it out.
Take a moment to look down at your feet; do you have a pair of shoes on? Do you have many more pairs in your closet? Did you know that over 300 million people around the world don`t own one pair of shoes?
For this reason, a ministry called “God`s Feet” is trying to alleviate this big problem. David, the ministries founder, came up with a idea to help after her heard that many diseases, in developing countries, are caused by walking barefoot in the soil. It`s called a flip-flop drop and recently this ministry did a flip-flop drop in Tijuana, Mexico where they provided an entire orphanage with shoes.
There goal is to reach thousands of more people without shoes! Go Beyond the Call.
I think Ill go through my shoes tonight to see what I can donate!
Sarah
I hate going out in cold weather. I would much rather stay indoors and watch a good movie with popcorn. Society tells us that life is all about me. What we want and what we deserve. But if we operate our lives like this we miss out on a lot. There`s many opportunities to serve others even if it makes us uncomfortable.
I like this story because it challenges me to get off the couch and serve the community around me. Check it out.
Church members in East London are reaching out to fee and help the homeless in their community.
Carrying around 300 pounds of food, a local church group named “Friends Together” braved freezing temperatures to find, help and encourage those sleeping in the streets.
One man`s whole life was changed by the generosity of this group. The “Friends Together” ministry helped him find a home and work so he could get off the streets.
He said, “I`ve found peace now-this has really helped me.”
Scripture says, “If one of you says to them, go in peace, keep warm and well fed, but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?”
Go out and serve the poor! Don`t just be about it, do something about it.
Sarah
We don`t usually get to hear about the good things that happen in the world. But with a little searching one can find amazing stories of people seeing a need and doing something about it.
It`s never the big things that impress me but the small acts of kindness. Like helping someone with directions or offering a older person your place at the front of the bus so they don`t have to walk to the back. Everyone has a chance to show kindness, unfortunately a lot of times we don`t. I admit I`m guilty of this. My goal is to be better at this and never let a chance go by to show someone kindness.
This story really encouraged me. Not only did this woman show kindness to someone but she kept it up. Check it out.
It was a very rainy morning! As Rochelle drove through town the drizzle turned into a downpour. That`s when she noticed a young women carrying her baby, trying unsuccessfully to keep her child dry underneath her coat.
Seeing how miserable they both looked Rochelle decided to pull over and hand the woman her umbrella, figuring she could easily buy a new one. The next week Rochelle ended up giving another umbrella away. That`s when she got a good idea!
She went out and stocked up on all kinds of umbrellas, so now every time she sees someone walking in a rainstorm she pulls over and hands them one and says, “God Bless you!”
Make someone smile today!
Sarah
This story really inspired me. This is a real person who is currently dying from cancer but instead of being sad he is using the experience to reach more and more people with hope and love. Check it out.
Dying from cancer, former hospital chaplain Jesus Montero is now the patient. He could be sad and angry but not Jesus. He continues to walk the hospital corridors giving courage to other patients!
He moved to Shell, Ecuador as a young man and came to know Christ. He then attended evening classes at the local Bible school. Soon after he began serving as the chaplain at HCJB`s Hospital Vozandes in Shell. He had such a passion to minister that he started serving with no official title and no pay.
He remained faithful to that job even when 2 of his children and his wife died. He truly understands suffering.
Today, he is still inviting people into his hospital room to give advice and hope.
Remain faithful! Go Beyond the Call!
Want to know more about HCJB Global`s ministries? Visit us online at hcjb.org.
Sarah