November 2022 Newsletter
November 2022 Newsletter
I John 3:16-18
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.
Greetings Friends,
As we prepare for another busy season, I received a reality check the other day. Why do we do what we do? Sometimes I ask myself, why do I want to do it? The answer is very clear.
We have held two fundraising yard sales with the students, and the amount raised was great! So we had to decide what we would do for a Christmas project this year. We were presented with two options…go help a mens rehab center do a little fixing up, or help a nursing home. The rehab center did not feel right to me. We went with the project at the nursing home. Some of the students went to scope it out, and get an idea what needed to be done. They sent me a couple photos, and I could not believe what I was seeing. So we went and looked for ourselves. What I witnessed that day I could have never prepared myself for.
I met the director, and he showed me around the place. In the kitchen were a couple rickety tables, set with some iron chairs. The roof above them is coming down, one piece at a time. In the laundry area, there was a pile of clothes waist high. In the center of the facility, there was a septic hole that was wide open and full. He opened the door to the bathrooms, and there sat a toilet on the floor, not even attached. The next area was the bedrooms where there were 8 beds lined up, and with a concrete ceiling ready to fall in the middle of the room. The smell was more than I could take. It actually gagged me. There were two rooms full of beds that had elderly people in them. The whole area was wide open. The director said there is no way to stop the wind coming in, so it gets very cold at night. Our nights here have been around 45 degrees the last couple weeks. Last year many got sick, and one passed away from the cold in the rooms. We entered a room about 12x20 in the center of the facility. This is where the director, his wife, and 4 kids live. The kids have no place to be alone. They play in the middle of the floor in the dining area. I asked the director if he got paid or if he received any support. He said he plays in a band on the weekends to try and raise enough money for food. If that is not enough, he goes out and begs for groceries. He said about 6 of the families of the elderly will drop by from time to time and give them a little money to help. The director came to help his friend at this facility 9 years ago. His friend said he would be right back, but he has never returned. He is still waiting for him. I asked him if he had any options. He said I could have left them here alone to die. We are beyond knowing what to do.
I am writing this letter to ask for your prayers as we seek God's guidance. The other day we had the chance to look at another home that has a lot of potential. Along with the purchase of another facility, comes a huge task of raising the funds to purchase it, and make it ready for residents. Or, we could go in and fix the current place up. From what I've seen, $10,000 - $20,000 would help, but it would not solve the problem. We are open to advice that any wise person may have for us. Or, if you would be willing to lead a fundraising campaign, that would be incredible.
Why do we do what we do? Because we have been called.
Luke 9:62 NIV
Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.”
Please pray as God has laid a huge task ahead of us. Huge for us, but not for Him. Your prayers and counsel are greatly appreciated.
Curt and Kelly
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