Got to Get to Church !!!

This Sunday on the way to church we drove passed a man who was walking along the roadside. This man has very bent legs and could not stand or walk unassisted. Every step was a chore for him...Every step!!. This morning it was at least 98 degrees and the sun was beaming down. Yet there he was making his way down the side of the street. 

Susan and I stopped to offer him a ride, I asked where he was going and he said " Going to church...Got to get to church" He said.  As it turned out he was going to our church. We had very nice conversation as we enjoyed the air conditioner in the car on the way to church. The service was very powerful and anointed.

It made me think of how many excuses we make up not to go to church...to tired, its raining, what tie to wear, just don't feel it any more, lets go to the lake......Yet here Ed was in mid summer in all of his hardships and....nothing was going to stop him from getting to the house of God. Nothing was going to stop him!!!

Note: At the end of the service I noticed Ed at the alter surrounded by prayer ministers (at least 8) with hands on him, calling out to God in his behalf. I am sure Ed was blessed that Sunday.

Think about it a while.....and we will See you in church this Sunday! 

Sumter Fire Department

 

Tonight we are blessed to support and provide a meal for the Fellowship of Christian Firefighters International-Maj. Gene Franklin Chapter in Sumter, S.C.
Tonight is the second meeting of this group. There are about 65 firefighters   attending. Please continue to pray for this ministry and the protection of these firefighters.

It is ok to stop and lend a hand

Luke 10:33-34

King James Version (KJV)

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

Bethesda Church of God Missions Trip and Help Out Guys Rescue Ministries

Very soon our church will send several missionaries to Honduras. Help Out Guys Rescue Ministries was able to adopt two 11 year old boys, Kelvin and Juan.  We wanted to say thank you for all of your generous support that allow us to give in the manner we do. We thank God for you guys and pray for blessings.

The Old Run Down House

Today we were contacted by the Sumter Police Dept. who told us of a family that had very hard times fall on them. He lost his job, she was very ill and her prognosis was not good, they lost their home, due to no job ...No medical insurance.....THEN THEY WERE HOMELESS...just like that.  Now the they live in a very old farm house that is in bad disrepair. No stove, no refrigerator, no air conditioner, no power in parts of the home. Just a bad situation all around. When I met with them in the house the temp. had to be 105 deg....They both expresses a feeling of no hope. just... no hope at all!!

after a very nice visit God allowed us to install 2 new window air conditioners and a microwave oven for them. very soon it will be under 80 deg in the home and now they will be able to cook a bit. Some how our visit seemed to restore some hope for them. God is in the hope business. When we walk in love and express compassion, we restore hope for someone. God please bless these kind folks and restore their hope.

Sumter Fire Department

Last month the Sumter Fire Department began a new ministry for its members. Help Out Guys Rescue Ministries is blessed to be able to offer some support as they begin this new ministry.

If you are a firefighter in the Pee Dee area of the state please join us in Sumter on the third Tuesday of each month at the SFD training facility.

Help Out Guys Rescue Ministries Expands into a new area

This week we will begin to support and assist Susan in the Sumter Nursing Home Ministry. This is such a touching ministry and so important. there are very many folks that have been left behind in the homes across our city. Please pray for Susan and Gloria as they go about this calling. We will have an announcement about their new outreach to these locations in the next few weeks.

Stay tuned.

This Sunday we spent a very nice day with our new friends in the Palmetto Pointe Church of God in Myrtle Beach, S.C. If you are ever on the Coast please stop by and visit with them.

Palmetto Pointe Church of God]

3690 Palmetto Pointe Blvd

Myrtle Beach, SC 29588

(843) 293-0083

Operation Cool Breeze in full swing in Sumter

Just a note about "Cool Breeze". Over the past few weeks we have been about our fathers business here in Sumter. It is soooo Hot here in South Carolina!!! There are very many folks that are in medical jeopardy because of the extreme heat. As we find them and as we hear of them, we have been blessed to be able to donate and install a new window air conditioner.

Thank you Lord for allowing us to minister in this way.

Our Ministry Expands !!!

Beginning this month our ministry will have a presence in Georgetown County, S.C.  While we will still be operating in Sumter, S.C. Just as we do now. We now have a minister operating in Georgetown and along the coast of S.C.  Please mention us in your prayers as we expand our territory in the name of Jesus.

Our Ministry Expands !!!!

Operation Christmas Card.

We want to give thanks to God for allowing us to have given several mothers a hand at Christmas time to get toys and food for their children...the Lord gave one of us the idea to give out Walmart cards to mothers who needed them, and we DID! It was touching! One sweet lady cried and said she was praying for God to help her, and He did! Another lady was a wheelchair bound grandmother who was raising her 6 year old grandson because she had just lost her daughter (his mother) and she was on a limited budget for Christmas.....and we were so happy to bless her with Walmart cards for toys and food. How blessed we are...to bless others. It truly feels better to give than to receive!

It was brought to our attention that a widow woman was just getting by after paying her bills and had little left over to get medicine....and necessities, and we were able to bless her with Walmart cards to help her get her necessities for a few months....It turns out that she was a widow of a minister of the Gospel! Oh , how He provides!

When we give, it does not have to always be monetary. Give your time, love, kindness, or a smile and an encouraging word about God. Whatever you give to others....He will bless!

A spring day in the midst of winter

This morning, Jason, (my grandsons,Miles and Lee), and I went downtown to find Jimmy(one of our friends tht lived in a tent) because he was on my mind most of the week. We searched around town for a while looking for him. Since the City of Sumter tore down tent city we have had some trouble keeping up with our friends who lived there. They are hard to find because they spend time hiding from the city police. So they tend to move around town and hide their tents when they are away from them.

We had gone through McDonald's drive thru window and had a few breakfast biscuits with us .  After a little while we found him looking for breakfast in a dumpster behind an electrical company.  He was skinny and did not look so healthy but he seemed to be in good spirits.  It was a beautiful day on Saturday, it was about 70 deg. and very sunny. So, we offered him the bag of biscuits and visited with him for a long while.

While we were talking with him...I had a thought about how nice the day was and how nice our visit with him was...But...I know the cold weather is coming soon.  It is very hard on these folks who live outside in the winter. I pray that God would help us and the other ministries in Sumter to figure out how to help all of these folks who have nothing and live outside. We will continue to "Go to where they are" as long as God sends us.  I ask for your prayers for the folks who live outside and for all of the good ministries here in town that try to help as God directs.

Christmas party at the Community Care Home

       

My Grandson Miles reads the Christmas
story from the Bible to the group

Today was the Big Christmas party for the good folks at the
Community Care home.  I assure you all, a grand time was
had by all!!!!

Gift Bags for all, cupcakes, chips, party favors for every one, drinks, candy and singing Christmas carols.

The highlight was when my 5 year old grandson, Lee, stood and recited John 3:16.  Then my 8 year old grandson, Miles, stood and read the Christmas story from his Bible to the group.

God blessed us today. Merry Christmas everyone.







Christmas Party

As we were cleaning and beginning to leave the party, I overheard the staff

talking about what they could do for supper for them tonight. They decided

to throw a pizza party from Little Caesars Pizza  across the street. So Jason

 

and I asked if we could pay for supper as well.  So, on the way home,

 we stopped by the pizza joint and ordered pizza and chicken wings for the gang.

 

Today was a wonderful day for sure!!!



        

My Grandson Lee recites John 3:16









The Christmas party for the Community Care home will be this Saturday at 2:00pm I will be sure post photos and a story Saturday night.
Please remember this ministry in your prayers this week.

God, Please RESTORE the HOPE.

This week in the assisted living home in Sumter

This week my wife Susan, and her friend Gloria were visiting the assisted living homes here in Sumter. This is something they do every week. Susan was a bit sad because a lot of these SR. citizens who live in the home will not even get one visit over Christmas..No one. So Susan and Gloria with gift bags in hand set out to bring about as much Christmas Joy as they could this week. Thank you God for allowing them to do this.
I am telling you guys this story because I would LOVE to start a movement across the state!!
Here is my idea:  What if everyone started a tradition in their family over the Christmas holiday? Just take the family and go to an assisted living home and ask the staff if you could visit with someone who would be alone on Christmas, and just pay them a visit!!! Just spread some Christmas love!!!

Just Think about it.....  God please RESTORE the HOPE.

Its so cold in my house today.....

it is cold no more

Today, December 18th my phone rang and the voice on the other end of the line began to explain just how cold it has been in her home this week...

Do you guys remember the lady that was a stroke victim in the summer that was in need of some air conditioned relief???

This was that lady...She had four younger kids with  her in the home. She had a stroke and was confined to a bed and lost her job because of the stroke. She is needing all of the help she could find. We are correcting her heat problem for her. God has blessed us to be able to help her and that we will do in the name of Jesus. But...consider this......How many people our there this Christmas just want to be warm?? or just need a meal??

God please bless those in our community that need. Bring some hope to them. RESTORE THE HOPE. In the name of Jesus.

Mission CHRISTmas card begins in the midlands of SC

This year we believe God has directed this ministry to assist some families, a local community care home, and a local mission home for this Christmas season.

We are planning a large Christmas party complete with "bags of blessings' for our friends in the community care home.
 
We are also planning on providing Walmart Gift cards for families and our friends in the mission home downtown. So far 15 gift cards have been given to several families to assist them with Christmas.


It seems that this time of year is the most difficult for a lot of people
and all kinds of emotions rise up. It is our strongest desire
that our contact with people this Christmas  will in some way ease
the trouble and emotions in their lives. We want to bring the peace and blessed assurance in the love of Jesus into the lives of all that we meet.

Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in God and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my [sad] countenance, and my God. Psalm 43: 5

Post Thanksgiving Update

Over the Thanksgiving holidays, God has blessed this ministry to be able to provide Thanksgiving feast for at least..87 people here in Sumter and to give away about 55 winter coats and gloves and winter hats. Now we are in the upswing for the Christmas Season.  Thank you Lord for allowing us to do this work here in Sumter.

We want to be sure to remind you guys, That it is not so much about the "Things" ...it is about getting involved in these folks lives and to show an example of Gods love in their lives. It seems that when we are able to visit those folks who are in need,  God allowed us to restore hope and a smile. It truly is about the restoration of HOPE.

We want to thank all of our supporters for your kind assistance. We pray Gods blessings over your homes and families.

Sunday Morning after Thanksgiving at the Homeless Kitchen

The serving line for breakfast

Jake and Robert crack eggs with two hands.

                                             

Breakfast and Lunch

 Sunday morning My Grandson Jake and I spent a great morning before Church at out local Homeless Mission Kitchen. Every one had a very nice morning. A wonderful breakfast was provided, A great message was delivered...14 people found salvation that day!!, bag lunches for everyone, and vouchers for the thrift store for everyone. This ministry is doing a great work here in Sumter please consider them in your prayers as they do Gods work...

From my grandsons perspective on the Thanksgiving Blessing Project

This was my first time helping out with the Help Out Guys, and it was a truly eye-opening, touching experience. At about 11:00 this morning, my mom, Granddaddy (David), Nanny (Susan), and myself piled into the HOPEMOBILE and set off. Over about an hour and a half, we delivered four turkeys to four unique homes. Each showed me something completely different, while giving me brand new experiences that I can't come by in Pasadena, California, where I live. Our first stop was to an old woman's home. She was without electricity, and only lived in one room of her brick house for the cost. G-Daddy and I knocked on the door, and her thirty-year-old daughter opened the door. Looking in, the house was in bad shape. There was clutter everywhere; books, paper, candles...you name it, it was probably in there in some pile somewhere. At first, the woman who answered the door seemed sort of skeptical...the big red van in the driveway and the two of us with a massive cardboard box would be kinda strange. When David introduced himself, she recalled the time The Help Out Guys had installed an air conditioning unit in her house. We told her what was in the box, and her thankfulness was obvious in her smile and in her eyes. Walking away from her house, I noticed a smile spreading across my face. Our second stop was at a house of three kids. There was an older girl, another sister of about 11 or 12, and a 5 or 6 year old boy. Before opening the door, the boy shouted, "Who are you with!". Granddaddy told him that it was David, and with a smile, the boy opened the door. Behind him, his two sisters were standing. They smiled tentatively as G-Daddy introduced me, and then he told him what we had brought. The eldest lit up with a smile, saying that our turkey would let them have dinner with their father for Thanksgiving. The third stop was my favorite of the day. To get there, the HOPEMOBILE had to drive through the Boulevard, an extraordinarily poor road with many houses in awful condition. Upon our arrival, G-Daddy instantly told me that nobody was home. Disappointed, I opened the screen door, and set it on the rickety porch. There was no light inside the house, but as we were walking away, I saw the blinds open ever so slightly. A young girl's smiling face peeked out. I smiled and waved. Encouraged, David and I walked back to the front door and knocked. A young man of about 25 looked out. He was very skeptical about our arrival. He had no idea who we were, or what we were doing. Unlike the first house, this was somebody who had no idea who we were or what we were doing. We introduced ourselves, and as we took our time, he became more and more suspicious. Finally, Granddaddy told him what we had with us in the box. When we told him we had a Thanksgiving turkey with all the fixings, his face lit up. He was clearly shocked, and I couldn't help but smile. The three kids behind him were grinning massive, cheesy smiles. As I handed him the box, he said the most sincere "Thank You" I have ever heard. He thanked us again and again, all the while with a incredulous look on his face. As we drove away from the house, he kept looking out the door, waving and staring. He could not believe what had just happened. There was something that was apparent to me. Thanksgiving was absolutely not going to happen in that household tomorrow, not until we gave him that turkey. The fourth and final stop was also near the Boulevard. Granddaddy had named the place we were going "The End of the Road", and when we got there, I realized how apt the name was. All the way at the end of a long dirt road, on the edge of the forest, there looked to be a little tool shed and a trailer. We pulled up, and walked up to the entrance of the small, beat up trailer. We were greeted by a 30 year old woman and her sick mother. They were pleasantly surprised that we had arrived, and they were equally confused. This was the only house that I went into, and it was in bad shape. The ceiling was pitch black from the kerosene, and the walls were only cement. There were two mattresses, a stove, and that was the extent of it. The washing was lying on the bed. I put the turkey, cookie dough, and stuffing next to the stove, and conversed with them for a few minutes while G-Daddy went back to the truck to get money for kerosene, and they told me about their situation, and how bod they felt about accepting our help. I reassured them that it was as positive an experience for me as it was for them, and gave them a few hugs before David got back in. It was only as we were finally walking out that I saw the aforementioned shed wasn't filled with tools or gardening equipment. Inside the shed, there was space for three more people to live. The young woman's uncle was her next door neighbor, living with two of his buddies inside of a shed. We didn't stop to talk, but they waved to us heartily as we walked away. At the end of a couple hours of satisfying hard work, I felt happier and more purposed than I had in a long while.

A few photos from our Thanksgiving mission today

Loading the boxes

Winter Coats for the Homeless Shelter



more winter coats

Our family during set up

Turkeys cooking



The family at the community care home.

Early this morning..Thanksgiving Blessing

Box Prep area this morning.

About sun up this morning. Turkeys looking ready!!
 

In just a while we will hit the street and deliver... Winter Coats and the Thanksgiving love boxes all over Sumter. It is our prayer that every one we meet today will be blessed indeed!

A special note to some special friends who helped make today possible: Rev. Hanks, Jeff Francis and the California McCarthys... We want to wish you guys a very special blessing this Thanksgiving.

This weekend the Thanksgiving Blessing begins

This weekend we begin the "Front work" for our Thanksgiving Blessing. This Thanksgiving we will be delivering Thanksgiving turkeys and the fixins all over town. Please pray for this ministry as we go to the streets.  I will post more on this as we go along...

A Facebook project...for SMILE TRAIN.ORG

Today we were able to join with some Facebook friends and provide 8 cleft surgeries for these children.


Smile Train is the world's largest cleft charity
where a simple 45 minute surgery
that costs as little as $250, can
change a child's life FOREVER.   We would like to ask all of our supporters to give these folks a good look. This is a good work!!!
 

The play set is here and installed at the shelter.

This is the play set that was delivered to the shelter today! It looks great!!  I am sure that the kids will have a ball on it. I am thankful that God would allow us to give this to the Ladies and Kids shelter.  What a good day it was today!!   We would ask that you would remember the people that will live here and the kind folks that run the shelter in your prayers.

Today is the day !!!,

As I write this post, the delivery folks are at the children's shelter installing the playground equipment!!  Thank you Lord!!  I will post photos as soon as I can.

On another note, this week we were blessed to be able to provide our local disabilities board clients with several winter coats. Is is hard to think of grade school kids waiting for the school bus without a winter coat. I am thankful that we are able to help in some way.  God is good!

He does hear us...and He is kind and just to answer us.

Last week, a friend of mine, who is a  US Air Force Asst. Fire Chief , returned from a tour in Afghanistan. He told me a story of what happened to him on a patrol...or....more, what did NOT happen to him on a patrol.  He was the top gunner on the vehicle he was assigned to., While on a patrol in the area around his FOB,he said that his vehicle ran over an Improvised Explosive Device. As they ran over the device, the guys behind them recognised it to be a bomb and they took action to protect themselves. He said he was amazed that the bomb did not explode under their vehicle. It should have, It was designed to, It could have...but it DIDN'T !!! 

As he told this story, I was struck with this revelation...We told the Chiefs' wife that we would pray for him while he was gone. We further told her that we would pray for her and the family also.  I am absolutely sure that God stepped in on his behalf and stopped the bomb from exploding and allowed them to SEE it and take the correct action. So the truth of the matter is..It could not have harmed him at all !!! Aand it did not. Because God said so.!!! 

Just take a moment and read the 91st Psalm. If you have a need, just pray!!If you do not have a need, prayfor someone else! Please remember the US ARMED FORCES and all of  our Military. 

Praise God for his protection over our military and families!

"Yes Sir, I had a stroke last week and I just need some help"

Today my phone rang...And a weak, labored voice asked if we were the Preachers that helped folks with the cool air.
I advised her that we were, and inquired what was going on in her world. She said..", I had a stroke last week and I just need some help".  After a brief conversation, I learned that she was bedridden from her stroke and was under medical care at home. Her air conditioner had broken and her landlord refused to help her with the repair. Her medical doctor advises that she needs to be in an environment that was cool. She was to try to remain in the 76 deg. range.

As you know, we are still having 90 deg. days in the afternoons here in S.C.  When we got to her home, we found her in bed in the front room of the house. There were 5 school aged children with her and it was a bit warm in the house. The children looked to be taking care of her and the house. Jason and I installed her new air conditioner in the window across from her bed. During our visit, the conversation was about the goodness of God and healing. After the installation was completed, Jason and I had a good prayer with her and the family. We pray for God to work a miracle in the lives of every member of this family. Please join us in this prayer.

Ps 107:19-20

19 Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. 20 He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

This week... so many people in real need

We are so blessed this week to be sent...!!
 God sent us to deliver His blessings for a few folks this week....

One precious lady had not had eye glasses in three years. Over time, her expenses went up and her pay did not. After a while, She needed to make tough decisions...".Medical care... or... pay the rent". God positioned us to be able to help her with an eye exam and new glasses and now she can read again!

A family of 5 was praying for 1 months house payment.... God sent us to deliver His blessings to them.

A hard working lady who was on Social Security, Prayed for her car to be repaired so she could take care of the needs of her family because there was no money at all in her account to repair this car. She and her famliy was stranded.................God answered her prayer and sent us to deliver the blessing of a repaired car.

I wonder...Has God positioned you to be a blessing to another??   Would you... answer the call??

I further wonder...Are you in prayer for some needs in your life??
 I want to profess to you tonight, that God will answer your prayers just like he answered these kind folks prayers.

Ps 50:15
And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. (KJV)

Ps 118:5
I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place. (KJV)