A Gift…

What do you give someone when you really have nothing? When you want to show your appreciation but all you have is a few small trinkets from a life that you once had – A few small trinkets that has traveled with you for years from place to place that reminded you of days long past?

When you desire to really show appreciation you give something that has deep meaning to you personally.  That is why when I was given this beat-up model car by a resident I cherished the gift for I knew that as beat-up and dusty as it was that it meant loads to the resident who gave it to me.  This was truly a gift from one’s heart and one’s poverty…

I’ve lost touch with the man who gave this car to me but I am confident that the words of hope that I shared with him about the love and grace of Jesus remain with him to this day.  The presentation of this gift tells me that he understood the love of Jesus despite his health or his living situation and that he understood the grace of God to him through Jesus our Lord.

I sure love my work!

A Story…

Hi There,

For a while now I have been posting an audio version of the monthly prayer letter.  As of the last couple of months I have not had the time to record, edit, and publish this audio so I have concluded that it is time for a change.  I am not exactly sure what direction I will finally take this blog but for now I plan to post whenever I have something to blog about and that  generally will not make the monthly prayer letter.

So I begin here with this…

This morning I got up and finished reading Simply Jesus by N.T. Wright.  It was a great book and I highly recommend it but this is not a story about the book it is a story about Jesus.

I spent the morning playing games with the kids and around noon I received a phone call from a tax client who was in need of a tax file.  Since I needed to run to the ministry’s PO BOX anyway I told the client that I would burn a CD for him and drop it off while I was out.

While I was riding along I was thinking about the many challenges that Wright’s book posed to me and I had an errant thought about a cousin that I see occasionally on Facebook and how I should tell her about it.  Mind you, it was an errant thought and I don’t have any real contact with this cousin so as spontaneously as the thought flitted through my head it flitted right out.

As I went along the roads were getting increasingly more slick and I raced through the post office and onto my client’s home to drop off the CD.  On my way home a took a 10 minute break to allow the work of the salt trucks to do their magic and while I sat I opened the mail. In almost 10 years of ministry I saw something that I had never saw before – A card from (you guessed it) my cousin with a donation to the ministry – The one that my previously errant thought was about.

So I got home and called her to thank her and told her about the book.

Prayer Letter – October 2012

(SORRY – NO AUDIO THIS MONTH)

October 2012 

Ministry Moment:

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TSO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TSO

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TSOOH-OOOH

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO TSO…..

~ And many morrrrrrrre

On September 7^th 2003 me, my wife and another couple (the Garfields) entered the nursing home and began doing a weekly Sunday morning worship service for the residents who lived there – Three different facilities.  Needless to say, much has changed over the years but as of September 7^th The Sharing Org has been sharing the love of God through the gospel of Jesus Christ each and every week with residents who live in the nursing care facility.  Thank you for help us make this happen for them these many years.

~John

Prayer Letter:

Hi there!  As I am running behind on this month’s prayer letter I won’t try to wax eloquent.  I would however ask you to be in prayer for us this month for two things.

First, please pray for us as we pack shoeboxes this month.  I have scheduled shoepacking parties with all of my homes and will be getting with these facilities this month to pack our 90 shoeboxes.  Please pray that each of the residents is able to grasp the blessing of this missional effort for the kingdom of God.

Second, please pray as Pastor Tungate begins his work to a new home this month.  I will be joining him on the 10^th as he shares the Gospel of Jesus in a very real way to the residents who reside in this new home.  Please pray that Pastor Tungate quickly develops the relationships necessary for the love of Jesus to best be communicated to the people who live there.

Thank you for praying with us and supporting us in this most vital of ministries.

Regards,
John

~ The Sharing Org | PO Box 73 | Armada, MI 48005 | 586-949-6885 | www.thesharing.org ~

Prayer Letter – September 2012

http://thesharingorg.podomatic.com/entry/2012-09-01T05_48_29-07_00

 

September 2012 

Ministry Moment:

Recently a local pastor contacted me and told me that he wanted to serve in an AFC home (more on that in a bit), and so the other day I went into the chosen home and met with the staff and the people before the new worship services begin.  As I was learning the names of the people and shaking hands I was told that one gentleman had been asking for some time to go to church on Sunday, however, there was no one available to take him so he was never able to go.  Then, there was another gentleman who began to weep with joy when he learned that there was going to be a regular Christian worship service in his home.  He literally wept…

I talked about this with Megan, and she commented about how disconnected some of these people must feel living in a care facility.  Many people have no family, and the ones who do don’t always get regular visits from them.  We know that often no one from the local community visits many of these homes – even for Christmas – so the most human contact that they get is from house staff, doctors, and the occasional (usually monthly) shopping trip.

I thought about the loneliness.  I generally like being with people so I suspect that this sort of seclusion would work on me a bit.  Sure, I can spend a good amount of time by myself with a good book, but eventually I want to be with people again.  I like making new friends and discovering the common ground, I like talking to people about the weather, I like sharing ice creams and sodas with people while watching a fireworks show, and I like getting together on a regular basis with my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I suspect that the loneliness would erode my self-worth and leave me a bit depressed.

And so now that I know that Pastor Steve from the Memphis Free Methodist Church will be going regularly to help these guys worship, I am excited.  While I am not literally weeping, I suspect that I know a little bit about the excitement that would elicit tears of such joy.

It has been some 9 years since our ministry started, and I have been the only pastor regularly visiting local AFC homes via The Sharing Org, but God has encouraged me with a renewed vision for the future.

~John

 

Prayer Letter:

Dear Prayer Partner,

While I know that my cup always overflows, it really is nice to feel it…

This year we began spending the 3^rd Thursday of each month in times of prayer and praise instead of our normal worship service.  This past month I was considering the answers to prayer, and I was overwhelmed with the many ways that God has overfilled my cup.

First, earlier this year Terry (one of our monthly prayer partners) retired and began joining me and my grandmother at the Monday morning services.  She has been a great blessing as she has helped me with some of the tasks that I usually take care of, plus the residents in these homes love the fact that my grandmother and now Terry come each week to worship with them.  It was especially nice this month as my mom had a Monday off of work and joined us, so I looked like I had a regular entourage.  J

Second, Pastor Steve from the Memphis Free Methodist Church contacted me and wanted me to help him get set up for providing regular worship services to an AFC home in his local.

Third, a person who asked for prayer earlier in the year asked for prayer about being reunited with her son after too many years of separation.  This month God answered this prayer by providing her with the contact information so that they may reunite.

Fourth, another person asked for prayer that they might go out of state to see family.  As the courts were not too keen on allowing this, it had already been a battle for many years.  This last month the person was granted permission to go home for a visit.

Fifth, and finally, even though I did not pray about it, God protected me from getting scammed out of some $2,500 through a Craigslist deal as I am trying to sell my grandma’s car for her.  Yes, yes, my wife was the vessel that God used, but still, He protected me.

Well, it has been a great month of answered prayer, and I am expectant to see what God will do in our lives in this coming month.  Thank you for praying with us and I pray that you too will see God in your prayers.

Blessings,
John

~ The Sharing Org | PO Box 73 | Armada, MI 48005 | 586-949-6885 | www.thesharing.org ~

Prayer Letter – August 2012

http://thesharingorg.podomatic.com/entry/2012-07-31T16_37_04-07_00

August 2012

Ministry Moment:

Can I whine a bit?  You won’t think poorly of me will you?  I’m just learning a little what it is like to lose a friend to dementia.  Some of my friends that I have had for these last many years are getting to the point that they are no longer able to function or think well.  There used to be no need for the clerical collar with these people as they easily knew me by sight, but now, they don’t even recognize me – even with the uniform.

It’s silly, I know, I went into this ministry wanting to develop such relationships, wanting to be a person who would weep for the residents when they pass, and wanting to be for them a liaison of Christ.  I feel a bit like a child who keeps whacking himself with a hammer and complaining that it hurts - but won’t stop swinging the hammer.  I guess this is the innate danger of any relationship.

I think I am beginning to understand a little-bit about how children may feel as their parents no longer recognize them.

Yes I am whining.  As I consider the recent tragedy in Colorado my angst gets put into perspective and I know that God will make all things new when we leave this world but for today it is still difficult to lose a friend in my own little world.   I am willing to wager that it is always difficult to lose a friend.

~John

Prayer Letter:

Dear Andy & Sally Molhoek,

Well last month I told you that I would let you know how the putt-putt fundraiser turned out, so here I am to pass along that information.

The Putt-Putt Hole-in-One fundraising event turned out much better than I had actually thought it would.  I am very thankful that God has brought our good friend Liz alongside of me because without her help I shudder to think how poor of an event it would have been.  And that was just Liz, my wife was a huge help as well as she knew how to stand her ground in my stubbornness and argue for points that needed to be argued.  Without my wife I would have still been trying to get people to shoot a rocket into a barrel – And that would have been a disgrace.   Then there are all sorts of people who need honorable mentions as they too helped during the event – Cathy (of course my mom), Heidi, Bill, Pete, Jackie, Michael, Michael Anne, and Melissa, & Brad – Also a slew of sponsors who gave prizes for every hole, raffles, and a bunch of door prizes.  And I best not forget all of the people who sent money because they could not make it and the 64 people who could make it – For they were the participants at this event.  If I missed anyone I do apologize.

When all was said and done we raised about $1000 for the Shoebox event.  Not bad at all – thank you again to all who donated in some way.  Next year will be even better.  We have another 60% to go with raising the funds for the shoebox project so I would ask that you would pray with us for that.  I am praying for you that God would lay it on your heart to do your own fundraising event for this project so keep your ear out for God because he might just give you a holler.

So, I will close here with a blessing to you and I pray that God will use you in a mighty way for his kingdom.

For His Throne,

John

Prayer Letter – July 2012

http://thesharingorg.podomatic.com/entry/2012-07-01T17_25_52-07_00

July 2012

Ministry Moment:

It’s been kind of fun lately as I think that some of the residents I serve are starting to understand that the salvation of our souls is about what Jesus has done and not about what we have done.  It’s about what His blood does and not about what we do.  It’s about God sending Jesus to die on the Cross long before we ever had a chance to think that such a plan could work.  “While we were still in our hopelessness, and when the time was right, Christ died for the ungodly.” (Romans 5:6, JRV)  I kind of repeat myself with words that attempt to convey this message, but too often I think my words are drowned out by too many years of being taught that God is happy with us because “we don’t drink or chew or date girls that do.”

This past week I was talking to the residents about not allowing our national pride as Americans to pass into our faith.  The gist was that while we Americans have a very natural “pull yourself up by the boot straps“ mentality–which is made complete with a John Wayne swagger–we need to always remember that there was no “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” that could have released us from the sins of the world.  We never signed the “Declaration of Independence” from our sins, but Jesus alone saved us from that oppression.  Our American heritage has taught us that if we work hard we can succeed and secure even our own freedom – if we will just fight hard enough for it.  So we think to ourselves that since we went to church, gave money, obeyed all the commands, and said our prayers that God is happy with us and will reward us for it.  However much this may be true in our American culture, the fact is that our national pride mentality is nudging us into a personal-centrality of faith rather than one that focusses exclusively on Jesus alone.

And so I explained it by saying that it was as though Jesus ran a marathon and gave us the gold medal for his winning of the race.  When I said these words I heard quite a few people gasp as though they finally got it, as though they understood “grace by faith” as opposed to a “grace by declaration.”  It was nice to share with the residents this gospel good news, and I pray that God would continue to use me to reach into the lives of people who are often at the mercy of their many traditions.

Each week I see small steps forward in many peoples’ lives as our Lord’s words reverberate among us: “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36 NIV) and I am blessed to watch as people are relieved that they can simply accept their independence by His Victory through grace alone.

Happy Independence Day!

~John

Prayer Letter:

Dear Prayer Partner,

Well, this month we are hosting a Putt-Putt Fundraiser for our annual Operation Christmas Child shoebox program.  In the past month God has put this fundraiser together, and He even provided us with a dear friend who has been invaluable to us as she has tirelessly gone to many businesses getting support from them.  Our friend and prayer partner has filled the majority of our 17 Hole-in-One contests with sponsors and prizes.  Please remember to pray with me for Liz as she continues to work so hard on this event!

The fundraiser is on Saturday, July 21^st from 11am to 2pm at the World’s Finest Custard & Family Fun Center here in Chesterfield.  The details of the event are posted on our web site, but I will give some of the highlights here.  We are offering 18 holes of putt-putt golf for either $5 or $10 a ticket.  A $5 ticket will get you all 18 holes of golf, a small custard cone, and make you eligible for various door prizes.  A $10 ticket will get you the same, but it will also make you eligible for each of the 17 Hole-in-One contests.  The Hole-in-One contests will have prizes ranging from $25 to $500 in value. There are some $1,300 in total prizes for these contests.  Our goal is to raise $5,200 which is necessary to help the residents fill 90 shoeboxes and send them to underprivileged children in time for Christmas.  Please don’t worry if you are unable to make it to the fundraiser.  We are happy to accept direct donations for the Shoebox Project.

Please be in prayer for us and this event, and be sure to tell your youth group leaders, your pastors, your friends, your family, your local Lions Club, Elk’s Club, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Little League, Softball teams (you get the point) to come out and be a blessing to some people – locally and internationally.  Please pray that not only will people come out and give generously but also that the weather would cooperate.

Also, there are still a couple of holes to be sponsored if your church group, company, or even you as an individual want to sponsor one for the Hole-in-One contests.  Please contact me if you are interested.

Next month I’ll tell you how it turned out.  J

By His Grace,

John

~ The Sharing Org | PO Box 73 | Armada, MI 48005 | 586-949-6885 | www.thesharing.org ~

Prayer Letter – June 2012

http://thesharingorg.podomatic.com/entry/2012-05-31T14_15_58-07_00

Ministry Moment:

I locked eyes with the lady and noticed that what I was saying about salvation through our Lord’s grace seemed to have gotten through – She seemed to be getting it.

When I first met her I suspected that she only came to the services because there was nothing better to do.  However, as the weeks went on, she and I began talking more and I think we have become friendly toward one another now.  However, no matter how much we seemed to get along or how friendly we were toward each other she never seemed like she was being anything more than polite during the services.  But then, one day, as I was describing how it is only the finished work of Jesus that we trust in for our salvation, she seemed to really be listening – When we locked eyes it was if I could see the light bulb going on over her head.  She has never spoken to me about anything that may have happened in her soul but I am confident that God is profoundly moving in her heart.  So please keep Louise in your prayers that she will not only “get it” but that she would realize the regenerative life in Christ.

Thank you,

~John

Prayer Letter:

Dear Prayer Partner,

The lawns are groomed, the pools are open, and the barbeques are at the ready – Welcome to summer.  This morning I perked coffee on the BBQ, made bacon on the BBQ (until the rains came), and I then deep fried eggs in the bacon grease and topped it all off with custard long-johns.  Maybe I should ask you to pray for the heart valves of my family?  Eh, moving along…

The shoebox fund is growing.  This month I again received tithes and offerings from the Jacobson children (by the way, their dad just got home from a year-long tour in Afghanistan – Welcome home, Ted!) and I also received memorial gifts in honor of Lester C. Moore who was the beloved brother of our prayer partner Mary.  Mary, we are sorry for your loss and we are happy to put the memorial gift toward the shoebox program in your brother’s honor.  It will be a great tribute to his memory to touch the lives of our residents and children in need this Christmas with gifts and the Gospel of Jesus.  I have begun to feel that my idea for the Rocket Pocket will not be as complex as I first imagined, but I would still like to do it on a more unofficial basis.  Please stay tuned as I suspect we might just be a rag-tag group of people shooting a rocket toward a barrel.

This coming week I will be speaking to the Mt. Clemens Rotary Club and asking them for a grant for the shoebox program.  I will be gifting all 80 Rotary members a sample pack of coffee (from our Anchor Bay Roasts) and telling them of God’s greatness as expressed in the coffee bean.  Please pray that I am able to communicate clearly the mission and vision of The Sharing Org’s shoebox program.

Please pray for another of our friends, Winnie, as she has been having her medication adjusted and she is not really handling it very well.  Please pray for wisdom for her doctors as well as her own resolve to stay on a medication regimen that works for her.

Thank you all for praying with us and your many notes of encouragement that help us to know that we are not alone in this call to the residents in the nursing care community.

Because of His blood,
John

Prayer Letter – May 2012

http://thesharingorg.podomatic.com/entry/2012-04-30T14_14_21-07_00

May 2012

Ministry Moment:

We were supposed to be doing a service at one of the facilities in February 2004 but instead of doing the service we were at the hospital having our firstborn.  Our partners in the ministry were doing the service at 9:30 a.m., and all prayers were for the new child that was coming into the world.  In fact, that very hour our oldest child was born.  The following week we took our newborn baby into the nursing home and let the residents hold her and meet her – They were thrilled!  Some hadn’t held a baby in decades.

Sela has grown up in the various homes – the residents love her and she loves them.  Being there is as natural for her as breathing, and to this day she will often go with me on Monday mornings to be a part of the services.  At one of the locations I will often lose her, but I don’t panic because I know that she is down in Miss Donna’s room visiting.  Sela and Miss Donna have a special relationship; they are friends and they both enjoy one another.  Occasionally Miss Donna would give her gifts, and I would tell Miss Donna that she should not spoil the child – She would tell me that it is her prerogative and to butt out. (Alright, the butt-out part is all my interpretation – Miss Donna is too polite to actually say it.)

Earlier this month Sela asked me to take her to see Miss Donna.  Sela knew she had not been well and she wanted to visit with her.  When we got there we were informed that Miss Donna had passed away about 30 minutes before we arrived…  In Sela’s life many residents that she knew have passed, even her Great-grandma McMacken had passed, but this was something altogether different for her – Her friend had passed, and she is finally at that age when she felt the very real sting of the lost relationship.  Sela and I went out to lunch where she shed many tears and we were able to talk about her feelings and thoughts.

As I processed and prayed about this, I was reminded that I want to build real relationships with the residents so that it really is a loss to me when the people I serve leave this world.  When I started in this ministry, I really only thought about myself and never actually thought about the next generation.

Sela is home-schooled, and on Monday mornings our home-school group gets a gymnasium for all the kids to have sports class.  Sela asked if she could skip sports class to go to services with me on Mondays because she wants to make a new friend…  I think I might have found my successor.

~John

Prayer Letter:

Dear Prayer Partner,

Hi there, Welcome to May!  I trust you’re enjoying the tulips because I know that we are.  The flowers remind me of God’s creation, redemption, and regeneration.  Aww heck, I just love Spring – don’t you?

This month I received a great blessing.  I received in the mail a $20.00 bill from a group of young siblings who donated a portion of their allowance to help raise money for the shoebox program this year.  I am always encouraged by the generosity of children to help other people, and children do so love shoeboxes.  Thanks to Charis, Tobin, Arden, Kenna, Lucan, and Zaden for helping us toward our goal of 100 shoeboxes!

Speaking of the shoebox program, please pray for me as I need to get the details of the Rocket Pocket shoeboxes fundraiser together.  It has been brought to my attention that I need someone to come along and take over this project for me so if you have any interest in spearheading a fund-raiser and would like to talk about what may be involved please contact me and we will talk.  Thanks.

Also this week I received a $20 donation in honor of Terry’s retirement!  Yeah!!!  And the best part is that Terry is now going to services with me!  She is a blessing to me and the residents.  Thank you, Terry, and Happy Retirement!

Please pray for me this month as I have been invited by the Mt. Clemens Rotary Club to speak to them about Anchor Bay Roasts and the Sharing Org.  This is a bit of a big deal for me as I get to share with some 80 businesses in the Mt. Clemens area about The Sharing Org, our shoebox program, and the coffee that I roast to raise the funds.  I admit that I don’t have any leading from God yet about how exactly to present the idea that we are looking for grants and sponsorships for the shoebox program, so I am getting a little nervous about it.  I still have until the end of the month to be prepared, but I already feel like I am behind the eight-ball on this.

Well, that about does it for this month.  Please be sure to pray for all the residents who will hear the good news that God indeed loves them through Christ our Lord and that no matter what – They are never alone.

By His grace,
John

~ The Sharing Org | PO Box 73 | Armada, MI 48005 | 586-949-6885 | www.thesharing.org ~

Prayer Letter – April 2012

http://thesharingorg.podomatic.com/entry/2012-03-31T09_01_51-07_00

APRIL 2012

Ministry Moment:

I took my 8-year-old to gymnastics this week – she was finishing up her session with the big “Ta-Dahhh!” and receiving her certificate of achievement.  While my daughter and the other little girls were all taking their turns finishing with their big “Ta-Dahhhh!”s, there was a little little girl of about 3 years of age running in circles and throwing her arms high in the air and singing “Ta-Dahhh!”

I noticed this little girl first for her enthusiasm for her sport of running in circles, but then I noticed that she was a Down Syndrome child…  Immediately I felt my eyes well with tears, and I enjoyed her just a little bit more.

She made me think of the people whom I have had the privilege to serve over these last many years with the love and grace of Jesus Christ.  She made me think about how each person whom I serve was a child once: Full of hopes, dreams, and fears.  She made me think that the people that I serve might vary in their age and illnesses, but all of them want to know that God still loves them – just as, and right where, they are.

Statistics inform us that it is likely that 2 of us (5% nationally) who are reading this Ministry Moment will get Alzheimer’s disease.  We also learn from statistics that some 70% of us will live past 80 years of age, and if you are a woman your chances are better than a man’s that you will be in a nursing home someday.

Then I thought about how all of us are just like these residents whom I serve.  Someday, most of us will become elderly, and then we will need someone to remind us that we are not forgotten and that we too are loved.  In fact, I think we are much like the little girl with Down Syndrome – we all want to end our lives with a big “Ta-Dahhhh!” while our God looks on in approval.

~John

 

Prayer Letter:

Dear Brad & Melissa Garfield,

Hi there, welcome to April!  I pray your Easter plans are coming along well – as well as your taxes.

Thank you for praying with and for us each month.  You know as well as I do how hectic life can get, and mine is no different.  This week I was running behind with message preparation, and so I threw together a sermonette on prayer the night before my service.  To my delight, person after person thanked me for the words of direction and comfort as they are seeking God in prayer – at least now I know that they are struggling with praying.  I attribute these times of special blessing in the ministry to the fact that I am not alone, as you are praying for me and the residents each week.  Thank you!

So this month, please continue to be in prayer for the activities director at one of the homes.  She is healing but still weak.

Many of you have made suggestions for how you can help raise funds for the shoebox project this year.  Thank you for thinking and praying about how you can help.  If you have not thought about it, you might be able to host a pancake breakfast or spaghetti dinner at your church for a donation in order to raise the funds – just a thought.  Anyway, please continue to tell me your ideas.

My time away at the Lifelink Elder’s Conference in March was more than beneficial.  I was hoping for direction about the ministry, but instead it seems that God schooled me in how to be a better husband, father, and family member.  While it is not what I was hoping for, it was good to hear from God and have the opportunity to adjust my actions for His purposes in my life.  I guess when all is said and done, as my family life improves, my ability to minister will improve, too, right?

Oh yeah, almost forgot.  I told you that I would say more about Anchor Bay Roasts.  Well here’s the skinny – I’ve started a small coffee roasting business. It happened when my coffee-loving pastor came over for dinner, and I roasted green coffee beans before his eyes and brewed him a fresh cup.  Because of that, he declared that I was his new coffee provider, and he asked me to roast fresh coffee for the church each week.  He suggested that it might be a way of helping to support the ministry.  So, I got legal and hung a shingle – www.anchorbayroasts.com.  If you want me to come and roast fresh coffee at your group function for a donation to this year’s shoebox program, please let me know and we’ll get it set up.

Until next month…

Blessings,

John

~ The Sharing Org | PO Box 73 | Armada, MI 48005 | 586-949-6885 | www.thesharing.org ~

Prayer Letter – March 2012

http://thesharingorg.podomatic.com/entry/2012-03-02T10_57_16-08_00

- John

Ministry Moment:

The other morning I went to the cemetery (I often do – Yes, it might be a strange place to go for the fun of it but I find it peaceful there), and as I was walking around and enjoying the quiet I came across a bunch of smallish headstones that were clustered together by themselves.  I read one that said “I Love You My Sweet Baby.”  While that line could be from any mother to any child or even from any wife to any husband, I noticed that there was only a single date under the words.  I realized that this was the grave marker of a child that did not live past the date of its birth.  As I looked around I realized further that I was standing among dozens of such grave markers – all of them with single dates.  Some of them with heartfelt words and some with scripture passages – some had both.  I immediately became overwhelmed with emotion, and if you know me well, emotions are not my strong suit.

I began thinking about these babies and the heart-ache of the parents that buried them.  How each child was so genuinely loved by its parents and each represented dreams of what could never be.  As this month was the anniversary of our own child who was never born and the hurt that we still have to this day, I thought about the fact that one of these stones could easily have been for any one of my living children and what a blessing it is that it is not.  It is ironic that since my children are alive, I have a tendency to take them for granted.  Why I do this, I do not know, but I need to stop that.

Then, I began thinking about the many adult children in the group homes who have no parents or family to love them.  I wondered about these folks and if they ever had been loved by parents or if they too were taken for granted because they lived, often with physical or mental disabilities that forced their parents to “institutionalize” them.  When I arrive at a home and a resident loudly runs over to give me a back-breaking hug (that actually hurts quite a bit), I do not know their back stories but I am glad that at least for that short time once a week, I am able to love on them and show them that they are special – at least to me.

~John

 

Prayer Letter:

Dear Prayer Partner,

Happy March!  No, you are not mistaken – this letter is late.  If you have ever run a marathon, birthed a baby, or even driven cross-country in a single trip, you may know that there is such a thing called The Wall – and I have hit it hard this month.  No fears though, these walls are only temporary–but they are buggers to deal with when you have to hurdle them and keep on going.

Quickly then…

1. Pray for one of the activities directors from one of our homes who is hospitalized and very ill.
2. Continue to pray for ideas about how you and your group might raise money for this year’s shoebox program – we are shooting for 100 boxes!
3. One of our supporters has generously offered to buy new partners of the ministry a $25 Gift Card to Anchor Bay Roasts (http://www.anchorbayrosts.com) for a monthly commitment of just $10.00 per month.  Please tell a friend or family member who might appreciate being part of this ministry and get a chance to taste the best cup of coffee that Anchor Bay has to offer.  (More on Anchor Bay Roasts at a later time…)
4. I will be out of town the first full week of March at the annual LifeLink North American Elder’s Conference in Grand Rapids.  Please pray that this will be a time of spiritual renewal for me and that I would be a blessing to the other ministers who are coming as well.  Pray for Megan as she won’t be coming with me this year but will be holding down the fort at home with our kids.
5. Please continue to pray that the residents would find comfort and encouragement in our monthly times of prayer.  It has been an exercise that is living and developing but one that seems to be coming along nicely.
6. Finally, please pray for me and a particular resident who will remain nameless.  This resident has decided that he no longer finds comfort in our weekly services.  I am not completely convinced that the fault does not lie with me, and his words are something that I really want to take seriously and prayerfully consider.

Until next month…

Humbly yours,
John

~ The Sharing Org | PO Box 73 | Armada, MI 48005 | 586-949-6885 | www.thesharing.org ~