Merry Christmas from our home to yours! We pray this finds you all doing well. It's sure been a year, but we know for certain God is with us.
Psalm 46:1-3 says, "God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble..."
Isaiah 41:10 says, "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
That brings us such peace and comfort, and we pray it does for you as well as we live day to day, moment by moment, not sure where to go, what to do, whom to hug etc. GOD is with us and He will guide us. We are NOT to be afraid!
We wish you and your family a Very Merry CHRIST-centered Christmas season. Being thankful for technology to keep us connected!
Update of us:
We are doing great! Karen’s parents are declining. We are considering moving them to a different community where mom can get better care. They are currently quarantined to their rooms, not seeing each other or anyone besides staff, likely like most other facilities now. This is been such a hard year for our family not being able to see them close up—be eyes on their care etc. Please continue to pray for them and this transition.
Men's Ministry Update:
God continues to expand this jail ministry! It seems everyday no matter the conversation or with whom, everyone knows someone that is either in addiction or in the jail system and "just so happens" to be talking to me and mention they are in jail or are needing a positive role model in their life (God can use any ole cracked pot!! ;+0 ) the need is so big and real! It's sad but at the same time reassures me that this is EXACTLY where I'm supposed to be! Just the way God orchestrated this whole thing is nothing short of AMAZING to Karen and I! When I visit these men in the jail system, it gives them hope and an opportunity to let them know that God loves them and knows exactly where they are and what they need. In the last 2 months, I've had the opportunity to lead 4 men to a saving relationship with their Savior Jesus Christ! I seriously don't feel qualified but God uses me anyway!! God's got quite the sense of humor!! lol
The newest LIT House will be opening in the next 2 weeks and it won't take long to fill that one either, like I said before the need is SOOOO GREAT!! Please continue to pray for our guys in the LIT Houses and all 30 men that we mentor and coach on a daily basis. If I can ask for prayer, for God to help structure my days and visit as many men as possible but at the same time none of them fall through the cracks even when they get transferred to other prisons. It's a lot to keep track of. There is a huge need for just writing these guys a short letter or 2 to reassure them people are thinking and praying for them. If you'd like to write a letter, just let me know, I could use the help!
Redeemed Home Update:
Our day to day activities keep our residents focused. A typical day at Redeemed for Phase 1, we start our day with a morning devotion at the dining room table, coffee in tow! Following that, they have 1 hour of DBT (dialectical behavior therapy) where they learn coping skills, mindfulness, how to deal with conflict resolution and so much more. This class is 1 hour each week day for 13-weeks during phase 1. Then they have a bit of time to get ready for their work day. Our phase 1 ladies work 2 hours a day at either our BLOC Coffee Shop, Screen Print or Letter Press. This allows them some spending money needed each week. Upon their return from work, they spend a hour doing book work which is Bible Study, assigned reading, working their 12-steps for their sponsors (AA OR CR), or recreational reading and journaling. Then they have free time till dinner. We have one of them assigned to be 'chef of the week'. She is in charge of planning and cooking dinner for a week. She also helps staff compile the shopping list for the week. All great life skills. After dinner, they typically attend AA or CR meetings, meet with sponsors or have a family game night at the house with staff. They have FULL days! Currently we have 4 residents in Redeemed 2 (phase 1 home) and 3 in Redeemed 1 (Phase 2 & 3 home).
Two of our residents have designed and printed Christmas cards that are available for a donation to the ministry. These were printed on BLOC's Letter Press. It's been an amazing journey in hopes that this will lead to a business that our ladies can have to raise money for the Redeemed Home. These cards are available at BLOC Coffee, or through Redeemed Home. If you are interested in getting a card or a bundle, you can contact me directly. They are beautiful and very uniquely made. Easiest way to get them is to stop by the Coffee Shop. If donating online: www.onebloc.org. Choose DONATE, OTHER - enter price, then under DONATE TO: choose OTHER at the bottom and type in Redeemed Press Christmas Cards. You can write a check to BLOC with that listed for item. Cost for a bundle of 10 cards is $35. One card is $5. If you'd like a tour of BLOC Letter Press, we can arrange that. It's a special place for printing a very old-fashioned way...letter by letter and so fun! Ladies are learning new skills that may lead them to a job in the printing industry. Look for more printing projects coming in 2021. http://www.onebloc.org/letter-press
Here are some pictures of the cards:
Ongoing needs at Redeemed: I know I sound like a broken record, but our biggest ongoing needs are simple every day things like toilet paper, paper towels, Clorox wipes, laundry soap, dryer sheets, hand soap, zip lock baggies (gallon and sandwich), Lysol spray and cleaning products, tampons, socks and ladies underwear (sizes 6 - 10).
As we continue to be missionaries in the field in Price Hill, we value your prayers & financial support. We are at 60% being fully funded. We will need to be fully funded by July 2021. We would love to share more of what our programs are doing one on one with you. If you know someone that would want to help or might be interested in hearing about how they can be a part of changing legacies in our community by supporting us, please let us know and we'll set up a time to have dinner! God continues to bless us as we trust Him to provide for us.
MERRY CHRISTMAS! You are a blessing to us and to God's work here in Price Hill.
