Folks in Mississippi and Louisiana are approaching their third Christmas since Katrina. Many of them are still struggling to make it day by day. For thousands a FEMA trailer is all that they have to call home. Most of the rest of the country has moved on and has figured that they should be back to normal by now. Please know that this is far from the truth.
ADOPT A FAMILY THIS CHRISTMAS: For these families still in trailers they don’t want more toys this Christmas. Their greatest wish is to get HOME. We have identified close to 100 families that have esentially fallen through the cracks (insurance, FEMA, grants, etc.). We gave precedence to the elderly, disabled, and families with young children. We will be posting pictures and biographies of these families on our website within the coming weeks. We ask that you, your church, or even your community rally together to bring them the hope that they will be home in 2008. We are asking for the funding and the labor to make these dreams come true.
A group from Holy Cross Highschool in Cincinnati, OH is making their 3rd trip to New Orleans after Christmas. They have adopted the Nata Family. They are raising funds for the needed supplies.
Other Opportunities to Partner:
IMPACT Ministries has been approached by a national home showing organization. They have offered us a great fundraising opportunity. They do home shows across the country and need men and women to be hosts at the houses during the shows. They will in turn donate to IMPACT what they would have paid to hire someone. The first show is coming up in Naples, FL the first three weekends in February. We need 30 people on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for those three weekeds. All you have to do is dress professionaly and hang out in a multi million dollar home for one to three days. Maybe an excuse to go to Florida in February! Or, if you live nearby, this is a great way to help IMPACT Ministries help others without having to travel. If you know people in Southern Florida please pass the word on to them as well. The future cities and dates will be announced soon.
Sponsor Coffee House Ministry in New Orleans:
This would be a headquarters for outreach ministry, small group meetings, church plant, site for local churches to hold meetings that are short on their own space, etc. We have a person who would like to run the day to day operation of it. We need partners who would like to hear more of the vision and help with the initial investment.
TEAMS: The amount of volunteers in MS and LA has reduced drastically since August. This in not just those coming with IMPACT but across all groups who work with volunteers. This is adding to the despair and depression among residents for there is still SO much to be done. They feel like they have been forgotten. Please come to help those still without a home. We need laborers! Let them know that The Church still cares. Take the news to your church or small group and form a group to come. Email me if you need brochures or DVD’s.
Schedule Presentation at Your Church or School - JD is planning his speaking schedule for next year. If you would like him to come to your church please let us know right away. We have found that this is very beneficial in sharing the needs that still exist in order to mobilize The Body of Christ.
IMPACT Affiliates are now being formed in various cities across the country. If your church would like more info on how to spear head this in your city please contact us.
Projects needing funding -
IMPACT has a fully equipped mobile kitchen trailer that has been offered to us at a great price. This unit cost $48,000 to outfit but they are willing to sell to us for about $28,000. This would be used currently for outreaches and for weeks with heavy volunteers. Our main objective however would be as a preparation for future disasters. We also have a large tent which costs $6,800 new. We can purchase it for $4,500.
End of Year Donations – remember IMPACT Ministries is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt organization. All donations are tax deductible.
GIVING THANKS -
Churces in New Orleans are meeting together monthly to pray for the city. We are seeing doors to the gospel open up, crime go down, and corrupt officials leaving office. Pray for these churches, the city, and the spiritual climate to continue to lighten.
Jessica Quintans – joined IMPACT Ministries as a full time missionary in early September. She recently completed her Masters of Social Work degree in Boston, MA. She has been such a blessing to us, the teams, our ministry partners, and all the families she has come in contact with. She has taken on the role of a case manager to the many familes we serve. She is compiling the profiles for us of those identified to be “adopted”. Thanks Jessie for all your hard work, organization, and huge heart!
