GIVING THANKS FOR YOU . . .
You will all be sitting around the table with family and friends next week passing the turkey and mashed potatoes as you celebrate Thanksgiving. What are your thoughts and prayers as you prepare for the holiday? For many the concerns of the economy and future loom heavy on their hearts. Our prayer is that we will not allow the fears and concerns of this world to rob us of the joy of Thanksgiving. What are you Giving Thanks for this year? We will each have our own list. However, I would challenge you to consider that through the act of Giving you will have more to add to your list of Thanks. Giving to others who are less fortunate than yourself always blesses the giver in return. Remember, you can never out give God.
Giving is down across the board for all nonprofits, IMPACT is no exception. Both funding and volunteering has decreased dramatically. People are turning inward and holding tight to all they have. This will only hasten the downward spiral of our nation. We must instead look beyond our own problems and help each other. No one is immune right now. We need each other. As ministries this has forced us to greater unity. Alone it is impossible to do much but together we can make an IMPACT. Don’t ever think that your dollar or your hour of volunteering is meaningless. God is a God of multiplication. What is your part to give?
As you enjoy your feast with family and friends please remember those that have no house to gather in because it blew away in a hurricane, was foreclosed on by the bank, or possibly they never had one in the first place like millions in third world countries. Affordable housing is a huge priority that is before the ministry of IMPACT at this time. Has this been on your heart? Now is the time.
You can GIVE of your time and talents by forming a team to help those still recovering on the Gulf Coast from IKE, Gustav, and even Katrina. If you can’t come, you can give of your resources to “adopt a family”. These folks are feeling forgotten. The media has been so focused on the economy and elections that they hardly covered the devastation which leads many Americans to believe that there is no need.
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PRAYERS and HOPE for Shavona
Many of you may not know that IMPACT initially stood for Inner-city Ministries Providing for At-risk Children & Teens. We did camps, afterschool programs, and counseling for eight years. We still keep in touch with many of the kids. This week Toni spoke to Shauna who is now a senior in highschool. Shauna and her twin sister Shannon are getting good grades, play sports, and are making plans for college. However, their 16 year old sister Shavona is fighting for her life. Shavona just found out in early September that she has a kidney disease. Now, just two months later she is in the final stage of kidney failure. She begins dialysis on Wednesday the 19th, and is still awaiting a donor match. Their mom, Diane, works hard and has insurance. Even so, the deductibles for the medicine alone are running between $400-$2,000 per month. I was shocked to hear they have no help or support and wanted to get the word out to all. Please pray for this family. If you’d like to help in another way let us know.
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Some new partnerships that are launching with IMPACT Ministries are ONE CAUSE, Fuller Center for Housing, Safeway Homes, AmeriCorps NCCC, Harvest for Lost Souls, Friend Ships; just to name a few. Please watch for the details in the days to come!
