Jun. 15, 2008 - Need some ideas for charity work
Do any of you bloggers have charities that your children do to reach out to your communities, helping them learn about love of God through service? I have found a crochet or knitting group that does things for the homeless. I am thinking of doing that with the children, as soon as I figure out how to crochet or knit (our goal for today). Yesterday my husband and I were teaching our children to mow grass. Perhaps, there is a needy elderly person in this area that doesn't know Jesus. That might be a great way to share the gospel. Any other ideas or suggestions?
Have you checked out stuckatprom.com? There is a duck tape duct tape prom contest in which you can earn six thousand dollars for college. I found this out by a fellow homeschool mom whose graduates were attending a homeschool prom. I had so much fun looking at the pictures. It was amazing and impressive to see these prom outfits made out of duct tape.
Oh, I can't wait to go to Joyce Meyer's conference this Fall in St. Louis. Have any of you been? I don't know if I cry or laugh more. But, I do know that I get inspired and encouraged. I heard this year's conference is about loving your neighbor, which Joyce is really good at (her ministry does a lot for the homeless, prostitutes, etc in St. Louis not to mention all the orphanages, etc.). I can't wait to go. I am starting to count down the days.
P.S. I just found out from a fellow blogger that Bob Schultz has passed into heaven due to a heart attack. His daughter wrote a beautiful post on www.iche.org website. Here is the address to send money to help ease any financial difficulties
Great Expectations Book Company
Att: Betsy Schultz
PO Box 2067
Eugene, Oregon 97402
Comments
Jun. 16, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by ArrowsInOurQuiver
It's wonderful that you are teaching your children to serve! This has always been a highlight at our church, which is the church that my husband and I grew up in. We grew up going to sing in nursing homes, participating in children's choir programs to share Jesus' love, planting flowers in the flower beds of the homes of the elderly, going to senior citizens centers to sing, delivering home bound meals, and so on. It's neat to see our children now participating in many of the service opportunities that we, ourselves were able to be a part of growing up. Our church is small and so I know that now that I am a parent, it is my responsibility to make sure that these service opportunities continue for the children in our church. I take my own children to help deliver home bound meals, and we occasionally make cookies or dinner to take to some of the older men in particular who have never had a family or who are now widdowered (if that's how you say that) The kids love sharing the love of Christ with others and our oldest (4) has begin mentioning the names of the people we are ministering to at prayer time saying they need to know Jesus. There are many children in our community too, as in every community, that desperately need the love of Jesus. Some of them have to be searched out. They live in the middle of no where in old broken down homes down barely traveled paths and truly have to be sought out. We try to reach out to these children bringing them to church and sharing Christ's love. Maybe you could host a backyard Bible School? Hope these give some fresh ideas.
Jun. 16, 2008 - Keepers of the Home and Searching for the Needy
Posted by ArrowsInOurQuiver
Hello again! First of all, our keepers of the home group is a group of Christian sisters, now nation wide, who read through books, seeks the throne for guidance in their families, and pray for one another. The ones nearby meet in Will and I's home each Tuesday morning, others participate each week with their thoughts and prayers via email. We are currently going through To Train Up a Child. All are welcome to join, just email me and let me know. My email is listed on my profile page through the "email me" link.
As for seeking out the needy. Start by praying. God has a way of leading us right where we need to be if we seek His guidance. There are needs all around us in EVERY community. Most of the homes of children we minister to in our community are homes that the people of our town don't even know exhist. When we tell them of the people and what goes on each day in the lives of many of these children they seem to be astounded...and its right in their back door. We are in a very small community where everyone knows everyone...or so they thought. How could this be? Begin watching around you in your local grocery store. Watch for poorly dressed families or children. Ask your pastor for the names of families and children in need. He should definitely be able to give you several names. We have asked our pastor for the names of some children to invite to spend with our family for Christmas now several years. Drive down some of the backroads or even just dirt roads of your community. Take a few roads you haven't been down before. Watch for any toys or signs of children in the yard. Many of our "needy"kids yards aren't filled with toys, but with trash and junk that their families have collected. It would be wise to take along an older male until you get used to the areas you are working in and the families. I will be praying for you. Thank you again for teaching your children the importance of investing in and serving others. I tell you now that you are truly going to be amazed at what you find if you continue to share the love of Jesus. You will be astounded at what He leads you to, as well as at seeing what His love and grace is capable of doing in the lives and hearts of people. Also be ready for resistence. 2 Timothy 3:12 "Indeed all who desire to live goldy in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Jun. 17, 2008 - Thanks for the Comment!
Posted by mom45angels
I am enjoying reading your blog!
As for charity work, depends on the age of your children. My 16 year old volunteers with Challenger Baseball Buddies during the school year, and this summer he has several charity/social justice plans. Currently he is in downtown Houston for a week doing such work. Something different each day based on the social justice teachings. Thursday is their BIG project-they will be doing landscaping and rennovations at a semi-forgotten cemetary. He is also volunteering to play all the music for VBS at our church and then in August, he'll go to Jamaica for a week to work with the Missionaries of the Poor in their shelters and with the homeless. While he's at home, we encourage him to work on charity with-in family as well (sometimes it isn't easy being nice to those younger brothers who "bother" you!)
Our younger kids collect can tabs for the local Ronald McDonald house. The 9 year old is always on the lookout for ways we can bless others. His latest thing is to make sure we always have something for our garbage collectors! They usually stop for a break from the Houston heat at our house-we have lots of shade in our front yard. He has given them water, Gatorade, bananas, watermelon, cookies, lemonade, etc.
We also usually carry some Care Packages in our car to hand out to those homeless that sometimes stand on the street corners. They contain bottled water, snacks, toiletries, scriptures and contact information to local shelters and agencies.
While these aren't earth-shaking acts, they work for our family and they do touch other lives and teach us how to be more charitable in our thinking and actions.
