Some of the comments illustrate the impact getting out and, as the Samaritan did, opening their eyes to the needs in the community.  Reflect on some of these comments from the evaluations:

• I have never ventured into these parts of the city.  Very seedy!
  Terrific need!
• It showed the importance of fellowship; serving with others; cultivating stewardship and love for our city
• We need to take responsibility for our city and the state that it is in – we contribute to the garbage!  Also, we need to be willing to do things that are not publicly recognized.  It was a humbling experience and made me think differently about service.
• Working is hard !  And people see!
• It reminded me of the need to touch the community
• I didn’t want to do this; I almost used the rain as an excuse to stay home.  But then I figured if I couldn’t do this, how could I even begin to understand MERCY!

To those of you who came out – my sincere thanks!   To those who were unable – We’ll be doing it again in the Spring … Stay tuned for details!

Blessings!
Shirley

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Tuesday afternoon, three of us went to pick up fallen limbs in a back yard, others drove another direction to pull up ruined carpet and sheetrock in a flooded home.

Wednesday, we have all worked together unloading trucks, distributing food boxes on the parking lot, sorting the arriving donations of food, baby supplies, toys, clothes, etc.

So many bags of clothes have arrived that First Baptist Luling persuaded Luling United Methodist next door to take on clothing processing.  We sent them one semi load and their entire building was jammed with clothing; they can’t take any more.  Now, the latest clothing donations are piled on FBC’s lot, hoping it doesn’t rain.

We may send a crew into Plaquemine Parish tomorrow for a survey trip; half that parish is still under water, the Gulf having reclaimed much land permanently.  The parish council of St. Bernard’s Parish yesterday deliberated condemning the entire parish, requiring the bulldozing of 27,000 houses.  Lots of people are here from there, now with no place to go.

We are well, hot and tired.

Thanks for your prayers.

Lane

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I think I had six!

Finally, after the music and the food, a crew drove off the property in a rented van, on their way to Louisianna to help with clean up after Katrina’s devistation. Let’s remember to pray often for them.

If I hear word from any of the helpers down there, I’ll be sure to post it here on our blog.

Happy September!

~Jason

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The 40 Days of Purpose was a great book— I didn’t keep up to everyone as there were days when I needed to ponder just part of a chapter for the whole day.

I hadn’t quite finished the book when Philpott had it’s Ministry Fair. The Fair happened to coincide with Page 230— part of the “You Were Shaped for Serving God.”

“Visitation” was something that appealed to me - Bill Paterson has a great system - and if I understand it correctly - each shut-in has four people assigned to them - and throughout a month, that shut-in will be visted by the four.

Bill Paterson arranged and took me around to meet my four ladies. I was curious about the matches he had made for me as none of the ladies had ever had any children, and one had never been married. There were two retired missionaries - one had served most of her life in Tibet and India and another had served in the Canadian North and had served in the Dutch Army. What would I have in common with these four ladies?

You know what? That didn’t really seem to matter. I am so interested in their experiences and they appear to be interested in my experiences, that the visit speeds by.

Each time I visit - and I call ahead to see what day is best - I read and prepare a small devotional. One one lady likes the Daily Bread. It doesn’t seem to hard to steer a conversation around to the spiritual, as we are at least two who have gathered in the name of the Lord. Before I leave, we pray.

Some weeks I think that I just can’t possibly fit in a visit - but the Lord is gracious for timing and the time that is spent with these ladies is a wonderful time. I know I get more out of spending that time with them than they do with me.

I should mention that there is quite a battallion that Bill has organized and Philpott people who have been doing this for years and years. Some visit - some take shut-ins for appointments and some get groceries and some even go and read. Some send cards off to say that they are remembered.

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Over the past month, Philpott has expanded its relationship with SISO (Settlement Integration Services Organization) in an exciting way.  Each Wednesday afternoon, Philpott opens its gym for a number of SISO youth who would otherwise not have an opportunity for extra-curricular physical activity.  Most of the youth who attend are from Somalia and Sudan, and as a result, the most frequently played sport is soccer. 

The sports and activities are organized by the youth themselves, and it is amazing what a self-directed group this is.  It is evident that they very much appreciate the opportunity to have a place where they can enjoy friendship and activity (especially during these cold winter months).

…Prayerful consideration of how we can make disciples of the nations, both on the other side of the world, and here in Hamilton. Over the next few weeks the program will be expanded to include basketball on Monday afternoons.  This continues to be an excellent way for Philpott to become involved with those in the larger community who surround us everyday.   

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Over the last several weeks, the oXyGEN group has had a number of discussions that have forced us to think about how our faith affects the world.  Early in January, we heard 3 SISO-involved young adults (from Afghanistan, Mexico and Somalia) tell their stories as refugees, now living in Hamilton.

That same week, we also heard from David Collins of Canadian Food for the Hungry International (www.cfhi.ca) who challenged us by proposing that the real need in international disasters is for our hearts to be changed, not only the physical circumstance of the victims.

Finally, the group also considered the Micah Challenge (www.micahchallenge.org), and how we as believers can and should become involved in the disentanglement of some of the world’s most pressing global inequalities.   One of the main points that came through as the refugee youth shared was that each had struggled to find a place to belong and express themselves. 

In the aftermath of Coffeehouse 2005 (a fantastic event that seemed to be enjoyed by all!), I have been thinking that the next time we plan an evening of artistic expression, should it really be to raise money for International Ministries? 

Perhaps it should instead be for intentionally engaging those who are involved in various International Ministry programs-by providing them with an outlet for their creativity and an opportunity to share their cultural stories.

In fact, it could be quite amazing to create and provide a space for that purpose.: to welcome new members of the community to a comfortable, non-institutional space where we could all have the opportunity to hang a painting on the wall, write a song or design a new computer program.  Let’s take the opportunities our surroundings provide us with to challenge ourselves in prayerful consideration of how we can make disciples of the nations-both on the other side of the world, and here in Hamilton.

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