New Intern Set to Change Lives

We have a new intern who is set to change lives. Samantha came on Tuesday for her first visit to the Ministry Center. We showed her around and talked about what we do. She seems excited at the thoughts of working with the kids. I am excited to get her started and sent her out with homework.

Look for her posts here. She's going to be a guest blogger this summer and share her insights.

Allie will also be returning this summer. This will be her 3rd and final year. It is project that she will be going to Sudan after graduating from college in summer 2010. Her plans are to teach music to high school students in that country. She too will be a guest blogger.

Also joining us soon will be two other students. Both of these kids are joining us for a few weeks through stimulus money.

We are excited and deeply appreciative to have so many extra hands this summer.

Come visit us and see what we are doing!

Food Distribution Ministry Day Went Well

Our Angel Food distribution and ministry day went well. Thank you to all who came to help. We truly could not do it without you!

A total of 13 people will be fed through boxes received through Angel Food. Not all food boxes were picked up at the ministry center. Some were picked up at another distribution site. We were successful in getting a box sponsored for a family in crisis. The other site was closer and saved the family on gas. We appreciate the kind generosity of the sponsor who donated.

There were 2 juvenile offenders on hand who served their community service hours. Our Hope Youth have been a rag-tag bunch until now.

Our decided to "officially" form a youth group. Even though they have been Hope Youth for awhile they want something more. In forming a youth group they hope to raise enough money to go on retreats and outings. These trips and experiences will help them learn about God and the world.

The kids are very excited as are we.

It was a beautiful day.

A+ Angel Food and Ministry Day

Saturday was a great Angel Food and ministry day at Hope for Healing.Org. A total of 9 boxes of Angel Food were distributed. One box went to a family in need who could not afford to buy it. Neither is this family on food stamps.

It's time for the seasonal switchover! A juvenile offender and volunteer bagged up clothing in the ministry center. We're trying to make room for short sleeved summer clothing by removing the long sleeved items.

Next, we'll be sprucing up the center to get it ready for springtime! We have a lot of spring activities planned. Our volunteers and staff can't wait.

Speaking of volunteers... Do you have a couple of hours a month of free time? Would you like to make a difference in the lives of others? Why not think about volunteering? We need people for Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The shifts are two hours long (although you are welcome to stay longer.)

Volunteers fold, sort and hang clothing. Grill hot dogs, hamburgers or other such items for lunch. Sand salvageable furniture items and more. We also need help with mailouts, craft items and recycling. If you can help why not contact us? Email us at makingadifference@hopeforhealing.org

UMVIM Training Today at Bearden UMC

The Conference Connectional Ministries team together with the SEJ Conference of the UMC held a training at Bearden UMC. It was on mission team leadership. I have to say that this was an exceptional training. There was much in the way of questions and answers. The person leading the training took the time to be sure everyone had answers or knew where to look to find them.

One of the great things about attending the connectional trainings is getting to see people who don't ordinarily cross your paths. Most people know that I'm part of the Alaska Mission Team with Lafollette United Methodist Church. We're scheduled to leave in June. Today, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with 3 people who have been on this trail before me. Their insights were valuable and helped me feel supported.

Connectionalism isn't just one of the componets of the United Methodist Faith it is one of the best things about this denomination.

I can't wait to put my skills to use. But I will have to. Alaska is calling me first.

Gayle D'Ambrosio-Crabtree

Hope for Healing.Org Gets Back into Service

Hope for Healing.Org is getting back into the swing of things. As the temperature warms up so does our building. Many of you know that our 100 year old buildings lack heat and air conditioning. In the cold, it's almost impossible to work. We've still managed to do client services but that's about it.

Soon, we hope to be open regular hours again. There are items listed in our eBay store that will help us meet our goal.

Later in the month, we'll have kids here from Restorative Justice. They do a great job. A part time staff person will be coming into a regular Saturday schedule and lots more good things will be happening.

Stay tuned for more great news. It'll all be on the blog.

And if you're going to be at Bearden UMC for the workshop tomorrow look for Gayle. She'll be there.

Alaska Missions Trip Meeting

We had a great meeting for the Alaska missions trip. We'll be going in June to help out an organization in Willow, Alaska. It will be a packed 7 days but should be a good time. I'm looking forward to seeing how another organization does things. I'm also looking forward to learning all that I can.

Email me if you are a client of ours and are in Anchorage or Willow. It'll be good to hear from you!

Getting the Clothing Closet Ready for Spring

Saturday was spent getting the clothing closet ready for spring. We had two juvenile offenders and one of our teen volunteers stopped by. It was a great day. (Although we sure will be glad when the weather warms up. )

The guys who came to help had great attitudes. They pitched in without a complaint. They sanded a table with so much gusto that we were momentarily afraid it was going to be turned into sawdust. We don't see that much enthusiasm too often.

I can't wait until they come back to paint it. My hunch is that they can't wait either.

If you have time on Saturdays we welcome volunteers. Call us to learn how you can make a difference.

Jesus in the Park : Homeless Project 2008 Knoxville

Here's a video clip of the Jesus in the Park event that I blogged about a couple of weeks ago. You can see for yourself why participating was so humbling and so inspiring. It was provided by the great folks at Souled Out Ministries.

Several years ago when we lived in North Carolina I worked for a nonprofit that ran a soup kitchen, men's and family homeless shelter and domestic violence programs. There, my eyes were opened on the difference between homeless people and street people. And, I learned that anyone can wind up on the streets or homeless.

Two stories worked their way into my heart.

One day a family walked in seeking shelter. Dad and mom recognized me immediately. I had met them the week before when the family sang for a fall event at my husband's church. They had been hard to get in touch with. Cell phone reception had never been good in our area. No one ever suspected that they were living out of their car.

Communicating with a man who stayed in the men's shelter was tough. His mind was so bad that he would ask our names repeatedly. I'm not sure he ever did get mine straight. We heard different stories about what happened. The only thing we could ever verify came from his sister. She brought pictures to show us. The man in question had, at one time, run a law library for a major university. The photos showed him looking different, happier and more alert.

Somehow, the family had lost contact with the brother. She was glad to know where he was. She seemed very relieved to find out that he would be watched after and fed while she worked on other details of his life.

Every homeless person, every street person is someone's sister, brother, daughter or son. They each have a story. The video above only gives us a tiny glimpse but it's a glimpse worth watching and worth remembering.