Dear __________________________________!
There are hundreds of Mr. Smiths and Ms.
Smiths in and around Tulsa. Senior adults living alone, grandparents raising
grandkids, single Moms and kidlets, homeless families living in their cars,
sons and daughters who are caregivers for chronically ill parent(s), working
parents who can’t catch up. Every year the Holiday
Helping Hands Project continues because of people like these. We don’t
have a budget, we don’t put a cap on what we give, we don’t ask for ID’s, or check
stubs; we don’t determine worthiness. We give in the name of Jesus and to the
glory of God. Everyone needs Jesus! People are hurting and need to know God
cares about them and hurting comes in all forms. We give to all members in the
household.
If God brings a Mom, or a Dad, or a Grandma,
or a widower or a family to Isaiah 58, In His Service, Inc., I know that He brought them to us
because He loves them. He wants us to love on them and tell them we care because
He first loved us. We start building relationships and trust.
My pastor, Deron Spoo defined evangelism
this morning: ”Getting close to God,
getting close to people and getting people close to God.” It makes sense
and it doesn’t feel as daunting as “witnessing.”
You have an opportunity to shine for Jesus
this Christmas and in doing so, you’ll be evangelizing. How cool is that? As
every year in the past God has given me “His gift.” A gift for our families,
individuals and homeless folks that the Holiday Helping
Hands Project adopts. This year we are giving the Jesus Film and a bookmark with the plan of salvation. We also will
include a brochure about Isaiah 58, In His Service and a card
of invitation to First Baptist Church Tulsa!
If God leads you to dive in and join us…we
need toys, clothes, gift cards, food and funds, etc. or you can adopt a family
or senior or if God nudges you to make some deliveries, great! Everything will
be covered in prayer and given to the glory of God. We don’t say “no” to those
who ask for help even if it’s the day before Christmas. So, we will need you up
to and including Christmas day.
Most importantly, please PRAY with us and
for us. Pray in agreement that God will use the Jesus Film and the bookmark to soften hearts and change lives. Pray
for salvation. Pray for God to bring every single person to us that needs Him
and will listen to the song of Hope, Repentance, Forgiveness, and Salvation and
say “YES” to Jesus. YOU ARE NEEDED! You are appreciated. You are loved. You are
blessed. Help us bless others.
Are
you in?
If you know someone who needs to be loved on
this Christmas, please give them my cell phone number 918-260-1933.
In His service,
deni A. fholer
Isaiah 58, In His Service, Inc.PO Box 521063
Tulsa OK 74152
918-260-1933
I58ihs@gmail.com
www.i58ihs.blogspot.org
501©3 nonprofit ministry
“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore,
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Holy
Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Pray
and take action:
Poverty in
Oklahoma reached a six-year high in 2011, according to data released last month
by the U.S. Census Bureau. The data
revealed that more than one in six Oklahomans – and almost one in four children
– now live in poverty. (OKPolicy.org)
About 29%
(11.3 million) of non-institutionalized older persons live alone (8.1 million
women, 3.2 million men) (AOA)
Almost half
of older women (47%) age 75+ live alone. (AOA)
About
485,000 grandparents aged 65 or more had the primary responsibility for their grandchildren
who lived with them. (AOA)
The
national rate of homelessness was 21 homeless people per 10,000 people in the
general population. The rate for
veterans was 31 homeless veterans per 10,000 veterans in the general population
in 2009. (MSNMedia.MSN.com)
In the
United States, 1 in 3 people 65 years and older falls each year. (CDC)
Of those
who fall, 20-30% suffer moderate to severe injuries that reduce mobility and
independence, and increase the risk of premature death. (CDC)
An
estimated 800,000 individuals with Alzheimer’s (more than one in seven) live
alone. (Alz. Assoc.)
Of those
who live alone, up to half of them do not have an identifiable caregiver. (Alz.
Assoc.)
In 2011,
15.2 million family and friends provided 17.4 billion hours of unpaid care to
those with Alzheimer’s and other dementias – care valued at $210.5 billion.
(Alzheimer’s Assoc.)
Oklahoma
ranks first in the nation, tied with Arkansas, in the number of people who are
“very low food insecure,” or hungry, at 7.5%.
Of households experiencing hunger, less than 20% are classified as
unemployed. More than 1/3 are disabled
and/or retired, while the remaining 46% have at least one working member. (CFBEO)
48% of
households served at food pantries in Eastern Oklahoma report having to choose
between paying for food and paying for utilities. (CFBEO)
45% of
seniors report having to choose between paying for food and paying for medical
care or medicine. (CFBEO)
36% had to
choose between paying for food and paying rent or mortgage. (CFBEO)
34% had to
choose between paying for food and paying for transportation. (CFBEO)
WE HAVE TO DO
MORE. WE HAVE TO DO BETTER.
