Impact Garage Sale, March 12-14

Taking your donations, NOW! Call 713-864-5667

Its that time of year again! We are gearing up for the annual Impact Houston Garage Sale at Trader’s Village. This, along with our Celebration Dinner (see notice below) is one of our biggest fundraisers for the ministries at Impact. We collect and store donations all year long to be able to present a huge selection of ítems of all sizes and value. From sofas to sneakers, from washing machines to water hoses, from books to bureaus, and from toys to table settings, the items are varied are organized for your perusal. All are welcome to come shop for bargains, but the real fun is in volunteering as a vendor, or coming out to help in some other way. Mission groups who come down to paint houses and otherwise reach people for Christ also lend their backs and energies to the craziness of hauling cargo to and from the warehouses and pavilion. The gang from West Houston has honed their skills to produce a well organized events, providing an enjoyable experience for everyone. Not only are there tons of mind-boggling bargains and big-hearted people serving together, but every year new people discover the ministry of Impact. Our hope is that they also see a glimpse of what our Lord has to offer as well.

Impact Night of Celebration 2010!

Our annual Impact Celebration Dinner will once again be hosted on the campus of Impact Houston Church of Christ, and YOU are invited!

Tickets are $25 per person and there are special prices for reserving a table for you and your guests.

This night is “All About Impact,” so bring someone you want to introduce to us. We will let them know what God has been and is doing in downtown Houston.

For ticket purchasing, please call the office at 713-864-5667 or visit us online.

Representing Impact’s Distribution Center at a news conference for the Houston Food Bank and its partners, David Beegle and Patricia Skinner (circled in top row) hold up Impact signs for reporters.

Have a Heart for the Hungry in Houston!

Some interesting data:

· 81% of the clients we feed are food insecure, meaning they live with the day-to-day
risk of running out of food. -Houston Food Bank

· Even though 2008 was a record-breaking year, the number of people we are serving was up 70% in 2009. –Impact Houston

· 60% of our clients are forced to choose between paying utility bills and putting food on the table, up 13% from the last hunger study. -Houston Food Bank

For more data, search the web: http://www.houstonfoodbank.org/hungerstudy10.aspx

Celebrating the 43rd birthday of Manuelito Flores is not only a special moment for a special Impact family member, but the church uses this as a great opportunity to praise God for Manuelito’s miraculous life. On top of that, the Flores uses the celebration to bring people together. Fiestas are so important in developing community.

Impact Testimonial: Daniel Zuniga

Impact is blessed to know many amazing young people. I’d like to introduce you to one of them: Daniel Zuniga moved to Houston after fleeing Hurricane Katrina with his family in 2005. He has been attending here 4 ½ years, and has become an integral part of our youth group. He’ll graduate in 2011, and has plans to attend college. He is, more than anything, a servant, and exemplifies what Impact is all about. He wrote these words after interning with our elementary school children this last summer:

“When I first came here to Houston, it was not very easy adapting to the changes that I was forced to encounter. The culture was different, the people were different, even the weather was different despite the fact that Texas and Louisiana are right next to each other. I first had no idea how to go about my life being in this brand new city. Then, all of a sudden and out of the blue, Impact Houston Church of Christ came along.

“We had been attending a Church of Christ in New Orleans, LA, and that’s how we got in touch with Impact. Impact gave me a place to call home in a brand new, unknown city. They gave me shelter – not only physically but spiritually as well, and a spiritual base to start on. Since Impact has done great things for me, I, in return, want to do great things to help out Impact, its members, and to praise God. What better way to start off than to start off giving my free time to VBS and the children over the summer!”

The world would be a great place if all its young men and women followed in the footsteps of Daniel. -Dennis Jaeger

Impact: A Refuge in the Heart of Houston

We call them “outdoorsmen.” Others use the term “homeless.” It is hard to lump all into one category, but Impact serves a special group of people on a regular basis who don’t have access to basic amenities like showers, laundry machines, or a kitchen. Some of our “homeless” have made homes in tents and garage spaces. Others are more mobile, but when harsh weather hits, like what Houston experienced in early January, Impact wants to be available to all who need assistance. When the temperatures fell to the 20’s for a string of days, Impact opened its doors for those who needed overnight shelter. The Impact kitchen was running almost non-stop making stew, rice and beans, gumbo, and a hearty Chicken Alfredo for a crowd of 76 homeless who needed refuge from the sub-freezing temperatures. Some ministers were around for limited oversight. However, our kitchen staff is so dedicated, energized, and capable, and our guests were so appreciative that all work was being done with ease. Everyone was watching out for one another, and attitudes were incredible. We stayed open from Thursday evening to Monday afternoon, and you would have never known it just walking through our service on Sunday morning. More and more of those we served are making time to give back by volunteering. Others are taking steps to help themselves by using our computers to attain special licenses, or by seeking help they have been putting off. Impact is meeting that enthusiasm with new efforts. A property on Weber St. has been remodeled to house 7 residents as they participate in a recovery program. More ministers are becoming involved in seminars and conferences to gain information, training, and networking from other area organizations that care for those on the streets of our city. Many things like Sunday lunches, midday bible studies, recovery groups, and even the Superbowl Party are things that primarily benefit them, but bless the church in general and give us the opportunity to spend and grow together.

Impact Report January 2010

Happy New Year! The Hispanic group kicked the New Year off with a fiesta. About 60 came out to celebrate and eat with us, bringing tamales and other yummy Hispanic dishes. Willie from the kitchen was there to make sure we got our black-eyed peas as well. The entertainment for the evening was a small slide show, a time of singing and a Bible Trivia game, and all had a blast. We didn’t stay until midnight in order to allow families to make it to other family and community activities.

December was a successful month! Although fewer churches were involved this year with providing Christmas presents for families in need, all of our Impact families who needed it were helped with wonderful gifts. And this year the process was more efficient, more personal, and much more fulfilling. Adding to the joy was the Impact Children’s Christmas party! Thanks to all our friends from other churches who came and manned stations, who provided guidance and entertainment, and who were there to love on kids. My only “complaint” for December was the time many of our Impact groups were away from each other. Early January reports, however indicate that little to no damage was done. Everyone seems ready for the New Year.

New Year –New Series: I don’t know why I think our sermon series are of any interest to you, here. I guess I am just excited about it. These series help us as a body to have something to concentrate on together which is great when we are all going in so many directions. We are doing a short 6 week study on Psalms Everyone Should Know. Already it seems short, because the kick-off week seems to be making us hungry for more. We may have do a Greatest Hits, vol.2 in the summer.

Stew Weather! This past weekend the Impact kitchen was running almost non-stop making stew, rice and beans, gumbo, and a hearty Chicken Alfredo for a crowd of 76 homeless who needed refuge from the sub-freezing temperatures. I spent the first night with them to make sure things were running smoothly, but soon found out I was not needed. Our kitchen staff is so dedicated, energized, and capable, and our guests were so appreciative that all work was being done in snap. Everyone was watching out for one another, and attitudes were incredible. We stayed open from Thursday evening to Monday afternoon, and you would have never known it just walking through our service on Sunday morning. Willie Barnes from the kitchen worked hardest of all, and still will not take a break until all of our meals are cooked for this week, ending tomorrow. Pray he gets a good rest, and a extra star in his crown!

Ken Lewis came by! Doing exploratory work for Continent of Great Cities, Ken was sharing his plans for helping a team start a church plant in downtown Houston and was looking for information and resources. It was just good to have him with us to encourage us and for us to encourage him. He misses Impact and marveled at the expanse and improvements to the campus he had never seen before.

The Distribution Center is having a crazy month registering families all over again to receive food once a month each month this year. 150 families lined up just this week to get their cards, and the box and bag of food. After a few weeks of depleated supplies, we seemed to make up for it in this week’s smorgasbord.

New tutoring sessions will begin this month at an area apartment complex where we regularly pick up children for church and other activities. Lluvia Flores will be coordinating that effort, but we will all see how we can be used as more opportunities might arise.

Celebrating 20 years of Alejandro! Hispanic minister, Alejandro Arango has served with Impact for 20 of our 23 years in downtown Houston. We will celebrate those years of service with a dinner in his honor, this Saturday, January16 between 2:00-4:00pm. You are invited, too if you know and want to honor Hmno. Arango.

Just keep praying for us! We are expecting a great month, and a great year here. We thrive on prayer more than anything, so keep it up please. And may God bless your service to Him in Kingwood.

When disaster strikes, we pray we can be there to help. Sometimes we get to be there to protect as we have done when hurricanes plowed through our city. Record lows in early January 2010 moved Impact to open its doors to those living on the streets. To avoid dangerous elements, Impact housed a number of outdoorsmen for a few of those bitterly cold evenings. However, TRUE disaster has struck the country of Haiti. So many seem to want to help with the Haiti relief efforts but don’t know where to start. Here is a list of established relief organizations that would be good to have available to anyone with the desire to help.

(Most information was taken from the Christian Chronicle.) All checks should be accompanied by a note that reads "Haiti Earthquake Relief"
and made payable to the organization of your choice below (listed alphabetically):

Christian Relief Fund
P.O. Box 19670, Amarillo, TX 79114-1670
(800) 858-4038 (800) 858-4038
Email: crfinfo@christianrelieffund.org
Website: christianrelieffund.org

Global Samaritan Resources
101 Walnut Street, Abilene, TX 79601
(325) 676-9991 (325) 676-9991
Email: ed.enzor@globalsam.org
Website: globalsamaritan.org

Healing Hands International
455 McNally Drive, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 832-2000 (615) 832-2000
Email: contact@hhi.org
Website: hhi-aid.org

Hope for Haiti's Children
P.O. Box 936, Sugar Land, TX 77487-0936
(281) 240-3550 (281) 240-3550
Email: info@hfhcministries.org
Website: hopeforhaitischildren.org

Rapha International
402 Blue Smoke Ct. W., Fort Worth, TX 76105
(817) 536-3383 (817) 536-3383
Email: office.rapha@sbcglobal.net
Website: raphainternational.org

World Radio / White's Ferry Rd Church of Christ
3201 North 7th St., West Monroe, LA 71291
(318) 396-6000 (318) 396-6000
Email: donyelton@wfrchurch.org or badkins@wfr.org
Website: wfrchurch.org

And other ways to give are through the links below:

World Vision: http://www.worldvision.org/home.nsf/pages/home.htm

Compassion International: Text "disaster" to 90999 to give $10 to Haiti relief efforts or give online at

https://www.compassion.com/contribution/giving/disasterrelief.htm?referer=105120SocialSponsorshipBlitz

International Disaster Emergency Service: www.ides.org

If the Lord Wills...

A new year brings hope of what may come and what may be accomplished. For the 23 years God has allowed Impact to serve in downtown Houston, we have developed ministries and traditions we expect will continue because of the lives they touch and the needs they serve. I believe it is good to expect great things from this year, and I also believe it is good to make plans for accomplishing great goals. However, James 4:13-15 keeps ringing in my ear. It says, “Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city.’…..Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow….Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’” So, that is what we want to do: We want to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, Impact will continue to help the hungry, homeless, and hurting people every day that He gives us.” To be ready to do the Lord’s will, we are doing all we can to continue programs that we have seen benefit thousands of lives.

We continue praying that He guides us in continuing ministries, and blesses us in our special events. We will also invite you to participate in those plans and ask you to pray for how He wants you to partner with us. We will do these things if God allows, because we believe it is His will that we keep serving in the inner-city. If the Lord wills, children will be loved by your children. If the Lord wills, hungry families and homeless people will be helped through our efforts. If the Lord wills, generous hearts will continue to provide in the name of Christ. If the Lord wills, the lives that are touched will be changed forever because of the reflection of Jesus shown to them. Some may think it pointless to plan and dream for so much to be accomplished in a broken world, but our hope for 2010 is to serve the will of God every day that He affords us… “if the Lord wills.”

cover of January issue of Impact News, by Steven Wells for Impact Houston Church of Christ

Check out our Facebook page and website for updates as we work on this blog:
www.impacthouston.org
Facebook as "Impact Houston"

One facet of Impact life is our worship services. We have two simultaneous services: one in English and one in Spanish. Both begin at 11:30 am followed by a meal together at 1:00pm. The Spanish speaking meeting area is transformed every Sunday from a meeting area to a dining hall. As soon as corporal worship activities end, Spanish-speaking members empty into the hallway as some of our English-speaking members join a few of our Hispanic members in putting away and setting up chairs and tables for the meal. Even while Impact members are listening to a sermon, members of a visiting congregation will be preparing to serve the meal in the large, industrial size kitchen. This is a great time for all of our members to mingle and spend time together.

Every six weeks or so, we also combine the two services for a large bilingual service where we utilize bilingual members in leading biingual prayers, songs, or readings of the Word of God. Sermons are either translated or presented bilingually.

Visual communication plays an increasingly important role in our time together as we become more and more capable with PowerPoint and Media Shout enhancements in the presentation of songs lyrics, scripture, sermon points, and transitions. Already certain ministers regularly use props, art, and testimonies to enhance their presentations. Posters accompany the current series of lessons.

These are things that we do for edifying the body. They are small details that accompany the main focus: presenting Christ as our Lord! He is the one that can make an Impact in the lives of everyone we serve. We use our tools and our opportunities to reflect His glory, praise His name, and presenting hope found in Christ to a lost and hurting world.

Great uses of Art in worship:

http://www.godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=f107026ad0b0be011fa7" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube_video" menu="false" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" />

http://godtube.com/flvplayer.swf" FlashVars="viewkey=050e84e2a0f0b9fdeea1" wmode="transparent" quality="high" width="330" height="270" name="godtube" align="middle" allowScriptAccess="sameDomain" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" />

Sometimes you just need pictures.

Ø This past Sunday (March 30, 2008) we enjoyed another bilingual service where both Steve’s (former bilingual minister, Steve Austin and current bilingual minister, Steven Wells) could be used along with several others to lead us in an uplifting time of service. We finished our “Meals with the Master” series with a hope-filled lesson on the Heavenly Banquet that awaits us. We recognized the new Christians of 2008 and took the Lord’s Supper, then finished a great time of community eating a meal that our High School group cooked and served. Our next bilingual service is scheduled for MAY 18th, and I believe that anyone who may be able to attend would be blessed and inspired.

Ø The GARAGE SALE is just a couple of weeks away! We have already gotten loads and loads of items to sale, but one need still remains: manpower. Tuesday April 15th we get to begin taking our goods over to Trader’s Village, and normally we have a huge group of Spring Breakers along to do so much of the grunt work. Such is not the case this year, but we think we can manage, especially with the help of good friends. (nod, nod. wink,wink)

Ø What not to miss:
o The Annual Impact Garage Sale – April 18-19 (Note: Not during Spring Break, meaning we lose the manpower and work hours of 50-60 young, dedicated young people with big hearts and energetic bodies. Translation: We will be solicited help.)
Celebration Dinner on May 8th. BUY YOUR TABLE NOW!! We need more of you to share in this special time of celebrating what God is doing at IMPACT. I don’t want you to miss this wonderful opportunity.

If it’s a sunny Sunday afternoon, we can pretty much bet that you’ll find several of our Impact members playing “futbal.” Although the above photograph was taken at a Men’s Retreat, it is not atypical to find a good representation of the mix we have at Impact. Sure, the games are dominantly Hispanic, but we are encouraging more and more involvement from the English-speaking portion of the congregation. This is just one of the avenues we have for coming together as a body, as well as evangelizing in the community. Its great to have something that attracts non-Christians and the un-churched to a place where they can experience the genuine joy and fellowship that can exist among a group of believers in Christ.

It may be the soccer that draws some people, but it is acceptance and friendship that brings people back. Its funny how we still have to learn something so basic. Our Impact groups have been a great training field already in how to interact with people while keeping Christ the center of all that is done. We have to admit that sometimes we just don’t have the right balance of elements. It is so easy to make our time as a group primarily a Bible study. Sometimes it can become just a social gathering dominated by small-talk, or maybe even a prolonged planning meeting. What we learn, as leaders meet together every other week (and weekly for the Hispanic leaders) is that our Impact groups are much more than a study time or a planning session or a party, though each are expected elements of these groups. We may see how one group was so touched in their time of worship that they extended their praise and shortened their time in the Word. The result might bring about hearts so prepared for sharing or for service that big ideas are spoken, prayer and planning ensues, and dreams are pursued. The multiplication that we talk about in Impact groups is SO much more than a growth in numbers of attendees, but growth in excitement and enthusiasm for the body, for Christ, for service, for the community that God is developing! As Les Rose described it this morning in our weekly ministers meeting, there is a Great momentum that is welling up within our members. We need to continue being that church that says, “You are welcome here. We will be your family. Look what God is doing over here. You want to work with us? Come on!” It’s not just an invitation to a place, but to a community and a walk as well. We have much to develop regarding spiritual growth and leadership training that is uniform and church-wide, and we are taking those steps, but until then pray for our wisdom as we develop and lead each other actively in the process.
It seems like just a couple of weeks ago I submitted my last report, and so much was going on. I almost feel that, after having all the Spring break groups come and go and the Garage Sale drawing closer, that there seems to be a slight lull. Not so, at all. It just feels that way after such activity. We remain very busy with activities and plans, but most of all we stay busy experiencing the adventure of encountering interesting people, offering whatever we have, and seeing what God will do.

HIGH PRICED FUEL!!?? Just yesterday (3-13-08) oil was at $110.00/barrel. One estimate was that gasoline could move to $3.50-$4.00/gal. At that price it will cost over $300.00 to fill a bus this summer. We have 5 buses. In addition we have another 12 vans. Used daily for our summer program, we will incur fuel costs approaching $1000.00/day. Multiply that by 4 days/week for 4 weeks plus camp trips, trek, mission trips, etc. in June and we are a bit overwhelmed at the prospects. Barring an oil well being drilled on our property, we seek encourage in relief of our dilemma. - Doug Williams

Spring Break brings “Spring Breakers.” Groups from Pepperdine, LCU, OSU, ACU and Sunset came to help with youth projects, work projects, evangelism, and general Impact involvement. Buildings and houses were painted, the lonely were visited and loved, the grieving were comforted, children were made to feel special, communites were reached, and the list goes on. For this to take place, much coordination is needed between ministers and ministries and even outside volunteers. Everyone ran around like bees between hives, but much work was done, and God’s love was spread around.

In Memory of…
Already this year Impact has lost some very special people. We want to remember them by sharing with you who they are.

Wilbert Gentry: The cousin of Impact elder Harvey Davis, Wilbert came to know Christ shortly before passing away. His funeral was a touching celebration of a rescued life.

Shirley Lowe: Longtime Impact supporter and worker, wife of Bob Lowe, Shirley showed her love for Impact with faithful service especially at the Impact Distribution Center.

Louie Welch: Former mayor of Houston, not only did Louie make a great impact on this city, but his support of Impact from its beginning made eternal impressions on the church as a whole and in the lives of many individuals.

R. J. Malachowsky: After years on the streets and being served as one of Impact’s outdoorsmen, RJ developed a special mentoring relationship with Doug Williams, eventually settled into an apartment, and continued attending Impact until the recent sickness that took his life.

Making Memories Together

Impact harbors the homeless, cares for the poor, provides for the needy, and loves the rejected. There are many programs and outreaches through the work at Impact, but we must never forget that Impact, too, is a living body of Christ. This year has been full of exciting opportunities to be together. The High School boys got away on a hiking/camping trip to grow as a group and learn to depend on one another more. The high school and jr. High girls attended Girls Reflecting Glory. Impact groups are having special events outside of the scheduled meeting to fellowship. Several groups got together for the Superbowl. (Two cells combined on the English side for a Superbowl party and to encourage each other. Several members hosted the homeless for a Superbowl party at the church building.) Multilingual retreats for the Men of Impact at the Gulf Coast encampment and a separate one for Women occurred at the end of February. Other get-togethers happened on smaller scales. The Hispanic members hosted a Valentine’s Day Couples Banquet, and others joined a group of ladies on a trip to San Antonio to attend the Women of Faith conference. New Bible classes like a new New Christians class and a study on the book of Acts give groups something to look forward to. Every week our Impact groups provide fellowship, study, and opportunities to serve. We have 11 of these groups so far and are in the process of developing leaders and group members to open more groups. The desire is to have a small group for everyone at Impact to connect with a smaller community of Christians so that no one is overlooked and everyone can be involved inthe work and growth of the church here. So, whether it is an organized, structured gathering or a casual, on-the-fly happening, Impact people are getting together, memories are being made, and the life that Christ desires for is body is being experienced.

Mixed Feelings about Houston Makeover
You’ve seen it happening. New towering town homes sprouting up next to rickety, run down structures. Beautification projects in the parks and neighborhood and police campaigns of “clearing out” the parks and woods surrounding the area are all part of the plan. There are some that are excited about this makeover, but some are devastated. The homeless have felt the sting of recent crackdowns. Many of the houses that have been repaired or painted by Impact groups have either been demolished or remodeled for richer tenants, while former residents have had to relocate. The people we help are having houses taken away from them. Sure, the places they have are often in horrible conditions, but for some at least it is a place they can call “home.” The face of our neighborhood is changing but our mission is still the same: minister to the poor, the hurting, and the overlooked. We want to provide the best kind of ministry and connect people to Christ. We continue to offer help to those who are struggling in this and surrounding areas, but pray for guidance in how to reach our new neighbors and invite them to participate in the plans that God has for central Houston. Houston may want an Extreme Makeover downtown, but no real change occurs if the heart is not willing to be transformed. Keep praying that God touch the very core of Houston so that a true metamorphosis is realized. “Many are the plans of a man’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” -Proverbs 19:21

Conversando Entre Amigas

The Hispanic Ladies group at Impact called “Conversando Entre Amigas” began its year with a 7-week class called Familias con Confianza (Families with Trust or Confidence). This course was provided by the ESCAPE Center; Resources for the Family. This group is made up of at least 30 mothers of families. Just walking through their first class, I was struck by the professionalism of the teachers and the attention they commanded. The women are excited about learning techniques that can help them through difficult days, and have already been surprised with how directly the class hits home (no pun intended.) The Ladies group began to provide housewives a break during the day to get to know one another and open opportunity for bible study or Christian community. The class from ESCAPE was provided by an anonymous donor through the Family Resource Center. The class is designed to provide information and train students to be the best parents they can be. We have been blessed to have such a wonderful opportunity that has already proven effective as an outreach to the community. Steven Wells & Madalena Gallindo

NEW MINISTERS AT IMPACT

Dimas Velazquez had, as a young boy growing up in El Salvador, a dream about working in the church. He tried to go to seminary and worked toward becoming a priest, but due to political reasons was not able to finish. Having moved to the States more than 20 years ago with his wife, Antonia, his dream was all but forgotten. In time, former Impact minister Calvin Henry knocked on his door seeing if he needed groceries and/or prayers. His wife started to attend Impact and soon convinced Dimas to check it out. At first uncertain about the church and the different customs, he became more and more involved, and was baptized within several months. Since that time, he has been one of Impact’s strongest members, serving as an elder for 8 years. He was living his boyhood dream, yet God was calling him toward more. He was invited to study at the Texas Gulf Coast Bible Institute and after two years of intensive training, graduated “with honors” as one of the Institute’s first graduates in December of 2007. Now Dimas’ dream is to serve God full-time at Impact as a Hispanic minister. He still serves as an elder. He still preaches, teaches, and helps out like he has been for years. The only difference is, this is all he does now. It is all he wants to do. He is living his dream. -Steven Wells

Audra Moore: This January we have been blessed to have Audra Moore join our youth team as a year-long girl’s intern. We have many young women in our youth group who are wanting to grow deeper in the walk with the Lord, and they have been in need of a solid Christian woman who can walk with them. We have many great women volunteers, and this addition of Audra to our staff is a tremendous blessing.
Audra first came to Impact 4 years ago with a group from Lubbock Christian University, where she received her bachelor’s degree. She interned with our High School Youth the following summer and was a wonderful mentor for our youth. Since graduating, Audra spent more than a year doing mission work in Uganda, and is now pursuing her master’s degree in public health at the University of Texas School of Public Health in Houston. Audra joins us with full support from her home congregation, Central Church of Christ in Amarillo, TX, who we are very grateful to. We’re looking forward to all the amazing ways God will be using her here at Impact! -Dennis Jaeger

<— David Beegle: “COMINGS AND GOINGS” Barbara Mantooth has been our Director of the Distribution Center for only a short time, but has been outstanding in that capacity. Her husband’s work transfer has necessitated a move making her continued participation here more difficult. She will find another challenge closer to her new home requiring us to find a suitable replacement. God has provided!! Already here often in working with those in the process of recovery, David Beegle (wife, Margaret) was quick to place his name in for the vacant position. That being a part-time position, he is still seeking funding to devote more time to the recovery program and an added outreach for job placement. He will assume his duties on Feb. 1 following a month of training with Barbara. He brings a wealth of experience in this type of endeavor as well as a long history in sales to the retail food industry. He hopes to be able to utilize some of those contacts in enlarging our sources for commodities to offer in the distribution center. -Doug Williams