Cold and Chills

There are cold and chills everywhere- the cold fronts that are showing up all over the country, as well as the chills from the flu and other illnesses. It seems like someone in our park is sick with the flu or other illness every day - many of them in one day. This past week there were many people at doctor's offices, calling in for Tamaflu, or even going to the ER. Chaplain Bill is down with the flu which involved our church  getting a substitute Chaplain. Luckily, we do have  Chaplain floaters - Chaplain Joe and Lorelei DeAngelis. As soon as Bill asked Chaplain Joe if he could do our service, he accepted. As Chaplain Joe said, "I am always ready, even at the last minute". Everything seemed to flow together so easily this morning. As Ali prayed for those sick and in need, she prayed from Ephesians 6:12-18, reminding us to put on the full armor of God for protection from the evil ones, and to stand firm for the Lord. Our special music proclaimed peace in the Lord. As Chaplain Joe began his sermon, based on Ephesians 6, it was truly apparent that the Holy Spirit was in the room. God orchestrated the service so perfectly, as none of the participants knew what the others were going to say or sing prior to starting the service. Why are we so amazed??? God IS amazing.

As we worked at Border Missions this week, Chaplain Bill and Ali Artherholt worked alongside us (before Bill took sick). Bill and Ali were amazed at the amount of donated produce/food items that would otherwise go to waste. There were very few people present due to the fact that the metro buses in Reynosa were not running - as well as the cold and rainy weather. Many people who come across the border for the hot meal and produce distribution were not able to make the trip. It made my heart ache to know that so many would probably not have enough to eat for the coming week. We  prayed that the Pastors from Mexico who drove across the border could fill their vans with produce to help those who could not make the trip. Bill and Ali were amazed at the amount of donated produce/food items that would otherwise go to waste. As we distributed extra we hope that everyone would share with those unable to be present.

  It was also a great week for the food and Clothing Ministry at Great Oaks
Church. Fred delivered a pick-up load of produce (thanks to friend Dean for his help and the use of his pick-up). Because of the God's provision, we were able to share with Iglesia Nueva Vida. Pastor Rodriguez's wife Becky delivered the much needed food!

food we share with a sister church

Becky Rodriguez prepared to deliver

It is busy here at the park with new and returning residents. The weather is not very cooperative - we have not seen the sun for a few days. Cold and rainy every day ( chicken soup weather - which I made yesterday) seems to be the norm. We have made a resolution to try to visit more resident than last year, but with the all the illnesses in the park, we have been limited. Lots of activities going on, including those in the church also - the Memorial service to honor those who have left us this past year, Christian music, and movies, as well as the many dinners, lunches, and other activities. We need to remember in all this busyness of day to day activities to give the glory to God for all He helps us to accomplish, for the energy to do His work, and the ability to continue to so.

 

Have a wonderful week - try to "pay it forward" in some way - pay for the next one in line at a drive through, pay for some one's groceries at the store, purchase a gift certificate for someone who needs an uplift, visit the nursing home with a small plant for someone who never gets a visit, check on an elderly neighbor by bringing them a batch of cookies, give your bus driver a small loaf of banana bread, leave a card of thanks for the mailman - there are endless ways to say "I care for you".