September 2005 Report

HAPPY HOMES

We touched approximately 250 people last month. Most of our work reaches people on the streets, but our home ministry has many open doors, too. We put gas in 2 tanks, got groceries 3 times, mailed 4 electric bills and paid some rent to help a total of 9 families. Meeting with people in their homes provides an intimate, personal place where we can more fully share and show the love of Jesus Christ.

BAKING A CAKE

At 81, Ruth really is a sweet old lady. She was on the verge of eviction and pretty much just eating peanut butter. We teamed with Restore Hope here in town to take care of her bills, then we asked her for a shopping list. She wanted chicken and chili, tuna and tomatoes, peaches and Palmolive, and butter, frosting, eggs and a cake mix for her son’s birthday. He moved back home to help his mom, and we’re also helping him with the paperwork to return to his job at Papa John’s pizza.

THE ARBY’S ENTOURAGE

It’s not official, but we may be the top customer for the Arby’s at 4th and Main. The manager there, Trichelle, is great. She always has our large orders in perfect order. Last month we bought 182 sandwiches. Their roast beef is the staple for each sack lunch that we pass out downtown to the homeless and poor. Someone has clearly caught on to our schedule. Fifteen to 20 folks have been waiting for us outside Arby’s each Wednesday at noon. Tell them we’re on our way if you see them.

HELP FOR HURRICANE VICTIMS

We reached out after Hurricane Katrina by supporting a sister organization in Texas. Global Impact set up relief centers and critical supply points at 20 churches from Gulfport, Miss., to Kenner, La. You gave us $1,200 to sponsor the purchase of a new power generator that was used in this effort. Locally, we also sent $200 in travel bags for those who fled to Camp Gruber in Muskogee.

INTRODUCING ANDREW

The Department of Human Services continues to give us good referrals that point us to needy kids. That’s how we met Andrew on Sept. 26. He’s 4, full of life, and recovering from a rare tumor behind his left eye that’s been treated at St. Jude hospital in Memphis. We helped mom turn the lights back on. We may help even more. First, we need to work out a few details. We’ll keep you posted.

HIDDEN AND HURTING

We don’t know his name. We didn’t hear his story. All we could see were the whites of his socks as we peered into the fenced, dark part of an alley between 5th and 6th streets near Main Mall. By the looks of the chair and the sleeping bag, he’s living there. We left a sack lunch and said a prayer. If you'd like to go on a field trip, we’ll take you there for a taste of what we see downtown.

ORDER A “T” FROM FTV

The latest and greatest t-shirt from Filling The Void is in the final stages of production. You can own one for just $10. The price covers the cost and leaves enough left over to pay for a sack lunch for someone in need. Shirts are available in white or gray. Talk with us this week to place an order.