SEPTEMBER MINISTRY UPDATE | In September we held two outreaches, added to our resource lists and developed proposed goals based upon the input from Fred Jordan Missions, County Behavioral Health and the Substance Abuse Provider Network.
Our board of directors will meet in October to discuss these proposed goals, along with plans for our holiday season outreaches. I’ll keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Homeless Outreach Sept. 13
We held our second “On-the-Mountain” homeless outreach on Sept. 13, coinciding with the Crestline United Christian Celebration event in Crestline, Calif. Once again, only a handful of homeless attended. Only one person expressed interest in entering a shelter program in San Bernardino, and we provided him the information needed to get into that facility (residential program that will pick people up and transport them to their facility). The other three did not want to leave the mountain and asked for prayer that they could find shelter locally. All four people received care packages consisting of a reusable Stater Bros. bag, hygiene kit, Gideon Bible, blanket, water and $5 food cards. They also received prayer and lots of love and compassion.
Our board will be discussing how to address the mountain homeless population, which is small, often migratory (only on the mountain during the summer through early fall), and prefers not to gather for a group event. It’s possible that we may opt to do seasonal-only outreach with more one-on-one evangelism and help, but this will require new logistics and volunteer training.
We also may have an opportunity to partner with a small, local band of people who hope to do a weekly outreach in Crestline in the parking lot of a local church.
Pilot Rock Prison Outreach Sept. 26
The Lord blessed us with favor during our Sept. 26 outreach at Pilot Rock Prison Camp. Once again, the prison crews were out fighting fire, but three of the 13 men we minister to were in camp, so the guards allowed us to still hold worship service. We worshiped in song and prayer, read Scripture and shared a relevant message entitled, “Be Bold, Be Strong, Be Courageous in the Lord.” One of the men (Niles) brought his guitar and helped to lead worship.
Rita Beasley (center) from Gideons Lake Arrowhead Camp Auxiliary delivers snacks for the men at Pilot Rock.
The men received devotionals—Our Daily Bread and a special devotional on prayer—plus a Gideon Bible and Rice Crispy treats, thanks to the Gideons Lake Arrowhead Camp.
Please be in prayer as we attempt to bring two programs to the men of Pilot Rock this holiday season: Angel Tree and Bible Sticks (Faith Comes By Hearing). Angel Tree provides Christmas presents to the children of incarcerated parents. The Bible Stick program may allow us to provide an mp3 player loaded with an audio version of the Bible to the incarcerated men, their spouses (if married) and children (kid’s version).
Even just one of these programs would be a tremendous blessing to the men and their families.
Thank you for your continued prayers and support. If you’d like to get more involved, please check out our Volunteer and How You Can Help pages for more information.
Thanks and Blessings,
Tony
Executive Director