Operation Christian Love
by Beth Ann Brundrett
The new year has brought new joys as we reflect on the doors God has opened in the past & the new ones He is opening now. As we stumble through these doors, may God strengthen all involved as we strive to complete the tasks He has set before us.
Prayers are needed for the
Living Stones His Island Night Shelter
(a church & residence for homeless veterans in San Antonio)
as they work through the transition following the death of their founder, Jim Spicer, last November. They have formed a committee to work through the finances & other issues as they arise.
Larry Erwin
, pastor of
Christ Church, Devine
, is serving as financial secretary.
They have a cook which is a blessing. Their food supply has stabilized with the faithful support of Christ Church, Devine, Operation Christian Love (OCL) & others. However, donations are still needed for monthly expenses, taxes, insurance, & facility upkeep. The walk-in refrigerator needs a new refrigeration unit & has for several years.
If you would like to help, donations can be made to the Living Stones Ministry, with your specific wishes on the memo line, & mailed to Living Stones Ministry, 1306 N. Hackberry St., San Antonio, TX 78202.
When the Island first opened in the 1990’s, the first Resident Director was a man called "Country". He suffered from severe PTSD. When Jim Spicer found him, he realized his condition & brought him into the Island. He soon found that "Country" had much to offer, and the job of Director helped "Country" start to regain his life. Many others have been also helped by this ministry which is now in its 23rd year.
“Country” Francis Moczygemba
(a friend of OCL), died on Sunday, January 20th. He had been manager of the gleaning program for the San Antonio Food Bank, in Pearsall, since 2002.
La Mano de Dios
soup kitchen ministry in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, is adding the roof to their newly constructed dining hall/meeting room & church thanks to the donations from several churches & individuals. This step should be completed by the end of February. Windows, doors, electrical, bathroom & kitchen fixtures will be the next step.
Brother Sepulveda has asked for 80 jackets immediately to be given to the elderly poor in his area.
His words: ”
They are so cold. The coats do not have to be new. Look, my jacket does not have a zipper, but it helps keep me warm”.
If you can help with this, please call Beth Ann at 210-854-9360.
A recent coat/blanket drive in Carrizo Springs helped OCL distribute both to His Island & several areas of Piedras Negras. Many thanks to this community. If your church would like to sponsor a similar program, let us know.
The
Banda Ministry
is trying to complete the second story addition to their
Bethesda Church
in the Periodista Colonia in Piedras Negras. They purchased floor tiles for one of the rooms & installed them. Besides tile for 4 more rooms, they still need to complete the dining area, kitchen, bathroom, & office/living room. The ministry held a special event for their Prison Ministry athletic teams to show their servanthood by inviting 500 fellow inmates to a special meal prepared & served by these inmate teams. Their activities were shared with the group & Frank shared a message of Christ with them. The Banda ministry is strong in teaching others the importance of taking the word of God to others, not just receiving it.
Frank Banda & Brother Sepulveda
receive no salary. They go forth in faith & serve as God has instructed them to. Hundreds are reached each week by these two ministries. As they lead God’s army in these areas, may we be just behind them by continuing to support them constantly with our prayers, and with our donations as the Lord leads.
As the year begins, so does the excitement of preparation for the
2019 Christmas ministry
. Yarn for warm caps, scarves & baby blankets is needed. Fleece fabric which is needed for lap robes, blankets, & warm scarves is on sale. Many yards are needed. Material is also needed for the construction of draw string bags & stockings. Any type of fabric will do. It does not have to be or new or fabric with Christmas designs.
If you have left over yarn or fabric you wish to donate, just let us know.
The drawstring bags are a favorite. They give personal storage to children in orphanages, on the street or in the small areas where they live. Anyone wishing to join the
“Creations for Others”
team effort, individually or as a group, is welcome. Patterns for the draw string bags & stockings are available to anyone interested. Please have all items turned in by September 15th.
Call Beth Ann at 210-854-9360 to get involved.
Financial donations can be made as well. Make checks payable to Operation Christian Love & put
“Creations for Others”
on the memo line. Mail to John E. Heiligman, PO Box 117, Charlotte, TX 78011.
Our next OCL Meeting will be held on
Tuesday, February 5th at 6:30pm
,
at the Frio River Baptist Association's Resource Center located at 1716 Business IH 35 E, Pearsall TX 78061. All are welcome! Please join us!
