Coats, Coats, and Coats

For obvious reasons the fall/winter are the busiest times of the year for the mission, and November is an especially busy month.  We kicked off the month of November in FANTASTIC fashion.  Last Sunday we spent the day sorting coats from our coat drive.  There's something awesome about getting together with God's people to do something to help others.  We spent somewhere around 2 hours digging through donated coats to separate them by men, women, and children's styles, and then to further separate them into sizes.  It was incredible to see the assortment of coats that people had donated just to help those in need. There was a lot of work, but the good thing was that we had lots of hands.  And as the old adage says many hands make the work light.  And it was.  Not only did it not seem like much work, but we had a great time doing it.  I am going to insert a picture here showing just how much fun we had, but if you know Paul (my pastor) please don't tell him that I posted this. Although in my defense he just said he'd better not see it on Instagram.

With all of the unrest in the middle east, there have been an influx of refugees, and we have been working with the IRC (International Rescue Committee) to provide them with services.  This has been an interesting and difficult challenge because of the language barrier, and as the one in charge of the food pantry, I have seen many of those issues firsthand.  A lack of understanding causes much confusion.  But I see only on a small scale the enormity of these issues.  The IRC requested some help with coats for some of these refugees.  Many of these refugees have never seen winter or snow, and have no real concept of cold, so we agreed.  When they sent us the list there were 175 names on that list.  We opened the first day simply for those with the IRC.  They sent their interpreters, and at the end of the day we had given out 162 coats.  Unfortunately due to the constraints of my job, I wasn't able to be there for the coat give away days, but the stories I heard from the people that were able to be there make my  heart glad.  The workers of the Mission had to explain to the people that they needed heavy coats and that the light jackets they were picking up would not be sufficient to keep them warm.  But knowing that we were able to give coats to people that had none, and that have no concept even of their need for one, and that I had a part in that even if it was ever so small, makes my heart glad.  

I don't know if any of the people that came in to receive coats will turn from their faith, which I'm guessing is primarily Muslim, but that's not our concern.  Our job is to be obedient to help those that God has sent us, and at least this day, the ones that He sent us were these refugees from the Middle East.  

In the 3 days we gave out coats, the total amount given out was over 360 coats!  That's 360 people that got a way to be warm that didn't have it before! 

Please be in prayer as we enter this season where we fight to reach so many, and the need is great. Also be in prayer for the leaders of the Mission as they strive to be obedient in what God calls them to, and wise to know what He is asking!  

As always reach out to me if you need prayer or are interested in more information: crucibleandcrown@gmail.com