What Matters Most

Happy New Year?

It is hard to believe that is has been less than 3 weeks since we all ushered in the new year!  For most of us, we anticipated that the new year would be full of good things. 

Not even a month later, as a world, we are dealing with one of the worst natural disasters in our history - the earthquake in Haiti.  Many are touched by the devastation and we wait with anticipation and dread to hear about the lives of missionaries, friends and the masses of people who are effected by the earthquake.

This horrific event is a stark reminder that we are not in control of our lives.  Each day is a precious gift from God above and we are reminded that life is special and fragile.

I look forward to the partnership we will have this year as we work together to help those in our community receive not just a hand out, but a hand up.  Together we will rescue lives that have been devastated from the ravages of poverty.

It's the most wonderful time of the year - NOT!

You know the words to an old favorite Christmas carol.  The first verse reads:

It's the most wonderful time of the year
With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year
It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap- happiest season of all

I have always sang this song at Christmastime and for the most part is has been true. I had a warm house, family and friends, money to buy presents (or cards to charge them!), and a job.  There was no reason to "not be of good cheer" and it surely is "the hap-happiest season of all.

 
However, working at The Factory Youth Center has opened my eyes and my heart to the despair of this time of year.  For many, the words of the carol could read:

  It's the most wonderful difficult time of the year
With the kids bellies hungry
And no one to help you to "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful difficult time of the year
It's the lone-loneliest season of all
With no holiday presents and gay happy parents
And there is no friends to call
It's the lone-loneliest season of all

Let me explain.  Through our partnership at the Factory we have been aware of so many families who have no income, no way to pay for heat, food, toys, gifts, bills, etc.  There are families who have no resources, no friends, and no support system.  Just this past week I met two families who are going to be evicted from their condemned apartment.  One is a family of 5 kids and one is a a woman, her daughter and boyfriend and their 2 week old baby.  How will it be a wonderful time for them?  They are looking at homelessness.  This apartment was such a relief for the one family because before this they lived in a car.  Another family is battling cancer, disabilities, and other issues.  They have nothing to look forward to this Christmas.  Still, another family is dealing with the loss of a baby, and emotional and financial pain.

And the stories go on and on and on....

The good news is that we are working with these families to help them.  Through our supporters we have provided 90 presents to teens in need and all the presents for 4 needy families.  In addition we are committed to walking beside the two families that will be homeless by the end of this week.  One generous business owner has already agreed to put the family with the baby up in a motel for a month.  We will continue to help them find jobs and walk this part of the journey with them.  The other family with 5 kids still needs an apartment by the end of this week.

While the needs seem overwhelming, it is a great time for you and me to take a look at what is most important and to give to those who have less than us.  If you want to help someone this Christmas, here are some ways you can do so:

• provide a $25 gift item to someone who will not get Christmas presents (If you need a name of someone let me know)
• provide a gas card or grocery card for a needy family
• offer to pay for a months heating bill or utility bill
• have a family over for Christmas dinner.

If you are reading this then most likely you have the resources to make the holidays the most wonderful time of the year.  Will you make a decision to give to someone this year so that they too can wake up Christmas morning with joy?  Will you provide for them so they have have hope and good will?

This is the season to be jolly.  Let's work together to bring a smile to someone who is in a seemingly hopeless situation.  Maybe their despondent letter to Santa will arrive in your mailbox today and you will act in a manner that will give them help and hope.

Chuck Holt

The Valley of Disappointment

The Bible states that the three greatest virtues one can pursue are faith, hope and love.  I do not think any of us would doubt the immense value of these three great virtues.  We are all looking for something to have faith in, something to give us hope and someone to love.

Unfortunately for so many forging ahead with faith, holding tight to hope and leaning hard on love feels like a waste of time. It just does not exist and they get bitter at those who offer these meaningless cliches out to them.

Weekly I am confronted with those who feel isolated and alone and no where to turn.  My heart breaks for them.  These are real people with read needs.  They:

• are dealing with loss of a loved one
• have just received an eviction notice
• have had their utilities turned off and will have to flush their toilets with buckets of water
• have just been beaten by a spouse or parent
• are depressed and having anxiety attacks
• cannot find a job
• are calling a trailer home
• are addicted to the emptiness of their only friend - a bottle or a hug

They do not need another religious pat or trite answer.  They need substance. They find themselves in the valley of disappointment and depression and have given up on the idea of faith, hope, and love.

What good are we if all we do is look at ourselves and take care of our needs?  When will those who have faith show their deeds? When will those who have hope share it with those who need it? When will those who have love show love to someone who is alone?

If you want to help those in need then respond to this or let me know.  There are so many who are waiting for faith, hope and love.

What will I do today?  What will you do today?

Who will help them?

Recently I have been flooded with needs from people in our community - my friends and fellow citizens who struggle with the pain of poverty.  The needs range from dental care, help with rent, electricity about to be shut off, car repairs, the need for shoes, baby clothes... and the list goes on.  Each time I hear about another need, i get overwhelmed.  What do we do to help our neighbors and friends?

Today, I drove around and handed out fruits and vegetables from a local market.  Its not much but its a little help.  My heart was broken as I delivered to one family.  They are a family who has 6 kids.  Both parents lost their jobs.  Years ago when things were going well they had bought a camper to get away to campgrounds and relax.  Today they live in that camper.  No work, no income, no hope.  I just do not know how they do it.

My heart is broken for them.  My heart is broken for all my friends who struggle with poverty.  

What am I willing to sacrifice to help? What are you willing to sacrifice to lend a helping hand?

United Way Day of Caring

This past Saturday was the United Way Day of Caring.  The Factory participated in order to get some work done on the Factory House.  What a blessing to have two groups, Lancaster County Housing Authority and the Manheim Township School District be a part of that day with us.  25 volunteers joined our board to get a great deal of work done.

To enjoy some of the pictures of our day, go to our website and click on Day of Caring.

The Factory House hopes to open in January 2010 and will become a hub of hope in our community by connecting needs and resources to offer help and hope for those dealing with pain and poverty.