Hunger

Today we had our last Saturday of the month breakfast we usually serve about 30 today, when I couldn't be there nearly 100 was served. It appears that people all over are losing food stamps, medicad and welfare due to privatization. There no longer is a welfare office in Kokomo, to apply and reapply you must go to Marion(35 miles away), phone, go on-line or fax. Few of those in poverty have those resources. We are working to help. Grace UMC purchased a fax machine so that we can help neighbors re-apply. We helped nearly 200 families in food pantry this month, usually we help about 60. Things are looking dire. But God is bigger. I hope we can help. Keep us in your prayers. Jeff

Leadership Kokomo Part 2

I meet with a team from leadership Kokomo, last year's team provided us with a trailer for the cookouts. This year's team is providing us with laptops. In a recent study, preschoolers that do not have a computer in their home are behind when they get to school. Leadership Kokomo will provide computers, curriculum and training so we can teach pre-school computer classes. Wow!!!

Wouldn't it be cool if we could take the class to other under- served neighborhoods in some fashion?

I can see it now. The Computer-mobile :) Thanks for the prayers

Good Friday

Participated with 6 other pastors in a Good Friday Service from 11:00 AM-1:00 PM. Each of us had ten minutes to expound upon the last seven words of Jesus. This service is one I will not soon forget as it was mostly African-Americans. The service was very emotional and intense. There was a great deal of shouting and encouragement from other pastors. It was a very, very good service and one that I will not soon forget.

Easter Basket Workshop

Today was our Easter Basket workshop our third. On Tuesday St. Luke's UM youth carried from the third floor to the basement, hundreds of pound of candy, 600 baskets, grass, toys, animal etc. On Wednesday the Prime Timers from Chapel Hill Christian Church set it up. On Thursday they returned and passed it out. Thank you Chapel Hill and St. Luke's . It was great time for all. At night was our Maundy Thursday Service, we moved through the church remembering the last week of Jesus' life. It sure is tiring to come back from vacation on Holy Week :).

Returning from Vacation

Just returned yesterday from a week long cruise. We went to Mexico, Belize and the Bahamas. We enjoyed the food, hospitality and had a great time. One of the highlights was seeing a Mayan Temple in Belize. Chris and I climbed to the top---breath taking. We also enjoyed the towel animals each night. This vacation was a first---first with no children along, first cruise, first vacation since returning to Kokomo. We were celebrating 30 years of marriage, my 50th birthday, and a successful raising of three boys to adulthood. Here are some pictures of the ship, our room, the ruins, and the towel animal.

Serving with Cassville

Cassville serves lunch at the Rescue Mission on the first and third Wednesday of the month. I have been there nearly a year and had no idea they did that. I went today and helped serve lunch. I had a great time. I really enjoy serving in the community with the church I pastor. Cassville also has a dinner after church every third Sunday, other church folk attend. This little church provides the Outreach with a great deal of food for the pantry and is willing to provide whatever we need. Thanks Cassville!