IS GOD CALLING YOU?

At T.O.U.C.H. Ministries all year long, and especially as we approach the holiday season, the Lord brings the homeless and needy people from within our surrounding community to us. We have been blessed to be able to be vessels for Him in giving these hurting, hungry, and lonely people a little hope in a world that can be so cruel to those who find themselves down and out.

God sends some of us out into the streets to give a backpack full of toiletries, food, clothes, and a Bible to someone in need. Some He prompts to give monthly checks that help us provide these items, while others are feeling led to donate what is needed for the backpacks each month, and still others help by organizing and sorting the items in preparation for filling the backpacks. Everyone who gives in any of these ways is so vitally important to this ministry and to those who are blessed and TOUCHED by this form of love – God’s love. Piece by piece we all have a part, working together as the Lord creates unity and love within the community of believers and bridges the gap between those who have and those who have not. This is what T.O.U.C.H. is all about. God loves us all and He loves how we are hearing His voice and following in His footsteps. We are His arms reaching, His hands healing, His words teaching, and His vessels of love and light in the darkness of homelessness. Are you hearing His voice calling you?

In an effort to bring awareness to the homeless crises in and around us, T.O.U.C.H. has been working on a video that will capture the many ways that financial support, donations, and volunteers who serve through this ministry are being greatly used by the Lord to reach out to ‘the least of these’. We pray that He will use this video as His tool to grow the ministry as we strive to help others in His name.

Last Saturday, November 3, we had our monthly Packed With Love (PWL) backpack-packing event. Thirteen of our partners came to help. From 9:00am-11:00am we organized and sorted all the donations into bins. Then from 11:00am to noon, a circle of prayer was formed and we asked the Lord for His divine intervention in seeing that just the right person would receive each backpack and that it would have just what the recipient needed the most. We packed 40 backpacks, twenty specifically for women and twenty specifically for men. All 40 backpacks were then distributed to several cars and a small group of us took them to the homeless encampment “Tent City” in Ontario, where approximately 300 homeless reside.

We did some filming of our video in Tent City, interviewing over 30 people living there. Those who allowed us to film them received a backpack for their willingness to participate in this project. We asked them each two questions. The first question was: How long have you been homeless? The responses ranged from 2 weeks to 30 years. The second question was: Other than housing, what is your greatest need? The majority responded by saying their greatest need was for medical attention. We are excited in our anticipation of how God will stir in people’s hearts as they view this video, and we look forward to seeing many more people signing up to serve with us in this way. Many have asked what the residents of Tent City need most, and what items are needed to successfully pack our backpacks each month:

For the T.O.U.C.H. backpacks our greatest need each month other than the monetary donations is for toothpaste and toothbrushes, deodorant, and Bibles. Also needed are blankets, warm beanies and socks, sweatshirts, jackets and tarps.

For Tent City residents the most useful items that they need and want so desperately are tarps with grommets (holes) to place over their tents and large battery-operated lights. If we can collect a lamp and tarp for each person, their prayers would be answered.

If you have a heart for helping the less fortunate and would like to know more about how you can be involved in this ministry either by making a donation or volunteering 3 hours once a month, please call the T.O.U.C.H. office at (909) 921-3748 or send an email. We are praying that you will be prompted by the Lord to make that call before you finish reading this. You will be an answer to prayer, and we are waiting for the blessing of hearing from you.

TWO T.O.U.C.H. BOARD MEMBERS VISIT KENYA

With over half the board of TOUCH being missionaries we would like to recap the latest mission trip to Kenya that Vickie Maynard and Connie Parra from the board along with past board member Percell Maynard and Sharon Baker all of whom are members at Community Baptist Church in Alta Loma took part in. Arriving in Kenya after 42 plus hours of travel was exciting and we were full of anticipation in how God would use us on this trip. He was adding to our agenda by the minute. As we traveled from Nairobi’s airport to Eldoret and arrived at the farm of Mr. Limo, our host while there. We were met with a very wonderful and warm welcome that lasted for hours. Over 25 people were there to greet us Kenyan style in a whole ceremony planned for our benefit. It was quite amazing, and quite late when we were finally able to lie down and get some sleep.

The next day and everyday after that we were on the go with one project after another as the Lord directed our steps. We helped prepare for and then witnessed the graduation of 14 men from the KAA (Kenya Anti-Alcohol) program that Percell and Vickie help fund through C.O.D.E. These men are now alcohol free and on fire for God. Their testimonies were emotional and inspiring as their families surrounded them in love and forgiveness. One fellow dropped to his knees asking for his father’s forgiveness of which he was granted as they embraced for all to see. Tears flowed from everyone present. It was a beautiful and blessed event to be able to witness.

We also spoke to several groups of women. One group was comprised of widows (due to the HIV/AIDS virus) who are ostracized and shunned by society in Kenya. They are struggling to raise their children and trying to deal with the loss of their husbands without much support from anyone. A pastor there had a vision on how they might work together to earn money to support their families and asked for our help in explaining it to them. We were able to work with them in groups and show them just how they would be able to accomplish this new way of life by uniting together and helping each other. In addition we went into town and purchased some of the things they needed to launch their different projects and to aid them in getting started in their new business ventures designed to turn their lives around and make them viable members of the community. They are now working together and have hope for their future and the future of their children.

The Lord’s blessings abounded as He led us to three schools. At each one we were able to give a large box of supplies including much needed books, games, sporting equipment and other toys and candy. The children and staff were blessed to have these things and more importantly to feel the love of Jesus that they were shown as we shared time and played games with them. At one school we conducted eye tests, took their pictures and recorded every child’s name and eye test results. These children are orphans, also due to the HIV/AIDS virus and some of them also have this dreaded disease. The information we collected will be used to help get them support, medical help, school uniforms and shoes.

On top of all that the Lord accomplished through us each day, we were blessed to be able to take part in a bible study every night in the home of Mr. Limo that included singing and prayer with many others also living and working there. The whole experience was one of perfect harmony with God who was with us every step of the way, protecting us and using us as we gave of ourselves completely to Him. Your prayers were felt every day and we thank you all from deep in our hearts.

Blessings, Connie Parra
TOUCH Ministries/Vice President