When we started Living Ministries I had grand ideas of how we would touch the lives of many and we would raise thousands of dollars and be a huge success. But the magic always happened in the small miracles. I had paid attention to lots of groups and people were always complaining that the money they donated didn’t actually go to the people they wanted to help because overhead costs were so great. And there were so many rules that had to be followed that made it hard for groups to stay completely faithful to their cause.
We worked hard; very hard. But even though it says in the bylaws that nobody takes a paycheck and the closest anyone comes to a paycheck is the executive director, who can take a stipend of up to 10% of monthly donations to put towards their cell phone bill since they take all calls. People had a hard time understanding how we paid our bills, even though we wrote it out during our Power Meetings and put it on our website after meetings.
Everyone who worked for Living Ministries was a volunteer. Even now, if we are doing anything for Living Ministries, we are volunteering. Later on this week, I will be going to the bank to reinstate the online banking. I have not recieved any bank statements for a long time. Even though I make a small donation every month, I am not getting any updates. I am assuming because it has been too long and I need to update my contact information.
A few months ago my mom asked me what Living Ministries does. I tried to tell her but it was hard to really say because it has been so long. However, yesterday she had stopped by when someone had called. I had not been awake for very long and I was not communicating very well. I asked the lady what organization she was trying to reach and she said Living Ministries; she had googled, “Gas Vouchers.”
I let her know that at one time there were organization that offer gas vouchers, but at this time, I didn’t know of any that currently did. I told her that sometimes if The Salvation Army has funding they might have some and maybe to check with CAP. She said she had contacted TSA, but they only helped people who fell into a specific catagory and she wasn’t in that category. She really needed to get to work. I felt so badly. I asked her if she had contacted CAP. She said that the wait was very long and she had just put her last $3 in her tank and she didn’t know if it would last that long. Every now and then that rain would get going really hard. I could feel her frustration. I told her that I didn’t have a board and I didn’t have any donors and a I didn’t have anything I could give her, but could I pray for her? She said yes.
So I thanked God because I know He knows what she needs better than anyone and I asked that He show this woman how much He cares and help get her to work. My mom was listening while I prayed. When I finished the prayer, she asked if she could bring her some money. I asked the lady where she was, and she happened to be 2 blocks away. So Mom took her some gas money. Both ladies were blessed.
When Mom came back she said she felt so good. I told her those are the moments that are Living Ministries moments. I used to think we would have big glorious moments. But the magic was in the small moments where one person blessed another person.
If you want to help Living Ministries there are a few ways:
- You can go to our How to Help page and find several options.
- You can learn about our Survival Drive and help out.
- We can always use your prayers!
We can’t do any of this without you! Thank you for helping.
I am praying for you.
My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fail. But I am forgiven.
Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this:
Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world.
I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me.
I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
Amen
The Lord is with you always.
