Those words are on my "war" wall as a daily reminder that while some of the projects Christian HELP is looking at taking on are bigger than we are, they are not bigger than God. I am amazed daily as our prayer of asking God to send the right people into our paths is answered over and over again.
As we research potential programs, initiatives, and ways to better connect people with their next job, we are astounded at how the information is coming together so neatly.
Why are we amazed? God already knows the outcome and He is guiding the way.
I can't help but be excited about how God is working through Christian HELP. My personal faith has grown so much over these past 5 years of working at Christian HELP. Over and over again, we see God answer prayer. Not always as fast as we want or the way we want Him to, but He never lets us down.
We encourage your involvement in His work here at Christian HELP. This month we have matching funds available for all donations made. When you donate $1 it becomes 2, $100 becomes $200 and $1000 is $2000. We are able to meet the needs of so many more families with your partnership.
If you have never donated to Christian HELP, I would ask you to consider donating today. If God has put it on your heart, please reach out. You make the difference.
You can donate online at http://christianhelp.org/donate.htm or by mail to 450 Seminola Blvd, Casselberry, FL 32707.
Thank you for being a blessing.
In His service,
Sandi
Monday, April 9, 2012
Friday, March 9, 2012
Christian HELP Rejoices in God’s Presence at 20th Birthday Celebration
From the beginning of time, God has always showed up in powerful ways in the lives of His beloved creation. We are precious to Him. Always have been and always will be.
When God’s Son, Jesus, was born into the world and became man, God drew even closer to humanity. Jesus expressed His deep, deep love when He declared: “I have called you friends.” (John 15:15). Imagine that! Friendship with God’s own Son for everyone who will reach out to the Savior who forgives our sins and provides eternity in heaven for every single believer. Now that’s a gift, my friends…
Over the past 20 years, Christian HELP has taken up special residence in the hearts of Central Floridians, time and again showing up in the lives of thousands by providing help, encouragement, God’s powerful love, and prayer for those who are walking though the difficult journey of trying circumstances. As these men and women suffer, often finding themselves without adequate housing, employment, food, or even a ray of hope, Christian HELP steps in and compassionately reaches out like Jesus did, meeting each individual right where they are through careful listening, wise counsel, attentive prayer, and multi-faceted practical help. It’s Christian HELP that really helps.
When we take time to look more closely at the story of Jesus in the New Testament, we see for ourselves God’s Son in action. In these pages, Jesus unfailingly feeds the hungry, heals all manner of sickness, and consistently provides direction and forgiveness to those who yearn for His touch. We even see Jesus showing up in times of celebration, like when He attended a wedding and miraculously transformed water into wine.
Christian HELP models its own outreach initiatives in similar fashion. When people who need a job don’t have enough food to eat, Christian HELP loses no time opening up its Food Pantry to pour out a blessing. When men and women experience the depression that accompanies difficult life circumstances, wise counselors and prayer warriors step up to the plate to help and listen. And when jobs are needed, career counseling, job fairs, a computer room, and resume assistance become readily available to all. In more ways than one, Christian HELP brings help, hope, and even miracle to countless many, as day in and day out, lives are transformed - one person at a time.
And so, 20 busy years have swiftly gone by, with Christian HELP now celebrating its highly anticipated and lovingly prepared 20th birthday. There is little doubt that Jesus was present to guide the organization’s founders, Dick and Madge Wilson, during those important first days. As it was from the beginning, Jesus continues to lead Christian HELP’s current leadership team, along with a faithful army of volunteers, many loving supporters, and the grateful men and women who have received help within these loving walls.
God most certainly showed up 20 years ago when Christian HELP was born. It is a sure thing He will continue to be present in the days and years to come, as Christian Help dedicates itself to bringing hope, encouragement, the love of God, and prayer to Central Florida’s people in need.
God’s presence is, without a doubt, Christian HELP’s most cherished 20th birthday present. He is here and so are we, as together, we celebrate 20 wonderful years. Happy Birthday Christian HELP!
By Chris Schneider
Volunteer
When God’s Son, Jesus, was born into the world and became man, God drew even closer to humanity. Jesus expressed His deep, deep love when He declared: “I have called you friends.” (John 15:15). Imagine that! Friendship with God’s own Son for everyone who will reach out to the Savior who forgives our sins and provides eternity in heaven for every single believer. Now that’s a gift, my friends…
Over the past 20 years, Christian HELP has taken up special residence in the hearts of Central Floridians, time and again showing up in the lives of thousands by providing help, encouragement, God’s powerful love, and prayer for those who are walking though the difficult journey of trying circumstances. As these men and women suffer, often finding themselves without adequate housing, employment, food, or even a ray of hope, Christian HELP steps in and compassionately reaches out like Jesus did, meeting each individual right where they are through careful listening, wise counsel, attentive prayer, and multi-faceted practical help. It’s Christian HELP that really helps.
When we take time to look more closely at the story of Jesus in the New Testament, we see for ourselves God’s Son in action. In these pages, Jesus unfailingly feeds the hungry, heals all manner of sickness, and consistently provides direction and forgiveness to those who yearn for His touch. We even see Jesus showing up in times of celebration, like when He attended a wedding and miraculously transformed water into wine.
Christian HELP models its own outreach initiatives in similar fashion. When people who need a job don’t have enough food to eat, Christian HELP loses no time opening up its Food Pantry to pour out a blessing. When men and women experience the depression that accompanies difficult life circumstances, wise counselors and prayer warriors step up to the plate to help and listen. And when jobs are needed, career counseling, job fairs, a computer room, and resume assistance become readily available to all. In more ways than one, Christian HELP brings help, hope, and even miracle to countless many, as day in and day out, lives are transformed - one person at a time.
And so, 20 busy years have swiftly gone by, with Christian HELP now celebrating its highly anticipated and lovingly prepared 20th birthday. There is little doubt that Jesus was present to guide the organization’s founders, Dick and Madge Wilson, during those important first days. As it was from the beginning, Jesus continues to lead Christian HELP’s current leadership team, along with a faithful army of volunteers, many loving supporters, and the grateful men and women who have received help within these loving walls.
God most certainly showed up 20 years ago when Christian HELP was born. It is a sure thing He will continue to be present in the days and years to come, as Christian Help dedicates itself to bringing hope, encouragement, the love of God, and prayer to Central Florida’s people in need.
God’s presence is, without a doubt, Christian HELP’s most cherished 20th birthday present. He is here and so are we, as together, we celebrate 20 wonderful years. Happy Birthday Christian HELP!
By Chris Schneider
Volunteer
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Building Better Futures
This past weekend we held our first focus group, as we start to plan the launch of our capital campaign. At Christian HELP we are always seeking God's will for our next step. We are learning to think big, really big... that being said, we are in the process of drawing the dream.
I have been in several different groups where we did the pie in the sky what if money was no object exercise to brainstorm about what direction the company or organization should go. In this case, we are looking at how can we meet more needs, produce more results, and not just help people get jobs, but actually create them.
What if we had a state of the art training center? What if we had room for groups to come in and give back in a big way, what if we could teach people how to succeed with hands on apprenticeship programs, what if...
What if we had a quiet place where someone could bow their head in prayer and bring all their burdens to God...
Please pray with us for God's favor and direction as we embarq on this new season for Christian HELP. We are 20 years young and ready to meet the challenge.
In His Service,
Sandi Vidal
Executive Director
I have been in several different groups where we did the pie in the sky what if money was no object exercise to brainstorm about what direction the company or organization should go. In this case, we are looking at how can we meet more needs, produce more results, and not just help people get jobs, but actually create them.
What if we had a state of the art training center? What if we had room for groups to come in and give back in a big way, what if we could teach people how to succeed with hands on apprenticeship programs, what if...
What if we had a quiet place where someone could bow their head in prayer and bring all their burdens to God...
Please pray with us for God's favor and direction as we embarq on this new season for Christian HELP. We are 20 years young and ready to meet the challenge.
In His Service,
Sandi Vidal
Executive Director
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Christian HELP’s Food Pantry – Reaching Out in a Place of Love and Miracles
One of the most vivid accounts of Jesus’ love and compassion for people comes to life in the Bible story of Jesus feeding the 5,000, (John 6 and Mark 6). Even as a child, I took great delight in picturing that huge crowd assembled on a distant green hill, soaking up the rays of a sunny day, while listening to the loving voice of Jesus. On that particular day, time must have swiftly raced by as the people took in valuable spiritual nourishment for their parched souls. The problem was, no one had apparently bothered to keep track of how physically hungry everyone would become as the day progressed. Jesus, on the other hand, had a very special plan in mind that would ultimately save the day. He knew exactly what his grace and love would soon impart to each man and woman, and every boy and girl. A miracle was in the making…
Can you picture Jesus in high gear as he got to work on that bright and expectant afternoon? Calmly, (he was never panicked), his disciples were instructed to make the people sit down as they rounded up one ordinary boy’s donated lunch of two fish and five loaves. In an instant, the boy’s lunch was transformed into a meal that served the entire crowd of 5,000. That scrumptious picnic feast handily filled every belly, with abundant leftovers to spare. The Bible tells us simply, “They all ate and were satisfied.” (Mark 6:42). Jesus’ actions demonstrated then, as now, that his heart “had compassion on them.” (Matthew 20:34).
Christian HELP’s Food Pantry reaches out to the hungry of Central Florida with a similar heart of compassion. In a world that continues to reel from a troubled economy, Christian Help regularly meets the physical needs of hundreds of families as these individuals go about the big job of seeking employment. With gentle respect for all, people consistently come and receive well balanced food items that are distributed carefully and with love, including bread, meat, vegetables, fruit, cheese, lunchmeat, and dessert. “We show our clients the face of God,” says Food Pantry manager, Mark Blanton, quietly. “We give them all a smile,” he explains, sharing also how incredibly important a smile can be for people beaten down by the multiple pressures of modern life.
The Food Pantry got its start some 20 years ago under the watchful and dedicated eye of Christian HELP co-founder, Madge Wilson. Today her guiding influence is still felt as those who serve in the pantry continue to carry on with high energy, fairness, equity, and stewardship – the very qualities which meant so much to Madge.
Donated food items make the food pantry a center of bustling activity and outreach. All of the food is made possible by generous provisions from community partners such as Walmart, Target, Bob Evans, Pizza Hut, Winn Dixie, and Publix. It’s not a boy’s lunch, of course, but it works in much the same miraculous way, bringing food that tends to multiply as it is given to sustain so many.
There is a poignant side note about Christian HELP’s food distribution team. It seems that as the small army carries out their Herculean mission each day, the team grows ever more united in ministry. They are, quite simply, a modern day version of Jesus’ disciples in motion. Some of the team members are long time volunteers like Gwen, Eva, Miss Annie May, John and Ron. Others are young people doing volunteer community service for school credit, and loving every minute of it. Still others are working off community service hours as they gain powerful lessons in respecting others while also being treated with respect themselves. Through it all, it’s hard to determine who gets more blessed – those who work to give, or those who come to blessedly receive.
Yes, Christian HELP’s Food Pantry is a place of uncommon blessing. Oh, it might not be located upon that same ancient hillside of long ago where Jesus fed the 5,000. But it is still a place of unusual and ongoing miracle. It is that place where quiet spiritual and physical nourishment lovingly reach men and women, and boys and girls each and every day, right here in Central Florida.
By Chris Schneider
Can you picture Jesus in high gear as he got to work on that bright and expectant afternoon? Calmly, (he was never panicked), his disciples were instructed to make the people sit down as they rounded up one ordinary boy’s donated lunch of two fish and five loaves. In an instant, the boy’s lunch was transformed into a meal that served the entire crowd of 5,000. That scrumptious picnic feast handily filled every belly, with abundant leftovers to spare. The Bible tells us simply, “They all ate and were satisfied.” (Mark 6:42). Jesus’ actions demonstrated then, as now, that his heart “had compassion on them.” (Matthew 20:34).
Christian HELP’s Food Pantry reaches out to the hungry of Central Florida with a similar heart of compassion. In a world that continues to reel from a troubled economy, Christian Help regularly meets the physical needs of hundreds of families as these individuals go about the big job of seeking employment. With gentle respect for all, people consistently come and receive well balanced food items that are distributed carefully and with love, including bread, meat, vegetables, fruit, cheese, lunchmeat, and dessert. “We show our clients the face of God,” says Food Pantry manager, Mark Blanton, quietly. “We give them all a smile,” he explains, sharing also how incredibly important a smile can be for people beaten down by the multiple pressures of modern life.
The Food Pantry got its start some 20 years ago under the watchful and dedicated eye of Christian HELP co-founder, Madge Wilson. Today her guiding influence is still felt as those who serve in the pantry continue to carry on with high energy, fairness, equity, and stewardship – the very qualities which meant so much to Madge.
Donated food items make the food pantry a center of bustling activity and outreach. All of the food is made possible by generous provisions from community partners such as Walmart, Target, Bob Evans, Pizza Hut, Winn Dixie, and Publix. It’s not a boy’s lunch, of course, but it works in much the same miraculous way, bringing food that tends to multiply as it is given to sustain so many.
There is a poignant side note about Christian HELP’s food distribution team. It seems that as the small army carries out their Herculean mission each day, the team grows ever more united in ministry. They are, quite simply, a modern day version of Jesus’ disciples in motion. Some of the team members are long time volunteers like Gwen, Eva, Miss Annie May, John and Ron. Others are young people doing volunteer community service for school credit, and loving every minute of it. Still others are working off community service hours as they gain powerful lessons in respecting others while also being treated with respect themselves. Through it all, it’s hard to determine who gets more blessed – those who work to give, or those who come to blessedly receive.
Yes, Christian HELP’s Food Pantry is a place of uncommon blessing. Oh, it might not be located upon that same ancient hillside of long ago where Jesus fed the 5,000. But it is still a place of unusual and ongoing miracle. It is that place where quiet spiritual and physical nourishment lovingly reach men and women, and boys and girls each and every day, right here in Central Florida.
By Chris Schneider
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Engraved On the Palms of His Hands
One of the most encouraging verses in all the Bible is found in Isaiah 49:15 and 16 where God reassures us that we are all constantly on his mind. “I will not forget you!” he emphasizes. “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” Can you just picture the God of the universe with his palms covered, yes saturated with images of his children? Every one of us is right there for him to see and remember at all times. It’s quite a portrait of our God.
At Christian HELP, every person who walks through the door is also highly valued, not forgotten, and treated with genuine care and respect. Men and women discover quickly that they have stepped into a place where the love of God will touch their lives profoundly. They’re in the right place.
Early this week, I had the chance to come face to face with some of these special men and women when they dropped by to seek help with their resumes. Each person got a loving handshake - that universal gesture which communicates instant acceptance and respect. It’s the perfect way to start “resume time.”
As the day got underway, I met Mickey, (name has been changed) an older man with a background in the legal profession and financial planning. His professional world had crumbled, but his faith remained strong, despite poverty and onetime homelessness. Not long ago, he found himself reaching out to a local church and was blessed by a friend there who took him in and became a brother in Christ. Mickey told me that at one point, he lived briefly in an empty, foreclosed house with no water or power, and was grateful to have had a roof over his head to escape the cold. I didn’t detect bitterness as he spoke, only anxious hope for the future. It was a privilege to help him with his resume, and an even greater joy to witness his eyes as new hope began to spread over his countenance.
Next was Susie, (name has been changed) a small woman with a shy yet feisty demeanor who also needed help with her resume. The economy had been hard on this little lady, and she now suffered from dental problems and no job. As we discussed her past employment history, she told me part of her life story and it was a thrill to see her light up when she described how much fun she used to have making ice cream cakes at a local ice cream franchise. “It’s not hard to make one,” she explained knowingly. “It just takes time.” Listening to her and helping her piece together a fresh strategy for her resume was like enjoying a scoop of delicious ice cream! My prayer is that Susie will soon be serving people in the restaurant of her dreams.
Christian HELP is all about providing meaningful help to everyone who walks through the door. It’s about listening well to each person and providing hope, encouragement, love, and prayer – the precious fundamentals of the Christian life.
And so we have a picture to embrace… God engraves our lives on the palms of his hands. He makes a point to constantly remember his people because we are all precious in his sight.
It is also a picture of what Christian HELP is all about.
By Chris Schneider
At Christian HELP, every person who walks through the door is also highly valued, not forgotten, and treated with genuine care and respect. Men and women discover quickly that they have stepped into a place where the love of God will touch their lives profoundly. They’re in the right place.
Early this week, I had the chance to come face to face with some of these special men and women when they dropped by to seek help with their resumes. Each person got a loving handshake - that universal gesture which communicates instant acceptance and respect. It’s the perfect way to start “resume time.”
As the day got underway, I met Mickey, (name has been changed) an older man with a background in the legal profession and financial planning. His professional world had crumbled, but his faith remained strong, despite poverty and onetime homelessness. Not long ago, he found himself reaching out to a local church and was blessed by a friend there who took him in and became a brother in Christ. Mickey told me that at one point, he lived briefly in an empty, foreclosed house with no water or power, and was grateful to have had a roof over his head to escape the cold. I didn’t detect bitterness as he spoke, only anxious hope for the future. It was a privilege to help him with his resume, and an even greater joy to witness his eyes as new hope began to spread over his countenance.
Next was Susie, (name has been changed) a small woman with a shy yet feisty demeanor who also needed help with her resume. The economy had been hard on this little lady, and she now suffered from dental problems and no job. As we discussed her past employment history, she told me part of her life story and it was a thrill to see her light up when she described how much fun she used to have making ice cream cakes at a local ice cream franchise. “It’s not hard to make one,” she explained knowingly. “It just takes time.” Listening to her and helping her piece together a fresh strategy for her resume was like enjoying a scoop of delicious ice cream! My prayer is that Susie will soon be serving people in the restaurant of her dreams.
Christian HELP is all about providing meaningful help to everyone who walks through the door. It’s about listening well to each person and providing hope, encouragement, love, and prayer – the precious fundamentals of the Christian life.
And so we have a picture to embrace… God engraves our lives on the palms of his hands. He makes a point to constantly remember his people because we are all precious in his sight.
It is also a picture of what Christian HELP is all about.
By Chris Schneider
Friday, January 13, 2012
A soldier's story
During the Christian HELP Christmas Program, an email confirmation came in from a soldier who wanted to adopt two families for Christmas. At first we were a little skeptical, because the soldier was on active duty in Europe. How could this work? How would he get the gifts and food to the families or our office? So we emailed the soldier and asked these questions. He said he would order everything online and have it delivered to Christian HELP, and asked if we could wrap them. We said yes! This was unbelievable!
In the days that followed, packages started to come in for his two adopted families. We put everything away and sent email confirmations to the soldier, to let him know what had been delivered. It was an exciting process. Packages were coming in randomly, so we had to record and insure the right gifts went to the right family. The soldier had been given the telephone numbers of his adopted families and called them, but insisted on remaining anonymous. The first family he called was an Egyptian refugee, who spoke Arabic as did the soldier!
It was getting close to the dates, that the families would come to the office to pick up their Christmas adoption and we were still missing one gift, dance clothing for a little girl. A few of us were getting nervous and just prayed that the Lord would make it come in on time. About one half hour later the last gift came in! We cheered; were so happy and were now able to call the two families to come pick up!
When the families came in, they were overwhelmed and the tears just flowed. The questioned asked was, “is this all for us?” speaking almost in a dream state of unbelief. We said yes. The families were humble and so very thankful to have been blessed in such a big way. We took a photo of each family and emailed it to the Solider. We asked how did you hear about Christian HELP’s Christmas program? He said through his sister in Florida.
As usual, God came through at all the right times and you helped in a huge way by making it possible to have all that was necessary on our end. Thanks for helping with the other 602 families who got Christmas in 2011.
In the days that followed, packages started to come in for his two adopted families. We put everything away and sent email confirmations to the soldier, to let him know what had been delivered. It was an exciting process. Packages were coming in randomly, so we had to record and insure the right gifts went to the right family. The soldier had been given the telephone numbers of his adopted families and called them, but insisted on remaining anonymous. The first family he called was an Egyptian refugee, who spoke Arabic as did the soldier!
It was getting close to the dates, that the families would come to the office to pick up their Christmas adoption and we were still missing one gift, dance clothing for a little girl. A few of us were getting nervous and just prayed that the Lord would make it come in on time. About one half hour later the last gift came in! We cheered; were so happy and were now able to call the two families to come pick up!
When the families came in, they were overwhelmed and the tears just flowed. The questioned asked was, “is this all for us?” speaking almost in a dream state of unbelief. We said yes. The families were humble and so very thankful to have been blessed in such a big way. We took a photo of each family and emailed it to the Solider. We asked how did you hear about Christian HELP’s Christmas program? He said through his sister in Florida.
As usual, God came through at all the right times and you helped in a huge way by making it possible to have all that was necessary on our end. Thanks for helping with the other 602 families who got Christmas in 2011.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
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