Tonight my heart was so touched by a conversation I had with katrina. She had gone to Virginia with 4 others from Fairview Church and Greer association to scope out a mission project for this summer. She shared different things that she saw and heard throughout their visit at the Powell Valley Baptist Association ministry site,which serves as their office headquarters and ministry site. It was a small building that contained their small office, extremely used clothing, extremely used furniture, extremely used toys and a small section of food. People are more than destitute. They are cold, hungry and in severe need of everything. This was an old mining town that closed years ago. Many are single women with children where the men have ran off and left them. Many are also widows where their husbands were miners and have since died.

Katrina told of at least 30 families who came to the ministry center just during the short while they were there to get items. They could get as much of anything, as they could pack into a small garbage bag (13 gal). They had to register because there is such a need, that they have to track how often one family comes in, so others will have a chance to get clothing etc. They have a waiting list of people who have signed up that they need a crib,washer or dryer, mattresses, beds, blankets etc. She told of one young mother who came in and got her bag and was so happy. When she got to the door she called out to see who she should thank for the items. She was smiling and tears running down her cheeks. They had old bicycles that someone had repaired to give kids at Christmas. She said they would have not been accepted here at any of the SalvationArmy or Goodwill type sites for donations. The condition was too bad. The children who get them will see them as NEW.

Many of them live in old buses that have been boarded, or layers of paper to keep out the cold. Most of the others live in falling down shacks. It was raining with mixed snow flurries while they were there.

One lady had started collecting toothbrushes, soap, toothpaste to give to some of the kids for Christmas because many have never had a toothbrush.

How spoiled we are. God forgive us for the waste we have. We waste more than these people have to meet basic needs. My heart is over flooding with desire to go and help them. Their needs are so great. My husband Al knits cute socks, shawls and toboggans. I know where they will go from now own. Everyone I would normally give one to can afford to buy their own. These people cannot. They are also cold. It gets very cold with alot of snow where they live.

I hope that Al and I can make a trip there before Christmas with a supply of items, food and toys. Join me in praying for God to open the door for us to be able to do this. My grandchildren will get a little less than normal this year. They already have more than they can ever use or need. Some will go to these children in need. I am so thankful that Katrina has taught them that everyone does not have enough to live on. Fairview Church took a group of children and adults to a town in Kentucky last summer,that was in the same condition. Katrina did Bible school with the community children while teens and adults repaired houses etc. She took 3 of her children with her. They have seen how some people live and do not have, so they understand.

Please join me in praying for these less fortunate than us.

Matthew 10:42
And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward.