Monday: A Side Trip

Luke 9: 13 - He (Jesus) replied, "You give them something to eat." (NIV)

Good Monday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. This is Monday and the day we pray for all those who have authority over us. So pray for our leaders in Washington and in your state house and those at the local level that govern our nation. And please remember to pray for those who run the schools. Also today we pray for veterans, for current military, for police, firefighters and those who work to keep us safe and healthy.

It was a great and wonderful weekend, my dear brothers and sisters, and thanks for all those who have supported Carry The Light Ministries with food and dollar donations. On Saturday afternoon as we pulled the big Eagle Bus into our driveway, help started to arrive. We got together and prayed for the afternoon and each had an assignment. Then the cars started to arrive and line up for their groceries, and groceries we had. Dolores and Pamela (our ministry partner) worked signing in families and gave them handouts about Jesus. Each got a CD from Saddleback Church on Salvation and a handout called Steps to Peace with God (Billy Grahm Ministries). I got to pray with about half of the families. All food was placed in their vehicles by workers for Jesus. Each family received four bags of groceries, a bag of potatoes and a turkey. One family with 12 children was given a double set. Helpers ate hotdogs that we put on and some of the family's children enjoyed them also. Now listen to this... 48 families later we finished up loading cars. Then our son Glenn came and picked up for 6 families that he is landlord to. Glenn owns a property management company and works with some of the poorest people in Harrisburg. Those families received the same thing... That means 54 families received the handouts. Today there are more coming at noon. Now I am not done yet. Thursday at 1.00 PM we are loading the belly of the Eagle and heading to Harrisburg to the boys and girls club at Downey school arriving about 3.30 PM. On board will be food for 33 more families and we have packed for two extras. Now if you have been keeping score that is 91 families and not counting those coming today and a few we must deliver. While we are going to run out of turkeys I am going to go purchase some more of them today. I am sure we will have the dollars come in to cover them.

Part way through this mission we stopped and put up a ribbon. Our neighbor and State Senator Patricia Vance stopped and we cut a ribbon (no press) and we dedicated the food pantry to the Lord and prayed some more. What a great day. We will reach over a hundred families this year and do you know what? When Jesus fed about five thousand with just two fish and five loaves of bread all people ate till they were satisfied.

Luke 9:17 - They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over. (NIV)

Now guess what? I gave you the hint... YES, we have leftovers for the food pantry goes year round. Some of these families just need the boost to get past the holidays, while others need help ongoing till they get jobs. You see, my dear brothers and sisters. Those who are poor, really poor, need to make decisions, like do we pay the heat and electric, go to the doctors, or do we eat. If all of us help the people with food, then they have that money for heat or electric, or to go to the doctors.

Those who helped us on Saturday went away amazed at how good they felt. Some who came wept and wept, and yes there were those who sort of take advantage, but God sorts that all out, we don't.

For you who like Rick who dropped a twenty in our can at the museum after already sending a check to others who I don't know, sending in money to those who helped purchase a freezer to those who put food in baskets in different churches we are humbled by all of this. The other day while picking up food at St. Joseph's school in Mechanicsburg, PA, I was overwhelmed to tears. Tears of joy are always good folks. Our food mission is not over my friends, we have been doing this for a lot of years, it is indeed not over, it is growing and growing... and as I mentioned, these folks need to eat year round... Not just a turkey at Thanksgiving and one at Christmas.

For those on the line who are in need, please let us know. We try and help... we really do, but we also want to teach people to help themselves also. For example when I smell smoke on those coming for food, I talk to them about it. One pack of smokes will purchase about 7 boxes of mac and cheese. In other words a person can live for a week, yes you can live on a box of mac and cheese a day, if you give up just one pack of smokes a week.

Now in closing this side trip today and while I want to thank all who helped, it is ongoing and anytime you want to help, please feel free... but know and understand this...

ALL GLORY AND HONOR AND PRAISE GOES TO OUR LORD JESUS, AND I AM HUMBLED THAT HE CHOOSE US TO DO THIS MINISTRY...

Dear Father in Heaven... THANK YOU... in Jesus name, Amen.

Now go forth sharing your blessings and watch Jesus make them grow... love ya, dan.

Carry The Light Ministries
16 Dewalt Dr.
Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17050
717 691 8200 Home
717 991 0754 Cell