Being the Hands and Feet...

Beginning in September, our church kicked off a new ministry called "Operation Crazy Love" which stems from the book Crazy Love by Francis Chan (if you haven't read it, it's a MUST read!).  This ministry was birthed to help pair people from within the church/community with an organization, family, etc. that has needs.  How many times have we all wanted to help and see the sadness around us, but feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start?  This ministry is designed to guide you to a specific need in our community so that we can all begin to be the hands and feet of Jesus!

Here's the set-up...

LHBC has partnered with 13 different organizations, schools, etc.  (We hope to add many more in the future...this is just the beginning!)  Each organization has been assigned an 'advocate' from our church.  This advocate meets with the leaders of each partnership at least once a month to discuss needs, wants, and build a trust relationship.  When the advocate hears of needs, he/she then passes them to our OCL distribution board.  This board meets once a month and decides how to best meet the needs...they are categorized by individual or group.

Examples:

Need for a GROUP response:  The Noble Woman Project needs welcome baskets filled with toiletry items for incoming ladies as well as baskets filled with cleaning supplies, etc. for ladies exiting the program and moving into their own residence.  Great for a small group, women's group, group of friends, etc. to fill.

Need for an INDIVIDUAL response:  A shelter needs a new coffee pot, microwave, etc.

All these needs are then posted on the OCL website.  The response has been AMAZING!

This past week, I had the joy of helping to renovate a women's home in Gallatin owned by the Good Neighbor Mission.  This shelter is supposed to be a safe place for women and children to stay while looking for work and getting back on their feet, but was literally falling apart.  A young mom with two young boys and another woman are current residents...they deserve much more than a house...they deserve a home!  No lighting (and I mean NO lighting in the entire home), mold, broken windows, NO pots/pans/dishes, etc. for making meals, etc. was the condition of this home.  It took two weeks, but with help from our church body and donations from local businesses, it's now a safe, clean, and relaxing HOME for these sweet families.  Here are a few before and after pics... 

Living room before:  One couch/chair and trash were the only things in this room.

After:  Beautiful!  Everything you see (furniture, paint, decor, lighting, etc.) was donated by individual men and women that showed the love of Christ!

Front bedroom before:

After:  Once again, everything donated.  It's now the 'pink' room. :-)

Kitchen before:  All cans of food had an expiration date at least two years old, no small appliances, dishes, pans, etc. for cooking.

Notice the crooked door frame.  The home is literally sinking.  We repaired the issue under the house along with 'mudding' most walls and ceilings in the entire home to prevent more cracking.

After:  Stocked with new utensils and appliances, new paint on walls and cabinets to brighten the room, deep cleaning, etc.

Back bedroom before:

After:  Ready for a new family!

Candid shots of the body of Christ at work!

Keep in mind that although Operation Crazy Love was birthed at Long Hollow, it is a community effort!  For more information on how you, a group you are a part of, or your family can participate, check out our OCL website at www.operationcrazylove.com and join our Facebook page for updates.

Here were the needs for September (many are ongoing).  Look for October's to be posted soon!

Are you gifted in photography? Do you love to cook and would love to minister to families in crisis? Does your heart beat to meet the needs of children or single parents? Whatever your passion is, we have a project for you! Check out our great service opportunities for September!

• Madison Creek Elementary

  For more information: sheilasamples@comcast.net

  • Great Opportunity for Stay-at-Home Mom!
    • Kindergartener in need of childcare. Six weeks ago she lost her father, who was sole provider for family. Mother is going back to work and cannot afford childcare. Needs someone 3 days a week 1 pm – 5 pm. Lives in Moss Wright Park area.
  • Family needs house cleaned
    • 2 children from MCE have been taken in by their aunt and uncle due to bad living conditions with their mother. The aunt is disabled and the uncle is the sole provider for the family. With the new children in the house, they need someone to come in and help organize and clean the house.

  Meals for Families in Crisis

  For more information: kim.flatt@comcast.net

  • Individuals on-call and ready to provide meals to families in crisis

   

  Single Mother in Need

  For more information or to arrange drop off of items:droppaline13@hotmail.com

  She is living with her cousin, working and struggling to provide for her children. She is in need of fall/winter clothes for her 2 children:

  • 5 year old boy
    • Size 5 clothing
    • Size 10.5 shoes
  • 4 year old girl
    • Size 4 clothing
    • Size 10 shoes

   

  Family of Sister with Lung Cancer in Need

  For more information: kim.flatt@comcast.net

  • Individuals needed to do ongoing yard work for a family that has taken into their home their sister with lung cancer

   

  Long Hollow Baptist

  For more information: rob.holcomb@longhollow.com

  • Immediate need for volunteers on Sundays in the following areas:
    • Volunteer kiosk
    • Parking lot greeters
    • Hospitality kiosk
    • Lead for hospitality kiosk for 11:30 service

   

  Cumberland Crisis Pregnancy Center

  For more information or to arrange drop off of items:beckypulliam@gmail.com

  • A&D ointment
  • Teething rings
  • Receiving blankets
  • Newborn diapers
  • Car seats
  • New socks (Newborn – 3T)
  • Winter gloves (Newborn – 3T)
  • Winter hats (Newborn – 3T)
  • Pack-n-Plays
  • New maternity clothes (Jean, Shirts)
  • Note Cards of encouragement with scripture

   

  Salvus Center

  For more information or to arrange drop off of items: cdwms@charter.net

  • Volunteers needed in the following areas:
    • Nurses
    • MA’s
    • Data entry
    • Filing
    • Interpreters
    • Clinic Hours:
      • Hendersonville & Gallatin Clinics: M, W, F 7am – 2pm
      • Gallatin: Tuesday 12pm – 8pm
      • Hendersonville: Thursday 12pm – 8pm
  • Office supplies
  • Copy paper
  • Over the counter medications (Tylenol, Motrin (adult & children doses)

   

  World Relief

  For more information or to arrange drop off of items:saraunderhill@bellsouth.net

  • Items for apartments for refugee families:
    • Furniture
    • Electronics
    • Cleaning supplies
    • Kitchen utensils
    • Toiletries
    • Clothing
    • Children’s school supplies
    • Baby items
    • Bibles in other languages
    • Picture English dictionaries
  • ESL tutors/conversation partners to build relationships and engage refugees by teaching survival English topics to an individual or family
  • Office workers – assist World Relief staff with general clerical duties
  • Friendship partners – help a new refugee adapt and adjust to American life by providing friendship, advice, and companionship
  • Welcome baskets for newly arrived refugee families. Themes include:
    • Cleaning kit
    • Writing/letter kit
    • First aid kit
    • Kitchen kit
    • Cooking kit
    • Starter kitchen kit
    • Family hygiene kit
    • Housing kit

   

  Noble Woman Project

  For more information or to arrange drop off of items: lgpage@bellsouth.net

  • Paper towels
  • Toilet paper
  • Paper products

   

  Magdalene House/Thistle Farms

  For more information or to arrange drop off of items:kelly.beaty@longhollow.com

  • Amateur photographer – no experience needed (to take occasional photos )
  • 50 volunteers needed to help with annual fundraiser (event is November 4^th – volunteers in all areas needed)
  •   Welcome Baskets for new residents of Thistle Farms. Include in baskets:
    • Soap
    • Shampoo
    • Conditioner
    • Lotion
    • Razors
    • Shave gel/cream
    • Deodorant
    • Toothbrushes
    • Toothpaste
    • Any items a woman might need
    • Reusable container to arrange all the items in
  • Move Out Baskets for exiting residents of Thistle Farms. Include in baskets:
    • Cleaning supplies
    • Household items
    • Any items needed to move out on your own
    • Reusable container to arrange all the items in

   

  Good Neighbor Missions

  For more information or to arrange drop off of items:pszyman@comcast.net

  • Someone to either repair or haul off photo copier at GNM office
  • Someone to volunteer to shred large amounts of paper occasionally throughout the year
  • Cleaning Supplies:
    • Dish detergent
    • Laundry detergent (IMMEDIATE NEED)
    • Dish rags
    • Floor cleansers (Pinesol, hardwood floor cleaner, etc)
  • Personal Products:
    • Soap
    • Shampoo
    • Diapers
    • Baby wipes
    • Personal hygieneproducts
  • Household Items:
    • Towels
    • Wash clothes
    • Utensils
    • Pots & Pans
    • Full Sheets
    • Twin Sheets
    • Blankets
    • Pillows
  • Paper Goods:
    • Paper towels
  • Any household items are appreciated
  • Gift Cards in any amount to Home Depot or Lowes to help with renovation costs of shelters in Gallatin

   

  Prison Fellowship Ministry

  For more information: mickih2003@hotmail.com

  • Licensed teachers to help with GED classes in the prison (training will be provided)
  • Tutors to help on one-on-one basis (training will be provided)
  • 50 men and women mentors for the “Out for Life” program – visit with and mentor inmates during and after their time at the prison. 1 year commitment. Training will be provided.
  • Prayer warrior groups – meet to learn about ministry, pray for specific prayer requests, etc
  • Angel Tree Project Volunteers – help coordinate children’s needs with churches