Impossible Dreams @ Lakeridge UMC

The power of one -- dream

We have totaled up the "Nothing but Nets" funds that our church as collected, and the amount is more than $10,000.

This represents the money collected between last fall when we kicked off the project through yesterday. The actual total, to the penny, was $10,765.66, and a check for that amount will be sent to the Nothing but Nets organization.

The money number is impressive, but what it will do is even more impressive. The total will allow for a purchase of 1,076 nets, which will protect 4,304 people from malaria.

Amazing what can happen when one dream is set in motion.

Dream Updates

Change for Children:

LakeRidge UMC donated $200 to Dunbar Middle School as a result of the Change for Children program. The impact:

The school was able to purchase glasses for two more students just before spring break and to help the school's choir program. The choir attends UIL competitions each year, and they have not been able to "look" like a choir because of a lack of funds for matching uniforms.

Not the case this year. Dunbar has purchased white shirts and black pants for students who did not have them. The money also is used for numerous lunches for students.

The final word comes from Dunbar Counselor Beth Wells:

"Your ministry has been such a blessing to us this year, and we are so very grateful to ya'll for your generosity and prayers. They are definitely felt."

Vouching for an impossible impact

Part of the worship experience today (March 14) included a short and powerful video detailing the impact of volunteers in the food voucher ministry.

Can there be no greater calling than helping feed the hungry? We know people are hungry around the world, but are we aware of the hungry in our own backyard?

The video included a short testimony from one woman who had received help from the ministry in terms of feeding and clothing her young child. She compared the experience to a trip to Macy's, the upscale department store.

Wow! What a powerful word. In case you're wondering, more people are hungry than ever before. According to the video, some 539 vouchers were handed out in 2005. A mere four years later, more than 1,000 have been given to the needy.

The ministry has needs that might be a perfect fit for a LakeRidge Impossible Dreamer. First, consider donating hygiene items that are provided as care packages for those who need help. Second, consider becoming a volunteer.

Contact the LakeRidge UMC church office for more information.

And remember Matthew 25:35 & 40.

Time to spring forward

   Please remember that during the wee hours of Sunday morning, we will return to Daylight Savings Time, which you will want to set your clocks ahead one hour before turning in for the night Saturday.

    That way, you will make sure you get to the church on time for Sunday services.

    See you there :)

Family Promise opportunity

Our church will once again host Family Promise. We will be involved in this important ministry April 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 11. Sign-up opportunities will be available in the sanctuary lobby on March 14 and March 28 and at LakeRidge Praise on March 21.

We are in need of evening hosts, overnight hosts, meal providers, two van drivers and three daytime hosts.

Please consider being a part of this important ministry. It is a very real way to have an impact on the lives of others in God's kingdom.

The Dreams Continue To Blossom

Many members of our congregation recently participated in sharing their Impossible Dreams of the past 60 days and their plans for the next 60 days. At the end of Pastor Bill's sermon series last Sunday, we were asked to fill out a Heartbeat of Lubbock commitment sheet.

The purpose of the sheet is to allow us to connect people who have similar dreams or inspire people to pursue their own dreams. We were excited to see so many sheets filled out with so many dreams that we wanted to share a few with you in the hope of providing connection or inspiration.

Here are 10 dreams that will take place in the next 60 days:

Buying groceries for people in need

Becoming a Bible Study leader

Bring an Elderly Friend to Church

Donate to an Orphanage in Kenya

Help Children Become More Involved In Outreach

Provide Blankets for Homeless Children

Pray Walk A Local School

Visit the Homebound

Entertain Residents at a nursing home

Tutor children at a school

    That's just a sampling. We plan to offer a longer list of Dreams for you to consider becoming a part of as an insert in next Sunday's (February 28) bulletin. Likewise, we will continue to post updated information here and on our Impossible Dreams at LRUMC fan page on the social networking Web site Facebook.

    Got Dreams?

Real Change: Change for Children

The Change For Children project has had a real impact on young lives in our community. From within the LRUMC family,

Karla Underwood’s Bible study and the Hunger for Healing Sunday school class led by Jinx and Alan Read have helped make a difference.

Here are three ways Change for Children has helped:

1. many meals for reduced lunch
2. clothes for kids in Math/Science competition
3. Potential for backpacks.

This is another great example of an impossible dream realized.

By the way, Associate Pastor Jerry Krueger met with Cavazos Middle School counselors recently and presented them with $200 for their use. LakeRidge is looking for someone to partner with the Handbell crew to contribute to Change for Children. This ministry is having a measurable impact on between 500 and 600 children.

By the way, you can find other Impossible Dreams updates on our Facebook page: Impossible Dreams at LakeRidge UMC. Find the page and become a fan.

Greetings from the Congo

Feb. 3, 2010

Dear Friends of the Children of Mulungwishi,

We are in the throes of packing to return to Congo on Saturday the 6th. This morning Cathy Anderson, treasurer of the New Mexico Annual Conference, sent us an e-mail with the list of those who have contributed to the children's scholarship fund at Mulungwishi. We could not leave without expressing our heartfelt thanks to all of you for being a channel of the Lord's love to these children.

To tell you the truth, we returned to the States last October in fear and trembling over the step of faith the Lord seemed to have called us to take by assuming the responsibility for over 220 children's education. When we wrote the blog, it was in terms of sharing what the Lord was challenging us in our own lives and what he could do thorugh us. We had no idea how so many of you identified with us and this challenge and you responded beyond our wildest dreams. We can only say that the Lord's hand was in it and to Him goes the glory. We are humbled by you being His instrument to show Christian love to very needy families. Long story short, all the kids will get their education this year. We covered the first trimester fees before Christmas. At the end of January, the fees for the second trimester were sent. The last installment will be in April. We are anxious to get back to see how things are going. While sitting here thanking the Lord for you and the great thing He has done we are moved by His great love for the poor and especially their children.

Again, God bless you for your generous expression of love. Pray for us as we return to the service the Lord has called us to.

In Christ's love,

David and Lori Persons

What is it like to experience homelessness?

Our youth ministers Cory Campbell, Dakota Bybee and university intern, Scott Keener decided to experience homelessness first hand. For seven days beginning last Monday they have slept at the Mahon Library, survived on $20 for the week, taken public transportation to work or hitched a ride, eaten at ministries that provide meals for the homeless, and discovered what the daily life of homeless persons is like. I believe their experiences will give us insight into how we can best minister to homeless person.

Cory sent the following email to the staff using a computer at the Mahon library. He describes his experiences on day 4:

Amazing!

 

First off I setup a ride with Angie Molina to take us down to the Mahon after youth. She said she was gonna feed us and I said not unless you feed everybody.

 

So, she dropped us off down off 13th and broadway and we walked up to Mahon. then she brought PB&J's and Dr.Peppers for all 25 of us! It was funnnn.

 

That night at youth I told the youth about a lady up here Louise. Shes homeless and is always up here. Anyway tuesday in the library she was talking to Rob(another homeless guy) and they were joking back and forth about her birthday being on wednesday. She was talking about how it would be awesome to have a cake with 54 candles on it. So rob teased back that we would get the fire dept. called on us.

So, i told the youth if they wanted to they could get her a chocolate cake and bring it down to the Mahon around 9:30. And, about 10 of our Sr.High did just that. JD brought one with 54 candles on it. The youth sang happy birthday to her. She was beaming! All the homeless gathered around and ate cake and talked, etc. It was super fun. As everyone started to leave I walked by Louise...she was crying. Crying!!!!!! She felt like a millions dollars and you could see it all over her face. What an amazing night.

 

Also, before youth a mom brought her youth to me he had tested positive for drugs and didn’t know what to do, etc. I spoke with both, etc. Then I suggested she bring him down to the Mahon that night (Wednesday). So, she brought him and I had a homeless guy Dave talk to him. Dave was strung out on oxycontin in the 90's got clean in early 2000 then relapsed and is now getting life back together again. Anyway those two talked for a good 45minutes. Life changing stuff happened last night on so many fronts.

It’s now day 4 of 7 and night 3 went well.

 

Side note: We got up at 5:15 am. Packed up cleaned up our area and took off at 5:50am so we could make it to St. Paul Episcopal for breakfast. It was a great breakfast (had milk :) )

Now, I’m sitting at Library just chilling and face booking my new homeless friends (yea they have face book’s)  At noon were walking to FUMC to get lunch. After our first night here(Monday) we woke up and were packing up to catch a bus to staff. We walked by a guy who got his bike stolen that night. He was not happy! Later that night his friend Mitch was accusing ME of stealing it.

 

 

Gotta finish this story later were getting kicked out of the Library for leaving our backpack unattended and then they measured it and said it was oversize!!! Crap!  Now what are we gonna do???

 

Ok, Ill make short story shorter: The vanoys brought up a bike and a lock for it for Ron who got his stolen. his was saying "God does do miracles"

Gail House and her late husband, Jerry, own House Foundry--making bronze statues. Here is their experience of hiring convicted felons. What a testimony of grace!

To:    Pastoral Staff

    LakeRidge United Methodist Church

 

From:    Gail House

 

Re:    Hiring Felons

 

 

We have had good experiences in hiring felons. Jerry was always selective in his hiring practices. Two examples follow:

 

One young man came to us over twenty-five years ago. Jerry observed his work habits and was pleased with his commitment. After two weeks on the job, he came to us and admitted that he had lied on the employment application – he had just finished a five-year prison sentence. This young man trained with us to become a fine patineur. After fifteen years with House Bronze, he set up his own studio in Loveland, Colorado, the sculpture capital west of the Mississippi, and has developed a national reputation in his field. The weekend before Jerry passed away, this young man drove from Loveland to Lubbock on a Friday night and visited a number of hours on Saturday – his mission was to thank Jerry and me for giving him another chance and for the training in our shop that led to a new profession for him.

 

Another young man came to us last year. His work ethic is worthy of praise. Recently, he was falsely accused by step-children in a family problem and was jailed for over a month. When it came time for his court hearing, we took most of our staff  (ten people plus Jerry and me) to sit on the front row as his case was argued. Jerry testified on his behalf and pointed out his work partners who believed him to be innocent. The judge reduced his bond significantly. This young man and his wife are active in their church. They have expressed sincere appreciation for our support and belief in this young man.

 

This is not an endorsement for blindly hiring felons. One must give due consideration and selectivity in all hiring practices. But, we are gratified that the above examples cited were given a second chance to become productive individuals and are earning their way in society.