See, you are making an eternal difference

The bitter cold weather has subsided for now in southeast Alabama, but thanks to the awesome response from Dothan and the surrounding cities and counties, and donations from out of state, we were able to help people stay warm during a record cold snap that saw 13 consecutive nights of below freezing weather.

When we ran out of coats I made the need known and the response has been unbelievable as I wrote in my previous blog entry. We have picked up more coats since that blog, and I have more to pick up today.

We write blogs, update our Web site, take photos and shoot videos to show those who support us how they are making a difference in the lives of the people we serve. We couldn't do it on our own. It takes individuals and churches helping us through prayers, financial donations, volunteering their time, and donating items like coats, blankets, hygiene items, food, etc.

With this blog, I want to tell those of you who donated coats and blankets how you helped during a frigid two-week period, and how your generosity will help throughout the rest of the winter.

The coats and blankets didn't just trickle in, they were donated by the truck load. We spent an entire day sorting them so we would know what we had. That makes distribution so much more efficient. Volunteers came out and spent a chilly day at the LIA Ministry Center sorting coats and blankets.

That evening I went out looking for any homeless people who didn't have shelter. I looked in the box cars on the rail road tracks behind the LIA Ministry Center. I drove throughout Dothan looking in places the homeless usually stay. Thankfully, I didn't find anyone. I talked with a police officer who said they had taken the homeless they found to the Dothan Rescue Mission.

I went to the Mission to make sure they had sufficient blankets and coats. They did. I then called our friends at the Ark, and they needed some blankets, coats and hygiene items for the people they took in. Martha and I filled up the truck and delivered them. We were also able to help with some food.

The next day after church we drove around Dothan again looking for people who needed coats and blankets. It was another frigid day and the streets were empty. After driving to one more location we saw a man digging through the dumpster. We had seen him months earlier and offered help, but he abruptly turned us down.

I asked him if he didn't a blanket. "No, I'm OK," he said has he waved us off. I asked again, if he needed a blanket, coat or gloves. He stopped digging through the dumpster and walked toward us. He asked, "What?" I told him again what we could help him with, and he said he could use some gloves.

Then I asked if he was hungry, and he said that's why he was looking through the dumpster. He was picking out the aluminium cans to turn in for money for food. Martha and I told him about the LIA Ministry Center and the items we had there for him. We told him we would like to buy him dinner and take him to the Ministry Center. He kind of smiled and said, "OK, that would be nice."

We picked him up some dinner and drove to the Ministry Center. We told him to take his time eating, then he can look through the clothes, coats, blankets, gloves, scarves and other items and pick out what he needs. He was very thankful. He picked out some items for himself and a friend, who we later met. We were able to help them both with hygiene items and some food as well.

They weren't homeless, but not far from it. Their little apartment was cold, but at least they had shelter and new blankets and coats to keep warm.

Now we have a surplus of coats and blankets, even after we gave out more this past Tuesday and Wednesday nights. We will be able to help with the Dothan Homeless Standdown that will take place on Jan. 30. It's an event to provide items and assistance to the homeless, and a number of agencies are involved. It was scheduled after we had already committed to being in Baton Rouge, but we will still be able to help by providing winter coats.

We also have enough blankets and coats to take to Baton Rouge to help the homeless there. And, we will still have plenty for when the next cold snap comes to the Dothan area.

None of this would have been possible if all of you didn't donate and support Love In Action. Martha and I can't say "thank you" enough. You help us spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ through acts of compassion. And, because you give, lives are being eternally changed. This past Wednesday night, someone who was new to our Wednesday night Bible study gave his life to Jesus Christ following LIA board member Brian Turner's powerful teaching. That's another life changed because you help us meet physical needs to open the door for their spiritual needs.

Praise God for all He has done and for all that He is going to do.