Due to the growth of our ministry we are in need of a 15 passenger van. There is a van we can purchase right now for only $2,500.00.
We need for 25 people to give $100.00. Make your check payable to Restore Outreach with the word ‘van’ in the memo. Send to:
Restore Outreach
PO Box 4118
Evansville, Indiana 47724
Dear Restore Givers,
Thank you so much for the prayers, time, effort, and donations you have made to Restore Outreach. Without you we could not have accomplished what we have. Regardless of the amount of the donation it was very much appreciated. Your assistance went to help in these areas in 2009: Monday family meals, monthly food baskets, Recovery and children’s curriculum, emergency assistance, transportation for Dr. Appointments, utilities, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, Restoration Picnic, Back to School, Thanksgiving, and adopt a child for Christmas.The totals were:
We are already faced with unique challenges for 2010; however, we know this year will be our best year yet. We pray an abundance of blessings on you and we thank you in advance for the efforts you will make as you help us help others this year.
Love and Laughter,
Rev. Ray Brown
• Barclays Reflexology
• Best Pest Control
• Bristol Myers Squibb
• Fifth Third Bank
• Heritage Nursing Home
• Integra Bank
• Ken Meade Photography
• Old National Bank
• Simply Massage – Nadia
• The Hair Loft
• Tri-State Construction News
• United Bank
• Wells Body Shop
Your business could help in 2010.
Make Restore your New Year’s Resolution
Hey, there are plenty of things to focus on that could make you mad about the handling of Christmas by some. You might get upset because certain department stores do not give full credence to this season. You might get bothered that employees are trained to say, ‘Happy Holidays’ instead of Merry Christmas. You may be frustrated that you cannot find the correct Christmas cards to mail because they are ‘watered down’ or to politically correct.
Put on the brakes and back up a moment here. Seriously, if we understand what Christmas is all about then who cares about how poorly companies or individuals respond. I encourage you to not allow yourself to be diverted to those trivial things – they will bog you down for sure.
The truth is we know and have experienced what Christmas is all about. We have come to know that the spirit of this season can truly permeate or daily lives because of the love gift from heaven. This beautiful gift was presented to us – Jesus Christ. This golden child would later become the sacrifice on a cross. Countless millions through the ages have accepted and embraced Him and have allowed his teachings to live through their lives.
We have this moment when the world is fairly focusing on the truth. The way for this season to be brought into clarity is by keeping your Christmas merry. This is done by loving God, family, friends, enemies, and strangers. We keep this time merry because we have realized that the greatest thing we can do is to give Christmas away. We are no longer self consumed – we happily give it away. Jesus even told us that we would find our lives by losing our lives – or giving our lives away.
Now, go and enjoy this Christmas and keep it MERRY! – Rev. Ray Brown
Susan:
Side One: LOST
Side Two: FOUND
Marie:
Side One: IV Drug user, Felon
Side Two: Clean, Baptized, Sunday School Teacher
Anthony:
Side One: IV Meth user, 5x felon, ex-con
Side Two: Husband, father, Celebrate Recovery facilitator
April:
Side One: Nobody
Side Two: In Him – Somebody
Side Three: It’s All Good!
Jeff:
Side One: Thief, convict, liar, drug addict, alcoholic, bad friends
Side Two: Trustworthy, saved, recovering, free, has Christian friends
We will be selling our red restore1more bracelet for only $3.00. This is a great way to help support this outreach ministry. This red reminder is not just about our ministry but it conveys how just ‘one’ of us can impact ‘one’ life. We are reminded of the Good Shepherd who left the ninety nine to find the ‘one’. The Bible reminds us that if ‘one’ falls we should restore them with a gentle spirit. This red bracelet is a wonderful reminder to all of us that we should be willing to restore1more.
We need a dining area, kitchen, classrooms, gym (if possible), large rooms for pantry and clothing, a large area to worship in as well. We will partner with a number of groups to help people in practical ways such as literacy, GED, parenting, budgeting, nutrition, recovery, etc. Multiple groups are needed to pull their re-sources to help more folks – they will save money in doing so – and be under one roof. The date we have set to be another facility is 1-31-2010.
Bible Center Cathedral has been so gracious to partner with us to use their facility for a year and a half. We have grown in many areas and we need room to grow in – we need a place we can call home. BC has let us store food, clothing and has accommodated us without complaint. We have donated a very small monthly amount to put on utilities; however, it does not come close for all they have done for us. For all of this and more we say a big, “THANK YOU! ” to Pastor Rick.
We are extremely excited for this transition and we know God has a place for us to help people – body, mind, and spirit.
Restore Outreach is a ministry of theGathering Church and we will work with all churches regardless of denomination to help restore people of our city.
Please forward this newsletter to those in your network via email or USPS. Call me at 484-7339 or email at info@restore1more.org if you know of someone who can help. Thanks! – Rev. Ray
Special thanks to The Cathedral for allowing Restore to use it’s facility every Monday night since May of 2008. Also, we appreciate the use of the van and the storage area.
I have been a firm believer in tearing down walls. Walls divide so many of us. A wall could be race, economic status, religion, and so on. Just getting rid of those prejudices and coming together is where it is at—or so I thought. Nehemiah, ( A governor, once slave and ordinary person), gave me a wake up call of sorts – thanks to my wife who urged me to read. This depressed guy felt a great desire to rebuild a wall, bring people together, and restore a city. This wall took only 52 days to rebuild. Much of the wall was using the old material that seemingly was ruined. I guess I am surprised how important it really is to restore those things that are truly important. Some of us have walked away from once positive and good relationships. Others have walked away from their faith that was given to them as a child. Can you see the “rubble” that lies all around you? Isn’t it worth something? People love to buy the antiques that have been restored to it’s former glory. I suggest you read the book of Nehemiah in the Old Testament. Hey, if Oprah can have a book club and recommend the very best books can’t I do the same? I am noticing everyday how people are in need of restoration. I am on that quest as well.
All of our financial donors, every dollar counts and is important. Thanks to Pastor’s Kim and Kimberly Wells and River of Life Church on the West Side. Hair stylist Lori Meyer, April Wright, Becky Shell, Carla Case. The Bread of Life in Lynnville, Indiana. Pastor Rick VanHoose and The Cathedral for the use of the van and facilities.
Thanks to ALL who attend Restore Outreach on Mondays. You have been such a blessing to us and we consider you as family. Without you this ministry would have never have progressed to the place it is now. Also, it will never grow to the place that it should be without you. Keep going forward!
Thanks to all of our Recovery Sponsors that spend time loving, caring, and listening to those that need support. Don Hester supplies the meal, (pot pie, cottage cheese, and apple sauce), on the 2nd month of each month.
Thanks to all of the hair stylist, for cutting the hair of our men and children the day after Father’s Day. Again, Leslie Walker and Melissa Edmondson put together gifts for all the men who are part of our recovery classes.
Paul Walker who cleans up nearly every week and takes out the trash. Also, he helps distribute extra food and treats at the end of our evenings every Monday.
Thank you for reading this newsletter!
