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September 22, 2007
The Shepherd's House would like to thank you for your support.
Winter is fast approaching, and with the cold weather almost here, we are preparing for the increase in needed services. At this time we are offering approximately 50 to 70 services each day. These services include meals, job referrals, counseling, healthcare referrals, clothing, mentoring, and distribution of needed camping items.
We have been diligently working toward the goal of having the mission readied for overnight stays for the past few months. Before we are able to have overnight stays, we needed to do some remodeling, including putting in a shower room. The cost for this has held us back for several months now. The Shepherd's House received a very special blessing a couple of months ago in the form of a wonderful couple who stepped up and came alongside us. Not only did this couple offer to take on the financial burden of the remodel, but the man took the entire project off of our shoulders, and has proceeded ahead to get this vitally important step accomplished. What a blessing this couple, and so many others, have become as they have stepped up and become a part of this work. Without all of you, this ministry would not be able to touch the many lives that it does.
We are very excited about the growth we see, not only in our daily services, but in the other resources that we are working toward supplying. We are working with a medical team to put much needed health care services into place. We are especially excited about the new dental services we will be able to offer in November. We are partnering with Medical Teams International to be able to bring their dental van to the mission 1 or 2 days a month. There is an extreme need for this service and we have been trying to address this issue for months now.
Over the last 2 months we have been able to witness several of our guests become employed. Our goal is, and always has been, to help those who come to the mission become productive members of our community. Our belief is that through counseling, encouragement, job referrals, and restoration of hope, everyone can succeed.
Chapel services provide time each evening for spiritual growth and much needed fellowship. If you have never joined us for Chapel, we would like to invite you to join us some evening. There are 7 churches and 3 organizations that are now facilitating the chapel services. Chapel is a very special time for us each evening when we are able to come together and experience what the mission is really all about. If you, your church, or organization, might be interested in signing up for an evening Chapel service, give the office a call. We have 3 nights a month that are still open.
The need for increased staff is also something that the mission has been struggling with. We have had to take on 3 new staff, and will be bringing another one from Salem within the next week. There will be a need for night staff very soon, so we are preparing for this.
When the mission doors opened we did not anticipate the rapid growth that we have experienced. As we grow, we are in a constant learning process. Sometimes it is frustrating not to have everything in place, but we have learned to stay focused on what is really important, and that is the lives that are being transformed each day. Each of the staff, and every volunteer, knows that our priority is to represent Jesus Christ to every person who comes in the door. Because this is who we are, we have been privileged to see 9 people come to know Jesus.
On September 23 we will be having our first Baptismal Service. This will be a day of celebration. It will start at 2:00 pm and there will be a BBQ, special music, and a speaker. We would like to invite you to join us.
The Shepherd's Hope Chest opened last month. This is our thrift store, and it is located right next to the mission. Please make the time to visit the store, and to bring in your donations. The income generated by the store goes toward the monthly operational cost of running the mission.
In the 2 years that this ministry has been functioning, last month was the first month that we faced financial difficulty. The months of August, and now September, have been a great financial hardship. Donations not only were less, but we were hit with some extra expenses in repairs and upkeep. We do understand that these months are the hardest financially within missions everywhere. We also realize that God is in control, and that He has blessed The Shepherd's House abundantly by meeting every need that we have had. Please prayerfully consider becoming a financial supporter of this, your local mission. We are the only faith-based mission in Central Oregon, and this is your mission field. In order to continue to meet the ever-growing needs that come through the door, we need your help. As winter comes, so does the increase in needs. This mission helps not only men, but women and children as well. If you are not a monthly supporter, please become one. And, if you already are, thank you!
If you are not really sure what it is that we do here, or what services we offer, please stop by and talk with one of the staff, or call the office and set up an appointment to bring a friend, your pastor, or your boss in for a tour.
We would like to ask that you keep us, and those we serve, in your prayers daily.
May God bless you abundantly,
Lynda Johnson, Executive Director
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