Virtual Campfire

Welcome to the Neighborlink Fort Wayne Virtual Campfire--where you can share your story of how you were served by NeighborLink Fort Wayne Volunteers, or how you served through the NeighborLink Fort Wayne network. We can't wait to hear your story!

Everyone benefits from community service, even if you weren't able to participate first-hand. At the Virtual Campfire, you can post your story about: • Your involvement as a Volunteer in a project, • How you were served, or • Your experience as a Coach of a team of Volunteers.

Please, take a minute and be encouraged by reports of those served and those who serve.

I am writing to praise NeighborLink, an internet based association of volunteers in Fort Wayne dedicated to helping others. But first I must give you some personal background. In the year 2001 my mother died. We had shared my home. After time had passed, I decided that I could share my house with others. I'm dependent on a very low Social Security check, so any help at all is welcome. I accepted two renters. I became very ill and needed help. But neither of them ever paid any rent. Instead I received a nightmare. One brought a cat that had never known a litter box. He stayed upstairs, and later moved to my basement. He left both areas so bad, that even the cat deserted him. Being ill, I lived on the living room couch on the main floor. The other renter, over my objections, bought a pit bull pup, also not house broken. The dog destroyed my carpet, rugs, couch, bedroom, mattresses etc. When I I objected to this, the renter threw fits and broke things. When I called the police, he pulled out the telephone cord. After six month the dog died of Parvo Disease. Meanwhile, the first renter had found my wallet and, unknown to me, had maxed out my credit cards for $40,000, through identity theft. Though I tendered police reports when I discovered this, they were ignored. In 2006, I experienced a health crisis and instead of dying, I became much better. I managed to throw these unfortunate souls out of my home. I was left with runined credit and a totally ruined house. By God's grace, Gina Gibson, Director of the Allen County Council on Aging of Northeast Indiana connected me to NeighborLink. Between them, they have been my salvation. A team led by John Barce came to my home. They attacked the garbage heap that was my second floor and then did the same for my basement library. I had through these areas were hopeless. Then they took up my living room carpet and painted. They took great care to redecorate. No words of mine can convey the good cheer and enthusiasm with which the team restored my home. After work was done, each time they came, we linked hands and they prayed for me. I felt their love. I felt renewed. Praise God, they are not done with me yet. John Barce, NeighborLink leader, is a lawyer. He is helping me with the consequences of the identity theft. He also plans to help me put another carpet on my living room floor. This and more. Autumn has arrived now and I watch the last flowers fall in the neighborhood children walk by, chattering, going to and from between home and school. Meanwhile the team continues to help me put my home in order. No more renters! Next June I will have my 70th birthday. Thanks to NeighborLink, I look forward to it! Sincerely, Robert Felger-Dauer Jamie Sullivan

These last few months have been a true adventure! My husband worked as a corporate planner until June of this year, when his company decided to consolidate a few positions. The next week I had major abdominal surgery. Two months later (during those major storms) our laundry room began leaking by the buckets. Drywall was hanging, our family room flooded. We used the carpet shampooer to suck up all the water. We had no money for the repairs. Fortunately, my parents came through and loaned us their Lowe's card for the materials. We filed an insurance claim and that money paid the roofer--who didn't complete the job, and what was done, well, it was done poorly. We have since discovered more and more things that were originally constructed below code that need to be fixed, instead of covered up like all the other owners have. Things like, 2x4 floor joists (on their side, not on edge); approximately two inches of concrete slab, no footers, 2x4 ceiling joists not tied into the rafters and spanning over 16 feet; electrical circuits overloaded and junction boxes not secured, studs cut in the middle or notched out more than 1/2 way through. The list could go on...We have gutted our laundry room, kitchen and dining room. The remainder of the walls will have to be re-built from outside to avoid more costs (the wood siding is rotten and needs replaced.) There is so much to do, it is hard not to be overwhelmed...but we are taking this one project at a time and finding comfort in that we are doing something to fix it...even if it takes us years, we will have a house that is safe and built right. We have learned so much through this ordeal. I view it as God wanted to strengthen us and teach us to put our pride in our pocket...to trust Him and we have...it will all work out in the end and each of us, including our children, will be stronger and wiser because of it. Thank you for your help! Julia de Delva

“Live Simply That Others May Simply Live” Many of you have driven past the historic Hattersley House at 611 W. Wayne. You are invited to visit next time you are in the neighborhood. Inside you’ll discover a beehive of activity along with some wonderful handmade crafts, some from across town, many from foreign lands. You will soon realize is that this is all part of a unique ministry on behalf of the poor, one that has been quietly serving for the past 35 years! This unique ministry provides opportunities for many of the poorest among us to help themselves and their families earn enough for their most basic needs. Its led by a Christian couple, Jim Goetsch & Marian Waltz, who as part of their marriage vow in 1974 pledged to live lives of “responsible simplicity”, being committed to live among the poor. Over time they’ve served with than 3,000 individuals, – ex-offenders, school dropouts, folks with limited abilities and recent immigrants – providing practical experience in graphic arts, printing, retail sales, and computer entry & repair. The “Simple Living” motto above also has serious implications for “rich” North American Christians in today’s fallen world. (In Luke 18-30 we are reminded of the difficulty of a rich person has to enter God’s kingdom. Today, in 2007, most North American Christians represent that “rich young man” to the majority of the world’s people.) In spite of numerous opportunities to witness to our world today, that witness is often diluted or ignored because we are giving offense by our material wealth. One such example is coffee or tea, a drink served by almost every Christian church. Yet that product is often provided, usually without our knowledge, without caring for the poor farm family, who often work long hours for as little as 3 cents per cup of coffee, not enough to provide basic needs. Our ministry offers an alternative for churches and individuals. By working thru missions and social agencies to purchase coffees and teas directly from the small farmer at a fair price so that we show our care and concern. (By purchasing directly from the farmers they receive a fair share for their labors.) This is but one example of how a sensitivity to culture opens new doors for mission and ministry. We invite you to share our joy in this ministry: - Volunteers are needed for short-term projects such as moving items or cleaning - Long-term volunteers are needed to serve as partners for trainees - Individuals, churches, schools etc. can purchase the coffee, tea and cocoa thru our “Coffee Project” - Congregations may host a display/presentation as part of a mission fair, adult study group or class For more information, please contact: Marian Waltz, Friends of The Poor 611 W. Wayne St. Ft. Wayne, IN 46802 260-422-6821 fotw@igc.org. Jamie Sullivan

I would like to take the time to express my deepest and most sincere gratitude to Pastor and Sherry Campbell for being obedient coming to Fort Wayne, Indiana and starting Life Bridge Church from the ashes of a church the enemy had burnt to the foundation! Since attending church under the Campbell’s I have been broken three times in ways that are the same, however each with different results. Lets talk $ money $, I have had four jobs in five years. #1 After being terminated I took control and drove myself financially in to the ground before turning it all over to the Lord. As a result I landed a job setting up and operating CNC and NC machines, making more money than ever before. Thank You Jesus! Employment Terminated #2 This time I worked for free at the Church and in the community every day while looking for a full time job on the side. As a result I found a job programming and operating CMM along with all the PPAP’s, FMEA’s & Control Plan Submissions that would go along with that, making more money than ever before. Thank You Jesus! Employment Terminated #3 Now this time the Spirit tells me NOT to go back to those old places, so I do what I can to be a blessing to family and friends fixing stuff as a handy man, Volunteer Handy Man Services. Now is the time in which my hearts cry is the loudest “provide your supernatural blessing on my life, make my life ministry bigger so I can make a bigger impact in your name and DO NOT LET EVIL HARM ME!” Working for God, I have no fear of being "Terminated"! “Hear I am Lord, if you can use cracked pots, use me! All that I am and all that I will be is in your hands, my life is not mine but yours, provide your supernatural blessing on our life’s, make our life’s ministry’s bigger so that we can make a bigger impact in your name and DO NOT LET EVIL HARM US!” To God be the Glory! Douglas Arthur Clark Douglas Arthur Clark

Do you believe that God places people in your lives? Or, better yet, places you in other’s lives? This is a story about Jean. A story that gets worse rather than better. I was hooked to GO Days from the very first one. I participated in GO Day’s for almost a year before I connected with NeighborLink and decided to be a coach on a revolving basis. August of ’05 came around and I began searching the site for a project. If you know anything about the twentysomethings, we don’t know how to do too much. We are passionate, but way under skilled in most routine home maintenance. With this fact, trying to organize a project to keep 10 people busy can be tough. On the other hand, I wanted a challenge, a challenge bigger than cleaning and mowing. There was a project there for a woman that needed her house painted due to The FW Neighborhood Housing Commission threatening to fine her until she got the work done. As I met with Jean and her son Todd, a miracle in himself, the floodgates opened. Here sits a woman that is on a fixed income due to health reasons, supporting and taking care of her adult son that survived a liver transplant two years prior and still recovering, and no money to take care of not only the painting that was required but multiple house repairs and bills. Doesn’t seem right, does it? Well, I left her that day saying that everything would be taken care of while trying to figure out what I have just committed to. The project was too large to organize in the time that I had allotted myself, another fault of the twentysomethings. I quickly organized a project to do yard maintenance for another family for August, leaving Jean until September. I began right away trying to figure out what to do for Jean. I consulted with my small group of guys and the community that I belonged to, called Re:ACTS, a group of 18-25 year olds birthed out of the desire to unite as a generation and be about things other than us. I poured out my desire not only to paint Jean’s house, but also to raise the $600 dollars plus the paint and supplies that Jean needed to have the repairs done so the FW Housing Commission would release the pressure. September 17th comes along, GO Day. 12 people, 12 gallons of paint and all the supplies that we needed to make a major dent in painting. We had some of the $600 raised but not all and decided to paint around the trouble areas. We painted nearly ¾ of the house that Saturday. It was amazing. God does wonders with people that respond to his heartbeat. I would love to end the story there and say that another person lived happily ever after once their need is removed. But if you know people like Jean, you know that their needs never go away. I have continued to serve her. I just finished mowing her yard because she has no one, not even a gracious neighbor willing to help. God pains me even more for her. Her son passed away two days before Christmas in his mid-thirties. Nothing like delivering a basket of food before Christmas to brighten her and her son’s spirits to learn of his death, his name was Todd. She now has no one and her needs are still there and are even more. I don’t know about you, but there is a terrible pain that God puts in my heart knowing that there are people crying out for help and no one doing anything about it. Jean isn’t the only one that I have met over the past year that is in the same situation. Violet is in her early 80’s, she’s blind, and she lives alone. Do you think she has anyone to visit her or better yet, take care of the little things like mowing? I led a group of high school students in April to her house. Guess what, she still is on Neighborlink, still with needs. Want to meet her? This is more a call to action for those that feel the pain of God and let it sit dormant. This is my story. The story of a 25-yr old that can’t save the world by himself and desperately needs help. As of June 12th at 8:15pm, there are 148 projects posted on NeighborLink’s website calling out for help. Does this bother you??? Andrew Hoffman Jamie Sullivan

The Unexpected Power of Presence On a recent NeighborLink community service day, I found myself paired with a new friend named Bridget doing a door-to-door survey for the City of Fort Wayne in the poorest neighborhood of the city. As we knocked on the door of one particular house there was no response. Just as we started to leave, however, we heard a series of chilling screams. Recognizing these screams were that of a woman in distress, Bridget and I knocked louder and called out to whomever was screaming inside. Still nothing. Then the screaming stopped. Though we had gone through training to conduct the survey, this situation was not one that had been role-played! Using our best judgment, we called 911 and watched from across the way as police cars arrived en masse. As it happened, the residents denied any foul play and the police could not investigate further. The question is whether I was at the wrong place at the wrong time--or was I at the right place and just the right time? It largely depends on from whose perspective one asks the question! But I believe in God’s economy, it is the latter. I’m learning that when you show up, stuff happens. Screaming women episodes aside, I see this principle at work in the broader scope of what happened that morning. Bridget and I were part of 30 or so other people who were volunteering their Saturday morning to gain critical information from the residents in this (arguably) most marginalized neighborhood as the first step in an unprecedented city planned effort to dramatically revitalize this area in the next few years. One challenge of those leading this effort was to find people willing to serve as surveyors on a volunteer basis. When I met the city official in charge of this revitalization project and told her about NeighborLink Fort Wayne and our monthly community service days, she marveled at the concept. And when it became apparent that the survey and service were scheduled for the same Saturday morning…well, it was a no-brainer. As a result, the survey happened in large part because NeighborLink people showed up. When God’s people show up, stuff happens. Especially when we show up where God has long been at work among the poor, marginalized, and forgotten. The life of Jesus so undeniably shows us that those who would follow him must tend toward and show up in the margins of society where the powerless, voiceless, and hopeless reside. And just as Jesus teaches and himself embodies, when we show up in His Name, stuff happens. Later, I was honored to receive an award on behalf of NeighborLink from those who noticed and recognized the power of NeighborLink folk being present. I can tell you from personal experience in several circles, that a buzz about NeighborLink and the people who embody the concept is emerging among city officials, churches, and community organizations. It is a peculiar buzz; one in which people speak of NeighborLink people with favor and a sense of pleasant surprise. The buzz is a reflection of the unexpected power of being present. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Igniting Missional Living !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Joe Johns -- Director of Cross Cultural Ministries Fellowship Missionary Church Jamie Sullivan

Saturday, October 15, was not only a beautiful day to work outside in, it was truly a blessing sent from Heaven. This was my first time coaching a NeighborLink event and -now- won't be my last. I had so many volunteers donate their time and energy to help rake Pat's yard! It seemed like people just kept signing up - it's amazing what God does when you're in need of help! Every single person worked diligently with a servant's heart to help a lady who could barely walk, let alone rake her rather large yard. It took us one hour to do what she said would take her days and weeks to finish. Especially during the fall season, she was very grateful to us and never stopped telling us how wonderful is was to have us help her. Pat was also a blessing . Even after the yardwork was done, we stayed for an additional hour and a half just chatting with her and listening to her stories of her youth, complaints, or various subjects on her mind. Later the next week, I received a letter from her that I think sums up her sincere gratitude of our work for her. "To Candace and all the crew of super lovely people, I thank you all for the yaard, leaves, gutters, etc., but, most importantly, for renewing my failth in the goodness of people, especially the younger generations. May God Bless You All, Pat P.S. It was such a pleasure having you all here. P.P.S. The leaves are still staying in the pile at the street (Monday)" -Candace Murray, coach Candace Murray IPFW

Hi Doug, I will try to let you and all those who are part of NeighborLink know how the ministry has ministered to one of our clients. Barry lost both of his legs about 12 years ago. I met him a year ago as he was about to be evicted from the Coliseum Inn. Through the Salvation Army and IAM we were able to secure him housing. Because of health issues Barry has not been able to take care of himself or his apartment. We posted last month for someone to go and clean Barry's Apartment. I want to say what a wonderful job they did. I have had several people say to me it does not look like the same apartment. Barry will soon qualify for Medicaid and when that happens there will be other options for him in regard to cleaning his apartment. The people from NeighborLink blessed him by their kindness and willingness to help. Thanks so much. Alyn Biddle Benevolence Pastor Broadway Christian Church Doug Crane

"Christ is hidden under the suffering appearance of anyone who is hungry, naked, homeless, or dying." Mother Teresa “When a poor person dies of hunger, it has not happened because God did not take care of him or her. It has happened because neither you nor I wanted to give that person what he or she needed. We have refused to be instruments of love in the hands of God to give the poor a piece of bread, to offer them a dress with which to ward off the cold. It has happened because we did not recognize Christ when, once more, he appeared under the guise of pain, identified with a man numb from the cold, dying of hunger, when he came in a lonely human being, in a lost child in search of a home.” -Mother Teresa A few weeks ago my husband and I were in Louisville for the weekend. On Saturday we decided to go downtown for lunch. The restaurant we selected only had one waiter covering the entire restaurant alone. So when we received our food, mine was not what I had ordered. But I decided not to say anything; instead I went ahead and enjoyed what he had brought for me. When the waiter noticed that my lunch wasn’t what I had originally ordered, he insisted that he package the correct order to go. Although I tried to explain that we did not have a refrigerator and the food would spoil, still he insisted that he would have it prepared and packaged for us to take with us. I knew it would spoil in the car on this sunny 80-degree day. So I began to pray. I asked God to bring me a hungry homeless person to give the food to. When the waiter gave us our check and the food that he had promised, my husband asked me what I was planning to do with the food while we walked around downtown. I then shared with him that I had prayed for God to send me a hungry homeless person. I placed the food in the bottom of my bag of souvenirs and off we went to walk around the shops in downtown Louisville. We made a wrong turn and I asked my husband where he was headed. He responded saying that we were going back to the car to drop off the bag. So again I began praying please God send me a hungry homeless person — quickly. Knowing that the food wouldn’t last in the hot car. Less than a block from the car we passed a man lying down on a park bench. A crowd of people, and children playing surrounded him. I asked God “Is this my homeless person? Should I wake him up? Or is he just napping in the sun?” So as we passed the man lying on the bench I ask my husband, “Do you think that was the homeless person God sent me?” No sooner had I said that to Lloyd when a man walked right up to me and stood inches from my face and said, “Do you have food for me?” I excitedly replied, “Yes I do! Oh, I have been praying for God to send you to me!” His response to me seemed to have jumped right out of a passage in Matthew 25, when he said to me, ”When did you see me?” At that very moment I knew I was in the presence of the living God! My mind was reeling as I reached deep into my bag and handed him the food. He thanked me for the food and started walking away. My husband and I were so stunned we couldn’t even think straight. Lloyd was reaching for money in his pocket to offer him as he asked him, “Do you know how much Jesus loves you?” The man turned to him and with the most amazing smile I have ever seen. His smile seemed as if it could light the whole world and then he replied to Lloyd, “Oh yes, I do.” This breathtaking experience left a powerful impression on my husband and me. As I have reflected over that moment in time I was reminded of Mother Teresa's Speech at the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC in 1994. She also quoted a part of Matthew 25, saying, “On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of the least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!" By Susan Osborne, Executive Director NeighborLink Fort Wayne Jamie Sullivan

Coming off of the recent remembrance of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ and celebration of His resurrection, I have been reflecting on God’s power. His power in us is unique in that it springs from our weakness. A few years ago, a friend relayed a story about one of his evangelist friends who had ridden on a plane next to Tom Cruise. His evangelist friend initiated a spiritual conversation with him, and even explored a bit of Cruise’s view of God. My friend was very excited, and exclaimed, “Can you imagine the impact if Tom Cruise became a Christian?” The statement never really settled well with me. As followers of Jesus, perhaps the greatest mistake we can make is to apply the world’s standards of power to God’s power. For example, why would we think that God would take and use someone like Tom Cruise (whom He certainly loves and desires to have as His follower) any more than he would use any “ordinary” person for significant purposes in His kingdom? Why are we so prone to attach significance to large numbers of Christians at an event or even in one church, as if this alone had any capacity to effect significant events in God’s Kingdom. This lies beneath so much of how we attribute value to ministries and events based on nothing more than nose counts. Paul learned that God’s power was not perfected in greatness or accomplishment or ambition or wealth or by vast manpower. It was perfected in weakness. Paul was a well-trained, bilingual Jew, and was the chief evangelist of the first century (and likely of all time, since there will be billions of souls in heaven that will find Paul in their spiritual lineage). Yet he admitted all his pre-conversion works were rubbish, that he was the chief of sinners, that he had become as the scum of the earth and that he was a nobody. With our God, a boy felled a well-trained 9’ tall soldier. The horribly outnumbered army of Israel regularly overcame their enemies, and sometimes didn’t even have to engage the enemy. The worldwide church of Jesus Christ was planted by, among others, three fishermen, a tax collector, and the member of a violent sect of religious fanatics. The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, His seating at the right hand of God the Father, and the naming of His name above all other names is born out of betrayal, brutal beatings, mocking, false witnesses, and death. Paul wrote, “He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God.” (2 Cor. 13:4.) Would you join me in praising God for His power shown by: - His resurrecting Jesus from the dead and promise to also raise all who follow Him from the dead. - Choosing the weak things of the earth to shame the things which are strong. - Leaving absolutely no room for boasting in anyone but Him. - Involving us in His Kingdom and plan of redemption here in Fort Wayne. - Protecting us from injury as we serve. - Touching those we serve with His love. - Transforming us as we serve “the least of these”. - Liberating us from slavery to sin and enslaving us to His righteousness. - Moving us from a place of self-absorption and consumption to a place of sacrifice and serving others. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. -Eph. 3:20-21 Written by John Barce Jamie Sullivan

Carrie Davis (a single mother of two) not so long ago was living a life far from God. Through a series of circumstances the Lord brought Carrie into my life a few years ago, and together we have been watching Christ transform her life, as only He can do. This is an update to a Praise from August and the praises continue, take a few minutes to read what God is doing in Carrie’s home and heart and be thankful that He is the One that makes all things new… I am nobody special. I am not as consistent in reading the Word as I would like to be. I am just searching for what God has for me... what HIS true designs for me are. And in this search I am finding Him. A love so passionate, so kind I fall to my knees. Our God is a God of details, as I have learned — both in study and by experience. So many things I do not deserve have come my way as gift from our Lord and I am so very thankful. I have been completely sober for a year and a half — for the first time in 19 years — I will be 31 this month — over half my life was spent in bondage! He has healed emotional wounds in me that I was sure I would be carrying around with me for the rest of eternity. He has released me from years of depression, lifted the fog and gently told me to live — live and breathe in Him. His wonderful love has cleansed my life in so many ways. In June of 2003 I had no other hope but God when my house was up to be condemned. It has been amazing to see over and over again the Lord show me how He cares and how strong He is by refurbishing my whole home inside and out. The last leg of this journey has come and after much prayer and waiting. If I wrote all of the names of people and businesses that have for one reason or another been touched to donate, pray, work or provide things to refurbish this home it would take a whole page and more. What started in prayer with me and Susan and Jamie, God had more mightily under control than we could have ever imagined! Now here at the end of the road I have received a very generous sum of money from my Uncle that has taken care of the Vinyl siding for the house. My sister has given me money for the supplies to apply it. God gifted all that to me through those two wonderful people and has given me two hands, two feet and a brain to put that siding on my house — when not so long ago I was so depressed that I couldn’t even get up enough energy to even clean the inside of my house. Again and again, I am in awe at all the details He takes care of, the things that are level when I am sure they will not be, measurements that come out exact, making my hands work well, when I have never done anything like this before! The electrical that Wayne started shortly before he went home to be with the Lord, has now been completed, the old box is off the wall in the basement as is the old meter outside! Jesus just continually amazes me! He is so generous. Here it is His birthday — yet He is giving the gifts! As most of you know, the car we had, caught on fire if you drove it very far, and had several other mechanical problems. A car had been promised to my family months ago, unfortunately that fell through, but once again, our God is a god of details and He did not forget. A man who did not know anything of me had a car to donate and God had it put aside for us so now we are driving a beautiful, SAFE car! Details, details, details — I’ll give them to Him, He has shown me He is very capable and intimately cares about the details. I can’t encourage you enough to give Him the details of your life — He will make you brand new! Have a wonderful time celebrating our Lord’s birth. In Christ, Carrie Davis "We don't serve God to gain His acceptance; we are accepted so we serve God. We don't follow Him in order to be loved; we are loved so we follow Him." Neil Anderson, Freedom in Christ Jamie Sullivan

I wanted to encourage others who are not "handy" or have great skills in repairs or cleaning. My project has been somewhat unusual... Someone from the Allen County Council on Aging posted a widow who wanted to be taken for lunch. I thought, well ... I can eat lunch! And so I met Helen, my new 90+ friend — who has been such a joy to have a meal and conversation with. Helen is almost blind and walks with a walker, so she is unable to get out by herself. It is so sweet how many things Helen and I have in common - we laugh and chat with no shortage of things to talk about. I have been so blessed to listen to her experiences and she is so filled with grateful words towards me that I know her heart is blessed by the time we spend together as well. Her zeal for seeing things on the "bright side" and sincere heart for others has sparked a new possibilty. In our recent conversations she has told me about other widowed ladies in similar circumstances who would also love to "go to lunch" or dinner and get out once in awhile. If you are a coach that can "eat lunch" I encourage you to check the postings for this kind of opportunity. Jamie Sullivan

This dear senior lady on East Woodland found out this past week that her (lifelong) ear aches are caused by a large benign tumor just behind her left ear. She starts radiation soon to shrink it; and asks for our prayers. Her television played beautiful southern gospel programs while we worked. We had great success with the “practical expressions of God’s love” today…particularly in the amount of expression we got done! Janice now has additional painting requests for Neighborlink (she seriously does need some more painting done too). The mentally challenged man (Ted) living upstairs says his new bathroom colors are “very pretty”, and Janice can’t believe how bright her kitchen and pantry have become. The younger folks we had with us today seemed a little shocked by the need for cleaning…but responded by adding cleaning (what they could find way to tackle with limited resources) to their painting task. Arlin, a teacher at Taylor U, accomplished great plaster repair work and painted an 8X8 pantry along with its 10 foot ceiling, rearranging shelving units and appliances as he went. Mandy, a Junior at Huntington College did all of the prep work in the kitchen and helped Arlin with the pantry while Kenn and Sonya, two members of Fellowship Missionary in their 20’s, measured and replaced the damaged kitchen ceiling tiles and finished moving all of the appliances, painted and cleaned, leaving the kitchen truly transformed. Two senior members of Aboite Missionary primed and painted a ton of woodwork and walls upstairs with great care and attention while we shared testimony and their mission travels. All of these wonderful children of God worked straight through their lunch hour. The young couple from Fellowship stayed with me to see the final stags of Ted's bathroom through to conclusion. A young man (40 something) stopped by while we were there to chat with Janice. I tried to engage his interest a couple of times. Although he did a good job at appearing disinterested in our presence, I could see he was warmed. Willing hearts…all so eager to serve with such joy. I am in awe of the power of His Spirit. Anne Louise Grote

Words of Thanks to God and the People He placed in my life to help me… My name is Dora Simmons. A few years ago my husband and I moved into a house that needed a lot of work. My husband could fix just about anything, however, before much could be done, he passed away. Left alone, not knowing what to do, I just read the Lord’s Word and prayed — a lot. I remembered what I read in Matthew 6:33. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and all His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Not knowing what to do or how to do it, I just continued to pray. A friend named Barbara called me and asked me if she could give my name to a woman named Susan from NeighborLink. Susan came to my home and looked things over and we agreed to pray. Before long work began on my home and it looks so much better! I can never say on paper what I believe and know in my heart. The joy I feel when I talk about how good God is. I can’t do a lot, but I can pray. So one day in my prayer time I began to talk to God and ask Him what I can do to show how thankful I am for Him and His gracious blessings. The answer was to pray for Susan and everyone with her and their families’ everyday. I can’t say enough how God is a good God. He never forgets us, and when we do what He says in His word He shows us more of Himself. I used to look at my home and not be very happy, but now when I look at my home all I can see is God and His goodness. He really opens the windows of Heaven and pours out blessings even when there is not room enough to receive it. He is the Supplier of all of our needs. Thank you Lord. Thank you also to Susan and everyone that obeys God by doing what you believe He wants you to do. There are people all over this City like me, and because of people like you — who listen to God, and are not afraid to do what He says — people like me can smile and say, ‘God is still in the blessing business!’ Remember a woman by the name of Dora Simmons, I will be praying for people like you and your families. I am grateful I got to know you! Jamie Sullivan

G.O. DAY GONE WILD As the culmination of a four week teaching series called "The Great Outdoors" (as in outside the "church" doors), Fellowship Missionary church teamed up with Neighborlink on August 7 to initiate G.O. Day. G.O. Day was an effort to send the church into the Great Outdoors to serve all around the Fort Wayne area. It was an incredibly fruitful day as 350 people went out to 40 different locations to express God's love in intensely real and practical ways. Plenty of wonderfully moving stories are surfacing because of what God has done through his people. G.O. Day was enthusiastically embraced by the FMC community and plans are underway for another one in September. By Joe Johns Jamie Sullivan

I am finding with each passing day how true those words are that were spoken - "For nothing will be impossible with God!" (Luke 1:37) Our God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, He never changes, isn't that so comforting? He is STILL our God of miracles! Oh, praise Jesus! On May 22nd about 10 people came together in the Lord's name to serve Him at our home. We all worked together for the day painting, spackling, and NeighborLink bought and hung new cabinets in my kitchen! The entire inside of my house with the exception of two rooms (in need of special attention) got a beautiful new coat - or three - of paint! My children and I now walk with our arms pasted to our sides to keep us from touching the walls! My shed is a beautiful tan color now. The paint, labor, time and love were all given freely by wonderful giving members of our new family...Christ's family. We thank God He has brought them to us to show us His love. Since then God has sent one after another to care for us and this home He of His. - East Wayne Street Center came and repaired many of the items on the citations list from the ground up to 12 feet on the outside of the house. - A lovely Christian man, Wayne, (who has recently went home to be with the Lord) repaired many of the electrical problems. Pez, another Christian man, has since taken up the mantle to complete the work in this area. - The Mustard Seed provided all sorts of wonderful household items, bedding, curtains, kitchen items, even and ironing board! (I’ve never had an ironing board before!) - Klopfenstein Furniture donated a sectional couch. - Carpet One donated new carpet padding. - Paul Davis donated carpet for the upstairs bedrooms and one room downstairs. - Rainbow Painting donated interior and exterior paint. On June 26th, a group of young men full of glee, laughter and love for the Lord, two generous, fun filled ladies who go to my church, (Fellowship Missionary) as well as Susan (who is also full of fun and joy), her husband and son, my kids and myself tore up that ragged yard that was over ridden by weeds. We planted beautiful plants that were donated from two wonderful ladies own gardens while listening to praise and worship songs. The greenery was given with love for the Kingdom of Christ. I thank our wonderful God for their love for Him and the gifts He has given them to make His plans come to fruition. Becky from our church let me borrow her edger for a few days... I tell you! I have never had so much fun with lawn equipment in my life! I bet my neighbors thought I had gone mad edging till all the stars were a shining!!! I HAVE MULCH!!! MULCH!! Can you believe it???? I have NEVER had mulch!!!! This is so exciting!! Praise GOD!!! I am overwhelmed by the way God is restoring my life and the home He has given to my children and me. I Praise our precious Lord! All my Love to you through Christ, Carrie Davis Jamie Sullivan

A couple of years ago Doug Crane and I took a shot at creating a ministry that would connect people desiring to serve with those in need. Through our very meager efforts we have seen many godly men, women and children go out and serve people in the Fort Wayne area who are in need. Since the beginning, we have thought and prayed about having a paid executive director for Neighborlink Fort Wayne Foundation that would have the giftedness and background to take Neighborlink to a place of meaningful service within the Fort Wayne community. It is with great pleasure I introduce to you God's answer to our prayers, Susan Osborne. Susan began as the Executive Director of Neighborlink on June 28, and has hit the ground running. Susan has over 15 years of experience in several positions for the City of Fort Wayne, and is very familiar with the interworkings of city government and particurly, Code Enforcement. She has experience operating heavy machinery (e.g., trucks, bulldozers, cranes, etc.), and has substantial experience with training of employees in various street department positions. She has numerous contacts within city and county government, as well as a host of Northeast Indiana agencies. She and Jamie Sullivan (a very active Neighborlink coach) are co-founders of Networking for Christ, a ministry dedicated to connecting those in need with agencies and churches who serve their local community. Best of all, she is passionate about serving Christ in practical ways, and collaborating with others in meeting the needs of the poor, hungry, homeless and refugees here in Fort Wayne. We are very blessed to have the opportunity to have Susan as our Executive Director. Welcome Susan!! By, John Barce, Co-founder, Neighborlink Fort Wayne Foundation Jamie Sullivan

Project #149 for "Linda" on June 5, 2003--The project went incredibly well. Kim and I spent about 2 hrs mowing and cleaning up an area behing a large shed for a Grandma (Linda) out in the Southgate area. This lady is an incredible person who has been through a lot. Her daughter was killed by someone who shot her multiple times. I'm not sure who it was or why they shot her but when this happened she had a 2 1/2 yr old boy and was nine months pregnant with twins. The mom and one male twin were killed while the other twin was shot in the hand (in the womb) and survived but had major brain damage because of the lack of oxygen for such an extended period of time. So Linda (grandma) inherited a 3yr old and a new born with major brain damage. The little boys name is Ti Shawn and was only supposed to last 1 month and that was 5 1/2 yrs ago. He is on a ventilator and is completely blind (his eyes really bulge and he can't move them at all). She cares for him for 8 hrs each day and then has a nurse for 16 hrs a day come in and help. He can't speak or move a whole lot. The 2 1/2 yr old is now almost 8 and is a cute little guy. Linda (grandma) said he will always come in and talk to Ti Shawn and point to heaven and talk to his mom. Linda calls Ti Shawn her little miracle and knows God has put him in her life for a reason. Linda left the house about an hour after we got their to go and cook dinner for an uncle of hers who is on dialysis due to kidney failure. She truly is an incredible person with a strong faith in God. She was very thankful for everything we did. We are going to try and do her yard every week. Now that we have done a spring cleaning so to speak, it will only take about a 1/2 hour to mow it. I'm going to try and reach out to the 8yr old Brandon a little more. Grandma has a nice Basketball hoop and paved area in the back yard. He looked like he had some pretty good skills so I may challenge him to some one on one if he is their when I go back. It's amazing how small our everyday problems are compared to so many other peoples. I really take a lot of things for granted. --Todd Martin, Coach Todd Martin

Project # 126 for Lani, on April 26, 2003. Lani's sister posted the project on the site--some raking and bagging of (years of) leaves, removing weeds and grass from flower beds and putting mulch on the beds. Lani has a disability and is not able to keep up with yardwork. Doug, Eric and I spent two hours raking and bagging all the leaves, and then cleaned out 2 large and 2 small raised flowerbeds. We turned up all the soil and then planted a few perennials and topped off the beds with cedar mulch. Lani was inside the whole time with her sister doing housecleaning. When we were done, Lani came outside--and when she saw her flowerbeds, she began to cry and say how beautiful they looked. We all remarked how little it was, yet what a big help it was to her. --John Barce, Coach John Barce