12/21/2020
Please take time to read our newsletter. We need your help to continue to serve the community.
Click on the link below to go to a webpage and read the full version. The second link takes you to the same thing on Google Docs. Our the plain text version is below.
https://sites.google.com/site/insidewalton/victory-lighthouse-ministries
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tU7EP-WzCxLyEZeRQGPXD-wdO_r4nN3t9XAbbul3cr0/edit?usp=sharing
Victory Lighthouse Ministries
NEWSLETTER
December 1, 2020
A big year as we transition from a platform church to a Ministry Outreach to the community
With your support, we have continued to help families, homeless, elderly, those in need, abused, hurting. We also have been able to thank local businesses and public servants like teachers, police, small businesses with gift baskets. While the mission field starts at our front door, we also give to U.S. Missionaries like Albert and Marie Skinner and Native Americans (have 1000 toothbrushes here right now) and Convoy of Hope. Your donations helped support local efforts like, The Matrix, as they give out food during this time. None of this would have been possible without your help. Currently we are financially behind after having to be closed so much this year. Please read the last page to find out how you can help.
As this year ends, please consider a financial donation. Due to Covid restrictions, family deaths, surgeries, and health concerns, we have not been able to operate full time. This puts us about two months behind on bills. Now that we are open, sales are coming in, people are bringing donations, and those in need are finding us. It takes about $1000 a month to cover all overhead (rent, utilities, fees). That is just $50 a day. We need your help to cover this cost. Please consider a monthly gift.
Why give to operate the store and Bible study times? Victory Lighthouse Church has always found God gives us the few to work one on one with. The past support of the Bookstore gave us a street level ministry that was effective. We have held church dinners where a guest becomes a friend. As we shifted after losing our meeting place, many members were encouraged to go to another Bible believing church. Most did. After talking to our board with the West Florida Assemblies of God, everyone realised our best move was to work towards officially stepping away from being a district church and move to being an outreach ministry in the district. We also found support from First Assembly of God in DeFuniak Springs. Thus, Victory Lighthouse Ministries was created. The ministry is not a Thrift Store, rather the store is a tool to attract those in need. This also gives us a location for Bible Study and ministry operations. With the District’s permission, we also have a shed at our home that serves as an office.
What have we done with your donations? Here is a look at just a fraction of how you have helped others. And remember, it is not just a used shirt or box of food, but the love and showing of the love of Christ because He loved us first.
* As I was typing this letter a grandmother came in. She is taking care of her grandson while her daughter (who works) is homeless. The court has ordered her to find a place before she can get her son back and she can't have a roommate. We made a connection with a local agency person who works with the homeless. We also are setting up a time she can come in and help sort (she won’t take handouts) and then get needed clothes.
* A family we helped last year at Christmas called for help this year. The mom also became ill and we took her to the ER twice. Eventually they found the issue. We have helped with food and a used TV after theirs broke. They live in a camper with four girls. Believing we can feed fish for a day, but need to teach them to fish so they can eat for a lifetime, I took a strong ministry stance and questioned why they were in a needy situation. This, after her getting mad, resulted in her coming out of a depression, the husband getting a good job and her medical need getting attention.
* Helped two men and a woman after getting out of jail with food, bedding, and clothes so they could get going with life on the outside again.
* Helped two elderly citizens get adjustable hospital beds.
* Even while closed, we gave away three washer/dryer sets and one washer. Gave away several TV’s and pieces of furniture.
* At first this one was hard for me. Found a lady who needed a couch and loveseat. My bride told me someone called and had a couch she was giving us. I let the lady know and told her I would deliver. When she asked how much, I told her it would not cost her. Because God had set it up. When I got to the friend’s house to pick it up, it was BEAUTIFUL! A $1200 set with a leather look couch, oversized chair, and dark wood end table. Great shape too. I kind of whimpered because we needed the rent money and this would have sold for $200-$400. But I felt this was done by God so I took the loaded trailer to her house. Turns out she was not there because they had taken her to the ER. When she got home, she had a new couch, end table, and chair.
* A man called needing clothes for his teenage daughters. They came in. He explained they had just picked up the daughter from out of state because the stepfather was abusing them. They left with basically the clothes on their backs. We were able to outfit them for school and help the parents too.
* A grandmother just took in her two grandkids after the passing of the mom. She was not only needing clothes, but an ear to listen and a shoulder to cry on. Barbara and Alice were able to help her over several visits.
* Picked up an older washer and dryer plus some other stuff from a rental house. Before we got it off the trailer, a man came in asking help for his grandchildren who recently moved here. They needed a washer and dryer and furniture. Yup! The load never made it to the store. They were sleeping on the floor and needed a bed. Within a few days we found a set at a yard sale our friend Buddy was having. He gave it to them. As they were in the store looking for clothes the two daughters could have, the mom asked why we do the things we do. I very simply explained that Jesus loved me so much, even when I did bad things, He died for me. It then told them how I figured if He could die for me because of His love for me, I could show love to others by giving them some stuff. The two girls were just staring and listening. The next day they came back. The youngest, who has a sensory issue, entered the store and came straight to me, talking about everything in her life. No matter what the future holds, these girls know that someone loved them because Jesus loves them. No matter what decisions they make, they can never escape from that knowledge.
How can you help? Glad you asked. Here are some ways:
* Donate your stuff. We don’t care what kind of shape it is in, we’ll pick through and take out the sellable stuff. We do ask that you only give clean clothes as we do not have a washing station here. Remember, two dollars of used stuff can buy a can of chunky soup with a pop top. That’s a meal for a homeless man.
* Donate you time. Barbar and Alice are always looking for help in sorting and hanging. If you are in need, we will even let you pick out some items as payment. That’s someone in need getting the pick of good clothes and items just by helping awhile.
* Donate your money by buying stuff. It only takes $50 a day, five days a week to keep the ministry overhead taken care of. $50 in sales each day can make sure we stay open and available. And the money after overhead can go back into the community and missions. That’s directly helping by selling.
* Donate financially monthly. Consider making Victory Lighthouse Ministries a regular monthly giving destination. Want to help the needy, homeless, and community in general but don’t know how? We do. We can help put your dollars in the right places. Your monthly support will make sure this ministry stays open on the street level.
* Donate you prayer time. We don’t need all your prayers. But we do believe in prayer. Make sure you remember us when you talk to and have faith in God. That’s how mountains are moved.
Donate your stuff
Donate you time
Donate your money by buying stuff
Donate financially monthly
Donate you prayer time
Victory Lighthouse Ministries, formally Victory Lighthouse Assembly of God Church
DBA Cheap Cheap Thrift Store and Outreach and The Book Store
Location: 1133 highway 90 west, DeFuniak Springs, FL 32435
Mailing: 144 Stewart Dr., DeFuniak Springs, FL 32433
850-635-2534 [email protected] www.dfsthebookstore.com
Facebook:
Blessings, Kevin, Barbara, Alice, Grant, and Chris
