Hope everyone had a good Christmas. As you know we were involved in a feeding ministry in the New Orleans during Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Jerry Carson, Dan Rocha and several others went down - took food, clothes, toys, stuffed animals, gifts etc. They had 300 pounds of cooked pork loin when they left here. Potato salad, bake beans, and apple crunch completed the meal served to 800+ people at three locations. People were fed and given Christmas presents in the 9th ward, St Bernard Parrish, and on the river bank. They were all witnessed to about Jesus and given the opportunity for salvation. Many of the 800+ were children that went to bed with a full stomach and a Christmas present that might not have had that chance otherwise. What a combination, fill his stomach then feed his soul. It really doesn't matter whether it's in New Orleans or Central America; where ever we go we try to give people Hope, to have hope you have to have faith. With no Faith there is no Hope.

Remember what God's word says about you and the victory that HE has planned for you. When the enemy tells you that you're not strong enough to survive the pressures of this world, remember God's Word says "greater is He that is in you that he that is in the world." ( 1 John 4:4)

God is good , Happy Holiday, Don W.

P.S. We plan to send another container in late January. We would like to send one per month in 2009 - that is our goal. There is already some interest in a trip in 2009 it will be late Dec. or early January

Link: http://www.cmgllc.org/

I had the blessing of spending a week in the Lower Ninth Ward with 8
other members of my church community and while there, was blessed to
work with the people at Carpenter's House 2. While working at
Carpenter's, I hauled boxes, searched for lighting fixtures, helped
serve food to the community, and was given the opportunity to paint a
mural with my friend, Suni. Working at Carpenter's lifted my heart
because I knew that I was surrounded by good people working for a
better world. I was able to meet people from many different areas of
the country and hear the stories of the survivors of Katrina. What
surprised me the most about my experience was the joyful attitude of
everyone I met volunteering-- including those members of the community
who survived the storm. Everyone worked amidst tragedy with attitudes
that truly reminded me of Philippians, the text my church was studying
during our stay. I expected a trip filled with tears, but my trip was
full only of tears of gratitude and joy as I realized how truly
blessed my life is and how truly meaningful it was to be doing God's
work in the world. This trip touched my life in a way that nothing
else ever has and I hope to be able to return soon.

Thank you so much for the generosity and good will I found at Carpenter's.

Peace,
Joliene Wade
Sunnyvale, CA

can't wait to arrive to carpenter's house for thanksgiving .
i am looking forward to help those that are in need specially those of the faminly of god.. see you soon ..shalom...

Charles and Judy
We have so much to say we do not even know where to start!!!
We will say thank you both for being such powerful conduits of God's encompassing love! We will pray for y'all everyday and every other time during the day when you pop up in our thoughts.
{I speak for the rest of our group when I say...
.....we will never be the same! Thank You -JESUS!}
Thank you both for your precious prayers. Here's an anology for ya-
Thank you for recognizing that we each have been stuck in a can. Thank you for holding the can opener as God turned it and thank you now as y'all are praying for us, Rest assured God contiues to peel back the lid of metal that has prevented our clarity of thinking - our ability to understand that God is will continue to use us in a real and tangible way.
Oh, how excited we are and how hard it is to wait expectantly as Christ Jesus begins to show up in our hands and feet!
Thank you so much for your hospitality and taking time out of your routine to love on us and to let us love on you!!!

4 servants among many,
Rachel, Betsy, Tonya, & Ms Alice
AKA... ...The Dillion Gang
We Love Y'all!

Dear Charles give Judy my best I am glad that the surgery went well praise the Lord for his mercies endure forever.
and Charles thank you for posting the results of the surgery on your website i visit it regularly..shalom...