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Letter from the
Director
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We see hundreds of people daily at the
Mission who are in need of hope and help. I was asked recently for a
faith-based perspective on poverty in our community. Two scriptures
came to mind immediately. Deuteronomy 15:11 God says “For the poor
shall never cease out of the land” and in Matthew 26:11 Jesus says
“For ye have the poor always with you”.
In mankind’s fallen state there is selfishness and greed which
primarily contribute to those who have and those who have not. God
expects his children to help the needy. In Deuteronomy He reveals
his great concern for them. In His law to the Israelites He forbade
the charging of interest on loans to the poor. If the poor gave
something as a security against a loan (such as a garment) the
person loaning the money had to return the garment by sunset so the
borrower would not be cold during the night. If a poor person was
hired to work for a rich man, he was to receive his pay every day so
he could buy food for himself and his family. During the harvest
season, grain that dropped was to be left so the poor could glean it
for themselves. Every 7 years all debts of poor Israelites were to
be canceled and every 50 years (Year of Jubilee) all land that had
traded hands since the previous Jubilee was to be returned to its
original family owner.
We have tremendous opportunities in our lifetime to stretch forth
our hands to the needy. Whether it be taking time out of our busy
schedules to take an elderly person shopping, visiting those in
nursing homes, hospitals or prisons, praying for others or
volunteering at the Mission, the list goes on and on. There is a job
for each of us no matter how inadequate we may feel. So be
encouraged today and challenged. You are important in God’s Kingdom!
God bless you,
Linda Kelley
Please do what you are able to help. Visit our
How to Help page for various
ways you
can get involved.
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