Dear LTCC Family,

Last week, someone in our church body let me know of a need for a caregiver for an elderly woman in our community.  I immediately contacted a few people from the Love One Another benevolence team’s list of those in need within our community who had indicated that they had been employed as caregivers in the past.  One of those people was Rachel (not her real name).

Not only was Rachel eager to provide her services as a caregiver, but she also was grateful for a truly helpful opportunity.  I do not know Rachel well enough yet to know why she is in a position of need but I do know that encouraging her with truth about who she is and empowering her to use her own gifts will last longer than paying a bill.  

We also know that lasting change is impossible without Christ.  A benevolence program that simply pays bills without creating relationships and introducing people to Christ is not only not ultimately helpful but is potentially harmful. But creating relationships is a much bigger investment and a lot harder than paying a bill.  Connecting Rachel with a caregiver job is a step in the right direction but it’s just the beginning.  It is the beginning of what Jesus calls us to; to love one another and share the gospel!

How can you participate in this ministry to which Jesus calls us?

• Pray for the Love One Another benevolence team members as we examine these truths and works to clarify our focus, we are asking ourselves who we are serving and why.  (If you’d like to be part of this conversation, please contact me or anyone on the LOA team.)  

• Check out who the LOA team currently serves & how you can get involved.

• Read Helping without Hurting.

• Pray about whether the Lord is leading you to create a relationship with one person in our community who is in need.  Our team would love to support you in this endeavor.

And would you please pray for Rachel?  Specifically, please pray for her prayer requests; for financial stability and work for her son.  Additionally, I know she is struggling with rent and she is in need of an HCA license here in Washington (she is new to the state).  I also ask that you pray that the Holy Spirit creates in her a desire to take action towards right relationship with God, self, others and the rest of creation.

Corinthians 1: 3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

In His Service,

Trista Sutherland
for the elders & deacons

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