September Newsletter, 2014 Rick McPherson
Eldon has been a friend of the mission for a long time. Through the years he has donated various things to us and has always been friendly and helpful. I remember a few years ago picking up a refrigerator and being impressed with his neat and orderly garage and home. Not only was everything organized, it was also labeled. He was my kind of guy!
Well, the phone rang a few weeks ago and it was Eldon. He was selling his home and moving into an assisted-living residence for seniors. He said he didn’t think he was quite old enough to qualify because he just had his 90th birthday. But, the reason he called was to ask if we would like to have the contents of his home. He wanted to give everything to the mission.
I must admit it’s not every day that someone gives a whole houseful of stuff. Eldon wanted us to have it all. He donated furniture, appliances, silverware, china, tools, clothing, linens, computers, tools and books. He even included a varsity, letterman’s jacket. You know the kind with the leather sleeves and Melton wool body? “Jerry” was embroidered on the right chest.
It took a whole team of people and three trucks to pack and load his gift to this ministry. What a gift! What a blessing! What a day!
Driving home I prayed for Eldon. I was thanking the Lord for Eldon’s generosity and thoughtfulness when I was reminded of this verse in Proverbs. It was Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, who said, “One gives freely, yet grows all the richer…” (11:24) What a truth! Eldon is richer than ever. And his riches have an eternal value. The “things” that he gave are temporal. The “souls” that we will reach are eternal. He transferred this world’s value for that which will last forever. I can’t think of anything more valuable.
You may not have a houseful to donate to this ministry. But if you do, I know a team of people with trucks that can help! What you do have is an opportunity to help us, as we help Native Americans on reservations throughout the eleven western states. You know the conditions are dreadful. The needs are great. Poverty is overwhelming. Addictions are rampant. Suicides are sky-rocketing. Hopelessness is epidemic.
The message we deliver is God’s love, acceptance and forgiveness. It’s delivered in a variety of ways. Sometimes it’s a load of groceries and supplies. Sometimes it’s a pair of water-proof, leather boots. Sometimes it’s a Christmas gift or toy. Sometimes it’s a winter jacket or warm wool blanket. Sometimes it’s a kind word.
Sometimes it’s a simple message spoken in a city park or while sitting on the tail-gate of a pickup truck.
You can help us deliver the message. Your gift of $10.00 or $100.00 will make a big difference. Whatever the amount, you can rest assured that you will transfer what is temporary into that which is eternal. What an investment!
In the meantime some lucky soul will be slipping that letterman’s jacket on with “Jerry” embroidered on the chest.