Article by Luanne Allen
Canton, GA
Christ the Redeemer is partnering with over 20 churches in our area through Praise Ministries International to help create a Christmas for the people of Booneville, Kentucky. This county is the third poorest in the United States, where the unemployment rate is 47 percent. People do not have shoes or warm clothes to wear in the winter, very little food and no toys for the kids. It is amazing to think that in this day and age in America that this level of poverty exists.
Praise Ministries works with the local Police department, schools and local churches to coordinate the Appalachian Christmas Mission. Working in conjunction with the local sheriff, Praise Ministries plans a Christmas giveaway for the people of this community December 12th. The church volunteers will set up in an old skating rink, with a heated tent outside to get as many people out of the sub-freezing weather while they wait for their turn. Last year, this organization provided a Christmas for over 700 families, providing a food box, warm clothing, toys for the children and other items. Between 4200 and 4500 people were blessed by the generosity of others. Christ the Redeemer is providing a team of volunteers to go to Booneville and is working alongside other churches in Cherokee County to provide manpower to prepare for the trip.
We are asking for donations of anything that can help: clothing, toys, personal hygiene items, paper goods, school supplies – anything that people could use, as they have so very little. Financial donations will also be necessary as each family will receive their own food box, and food is ordered and purchased in a single lot. If there are school supplies that could be used in children’s book bags, we would be interested, whether they could be donated or purchased at a reduced cost. Our congregation is focusing on provided school supplies to the children, while other churches are looking at providing coats and other items. If you have coats or gently used winter clothing you would like to donate, we can certainly transport it to Booneville where it is so urgently needed. For these families, this will be their Christmas, so clothes must appear new. We are on a very short timetable as financial donations must be received for the food purchases by November 11th so that the food can be purchased and received in time. Other donations can be received up until December 7th as they must be shipped to Kentucky. Workers who can provide manpower in Kentucky the weekend of the project are also desperately needed. It may be that you know someone who works in a store that can help us with donations or purchases at reduced prices – God has worked to bring this mission together each year, so please don’t overlook anyone who might be able to help us. In fact, the team advises each group that participates to pray about what God would have you focus on, and God brings the details together.
If you would like more information, or would like to know how you can help, you can contact Doug Hyde, 770-355-1095, Fr. Stephen Hunter 404-395-5003 or Deacon Justin Allen, 770-851-2323. Mission team meetings are held each Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM at Macedonia Baptist Church on Hwy 20 in Ball Ground, GA. This mission opportunity has been a great chance for Christ the Redeemer members to work with other churches in the community to establish a greater bond within the body of Christ, and we are looking forward to the trip to Kentucky in December. (To see a video about this project, log on to www.midsouthdiocese.org)
