Matthew 25:40

2011 Review

At the end of November, 2010, we were at a crossroads of sorts–wondering if God wanted us to press on with Hearts In Hands as a ministry. Our funds were so low that we couldn’t have helped even one person in need. But we felt God’s urging to trust in Him.

Then just before Christmas last year Hearts In Hands was awarded $1000 from Medical Social Service Organization in recognition of our work with hospice patients. Further encouragement came from The Hospice and Home Health Fund of Alabama in the form of a donation in appreciation of our assistance to patients. We began planning for a fundraising dinner to be held in March at Frankie’s Market Cafe  in Helena. Thanks to the efforts of Gene Jones, our volunteer Marketing Director, and Frankie and Angie Caccioppo, we were able to boost our funding enough to take on and complete some of the big pending projects:

• Four wheelchair ramps
• Metal roofs installed for two homes
• One home exterior painted
• Repaired and replaced water damaged ceilings in one home

In addition, tornado relief was delivered in early May, a mower was repaired and a donated washer and dryer were installed. It has been humbling to feel God’s supporting hands on this ministry.

In early March we held our first Board meeting and recognized the following members:

• Chairman—Jeff Pesnell
• President—Frank Burder
• Vice-President—Harris Cannon
• Secretary—Steve Roberson
• Treasurer—Jimmy Beard
• Marketing Director—Gene Jones

During discussion at this meeting we talked about how we can best ensure the people we meet on our projects are (or get) connected to their local church. Often, due to their health issues, our clients become disconnected from their community and become “lost.” It was decided that going forward we would request volunteers and/or pastor from the client’s church to be involved in the project in some way. If the client is uninvolved in a church, we seek assistance from one close by. We also ask that lunch be provided for the volunteers for the sole purpose of taking some time to pray and fellowship with the client and local church members. If one of our clients appears to be in continuing need of assistance for food, we submit their names to Grace Klein Communityfor their food distribution program. In this way someone continues to monitor the client’s situation and provides us feedback if another need arises.In August, effective November 22, 2010, we officially became recognized by the IRS as a tax-exempt public charity—a HUGE blessing that we hope will boost our future funding.

As we begin our fifth year, please add Hearts In Hands to your prayers:

• Pray that God will guide the leadership of Hearts n Hands to bring glory to His name. Without the power of His Spirit guiding us, we cannot accomplish His mission.
• Pray for faith that if we follow His leadership, He will provide funds and workers to accomplish His mission. Hearts n Hands must always be driven by faith.
• Pray for wisdom in screening clients and projects. God may not ask us to meet every need of every hospice client in Birmingham.
• Pray that God will connect us with the clients He has chosen for us.
• Pray that God will grant us opportunities to share our faith while we are in contact with each client. Pray further that we will make the most of each opportunity and by His grace speak boldly in His name about His gospel truth.
• Pray that the Holy Spirit will continually remind us that no matter how great a client’s physical needs are, their spiritual needs are infinitely more important. Pray that God will enable to us meet spiritual needs as well as physical needs.
• Pray that God will use the work that is done through Hearts n Hands to bring glory to His name. Pray that people will see Christ in the the projects that we complete, and turn to Him as a result of this work.

We pray God’s blessing on each and every one of you as we look forward to 2012.