Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC)

Can you help us?

2011-10-01T18:08:00.002-05:00

Like most ministries and non-profits, Love INC has been struggling financially for some time now. Praise the Lord, Love INC has recently been presented with a $5000 challenge grant! This donor is willing to match donations up to $5000 given by December 31st. We hope you will join us in reaching our fund raising goal. If you would like to help us meet this challenge, you can give online at:

https://www.networkforgood.org/donation/ExpressDonation.aspx?ORGID2=74-2981639

Or send a check to:

Love In the Name of Christ

P. O. Box 724

Los Fresnos, TX 78566

Please write "Challenge Grant" on the memo line. Even the smallest donation would be a great blessing to this ministry at this time. Thank you!

Operation Lone Star 2011

2011-06-15T14:45:00.001-05:00

Panda Mania VBS in Los Fresnos

2011-06-15T14:44:00.002-05:00

Play Day by the Bay

2011-06-15T14:01:00.002-05:00

"You did it for me"

2011-06-05T18:12:00.001-05:00

Read the latest at:

http://myemail.constantcontact.com/-You-did-it-for-me--.html?soid=1102788387410&aid=YtkJK403O60

Starting over is never easy

2011-03-18T11:56:00.003-05:00

Tom (In our Father's House) with Noemi and her daughter.

Dinette set, rocker and several household items
donated to make the move less stressful.
God's love in action!

Christmas Excitement

2010-12-17T11:41:00.003-06:00

4 children from a family of 12 excitedly lift the turkey from the Christmas basket their family was blessed with. This family is one of 6 that received Christmas baskets with food donated by Amfels through Church of the Advent and one of the small groups from Brownsville Community Fellowship.

Christmas Party @ Texas Migrant Council's Head Start

2010-12-16T16:27:00.005-06:00

A special thank you to Partners In Christ for God's Kids for donating the toys to Texas Migrant Council's Head Start Christmas Party

We got there before Santa

Santa finally showed up!

Love INC angels in action

2010-12-07T13:34:00.003-06:00

Love INC angels delivering a bed & chair to a client.

cleaning the chair

After delivering the bed and chair, Preston took his helpers to the Seven Seas.
This little girl went straight to the Nativity scene and stayed there for 15 minutes.

Her family helps Preston with deliveries, but many times they have been in need and
are grateful for how the Lord has answered their prayers

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!

2010-11-19T13:35:00.004-06:00

to Gloor Lumber for donating and delivering lumber to Partners In Christ for God's Kids. Volunteers will build shelves for this Gap ministry. If anyone can spare a few hours to help sort clothing - please contact the Love INC via e-mail at loveincsecc@gmail.com.

God is so good!!

An appeal from a Love INC supporter

2010-11-19T13:16:00.004-06:00

Have you ever had someone make an impression on you? There are few who've done just that in my life. Preston is one - he has a full plate, yet always makes time when I ask him for help. He is faithful. On Sunday, November 8, 2010, Preston had the opportunity of meeting the Lyles family. They made an impression on him. Below you will read his words. Thank you for taking the time to read. ~Mimi

I had the honor and privilege of meeting Brother and Sister Lyles and their wonderful son this past weekend. This family has a Gap Ministry, Partners In Christ for God's Kids. They are operating out of their carport.

The carport is filled to the top with boxes of warm, winter clothing to be distributed to children in OUR community that are in need. In the past 3 years or so, I have followed God's path, delivering items to families in need for Love INC. What I have done, with a handful of volunteers is a drop in the bucket, compared to the needs out there.

This is an opportunity for all of God's followers to get involved. Many Prayers and Blessings are needed to fulfill the needs of the many, but right here, right now, there is clothing in boxes waiting to be distributed. We need help!!

We need help enclosing the carport, we need a carpenter, we need help obtaining lumber and materials, we need help fabricating shelves, and we need help sorting and inventorying the clothing.

It may sound overwhelming, but those of us that Believe, and have Faith, and Trust in God, will accomplish this task at hand. The more of us that come together, the Stronger we become.

This family, these missionaries, Brother and Sister Lyles, are standing side by side with swords in hand. They distribute clothing year round. Let us join them, and show God that we do care about the children in need of warmth. We cannot allow children to be cold, when there is clothing available for them.

Please contact Mimi at the Love INC office if there is anything anyone can do to help. Winter is upon us.

Blessings to All,

Preston

Helping a single mom

2010-11-07T09:33:00.003-06:00

The Love INC Angels at it again. They went to pick up a table & chairs and delivered it to a single mom with 3 children starting over. Still looking for beds. kitchen items, couch, etc.

October

2010-11-07T09:19:00.006-06:00

Abundant Life Church had a Love INC Sunday on October 31st. Thank you, Pastors Chris & Mimi.

Thank you, Capt Phil & Preston!

2010-10-06T09:57:00.004-05:00

Preston, Love INC supporter & volunteer, had the privilege of meeting Capt. Phil . He mentioned the children of one of the families he met through Love INC and has been mentoring. These children now accompany Preston to visit and deliver items to other Love INC families. These boys received tickets to go fishing aboard one of Capt. Phil’s vessel. Under normal circumstances, these boys would never have gotten a chance to spend an afternoon fishing. Thank you, Capt. Phil & Preston!

Faith in Action

2010-10-06T09:31:00.001-05:00

Volunteers from Love INC participating churches help Cameron County Emergency Management Agency through Faith Communities for Disaster Recovery canvas neighborhoods that tend to flood to see what kind of damages they received & what kind of help they might need.

http://www.kveo.com/news/disaster-recovery-groups-reaching-out-to-residents

delivering items to the needy

2010-09-12T10:05:00.002-05:00

Josh (BCF) takes time from his studies to help deliver items to the needy. Thank you!

Helping others

2010-09-03T12:17:00.005-05:00

Preston Vidos (a Love INC volunteer) says, "We have all seen how a small rock thrown into a still pond creates a ripple across the entire pond. Love INC is the rock. The families of some of these boys have been helped, blessed, and loved through the Love INC of partner & participating churches and now they are volunteers and help out when asked."

2 of the boys from the family of 12 ( recently helped with food) help load a the frame of a bunk/trundle bed to take to the family of 13.
The bed was donated by Price Rd Church of God, picked up by Los Fresnos Church of Christ and delivered by these Love INC Angels.

Regarding the 2 urgent requests

2010-09-02T07:44:00.004-05:00

The parents with 6 of their 10 children. Thank you Ken & Ana (Abundant Life), Alejandra & Mary Ann's small group (BCF), and Los Fresnos Church of Christ for being God's hands & feet and showing this family love in action.
Hamilton (Christ's Harbor)

Tom (In Our Father's House)

Single mother with2 of her 4 children (plus a friends child) were blessed with loads of household items and beds. An example of God's body working together to meet the needs of the needy.

Church that suffered fire damage re-building

2010-08-26T11:50:00.003-05:00

A call went out when this church suffered fire damage when a neighboring trailer burned down. Churches & people have come together with donations to help re-build this church! A great example of the Body of Christ coming together.

Love In Action

2010-08-26T11:01:00.005-05:00

Christmas for a family of 12:
Love INC supporters took up a collection to buy school uniforms:
Refrigerator making its way to its new home:
Delivering chairs:

DOnated Lowe's card bought lumber to make a small table for a family:

3 children in a family of 13 enjoy their new love seat:
Love INC volunteers give their Sunday afternoon to pick up furniture for the needy:

Operation Lone Star

2010-07-27T13:15:00.005-05:00

Operation Lone Star 2010

Operation Lone Star has arrived in Brownsville. Military personnel, state and county officials and hundreds of volunteers will provide free health services at Garcia Middle School, 5701 FM 802.

The two-week event is a joint project of the state health and human services agencies, Texas State Guard, Army and Air National Guard, county health departments, local service groups and civilian volunteers. Operation Lone Star covers seven counties and is the largest humanitarian effort of its kind in the United States.

State health and human services workers will provide information about health and wellness programs to prevent substance abuse, help people with disabilities and protect vulnerable children and adults. Local nonprofit organizations also will have staff available to provide information about their services.

Every year, thousands of people along the border take advantage of this program. For some, it may be their only visit with a doctor all year.

Operation Lone Star also serves as a way for state and local officials to train for a medical emergency. Setting up the two-week, multi-site clinics becomes a real-time exercise on how to respond to a public health crisis.

Operation Lone Star sites will provide care from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday.

Some of the services provided are:

* Immunizations

* Diabetic screening

* Blood pressure screening

* Hearing & vision exams

* Sports physicals

* Limited pharmacy

* Limited dental services

Volunteers from Christ Church of the Valley

Leadership Summit

2010-07-16T16:29:00.002-05:00

Board Opportunity

2010-06-11T13:31:00.000-05:00

Empowered & Prepared to Witness

2010-06-09T15:12:00.001-05:00

An Invitation to Intercessory Worship Gathering

2010-06-03T11:48:00.001-05:00

Area-wide intercessory worship gathering, which is to be held at the Burning Man Ministries House of Prayer facility on June 4th & 5th, 2010. This event will begin at 8:18 p.m. (sunset) on Friday, June 4th, 2010, and will continue throughout the night and day for a 24-hour period. All intercessory groups and God worshipers (Christians) are encouraged to come.

Drama Teams Needed for 2010 Island of Praise

2010-05-21T11:56:00.001-05:00

This year's island of praise will be held on June 12th at Isla Blanca Park and at Schlitterbahn.

Drama teams are needed! Hopefully, those that performed last year will do so again!

If you are interested, contact Donna Ceglar at witness@ChristsHarborChurch.com as soon as possible.

Please pass this information on to any other Christian drama teams that you know of!

Thank you for your help.

Operation Lone Star

2010-05-19T12:18:00.001-05:00

Operation Lone Star is offered one week out of the year and its all free, but you must get there early to be able to secure a spot.

A Night of Worship with Darrell Evans

2010-05-12T12:09:00.004-05:00

www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHvexNx4H2o

Central Christian Church
100 E. Alton Gloor Blvd.
Saturday, June 12th
7:00 PM
Cost: FREE!!!!

Thank you Lord!

2010-05-08T12:12:00.002-05:00

2 truck-loads of donations for the needy in our area. God is good!

Island of Praise 2010

2010-04-14T14:48:00.003-05:00

The 2010 Island Of Praise celebration will be held on June 12th at Isla Blanca Park and at Schlitterbahn. The tickets for Schlitterbahn on that day are $20 only if you purchase them from an IOP planner. Normal admission to the Schlitterbahn is $43.50 so this is a wonderful opportunity to have a great time in the Lord. If you are interested in purchasing tickets please call Roy Cervantes at 212-4841. The agreement with Schlitterbahn calls for the selling of 2,000 tickets and these need to be paid for before any tickets are released. Also, as part of IOP, a baptismal service has been added to the events that day at Schlitterbahn. Please call Roy Cervantes 212-4841 for further information or to let him know if you would like to participate in this service.

Drama teams are needed! Those who performed last year were outstanding and we hope they will do so again!

If you are interested, please complete the attached info/contact form and email it back to witness@ChristsHarborChurch.com as soon as possible.

Youth bands and adult worship leaders are also needed! Contact Roy Cervantes at 212-4841 for more information.

Feel free to pass this information on!

God’s Economy - Are You Invested?

2010-04-08T12:51:00.005-05:00

Love INC National Newsletter Spring 2010

Our nation’s economy has been sorely weakened over the last two years. Millions of jobs have been lost, benefits cut, investments diminished. For millions of families without a financial cushion to absorb these blows, their situation is often dire. Already living, on the edge, the numbers just don’t add up for them anymore. They are experiencing unprecedented hardships and need unprecedented support.

OUR CALL Christ calls on us as His followers to love our neighbors, and He has made it clear that love involves tangible action. Love must be demonstrated in deed to further the word of the Gospel. But loving our neighbors as Christ loved is not just a general feeling of goodwill; Jesus challenged His disciples to meet people where they were, and to love them in ways that addressed their specific needs.

WHAT WE HAVE TO OFFER God created each of us with unique gifts and abilities, to be used to serve Him and others. In God’s economy, every person has talents that can be invested. Through prayer, acts of service, encouragement of others, or financial giving, we can each take part in furthering the work of God’s economy – and the return on our investment is eternal.

God’s economy is infinitely loving and amazingly efficient. He uses the diversity of Christians’ talents and skills to be a resource for the hurting and the needy. And when we make ourselves and our abilities available for God’s use, we can become the channel He uses to answer the prayers of those in need. Just as He planned.

GROWING GOD’S ECONOMY – Love In the Name of Christ is a catalyst that helps equip Christians to reach out in active love, mobilizes churches to work together in unity, and offers a framework for meeting the needs of those who pray for help. Love INC comes alongside churches to help them more effectively and efficiently spread God’s love and invest in god’s economy.

God has established the work of Love INC in 144 communities across the country. For such a time as this, we have a vision to significantly expand our reach to touch more lives in the name of Christ. But we cannot do this alone. We need your support.

WAYS YOU CAN HELP INCLUDE:

Pray for the ministry of Love In the Name of Christ.

Find us online –Facebook and Twitter- and join the dialog about living out our faith in love.

Prayerfully consider making a financial contribution to the growth of the ministry of love In the Name of Christ.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED

8.4 million. American jobs lost since the recession started in 2007.

39.8 million. Americans living in poverty.

5.5%. Increase in married-couple families living in poverty.

1 in 8. Americans receiving emergency food through food banks and agencies – a 46 percent increase since 2006.

70%. Food pantries facing one or more problems that threaten their ability to continue operating.

46.3 million. American without health insurance coverage.

61%. Rise in homelessness since the foreclosure crisis began in 2007.

Double. Rate of growth of suburban poverty over inner city poverty from 2000 to 2008.

Most. Payday lending centers concentrated in poor and minority communities.

652%. Payday loan interest rate in Montana.

40. Years since the federal government updated the formula used to determine poverty levels in America.

The Movement

2010-02-26T14:13:00.006-06:00

a message from the President

Robert Odom

Love In the Name of Christ National Headquarters

National Newsletter - Winter 2010

It started over 2,000 years ago. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, was nailed to a cross to die a horrible, agonizing death – the death of a criminal. As He hung there, He took upon Himself the sins of the world and suffered our punishment. What was it that compelled Him to lay down His life? It was love.

It continued with his disciples, the early Church. People confessing his name went against the tide of a pagan world to value those whom society refused to recognize. In His name, they fed and clothed the poor, cared for widows and orphans, rescued abandoned children, and provided care to the sick, oftentimes risking their own lives to do it. What compelled them to give so sacrificially? It was love.

It continues on in our time, every day, in every place where Christians are reaching out to meet the needs of the broken and the poor in their communities. In the name of Christ, they are providing housing to families who have lost their homes to foreclosures, food to children whose parents can’t find work, needed medical prescriptions to seniors on fixed incomes, and life skills training to people needing to make a new start. What compels these Christians to do what they do? It is love.

But this is no ordinary love. This is nothing like the world’s idea of love. What I’m talking about is the love of Christ – the fullest, deepest love the world has ever known. This is the love Christ talked about the night before He went to the cross: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 (NIV) ”Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13 (NIV)

Before Christ died on the cross that day over 2,000 years ago, the world had never seen this kind of love. But on that day, God began a movement which has swept on throughout the history of the Church, and within which we find ourselves involved today. It’s the movement of love in the name of Christ.

The movement of love in the name of Christ is Christians, the Body of Christ, coming together to love people in His name, so that God can use His Church to transform lives with His love as only He can. It is a movement designed and directed by Christ as He moves His body to express His love on earth.

For Christians, loving in the name of Christ is not an occasion; it is the essence of who we are. Christ said, “By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." John 13:35 (NIV) Without Christ-like love, one can label themselves a Christian, but not bear the identity marker of a true Christian. Every person who identifies themselves with Christ must also identify themselves with a love for God and for their neighbors. As Christ said, “'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) Every Christian, every church, is part of this mandate to love others, in His name.

Sadly, not all Christians know this or understand the significance of being members of the Body of Christ – that they are called to express Christ and do His will, both corporately and individually. Or, they don’t fully understand that the expression of Christ on this earth is His love. But Christ is still the Head of the Body, and He is moving His Body to express Himself, His love. He has begun a movement of His Body, and it is Love In the Name of Christ.

Love In the Name of Christ is a movement of Christian churches coming together as the Body of Christ, across denominations, to love their neighbor in need.

The Love In the Name of Christ movement helps Christians identify themselves as members of Christ’s Body; provides practical ways for Christians to express His love; demonstrates to our communities and our country what love in the name of Christ looks like; and assists the Body in moving; corporately, to do the will of Christ by loving the poor in His name.

When I was appointed president of Love In the Name of Christ nearly nine years ago, I made a commitment to God and to Love INC that I would not bring my own vision and plans to bear on the organization. Rather, my commitment was to find out what God was doing across Love INC and then stay faithful to it. I recognized then, back in 2001, that Love in the Name of Christ was a movement of God. In fact, I shared with affiliates at the first-ever National Directors retreat that, in all my years of nonprofit work, I had never come across an organization with so much God-given potential. I realized that there was no limit to what God could do through Love In the Name of Christ. The ceiling of Love INC’s potential. I realized that there was no limit to what God could do through Love In the Name of Christ. The ceiling of Love INC’s potential is heaven, because this limitless potential comes from His Church, the Body of Christ, and every Christian should want to live their life loving in His name.

As poverty and hopelessness continue to grow across our country, we need a movement of Love In the Name of Christ for such a time as this. It is so simple, yet so profound. The ultimate Love In the Name of Christ started on the cross over 2,000 years ago, and continues to this day. Love In the Name of Christ connects like-hearted, like-minded people – Christians who are striving to be Christ-like and to love as He loves – thus forming a movement of loving in the name of Christ. Won’t you join this movement of loving others the way He loved?

“What we need is not intellectual theorizing or even preaching, but a demonstration. One of the most powerful ways of turning people’s loyalty to Christ is by loving others with the great love of God. We cannot revive faith by argument, but we might catch the imagination of puzzled men and women by an exhibition of a fellowship so intensely alive that every thoughtful person would be forced to respect it. If there should emerge in our day such a fellowship, wholly without artificiality and free from the dead hand of the past, it would be an exciting event of momentous importance. A society of genuine loving friends, set free from the self-seeking struggle for personal prestige and from all unreality, would be something unutterably priceless and powerful. A wise person would travel any distance to join it.”

Elton Trueblood, Alternative to Futility, (New York, NY Harper & Brothers Publisher 1948).

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2010-02-17T13:46:00.001-06:00

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website

2010-02-17T12:28:00.000-06:00

The website is getting slowly getting a new look - check it out: www.loveincbrownsville.org

The Love INC Movement

2010-02-05T13:23:00.003-06:00

Extensive cuts in Government funding for service agencies, combined with ever-increasing needs have created unparalleled opportunities and responsibilities for caring Christians to respond to the needs of others.

Seldom in the history of our country has the church so clearly represented the critical difference between care and despair for the needy.

Love INC is specifically committed to helping ignite the type of collaborative movement needed to address America's large-scale, deeply rooted poverty.

Love INC is part of a national movement in which there are over 140 affiliates in 30 states. Love INC utilizes the goods and services provided by the community and church members to respond to needs in the community. Every caller is welcome to take part of the intake process through which needs can be identified and the best resources determined for meeting those needs. We strive to resource, not duplicate, existing services within the community. Providing for a physical need is an opportunity to reach out in more lasting ways. The gift of hope is often found through the offering of prayer, counseling, budget training, and guidance with life skills. Our goal is to lovingly touch lives of people In the Name of Christ.

Love INC has relationships with many churches in southeast Cameron County on a multitude of levels. Love INC is a volunteer organization and depends on volunteers from local churches to meet all the needs within the ministry; physically, spiritually, and financially. Our mission is to coordinate and mobilize volunteers throughout the southeast CameronCounty area by uniting Christians in "kingdom Work" in their backyards.

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eNewsletter

2010-02-05T12:19:00.002-06:00

February's eNewsletter sent out today. Let us know if you'd like sign up to receive it.

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Mercy – what does it mean to you?

2010-02-01T13:32:00.001-06:00

This was my devotion for today and I thought it was worth sharing.

February 1, 2010

Acts of Mercy

Ariel Allison Lawhon, She Reads Assistant Director

(www.shreads.org)

"He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Devotion:

My brother got off the plane with a child in each arm, and two trailing behind. He'd gone to Africa for three children - orphaned by civil war in Liberia - and came home with four.

A chance encounter in a poverty stricken village left him with a choice to make: rescue a starving baby or leave her to die. So when the young mother thrust her child into his arms, he promised that he would be a father to her. He made the decision without weighing the pros and cons or even consulting his wife. Mercy!

He spent the next two weeks spoon feeding his emaciated child, changing malaria-ridden diapers, and carrying her around in a baby sling. Not to mention keeping the other three children in tow. When he finally arrived in Nashville, a crowd of fifty friends and family greeted him with tears and applause. To see mercy first hand is to weep.

Merriam Webster's dictionary defines mercy in three ways:

"A compassion or forbearance shown to an offender."

"A blessing that is an act of divine favor or compassion."

"Compassionate treatment of those in distress."

Mercy. It is something that God longs for us to lavish on others. Not just orphans on another continent, but the people in our homes as well. Those in our workplaces. Those in our churches. Strangers on a bus.

I often think of what my brother did in that moment, not because I'm faced with such extreme choices, but because my days are filled with countless opportunities to show mercy. A kind word to my defiant toddler. A welcoming smile when my husband is late for dinner, again. Sitting in silence with the friend who's just had her fifth consecutive miscarriage. Forgiveness when I'd rather hold a grudge.

For She Reads featured author Tom Davis, mercy means being an advocate to the fatherless by caring for AIDS orphans in Africa. But for you it could mean mentoring, giving, volunteering, or sponsoring a child.

It may mean writing a check so earthquake victims have clean drinking water and medical care. Or extending mercy might require you to get your hands dirty locally at a homeless shelter, or nursing home. Or mercy might mean choosing not to end an unplanned pregnancy.

Regardless, when we act justly and love mercy, we show the world that God is real. It's a lesson I learned first hand by watching my brother.

Today my niece is a beautiful, healthy five-year-old with no memories of her near death experience. The starvation and malaria that threatened to claim her are long gone. She laughs and dances and believes that her daddy is the kindest man on earth. But for a single act of mercy, her story could have ended in the dust of Africa.

What choice will you make today when faced with the chance to love mercy?

Dear Lord, make us a people full of mercy. May I act with justice not only in the big moments of life, but behind closed doors as well. Help me love when I want to hate. Help me give when I want to keep. And bestow on me the grace to be Jesus-with-skin-on to a lost and dying world. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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2010-02-01T12:40:00.000-06:00

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Teddy Bear Tea 2010

2010-02-01T12:08:00.004-06:00

The Ladies Ministry of First Baptist Church in Los Fresnos hosted this lovely tea to collect teddy bears for the Fire, Police Department, & EMS. They are given to children to relieve stress and/or sorrow by giving unconditional acceptance, love, and reassurance.

Love Stories

2010-01-22T18:33:00.004-06:00

Ever wonder why we call them Love Stories?

Periodically, we publish stories of Love INC clients and call them Love Stories. Someone asked why we called them that, when that name could so easily be misunderstood. You could see that the person was thinking in terms of Love Story magazines, etc.

The answer is easy. It is because Love Stories is exactly what they are --- but stories of the only kind of true and lasting Love there is --- the Love of Jesus, shown from Him to us and then through us to others.

The following is a Love Story:

Shared by Preston - a Love INC supporter:

I hope your Christmas was full of joy and Blessings, ours was. My wife and I visited with family (09K09) on Christmas Eve. This family has 9 children and they are waiting for beds that are to be donated by the Coast Guard. We delivered some clothes, food, toys, and some butane for the stove. This is absolutely a beautiful family. They would be happy with a couple of mattresses thrown on the floor for the kids to sleep on. They could also use some socks and underwear, and more clothing for the boys. Probably some school supplies as well. My brother donated some blankets to them. The children were very happy with our meager donations, and they were all smiling when we left.

So far we have supplied the family with a good used stove and refrigerator. My daughter suggested I contact her school for help for clothes. In an e-mail conversation I was having with Mrs. Londrie, the principle at Olmito Elementary, I mentioned that there was a family of 12 in need of clothing. Mrs. Londrie then grabbed the reins and took off with it. She is the one who organized the drive for the clothes. She got the kiddies and parents sizes that they wear, had flyers printed out, and passed them out to the school children to take home. About 12 huge bags of clothes were donated by Olmito Elementary, along with some hygiene and toiletry products.

I am teaching the older boys how to use hand tools, and they have repaired some of the flooring in the home. We could use some lumber donations, mostly 2x4's and 1/2" plywood.

This story not only illustrates what Love In the Name of Christ does and how the ministry helps churches to help people in need, but they also illustrate changes that this Love makes in the recipients' lives.

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T18:46:00.002-06:00

We pray that you all had a blessed Christmas! We're just about done with 2009. This is the last email of the year and I wanted to share the following:

Year End Report: We, first of all, want to praise God for allowing us to fulfill our mission – by mobilizing the Church to transform lives & communities In the Name of Christ. Those of you who participated in using GoodSearch as your web browser helped us bring in about $138.00 at the end of the year simply through doing your normal web searches! We'd love to have more of you sign up to help us in this no-cost simple way of fundraising. We have something new and exciting we'd like to share with you! It's the new Love in the Name of Christ - Love INC - Brownsville toolbar - once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Love in the Name of Christ - Love INC - Brownsville - at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Love in the Name of Christ - Love INC - Brownsville. http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/love-in-the-name-of-christ-love-inc-brownsville Thank you so much to all of you who partnered with us financially this year! You are truly our partners in ministry and we are grateful!

As we close, we wanted to share these Love Stories with you. Happy New Year!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shared by Preston - a Love INC supporter:

I hope your Christmas was full of joy and Blessings, ours was. My wife and I visited with family (09K09) on Christmas Eve. This family has 9 children and they are waiting for beds that are to be donated by the Coast Guard. We delivered some clothes, food, toys, and some butane for the stove. This is absolutely a beautiful family. They would be happy with a couple of mattresses thrown on the floor for the kids to sleep on. They could also use some socks and underwear, and more clothing for the boys. Probably some school supplies as well. My brother donated some blankets to them. The children were very happy with our meager donations, and they were all smiling when we left.

Happy New Year to you!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Shared by a Love INC volunteer:

Back in October, I took an application from a young mom with 10 children needing beds. Beds are so hard to come by and I remember telling her that there would be no guarantee that they could be found, but her husband is a truck driver for a local trucking company and they had recently moved – they couldn’t afford to buy beds. The very next day, we got a phone call from a government agency asking if we could use some beds! “Wow!” I thought, “This is such a God thing!” Two months go by and we still have not received the bed (waiting for a signature from Washington). This mom called sounding so distraught, wondering if we were just stringing her along and never going to find beds for her – that her children were losing faith. We did get a chance to listen to her and pray with her.

A few weeks go by and we got a call from a church wanting to bless someone close by with some food. We shared this family’s information with them. Mom called yesterday to say thank you. The church had contacted them and blessed them with food and some clothes for her husband. While they are still in need of the beds, she shared they were attending this church and had faith. (10A09)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Remember to respond in worship for who God is and what He's done in light of who we are and what we've done! He is worthy of our praise!
Blessings!

How to Receive the Good News

2009-12-23T12:17:00.003-06:00

A Shepherd’s Story

Love INC of the Kenai Peninsula December 2009 newsletter

Almost everyone knows the story: “And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night.” (Luke 2:8 NIV) We realize that they were the first to receive the Good News – a supernatural, glory-filled announcement of the birth of Messiah! We wish we could have been a shepherd that night, taken by surprise by the appearance of angels and hear the multitude announce Christ’s birth.

But we don’t often think about the kind of life shepherd lived at the time of the Savior’s birth. They were not the envy of society! They often slept with their animals to keep them safe from harm. That’s admirable, yes, but implications include cold nights, fleas and other vermin. Shepherds were poor, and didn’t know how to do much else.

Most of us don’t think about the poor any more than we do about the shepherds. We may have a fleeting concern when we see someone walking along the road on a cold day; or someone shivering, without a coat in a store parking lot. Although we live in a warm climate, but for the poor – a slight drop in the temperature is a lot. We let the concern dissipate quickly when we say a fleeting prayer and continue our business at hand.

That’s not what Jesus did. Jesus’ concern for the poor far outweighed his concerns for people who, like most of us, live in abundance. If he had chosen to be born in this day and age, he would not give us as much attention as the poor around us.

“Wait a minute,” you might be thinking, “of course he would have reached out to us, he loves everyone equally and unconditionally, how did you come up with that idea?” Would you be surprised to learn that it comes from scripture? Consider the following:

"The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor…..” (Luke 4:19, quoting Isaiah 61:1)

"The blind receive sight, the lame walk, those who have leprosy are cured, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor." (Matthew 11:5b, Luke7:22b)

So while it’s true that God loves us all, he wants to especially bless those who have a heart for the poor, and who walk in obedience:

“All they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.” (Galatians 2:10)

“If you love me, you will obey what I command…Whoever hears my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him…If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 15:15, 21, 23)

The Christmas account relates that “…when they [the shepherds] had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them.” (Luke 2:18) We can all be shepherds. We can all receive the Good News and tell others. We can reach out to the poor in many ways. Love INC offers many avenues to do just that. Call to find out how – who knows, you may be God’s answer to our prayers!

Custom Goodsearch Toolbar

2009-12-21T17:31:00.005-06:00

We have something new and exciting we'd like to share with you! It's the new Love in the Name of Christ - Love INC - Brownsville toolbar - once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Love in the Name of Christ - Love INC - Brownsville - at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!).

The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Love in the Name of Christ-Love INC-Brownsville.

http://www.goodsearch.chttp://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3664284224399989133&postID=8255889394276651505#om/toolbar/love-in-the-name-of-christ-love-inc-brownsville

Proverbs 19:17

2009-12-14T11:50:00.004-06:00

If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord— and he will repay you! (New Living Translation)

Why Do We Call Them Love Stories?

They not only illustrate what Love In the Name of Christ does and how the ministry helps churches to help people in need, but they also illustrate changes that this Love makes in the recipients’ lives.

The following is a Love Story waiting to happen:

A school counselor called the Love INC office saying a family needed “some” help. Love INC staff asked him to encourage the couple to call so that the application process could start. This is about a young couple who purchased a travel trailer and are trying to turn it into a home for themselves, their 3 children and the one on the way. Recently the mom developed some complications in her pregnancy and the dad’s hours were cut to 15 hours a week. The need is greater than the school counselor imagined. The one project (of several in progress) they most immediately want to finish is the shower. They have been unable to purchase the shower board and fixtures. An estimated cost of needed materials is $ 50-75.

Are you willing to be mobilized to transform lives?

Shower board & Fixtures needed for shower

fuse box

Where the sink will go

Modeling a Servant’s Heart for Your Children

2009-12-11T12:32:00.002-06:00

Excerpt from

Love INC of Mecklenberg County Winter 2009 newsletter

There is a poem entitled “Children Learn What They Live” by Dorothy Law Nolte, Ph.D. The poem reminds is whatever a child lives with (sees, hears and experiences) is what they learn. In other words, it’s one thing to tell a child we are serving the Lord, it’s quite another for them to see us serving and joining us in that service! Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and don’t forbid them for the Kingdom of Heaven is made up of ones like these!” (Luke 18:16 NLT) How are they to learn about their importance in the kingdom of God if they don’t see for themselves your importance in the Kingdom?

Whenever you give “a cup of cold water” in the Name of Christ they should be involved in some small way and see you ministering. By your example, you are teaching them that everyone has worth to God and can serve Him. You are modeling Christ’s directive to care for the widows, the poor, the elderly, the disabled and the little children. You are following His command to love God and to love your neighbor as yourself. You are “diligently teaching your children when you talk to them, when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up.” (Deut. 6:7 NKJV) You are letting them learn to do and not only as you say. You are helping them to find their place in God’s work. You are modeling a servant’s heart in the Name of Christ!

Mo Leverett, founder of Desire Street Ministries in New Orleans, LA, writes on this subject: “A lot of people use their children as an excuse for not entering into the work of mercy and justice, thinking that your primary objective is to protect your children. But your primary objective as a parent is not to protect your children. Your primary objective is to raise your children in the nurture and admonition of Christ. And what is the best context for that? It is where you are obeying Christ. Our children learn from our example and when we wall ourselves away from the problems of poverty, they learn. They think that Christianity is about sheltering yourself from these problems.”

Be merciful, just as your

Father is merciful.

Luke 6:36 (NIV)

updated November News

2009-11-20T14:07:00.002-06:00

There are so many needs these days it seems almost impossible to meet them. But wait, there is at least one need that all of us can meet! Every client that is referred to Love INC is asked if they would be willing to accept a visit from a church in their area. Almost all say yes. This is such a great way for those in need to see God's love in action - Christians taking the time to meet them personally.

Special thanks to all Love INC supporters for assistance in meeting the needs of families this past month. Please continue to pray for office volunteers.

Please call the Love INC office @ 233-1844 if you can help with any of the following needs. Please reference the 5 digit number listed at the end of each request/need. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have or if more information is needed.

· Wheelchair – dad (wife & 2 children) released from hospital after an injury. Unable to work for a while and not enough money to purchase a wheelchair. (Martin Elementary area) [07A09]

· Ceiling fan – elderly lady in need of a ceiling fan. (Pt Isabel) [08A09]

· Dresser – disabled vet moved to the area for the warm weather. (lamp – pending) {Olmito} [09C09] PENDING

· 1 full size bed & 2 twin size beds; table & chairs – formerly homeless family on limited income with 2 children in need of beds (a full size and a couple of twins or even some air mattresses). (downtown Brownsville) [09D09]

· Work – 1 single mom looking for any type of work to help support their families. (near the Brownsville Public Library) [09F09]

· Stove – family on limited income in need of a stove. FM 802 & Hwy 48 area [09H09]

· 4 twin beds (2 sets of bunk beds); houseware; curtains & towels - Single mom on disability income with five children. (Laurles/Los Fresnos) [09I09]

· 9 twin beds - Family of nine in need of beds. Beds are pending but need transportation to pick up in South Padre Island and deliver near Alton Gloor & Paredes Line Rd [09K09]

· 10 twin beds - Family of ten in need of beds. Beds are pending, but need transportation to pick up in South Padre Island and deliver near Southmost Rd & 30^th St .[10A09]

· Table &chairs and children’s clothes - Family of three recently moved from Houston, TX, on limited income. Boys clothing size 12 & 10; girls clothes size 7. Near UTB. (10B09)

· 4 twins beds; dresser & blender - (2-set of bunk beds) Family of five, relocated from N. Carolina and on limited income. (Olmito) [10C09] blender is PENDING

· Table & chairs, full-size bed - Family just moved from Florida and they are unemployed at the moment. (in Brownsville near Morningside Rd & Southmost Rd) [10D09]

· 4 twin beds (or air mattresses) & blankets - Single mom with six children on limited income.(near Palm Blvd & Levee in Brownsville) [10E09]

· 3 Twin Beds - Family of five in need of three twin beds. Parents are currently unemployed. (near the airport in Brownsville) [10G09]

· Coffee table, dishes – formerly homeless, disabled woman on SSI, was just blessed with a couch, is in need of a coffee table & dishes. (in Brownsville near Russell Elementary) [11A09]

· Refrigerator & stove – single mother with four children on a limited income. Refrigerator not working & the stove has 2 working burner. (Los Fresnos) [11B09]

***VOLUNTEERS NEEDED***

There are many roles that we can take when responding to HIS call; consider the role God has for you in the ministry of LOVE In The Name of Christ.

November News

2009-11-03T14:19:00.005-06:00

Help Needed

The Coast Guard will be donating 20 racks (bunkbeds - no mattresses). They will be going to 2 families in Brownsville with 10 children each.

A few trucks will be needed to pick up the beds in South Padre Island and delivered. 10 will go to a family that lives near Parede Line Rd & Alton Gloor Blvd and the other 10 will go to a family that lives near Southmost Rd & 30th St.

We don't have an exact date on when the beds will be ready to be picked up, but if you think you can help - please call the Love INC office.

Thank you so much for your willingness to serve.

Needs

1 full size Bed & 2 twin size beds - migrant family with 6 children back down and are in need of a beds - full size and a couple of twins. (Valley Baptist Hospital-Brownsville area) [06A09]

Work - single woman recently moved back to the area and looking for work in the Brownsville-area. (06C09)

Dresser - family with 3 children just moved into an apartment from a small trailer. (Los Fresnos) [06G09]

Wheelchair - dad (wife & 2 children) released from hospital after an injury. Unable to work for a while and not enough money to purchase a wheelchair. (Martin Elementary area) [07A09]

Wheelchair - bone cancer patient on limited income. (Central Ave & Austin Rd) [07I09]

Ceiling fan - elderly lady in need of a ceiling fan. (Pt Isabel) [08A09]

Dresser - disabled vet moved to the area for the warm weather. {Olmito} [09C09]

1 full size bed & 2 twin size beds; table & chairs - formerly homeless family on limited income with 2 children in need of beds (a full size and a couple of twins or even some air mattresses). (downtown Brownsville) [09D09]

Work - 1 single mom looking for any type of work to help support their families. (near the Brownsville Public Library) [09F09]

Stove - family on limited income in need of a stove. FM 802 & Hwy 48 area [09H09]

Beds , houseware, curtains, towels - Single mom on limited income, with five children
[09I09]

9 twin beds - Family of nine ,on a limited income in need of beds. Beds are pending but need transportation to pick up in South Padre Island and deliver near Alton Gloor & Paredes Line Rd [09K09]

10 twin beds - Family of ten, on limited income Beds are pending, but need transportation to pick up in South Padre Island and deliver near Southmost Rd & 30th St .[10A09]

Table & chairs - Family of three, moved from Houston, on limited income, needing table & chairs. Near UTB. (10B09)

4 twin beds (2-sets of bunk beds), blender - Family of five relocated from N. Carolina, on a limited income.(Olmito) [10C09]

Table & chairs, double bed - Family just moved from Florida and they are unemployed at the moment. (Morningside Rd & Southmost Rd) (10D09)

Housing, mattresses, blankets - Single mom with six children (one newborn), looking for affordable housing, something to sleep on - even an air mattress or sleeping bag and some blankets, on limited income.(Palm Blvd & Levee St) (10E09)

3 twin Beds - Family of five in need of three twin beds. Unemployed at the moment.(near Brownsville airport) (10G09)

Angel Food is available in a quantity that can fit into a medium-sized box at $30 per unit. Each month's menu is different than the previous month and consists of both fresh and frozen items with an average retail value of approximately $60.

Generally, one unit of food assists in feeding a family of four for about one week or a single senior citizen for almost a month. The food is all the same high quality one could purchase at a grocery store. There are no second-hand items, no damaged or out-dated goods, no dented cans without labels, no day-old breads and no produce that is almost too ripe.

There are no restrictions, conditions or forms to fill out to purchase Angel Food. The food relief program is open to one and all. Anyone may purchase an unlimited number of boxes of Angel Food by placing an order with a local Angel Food host site.

Three local sites to order from: Living Bread Ministries in Brownsville (call 956-504-1410 or 956-455-7977 for more information); Christ's Harbor Church in Laguna Vista (call 956-943-5595 for more information); and Reyes Seafood Restaurant in Laguna Heights (call 956-943-9551 for more information).

Please announce the needs list to your congregation, put in your bulletin, post on your bulletin board or display electronically prior to your services. As always - thank you for all you do!!

Mimi Price, Executive Director
Love In the Name of Christ (love INC)
(956) 233-1486 - Client line
(956) 233-1844 - Office
(956) 233-1846 - FAX
www.loveincbrownsville.org
www.loveincsecameroncty.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Fresnos-TX/Love-In-the-Name-of-Christ/94945535085

November Angel Food Menu

2009-11-02T13:27:00.006-06:00

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Christ’s Harbor Church

We Accept Food Stamps (EBT).

Angel Food Ministries is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Washington, DC 20250-9410

Angel Food Ministries Reserves the Right to Substitute Any of the Above Items Due to Availability, Cost and Quality

Ordering and Pickup Information – Laguna Vista, Texas

On site Order Deadline: 11/8/09 11:59 PM Local Time

Online Order Deadline: 11/11/09 11:59 AM Eastern Time

(https://www.angelfoodministries.com/order/default.asp?id=1536&pid=68)

Distribution Date: Saturday – 11/21/09 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Local Time

Pickup Location:

Christ’s Harbor Church

1154 Santa Isabel Blvd
Laguna Vista, Texas 78578

Pickup Time:

10:00 am - 12:00 pm

We look forward to seeing you!!!

VERY IMPORTANT! BRING YOUR OWN BOX!

BOXES NOT PROVIDED!!!

Please go to the following locations to order:
Christ’s Harbor Church

1441 Santa Isabel Blvd.

Laguna Vista, TX

943-5595

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Reyes Seafood Restaurant

Ordering and Pickup Information – Laguna Heights, Texas

Deadline Ordering: Saturday – 11/7/09

Distribution Date: Saturday – 11/21/09

Pickup Location:

Reyes Seafood Restaurant

716 Hwy 100

Laguna Heights, Texas

Pickup Time:

After 12:00 pm

We look forward to seeing you!!!

VERY IMPORTANT! BRING YOUR OWN BOX!

BOXES NOT PROVIDED!!!

Please go to the following locations to order:
Reyes Seafood Restaurant

716 Hwy 100

Laguna Heights, TX 78578

943-9551

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Living Bread Ministries

Ordering and Pickup Information - Brownsville, Texas

On site Order Deadline: 11/11/09 11:59 PM Local Time

Online Order Deadline: 11/11/09 11:59 AM Eastern Time

https://www.angelfoodministries.com/order/default.asp?id=5314&pid=68

Distribution Date: Saturday – 11/21/09 09:30 AM – 11:00 AM Local Time

Pickup Location:

Faith Church

1154 Los Ebanos Blvd.
Brownsville, Texas 78520

(Corner of Los Ebanos and Barnard)

Pickup Time:

9:30am - 11:00am

We look forward to seeing you!!!

VERY IMPORTANT! BRING YOUR OWN BOX! BOXES ARE NOT PROVIDED!!!

Personal checks are not accepted

Please go to the following locations to order:
Excell Auto Services - 1604 E. 7th St. - during normal working hours

Mr. James Brown's home - 4743 Las Palomas St. (off Alton Gloor Rd.)
PLEASE call before coming: 544-6868 or 455-3277

Sound Off for Poverty

2009-10-21T14:20:00.003-05:00

Wanted to pass on information about an exciting program that empowers students to take action against poverty!

Check out The Love INC Sound Off for Poverty. Hope you will consider participating.

October Needs List

2009-10-09T13:40:00.002-05:00

It seems almost impossible to meet these needs, but there is one need that everyone can help meet. Every one that calls is asked if they would be willing to accept a visit from a church in their area. Almost all say yes. This is such a great way to show God’s love in action – to go out to their homes and pray with them.

Special thanks to Brownsville Community Fellowship, Church of the Advent, Christ’s Harbor Church, First Baptist Church Los Fresnos, United In Christ and all Love INC supporters for assistance in meeting the needs of families this past month. We apologize for taking so long in getting this to you, but we sure could use someone in the office to help put this list together – please pray for office volunteers. Please announce the needs listed below to your congregation, put in your bulletin, post on your bulletin board or display electronically prior to your services. As always - thank you, thank you, and thank you for all you do!!

Please call the Love INC office if you can help with any of the following needs. Please reference the 5 digit number listed at the end of each request/need. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have or if more information is needed.

• Beds – migrant family with 6 children back down and are in need of a beds – full size and a couple of twins. (Valley Baptist Hospital-Brownsville area) [06A09]
• Work - single woman recently moved back to the area and looking for work in the Brownsville-area. (06C09)
• Table & chairs, drawer – family with 3 children just moved into an apartment from a small trailer. (Los Fresnos) [06G09]
• Wheelchair – dad (wife & 2 children) released from hospital after an injury. Unable to work for a while and not enough money to purchase a wheelchair. (Martin Elementary area) [07A09]
• Dresser, nightstand, lamp-disabled veteran on limited income recently moved to the area for the warmer climate. (Olmito-area) [07C09)
• Wheelchair – bone cancer patient on limited income. (Central Ave & Austin Rd) [07I09]
• Ceiling fan – elderly lady in need of a ceiling fan. (Pt Isabel) [08A09]
• Beds; table & chairs; dresser – formerly homeless mom with 3 children who left an abusive, domestic situation in need of at least 2 full size beds; table, chairs and perhaps a dresser. (International Blvd & 16th St, Brownsville) [09A09]
• Dresser – disabled vet moved to the area for the warm weather. (lamp – pending) {Olmito} [09C09]
• Beds; table & chairs – formerly homeless family on limited income with 2 children in need of beds (a full size and a couple of twins or even some air mattresses). (downtown Brownsville) [09D09]
• Work – 2 single moms looking for any type of work to help support their families. (one lives near International Blvd & Roosevelt and the other near the Brownsville Public Library) [09E09 & 09F09]
• Stove – family on limited income ,need stove, housing does not furnished stove. FM 802 & Hwy 48 area [09H09]
• Beds , houseware, curtains, towels - Single mom on limited income, with five children
[09I09]
• Beds, tables & chairs, couch - Family with three children ,just moved to this area. On limited income as the dad just started working. Near the WalMart on Boca Chica Blvd. [09J09]
• Beds - Family of nine ,on a limited income in need of beds. Beds are pending but need transportation to pick up in South Padre Island and deliver near Alton Gloor & Paredes Line Rd [09K09]
• Beds - Family of ten, on limited income Beds are pending, but need transportation to pick up in South Padre Island and deliver near Southmost Rd & 30th St .[10A09]

Please call the Love INC office @ 233-1844 if you can help with any of the needs listed above. Please reference the 5 digit number listed at the end of each request/need. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have or if more information is needed.

Please pray for:

- The above listed clients. Pray that they will develop a desire to know more about the Lord.

- Office Volunteers to update the needs list, file folders, answer the phone, etc.

- The Love INC Board members, staff, volunteers and their families. Pray that God would bless them and give them wisdom and insight. Pray also that God would protect them and their families from the attacks of the enemy as they strive to make a difference for Christ.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Thank you for your continued prayers and support of
Love In the Name of Christ!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Check out Love INC on the web
www.loveincsecameroncty.blogspot.com
www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Fresnos-TX/Love-In-the-Name-of-Christ/94945535085

Help Needed

2009-10-07T13:34:00.002-05:00

Help will be needed within the next week. The Coast Guard (at South Padre Island) will be donating 20 racks (bunk beds - no mattresses). They will be going to 2 families in Brownsville with 10 children each.

A few trucks will be needed to pick up the beds in South Padre Island and delivered. 10 will go to a family that lives near Parede Line Rd & Alton Gloor Blvd and the other 10 will go to a family that lives near Southmost Rd & 30th St.

We don't have an exact date on when the beds will be ready to be picked up, but if you think you can help - please call the Love INC office.

Thank you so much for your willingness to serve.

Take me to see Jesus

2009-09-29T11:04:00.005-05:00

by Robert Odom

excerpt from the Love INC National Newsletter Fall 2009

At the Love INC National Directors Retreat in April, Sister Josephe Marie Flynn shared a story about a class of high school seniors that she was teaching. She had posed the following question to her students, “If I asked you to take me to see Jesus, where would you take me?” One young man, the rowdiest, biggest troublemaker, answered, “I can take you to see Jesus.” Sister Josephe said. “Where?” He said, “I can take you to see my mom. Something happened to her and she’s totally changed. It’s like Jesus is living inside her.” Sister Josephe shared that not long after, she started to see a difference in that young man. His life was changing because he could see Jesus in his mom.

I’ve thought a lot about Josephe’s question. There are more than 37 million poor men, women and children in our country. Can they see Jesus through us, His Church? In their isolation, can they see the community of the Body of Christ?

As large and daunting as the challenge of poverty in America is, there is nothing bigger than God and His Church. God promised that He wouldn’t give us more than we can handle. But to assist in realizing that promise, that we can meet the challenge of poverty, we have to live as Christ did. Even Webster’s Dictionary defines “Christian” as “manifesting the qualities of the spirit of Jesus; showing a loving concern for others; one who lives according to the teachings of Jesus.” We have a responsibility as Christians to live in such a way that people can see Christ in us. And for us to look like Christ, we have to do like Christ. When we do like Christ, we can make a difference on behalf of the poor. We become the light in their darkness.

No one should ever have to ask us to take them to see Jesus, because they should see Jesus in us. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Light. On behalf of the poor, America needs to see the light of Jesus shining from His Church, the Body of Christ, now more than ever. And the poor should be exiting poverty in record numbers because when we do like Christ, we create ways for the poor to break free of their isolation and confinement.

October Angel Food Menu

2009-09-24T12:23:00.007-05:00

Host Sites:

Christ’s Harbor Church
We Accept Food Stamps (EBT).

Angel Food Ministries is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Washington, DC 20250-9410

Angel Food Ministries Reserves the Right to Substitute Any of the
Above Items Due to Availability, Cost and Quality
Ordering and Pickup Information – Laguna Vista, Texas
Deadline Ordering: Sunday – 10/12/09 11:59 PM Local Time
Distribution Date: Saturday – 10/24/09 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Local Time

Pickup Location:

Christ’s Harbor Church
1154 Santa Isabel Blvd
Laguna Vista, Texas 78578

Pickup Time:
10:00 am - 12:00 pm

We look forward to seeing you!!!

VERY IMPORTANT! BRING YOUR OWN BOX!
BOXES NOT PROVIDED!!!

Please go to the following locations to order:
Christ’s Harbor Church
1441 Santa Isabel Blvd.
Laguna Vista, TX
943-5595

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Reyes Seafood Restaurant
We Accept Food Stamps (EBT).

Angel Food Ministries is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Washington, DC 20250-9410

Angel Food Ministries Reserves the Right to Substitute Any of the
Above Items Due to Availability, Cost and Quality
Ordering and Pickup Information – Laguna Heights, Texas
Deadline Ordering: Saturday – 10/10/09
Distribution Date: Saturday – 10/24/09

Pickup Location:

Reyes Seafood Restaurant
716 Hwy 100
Laguna Heights, Texas

Pickup Time:
After 12:00 pm

We look forward to seeing you!!!

VERY IMPORTANT! BRING YOUR OWN BOX!
BOXES NOT PROVIDED!!!

Please go to the following locations to order:
Reyes Seafood Restaurant
716 Hwy 100
Laguna Heights, TX 78578
943-9551

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Living Bread Ministries

We Accept Food Stamps (EBT).

Angel Food Ministries is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Complaints of discrimination should be sent to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights,
Washington, DC 20250-9410

Angel Food Ministries Reserves the Right to Substitute Any of the
Above Items Due to Availability, Cost and Quality
Ordering and Pickup Information - Brownsville, Texas

Deadline Online Ordering Sunday – 10/15/09 12:00 PM Eastern Time
Deadline Ordering: Monday – 10/12/09 05:00 PM Local Time
Distribution Date: Saturday – 10/24/09 09:30 AM – 11:00 AM Local Time

Pickup Location:

Faith Church
1154 Los Ebanos Blvd.
Brownsville, Texas 78520
(Corner of Los Ebanos and Barnard)
Pickup Time:
9:30am - 11:00am

We look forward to seeing you!!!

VERY IMPORTANT! BRING YOUR OWN BOX! BOXES ARE NOT PROVIDED!!!
Due to a number of bad checks –
personal checks are no longer accepted

Please go to the following locations to order:
Excell Auto Services - 1604 E. 7th St. - during normal working hours
Mr. James Brown's home - 4743 Las Palomas St. (off Alton Gloor Rd.)
PLEASE call before coming: 544-6868 or 455-3277

Online menu is now directly maintained by Angel Food Ministries in Georgia.

To view the menu or place your order online, go to:
http://www.angelfoodministries.com/host.asp?id=5314
then scroll down and click THE button labeled "ORDER ONLINE"

Needs List

2009-09-18T13:59:00.004-05:00

Special thanks to all Love INC supporters for assistance in meeting the needs of families this past month. We apologize for taking so long in getting this to you, but we sure could use someone in the office to help put this list together – please pray for office volunteers. Please announce the needs listed below to your congregation, put in your bulletin, post on your bulletin board or display electronically prior to your services. As always - thank you, thank you, and thank you for all you do!!

· Beds – migrant family with 6 children back down and are in need of a beds – full size and a couple of twins. (Valley Baptist Hospital-Brownsville area) [06A09]

· Work - single woman recently moved back to the area and looking for work in the Brownsville-area. (06C09)

· Table & chairs, drawer – family with 3 children just moved into an apartment from a small trailer. (Los Fresnos) [06G09]

· Wheelchair – dad (wife & 2 children) released from hospital after an injury. Unable to work for a while and not enough money to purchase a wheelchair. (Martin Elementary area) [07A09]

· Dresser, nightstand, lamp-disabled veteran on limited income recently moved to the area for the warmer climate. (Olmito-area) [07C09)

· Beds, table & chairs – family recently relocated from Florida. Full-size bed donated, still need some twin size beds. (by Brownsville airport) [07H09]

· Wheelchair – bone cancer patient on limited income. (Central Ave & Austin Rd) [07I09]

· Ceiling fan – elderly lady in need of a ceiling fan. (Pt Isabel) [08A09]

· Beds; couch, table & chairs; dresser – formerly homeless mom with 3 children who left an abusive, domestic situation in need of at least 2 full size beds; table, chairs and perhaps a dresser. (International Blvd & 16^th St, Brownsville) [09A09]

· Night stands; lamp; dresser – disabled vet moved to the area for the warm weather. (lamp – pending) {Olmito} [09C09]

· Beds; table & chairs – formerly homeless family on limited income with 2 children in need of beds (a full size and a couple of twins or even some air mattresses). (downtown Brownsville) [09D09]

· Work – 2 single moms looking for any type of work to help support their families. (one lives near International Blvd & Roosevelt and the other near the Brownsville Public Library) [09E09 & 09F09]

Please call the Love INC office @ 233-1844 if you can help with any of the needs listed above. Please reference the 5 digit number listed at the end of each request/need. Also, please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have or if more information is needed.

Please pray for:

- The above listed clients. Pray that they will develop a desire to know more about the Lord.

- Office Volunteers to update the needs list, file folders, answer the phone, etc.

- The Love INC Board members, staff, volunteers and their families. Pray that God would bless them and give them wisdom and insight. Pray also that God would protect them and their families from the attacks of the enemy as they strive to make a difference for Christ.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Thank you for your continued prayers and support of

Love In the Name of Christ!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Check out Love INC on the web

www.loveincsecameroncty.blogspot.com

www.facebook.com/pages/Los-Fresnos-TX/Love-In-the-Name-of-Christ/94945535085

please do this for us

2009-09-17T10:42:00.003-05:00

As you know, the ongoing dire economic situation is affecting everyone. Just this week a supporter who has donated $200.00 a month to Love In the Name of Christ had to contact us to let us know that they can no longer afford to support us due to their financial situation. We understand that and empathize with their situation. So we have to continue to be creative in raising the funds needed to carry on this important ministry. Goodsearch.com and Goodshop.com are internet search engines that donate about a penny for every websearch you make in our name and up to 15% of all the online shopping you do. Before, when we told you about this, you had to make Goodsearch your home page or go to it each time you searched in order for us to be credited. Now, they've made a great toolbar that can be accessed from any site your on and just takes a minute to download.

Right now, we have less than 20 of you who do this and we are raising an average of $120.00 a year from your searches. That's helpful, but so far from the potential of what could come from this cost free source of support! If all 183 who are on our e-mailing list would do this and make just two searches a day, we'd receive about $1317.60 a year and that doesn't even include any funds coming from shopping on line through Goodshop - and it won't cost any of you a penny!

PLEASE DO THIS FOR US AND SUPPORT THIS MINISTRY IN SUCH A SIMPLE AND COST-FREE WAY! Here's how:

This software, which takes just a minute to install, allows you to support your favorite cause even if you forget to go to our site first! This is a real game changer in both the ease of using our site and amount of money your cause can earn.

Here's how it works...

1. Download the toolbar at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/

2. Search the web directly from the built-in search box. Each search generates a donation (about a penny per search) for your cause!

3. Shop online as you normally would at any of our 1,300+ participating stores including Gap, PetSmart, Dell, and Staples. When you're at the store's website, our toolbar will automatically light up displaying the percentage donated and any available coupons. With our new toolbar, your purchases will generate donations even if you forget to start your shopping at GoodShop!

When you download the toolbar, make sure you type in and set "Love in the Name of Christ - Brownsville" as your charity of choice. Once you do that and verify it, it will automatically be set. (You will have to re-enter us if your browser deletes cookies automatically you close it).

Thank you for partnering with us in this way!

God bless!

American Youth Tune Out Media, Tune In to God

2009-09-14T12:30:00.003-05:00

There is a time for everything...a time to be silent and a time to speak."
Ecclesiastes 3:1a, 7b

These days, you would be hard pressed to find a teenager who doesn’t own a video game console, television, a cell phone, iPod (mp3 player), or personal computer. It seems that America’s teenage population is defined by fast-paced entertainment, a continual need for electronic connectedness, and a boredom for things not associated as the newest, fastest, or most popular. Add to this the western notion of individualism and the result is a generation who may be “connected,” but in reality are not experiencing God’s communal, loving, sacrificial kingdom.

But this country’s Christian youth are demonstrating something different.

From coast to coast, our nation saw thousands of teenagers sacrifice their comforts for the sake of others this past year, By fasting from all electronic entertainment, these teens were able to slow down from life’s many distractions an discover God’s heart for their neighbors in need. This Media Fast is a program of The Sound Off for Poverty, Love INC’s vehicle to engage youth to take action against poverty in our nation.

While participating in the Media Fast, teens abstain from using all forms of electronic entertainment – such as video games, music, television, cell phones and the Internet – for a specific period of time. Most teens participate with their church youth group and together they use the fasting time for Bible lessons, group activities, and community service projects. Teens also raise financial support for their fast from family and friends, and all funds are used to help those in need through Love In the Name of Christ.

Please contact the Love INC office if you would like more information.

Building Skills for Life

2009-09-11T14:27:00.001-05:00

“We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach.”

Romans 12:6-7 (NIV)

When we read in Scripture that we are to share what we have with those in need, oftentimes we think about material resources such as food, clothing, and finances. But another valuable resource we can give is the gift of knowledge. When people share their skills, experience, and abilities, so that others can learn how to improve their situation, these gifts can be passed down from generation to generation.

Sometimes a person’s challenges are a result of never having had the opportunity to learn essential skills that others simply take for granted, such as how to manage money, interview for a job, or set appropriate boundaries for their children. Equipping people to problem-solve their challenges can help them create sustainable changes in their lives.

What’s more, some people have never had the opportunity to develop life skills from a Biblical perspective. Understanding how to use one’s abilities in alignment with God’s will and His principles is key to enjoying a fruitful life.

Love INC affiliates across the country offer a variety of skill-building opportunities for people in need through one-on-one teaching and group classes. These educational opportunities provide information and training through hands-on, interactive learning where participants can reflect on what they’ve learned, practice new skills, and applu Biblical principles to their lives. Love INC affiliates are teaching skills such as:

v Money management

v Parenting

v Employment readiness and job skills

v Computer skills

v GED test preparation

v English language education

v Auto maintenance and repair

v Home maintenance repair

v Nutrition and cooking

v Healthy marriage relationships

v Stress or anger management

v Setting boundaries

v Conflict resolution

v Addiction recovery

One of the most common life skills training that Love INC offers is money management. Consider these facts:

Ø Seventy percent of all consumers live paycheck to paycheck, meaning they run out of money before the end of each month

Ø Ninety-two percent of U.S. family disposable income is spent on paying debt.

Ø Between 1989 and 2006, America’s total credit card charges increased from about $69 billion a year to more than $1.8 trillion.

Ø Nearly half of all Americans have less than $10,000 saved for their retirement.

Ø Thirty-seven percent of marital problems derive from financial situations.

from the Love INC National Newsletter - Spring 2009

Prayer

2009-09-11T14:00:00.000-05:00

We are so thankful to all who showed up for prayer yesterday at St. Paul's. This is only the beginning. We hope to make this a quarterly event.

Will you pray?

2009-08-27T16:16:00.004-05:00

"May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you." Psalm 33:22 (NIV)

Love INC is a ministry that believes in the power of prayer. We want to be a part of accomplishing God's purposes throughout the earth – and together we can do that – through prayer.

We invite you to join us in praying for:

our families

communities

the Love INC ministry

our churches

state

nation

Location: St Paul's Episcopal Church

Brownsville, TX

When: Thursday, Sept. 10, 2009

Time: 11:00 am - 1:00 PM

Call the Love INC office for more information.

Love INC a bridge for those in need to the Body of Christ

Giving through United Way

2009-08-21T12:47:00.002-05:00

Many workplaces participate in annual United Way drives, raising funds for local organizations. Did you know that you have the option of choosing any 501(c)3 nonprofit organization for your designated donations, whether the organization is a part of United Way or not?

You can designate Love In the Name of Christ – Brownsville for your United Way giving.

Your donation is automatically deducted from your paycheck every month. Just fill out section B. Specific Organization and write Love In the Name of Christ – Brownsville on the "name of agency" line, fill-in our address and leave the "agency code" blank. Don't forget to fill-in the amount you want to give.

Love In the Name of Christ (Love INC)

Can you help us?

Operation Lone Star 2011

Panda Mania VBS in Los Fresnos

Play Day by the Bay

"You did it for me"

Starting over is never easy

Christmas Excitement

Christmas Party @ Texas Migrant Council's Head Start

Love INC angels in action

A GREAT BIG THANK YOU!

An appeal from a Love INC supporter

Helping a single mom

October

Thank you, Capt Phil & Preston!

Faith in Action

Volunteers from Love INC participating churches help Cameron County Emergency Management Agency through Faith Communities for Disaster Recovery canvas neighborhoods that tend to flood to see what kind of damages they received & what kind of help they might need.

delivering items to the needy

Helping others

Regarding the 2 urgent requests

Church that suffered fire damage re-building

Love In Action

Operation Lone Star

Leadership Summit

Board Opportunity

Empowered & Prepared to Witness

An Invitation to Intercessory Worship Gathering

Drama Teams Needed for 2010 Island of Praise

Operation Lone Star

A Night of Worship with Darrell Evans

Thank you Lord!

Island of Praise 2010

God’s Economy - Are You Invested?

The Movement

GoodSeach toolbar

website

The website is getting slowly getting a new look - check it out: www.loveincbrownsville.org

The Love INC Movement

eNewsletter

Mercy – what does it mean to you?

follow us on facebook

Teddy Bear Tea 2010

The Ladies Ministry of First Baptist Church in Los Fresnos hosted this lovely tea to collect teddy bears for the Fire, Police Department, & EMS. They are given to children to relieve stress and/or sorrow by giving unconditional acceptance, love, and reassurance.

Love Stories

Happy New Year

How to Receive the Good News

Custom Goodsearch Toolbar

Proverbs 19:17

Modeling a Servant’s Heart for Your Children

updated November News

November News

November Angel Food Menu

Sound Off for Poverty

Wanted to pass on information about an exciting program that empowers students to take action against poverty!Check out The Love INC Sound Off for Poverty. Hope you will consider participating.

October Needs List

Help Needed

Take me to see Jesus

October Angel Food Menu

Needs List

please do this for us

American Youth Tune Out Media, Tune In to God

Building Skills for Life

Prayer

Will you pray?

Giving through United Way

Wanted to pass on information about an exciting program that empowers students to take action against poverty!

Check out The Love INC Sound Off for Poverty. Hope you will consider participating.