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Beacon Newsletter - Fall 2007
Reflections
The most amazing thing about Lighthouse Ministries is the care with which volunteers address the needs of persons who come asking for assistance. One morning back in March we had a woman come seeking help with her gas bill. She and her mentally challenged son were living in their home without heat. As the volunteer talked with her and the gas company, they discovered the real need was assistance with the electric. The confusion had arisen because her power was disconnected. She assumed the gas, not the electric, was off because the house was cold. When the interviewer talked with the energy company she found a deposit had to be paid as well as the bill. Because the interviewer was patient and listened to the woman’s needs, she was able to discover the family was out of food. Lighthouse Ministries paid the deposit, the bill and gave them food.
Yes, over 1500 families will be helped through Lighthouse Ministries this year. Yes, we will break our record of dollars provided in direct Ministry Aid Service to individuals and families this year. Yes, we will give 100% of the funds raised from the churches in direct service aid. Yes, volunteers and staff will spend over ten thousand hours seeing to the needs of those who ask for assistance at Lighthouse Ministries this year. Yes, these are all measurable bench marks. However, what stands above all the measurable services is that persons who come to the Ministry are listened to and their needs are heard. It is this fact which makes Lighthouse Ministries a source of light in times of darkness.
In the last two months over 50% of the people needing assistance at Lighthouse Ministries have never before asked for aid from us. The rising cost of living which we all see at the gas pump and grocery store is hitting persons with limited resources especially hard. One sick child, a car repair bill, a jump in a utility cost, or a short work week can put a family into financial trauma. When that happens, Lighthouse Ministries often becomes the place of last hope. That hope comes in the loving patience of the interviewer and the services we are able to offer toward meeting a person’s basic needs.
No matter which team wins the Gamecock-Tiger game this year, we at Lighthouse Ministries hope all of you know Christ’s love and peace during the holidays.
Austin