December 2012 Update

Good day all.  Below is our 2012 update which will include...

1. Prayer Requests
2. Organization Needs
3. Dates to Remember and Service Opportunities
4. A Story

Read on to learn more.  Hope to see you soon!

1. Prayer Requests
1. breaking down of walls between volunteers and service opportunities
2. effective vision communication 
3. awakening of the Bride of Christ in Grundy County
2. Organizational Needs
1. your time, talents, and gifts.  1-2 hours per month would drastically impact the coming of the Kingdom into our community.  We currently have several places and times where you can serve including but not limited to...
1. Nights of Prayer (desserts, meals prep, set up and tear down)
2. 10:5 Movement (volunteers to visit seniors, newsletter writers, monthly outreach options)
3. Mobile Food Pantry (breakfast treats, coffee and doughnut servers, people to smile and shake a hand and hug a neck)
4. Office work type things (imputing data, hanging fliers, sending birthday cards)
5. etc., etc., etc.
2. Only you know how you can help and serve.  Would love to talk some more about this.  
3. Dates to Remember and Service Opportunities (check your calendar)
1. December 1st, Night of Prayer, 6PM at the Farm Bureau
2. December 13th, Christmas Caroling, 6PM at Senior Housing or my house (907 F. Ave.)
3. December 15th, Mobile Food Pantry, 7AM at my house (yes AM)
4. A Story

Guardian Angel

Last week we had a chance to hand out some pumpkin breads to our friends over at the senior housing development for our 10:5 Movement project.  We went from apartment to apartment.  Tommy was in charge of handing out the bread and saying "Happy Thanksgiving".  Manny was in charge of guarding the breads in the wagon.  I was in charge of handing out the cards.  Good times, some good conversation too and prayer.  

We ran into a friend of ours, "B", who has had some back problems in the past, and was laid up again.  The doctor said she should stay in for at least three weeks without leaving her apartment.  She looked to be in an awful amount of pain.  We prayed and I asked her if there was anything else we could do.  She mentioned needing some help with meals.  I told her we would be back.  

Turns out we have had a friend, "T" who has been making meals for us for a little more than a month.  She gave me a call and said, "I like to cook.  I hear you work with people that could use some meals from time to time.  I am going to make you some meals."  So every other week she gives me a call and we stock up with casseroles, cookies, corn, lasagna, scalloped potatoes and much more.  Truly a mission accomplisher on our end.  T is living out our mission as we equip individuals to compassionately share their time, talents, and gifts as Christ cared for those in need.  

I went back to see B again the following Monday.  She was still in pain and moving slow.  We prayed again and we went through the food that T had cooked.  Then she looked at me, and said, as only an older woman with a hurting back could say, "I was her guardian angel."  It was sweet.  I am not sure how to react to that.  We don't do what we do to be called guardian angels, but is sure did feel good and my heart felt well.  I gave a bunch of credit to T for cooking and so wished she could be there to see how her gift had blessed another.  God has provided us with much, and T is a great example of us sharing that blessing with others who are in need and could use the current gap in their life bridged.  With that, we were, to her, an angel for this day.  I know what she feels like too.  I have been, at times in life, down and out, both physically and spiritually.  I can remember the people who picked me back up, as guardian angels would.  I thought of them so.    

So this is where you come in.  There are many folks like B, right here in town, as well as many folks like T.  The B's could use a conversation, a handshake, a hug, and sometimes even a meal.  The T's have the heart and the means to seve.  You see, the goal isn't to be a guardian angel, I don't think we ever intentionally go out to be that, but we can be lovers of light and carriers of His presence wherever we go.  Crazy how we can do that in a little as an hour or two per month.  You can do it, can't wait to have you with us!

Steve H. 
chief compassionate engager
2Coats, Inc.   

Dreams to Visions to Mission

Good day all,

I hope this finds you well and enjoying your Saturday.  The dream of 2Coats has been on my heart for several years now.  From the way that you talk and share I know that you have similar dreams.  

Together we put vision to these dreams.  "To bridge the gap between those who have and those who need", and to continue to focus we put mission underneath the vision as we "equip individuals to compassionately share time, talents, and gifts as Christ cared for those in need."

I had a chance to take another volunteer out to the senior housing development to help with the 10:5 Movement.  It took a few weeks of coordination, but we were able to do so.  First, I took her out there and showed her the building.  I introduced her to some of the residents.  We talked, caught up on one another's lives, we prayed.  Then we went out again last week and I watched as she visited and talked.  She brought her two young girls out with her.  They had written letters and were singing some songs, asking questions.    

We were bridging the gap...we were equipping them to compassionately share what God has blessed them with.  It truly was a beautiful moment as the dream, the vision, the mission were being lived out and acted upon!  

God is moving, the Holy Spirit is equipping us, and we are taking part in this movement that is way bigger than us, and yes, we do get to take part in it!  How awesome is that!  

So thanks for being you, for helping and serving and guiding.  You are an important piece of this puzzle.

Steve H.     

"Why do you call Me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? Everyone who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them, I will show you whom he is like: he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on the rock; and when a flood occurred, the torrent burst against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.  Luke 6: 46-48

November 2012 Update

Good day all, here is what we are up to this November.  Hope to see you soon!

1. Prayer Requests
1. for the filling up by the Holy Spirit this Saturday at the night of prayer, that we would be able to minister from our overflow
2. safety during work as we break ground this month at the trailer court here in town with a gardening outreach project called "Watered Gardens"
3. for hearts to be opened there to the love of the father
4. for our friends at senior housing, as the weather gets colder, that they would feel the presence of the Spirit in their apartments.
5. for valerie that those who she is ministering to in Dumont
6. for all who we are engaging with and serving
2. Compassionate Engagement/Night of Prayer/Worship Night
1. we are working on a name.  Either way, we are gathering this Saturday at 6 in the Farm Bureau Building here in Grundy Center.  The purpose of the night is to be filled with the Spirit, that we would be able to minister in our day to day lives to those who we come in contact with.  That from our overflow they would feel the Father's love.  We are also going to eat and sing and it is the best thing happening in Grundy on Saturday night, so come join us, bring a friend!!
3. Watered Gardens
1. We are going to do some work on Saturday, November 10th from 10-12.  So if you like to get your hands dirty, sweat a little and break some ground, this is the outreach for you.  Meet at my place at 9:45
4. Mobile Food Pantry
1. this month's pantry is on November 17th.  
2. we continue to need blankets, food to eat, and perhaps others to serve and talk with those that show up.  Early day, starting at 7 or whenever you happen to get here.  This will make your day and open your eyes and heart. 
5. 10:5 Movement
1. we are working on a November outreach and will have a date ASAP.  Will get that out to you when we have one...

the gift of hospitality

2Coats; Equipping individuals to compassionately share their time, talents, and gifts as Christ cared for those in need.

Each month here in Grundy Center, there is a mobile food bank.  I believe the North East Iowa Food Bank supplies food for many people here in town, throughout the county and beyond.  2Coats has been giving away coffee and doughnuts and juice as an outreach for the past few months.

Last month I had a chance to meet V, a wonderful lady who shared some of her story and I with her.  Turns out she needed a couch.  We had one, so we packed it up and were able to bring it to her this past Tuesday.  The boys and I made our way to Dumont, Iowa; "small town, big heart".  

As we moved the couch in and began to visit some more, I learned the couch was going to help her to invite more people into her home to love on them.  She puts on a pot of tea, and has guests over from the other local apartments.  She makes them food and they talk.  She is ministering to them, being a friend, providing some light and sharing his love.  Way to go V, you are doin' the stuff.  What an honor to be apart of that!