Overdue Update

It's funny how we start things like this with the best of intentions but as life happens they fall by the way side. We've been hanging onto a few things for a while now with the intent of sharing them, and what better time than a rainy windy day to remember how much we sometimes need "rain".

Each week we serve any where from 15 to 25 families, which may not seem like much, but for a mostly family run ministry open one day a week to pass out boxes and being on call the rest of the week to help provide and pick up massive amounts of food to distribute to other agencies, it's a pretty big undertaking. From the outside looking in, one might think the folks we serve are always grateful for what they are given but that's just not the case. Of course it isn't their approval or gratitude we seek in this ministry but it's is a sacred delight when we receive it. Here are a few cards and gifts we received from Thanksgiving 2014 to just last week. We hope you find as much encouragement in these simple gestures as we do. Enjoy!

Below are texts from one of the ladies we help. She has a few grown children and one that is disabled and lives with her. There's very little editing (only to remove names and phone numbers). This wonderful lady has been with us since she was diagnosed with cancer. We have seen her go through the treatments and now navigate the trials and sicknesses that follow. She is a great reminder of why we do what we do at JHH and also at Harvest View Church.

L: the juice an drinks have been a life saver for me its hard for me to eat withe those nine teeth cut out but Wayne an Ed love the variety we get from you I make a lot of stirfrys . but we really thank all of you its been hard an you have made it bearable we thank God for you an people like you that have hped us in many ways. May God bless each an everyone of you for walking with us I was cancer free 2/years the #8th day of April couldn't have done it without the prayers .faith. An help from your hearts thank you so much we are truly blessed to have y'all Our testimony 

you are all the help we get an appreciate it more than you know. I may be in centin8el with my hip replacement . just keep us in your Pryers please.

 I will I wish I could remember how to get back to your church. We would love to visit. We don't know a lot of people. But I can honestly say I have never felt so much love an fellowship. It did my heart so good . right now we don't have nice tings to wear an I have been trying for a while just to get W's new glasses an it seems we take two sreps forward an the devil knocks us back four. But through all we have endured its been people like you an your church that has kept us strong we have each other an 5he kindness an carding that has been shown by you an it gives you hope an faith that it could be worse an we thank God for people like you an your church. You have brought us through some rough times. Some days all I can do is drink the drinks we get from you o5herwise I couldn't afford anyes you are thought of everyday. 

 Not one day has sent by I haven't cried my eyes are sore tears of joy .sadness. An depression. To behind graterull. W can't get glasses on Tenn care but because I got med8care an Tenn care they pay for mine . I want go get cause I can't get Hus. I am sorry talking you4 ears off bu5 nonoby want to hear it. But like W says mom we gonna make it an we hav3 keep us in you4 prayers as we will you in ou4s., 

The Little Things

We've all heard at some point that it's the little things that matter most. How true that can be. It doesn't necessarily take a sonnet or a thank you note the length of a small novel to express your feelings or your thanks. Sometimes it's about taking a minute to write a short heartfelt thank you like the following messages.

We received the first one from a young mother of 3 who receives a food box and baby supplies on a monthly basis. Thank you K.J. for your "Thank You"
" Mr.Joel you have been so wonderful and careing and loving . You have helped my family so much . You remind me so much of my grandpa, Happy father's day"

The next message is also from a young single mom of 3. Thank you N.N. for your "Thank You."

"thank you very much for helping me an my children..it means so much. without your help i dont know what i would do..you're a very special man in my book...god does make good men and you have a good heart..thank u so much for helping me an my kids..happy fathers day to a wonderful and caring man.."

Making a difference, one family at a time.

TBT- The Hand Loading Days

Frozen boxes, freezing rain, and long lines of cars. These classics were taken in 1999 passing out cases of frozen goods in the parking lot of the Campus Twin (another throw back) opposite Fred's on Middle Tennessee Blvd. It always seemed to be cold when we did something like this... but at least those biscuits stayed frozen!

Hand Written Thanksgiving

This sweet note comes from a couple whom we also have the pleasure of attending church with. They are such a great example of selflessness. A friend of Sue's came up to one of our staff members at one of our Thanksgiving Basket giveaways to tell us what a small world it is. She told us that she had called Sue, knowing of Sue and Ole Man's struggles with money, earlier in the evening to tell her that she had heard of place giving away food baskets for Thanksgiving. She had offered to bring Sue along so that she might also get a food basket, but Sue turned the lady down and said that she had already made a commitment to help with a ministry at church that night. Of course when the lady arrived at Harvest View Church, where we were distributing the baskets, the first people she saw working were Ole Man and Sue.

I'm sure it almost goes without saying that Ole Man and Sue went home with their own Thanksgiving meal after helping that night, and fast forwarding a year and half later Ole Man and Sue are doing better financially and haven't needed as much assistance with food.
 Don't you just love stories like this?

Texting- The new Thank You note.

Sometimes in ministry one is amazed by the things people say and the way they act, and sometimes that amazement even comes from something good. At Jesus's Helping Hands we use call, voicemail, and text to schedule times for families to pick up their food boxes. We recently received the following text from a lady who has been receiving food for some time. A medical condition impares her ability to work making her available (although with limited means) to raise her 4 grandchildren. It's moments like this that remind us what a difference a box of food can make. "Jesus' Helping Hands) I want to thank everyone there that is involved in this organization. It really means the difference on alot of days as to having just enough to eat or having another dish with dinner. So i do want you ALL to know that the effort and love you all put forward is truly appreciated in out home.. now that we only have one income, it is almost impossible to have enough food after the bills are paid. And sometimes just getting the bread or the fruits and vegetables is really nice because the perishable goods always run out before the end of the month.. Again THANK YOU JESUS HELPING HANDS :-) J.C. and my family.. Just to let y'all know how much y'all mean to us." Thank you J.C. for this thoughtful message and for reminding us of why we do what we do.