Don't know if you know it but Joel and I are over a ministry at our church called Adopt-a-block (AAB) where we have adpoted an apartment complex and go there every week to build relationships with the people and meet their needs. There is mom of a family that has been asking me 4 or 5 times if our church would provide a christmas for them since they could not afford it. We agreed the first time so I laughed every time it was brought up thinking "Did she not remember that she had asked me already. or Doesn't she know I want to help her family out???" Any way her and husband when they got married combined thier kids and had some of their own so they have a total of 11 kids. But she only asked if we could provide christmas for the two youngest ones.
I have been praying about this for a while and wondering how we are going to do it. Since the people that do AAB with us are mostly 17 and under. With only 3 consistant adults. I thought maybe I could make a list and divide up what we need to give them a christmas. It was mainly hanging over my head with no real good answer.
THen one day we get a call from a guy who goes to the church and works at a fast food place. He said every year they adopt a family and give them christmas by providing 2,500 dollars worth of food and presents. And this year they had no clue who to give to so we came to his mind that we would know a family in need. So he told his boss and his boss said get on it. He gave me the number of the lady in charge of adopting a christmas family. For 2 weeks I was in shock thinking they will probably say thanks but no thanks we have some one else in mind. But they are actually doing it. And they want to be anonomous. Can you believe it. I am so excited. Now the whole family gets a christmas. Isn't that just wonderful.
And I got another email from a girl that goes to my church that says she is in a club that wants to adopt a family and I have one that is living in a hotel and is going through a rough time.
And there was another family at AAB that needed a couch and love seat. They had nothing in thier living room. I sent out a note on FB and with in 10 minutes someone told me about a couple that had a couch and love seat to give a way. They not only gave me those two items but lamps and a chair and a coffee table. How awesome is that?
I am blown away by God and HIs provision. In Matthew it says "You need to seek God's Kingdom First and His Righteousness and then everything you need will be given to you." I am putting in my own words. So in other words I need to do what God is asking me to do and surrender my life so He can help me be more like Christ and He will help me with ALL my needs. What an awesome God I serve.
Thank you Jesus!!!
Friday, December 10, 2010
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
God must laugh at us
So much is happening I hope I can describe to you well.
We had a friend email us about a month ago asking if we got any donations for baby items for a christian organization that helps pregnant teens. I Replied and said no, we do not get in anything for babies very often and it is very little when it does come in.
Last week we got in a truck load of assorted food, pet food, bottled water, and non-edible products. Usually we get one or two banana boxes of baby formula. This time we got 18 banana boxes of formula. The more we went throught the boxes to organize them the more frustrated I got because I wanted adult food NOT baby food. And I knew this had to be Diahanna. So I called her and the first thing I said was "I am going to kick your butt"
"What, hello Dess. What did I do."
"You have been praying for the babies haven't you"
"What Babies"
"The Organization that helps babies"
"What????"
"The place you emailed me about a month ago"
"Oh Yes I have been praying"
"A lot?"
"I was praying a lot"
"Well God listened to you because I wanted adult food but instead He listened to your prayers and gave us baby formula and other items"
I told her how much we got in and she squeeled for joy for about 5 minutes. We talked some more. Then last night I got a call from a friend who just got a new job with a food company and said she had baby items for us. Now I know I need to tell my friend to stop praying for all this baby items!!! LOL
The other story I want to tell you is this morning I was spending time with God and He told me to call a certain company that had said yes to us last month but has not given to us yet. I was dreading it because I had called for 2-3 months asking them to donate and they finally said yes but never followed through. I knew I would have to call them and give a friendly reminder we were still wanting their non-sellable products if they had any. I just hate felling pushing.
So when God told me to call i knew I needed to be obedient but it was a struggle. All morning it kept coming to my mind but I was in the middle of something finally around noon I called my contact. As I was dialing and then the phone was ringing I said about 4 or 5 times "I am doing this to be obedient God, Please do not let them pick up. .. . . . I am doing this to be obedient please do not let them pick up. . . . I am doing this to be obedient please let me leave a message"
Probably 90 percent of the time they have not picked up but today was different. My contact answered and I said who I was and who I was with and asked if he had any non-sellable products for us. Surprisingly he said yes and to come by next week to pick up. Then he mentioned with a question mark about our truck. I assured him we had a refrigerated box truck that could hold 6 pallets. And he said suprised 6 pallets was exactly what he had for us.
God must laugh at me constantly. I told my sister the 2nd story and she said God must have been laughing while I was praying for them to not pick up and He must of thought "But I am trying to bless you."
God has got to laugh at us during our day.
Love,
the Butlers
We had a friend email us about a month ago asking if we got any donations for baby items for a christian organization that helps pregnant teens. I Replied and said no, we do not get in anything for babies very often and it is very little when it does come in.
Last week we got in a truck load of assorted food, pet food, bottled water, and non-edible products. Usually we get one or two banana boxes of baby formula. This time we got 18 banana boxes of formula. The more we went throught the boxes to organize them the more frustrated I got because I wanted adult food NOT baby food. And I knew this had to be Diahanna. So I called her and the first thing I said was "I am going to kick your butt"
"What, hello Dess. What did I do."
"You have been praying for the babies haven't you"
"What Babies"
"The Organization that helps babies"
"What????"
"The place you emailed me about a month ago"
"Oh Yes I have been praying"
"A lot?"
"I was praying a lot"
"Well God listened to you because I wanted adult food but instead He listened to your prayers and gave us baby formula and other items"
I told her how much we got in and she squeeled for joy for about 5 minutes. We talked some more. Then last night I got a call from a friend who just got a new job with a food company and said she had baby items for us. Now I know I need to tell my friend to stop praying for all this baby items!!! LOL
The other story I want to tell you is this morning I was spending time with God and He told me to call a certain company that had said yes to us last month but has not given to us yet. I was dreading it because I had called for 2-3 months asking them to donate and they finally said yes but never followed through. I knew I would have to call them and give a friendly reminder we were still wanting their non-sellable products if they had any. I just hate felling pushing.
So when God told me to call i knew I needed to be obedient but it was a struggle. All morning it kept coming to my mind but I was in the middle of something finally around noon I called my contact. As I was dialing and then the phone was ringing I said about 4 or 5 times "I am doing this to be obedient God, Please do not let them pick up. .. . . . I am doing this to be obedient please do not let them pick up. . . . I am doing this to be obedient please let me leave a message"
Probably 90 percent of the time they have not picked up but today was different. My contact answered and I said who I was and who I was with and asked if he had any non-sellable products for us. Surprisingly he said yes and to come by next week to pick up. Then he mentioned with a question mark about our truck. I assured him we had a refrigerated box truck that could hold 6 pallets. And he said suprised 6 pallets was exactly what he had for us.
God must laugh at me constantly. I told my sister the 2nd story and she said God must have been laughing while I was praying for them to not pick up and He must of thought "But I am trying to bless you."
God has got to laugh at us during our day.
Love,
the Butlers
Monday, October 25, 2010
Supplying Needs Sept. & Oct UPDATE
Supplying Needs’ Happenings
September and October 2010
Since Supplying Needs was created in May of 2009, this has been our busiest two months. Our operations have been picking up steam like a train, slow at first, but the momentum is gaining. This update covers September and October 2010.
One of the biggest events is that we’ve made contact with some new wholesalers in
From wholesalers we have been given the following:
3060 frozen 12” pizzas and approximately 22000 personal sized pizzas
These pizzas were not able to be used for their intended purpose, but because of the generosity of the donor, these pizzas were able to make huge impact in the
1234 baking mixes, such as cake, scone and cookie mix
2600 boxes of popcorn
We were extremely pleased with this donation, especially since it is the season to celebrate the harvest and give away candy. I’m sure that there will be lots of children receiving some sort of popcorn treat in their goodie bags. We were able to distribute this popcorn to 8 different groups.
Besides the wholesalers we have recently started picking up from a retail grocery store on a daily basis, 6 days a week. This has been something we’ve been trying to do since our beginning and we are very excited to see how well it is working out. We started off picking up bread from this store and through the efforts of the store manager; the doors were opened to receive ALL the non-sellable products from the store. In just a little over two months we have received 3467 pounds of produce, 2367 loaves of bread plus meat, cheese, deli and frozen goods. This food goes out daily to a different group each day of the week for their food outreaches. It is awesome to know that this food is helping groups reach out to more people in their surrounding area.
Some other donations we received were 7214 containers of yogurt, 254 jugs of juice and two truck loads (12 pallets) of assorted drinks, sauces, dry goods, canned goods, bottled water, pet food and household items.
On a monthly basis Supplying Needs distribute donations free of charge to approximately 1140 people directly and through groups we give to. We are excited to see the difference that is being made and the support these groups are receiving.
How You Can Help:
If you would like to help Supplying Needs efforts to reaching the poor, hungry, homeless, and elderly you can:
1) Help with Finances. As an organization we operate on a minimal budget. ALL PROCEEDS are used to further our efforts in reaching people. We use the money that comes in with our day to day operating expenses such as vehicle licensing, insurance, fuel, etc. All our staff are 100 percent unpaid volunteers and we do all we can to maintain low overhead costs. Any financial support is appreciated and can be mailed to:
Supplying Needs
95201
2) You can pray for Supplying Needs. We value your prayers. If you would like to be a part of our prayer team and receive monthly prayer updates, please send an email to supplyingneedsprayer@gmail.com.
Thank you for all your support, encouragement and prayers. We really appreciate you!
God Bless,
Joel Butler
President
Friday, October 15, 2010
Desire of The Heart: From a Bad thing to a blessing
As you know Supplying Needs has a 6 pallet refrigerated box truck. What you may not know is that since we have received the truck free of charge Joel has been wanting a paint job for it. We have almost had that truck for a year now. And Joel will bring it up every once in a while how bad he wants to have the truck get a beautiful paint job.
You may also know that being we have a limited budget for our ministry that was a want and not a need. As always when he brought it up I would just smile and say "Honey I am sorry. You are right it does need one but we can't do it right now." Or something along those lines.
You may not know that we have been parking the truck at our churches parking lot. I don't know how many times I have prayed for our truck that God would send angels around it to protect our truck. Our church is in a not so nice neighborhood. And God would continue to answer those prayers.
Just recently our church had a walk/run/bike-a-thon. They asked us to move the truck. So Joel back it up against the churches brick wall. During this time some one(s) came and tagged (aka graffiti) our truck. Can you believe it. Bright red too. The crazy thing was that our truck was parked not more than 5 feet from the church bus and it didn't get tagged, NOT ONE BIT. I was thinking "God what are you doing?" How crazy is that. Both the vehicles are bright white both are sitting by each other and only ours got tagged. Things that make you go hm.
JOel went right to work the next day cleaning and sanding the truck for paint job. It would not have been the best paint job since we don't have any equipment. He was doing sanding and washing the truck when a guy that works at the church during the week came out to see Joel. The man heard our story and told Joel that his son is a professional painter. All I know is Joel got the paint and the son painted our Truck for FREE!!! It looks brand new. The paint job is awesome and Joel got his hearts desires.
LOOK AT GOD!!!
God works in mysterious ways. & His ways are not OUR ways!!
In Awe of our Great Big GOD!!!
The Butlers
You may also know that being we have a limited budget for our ministry that was a want and not a need. As always when he brought it up I would just smile and say "Honey I am sorry. You are right it does need one but we can't do it right now." Or something along those lines.
You may not know that we have been parking the truck at our churches parking lot. I don't know how many times I have prayed for our truck that God would send angels around it to protect our truck. Our church is in a not so nice neighborhood. And God would continue to answer those prayers.
Just recently our church had a walk/run/bike-a-thon. They asked us to move the truck. So Joel back it up against the churches brick wall. During this time some one(s) came and tagged (aka graffiti) our truck. Can you believe it. Bright red too. The crazy thing was that our truck was parked not more than 5 feet from the church bus and it didn't get tagged, NOT ONE BIT. I was thinking "God what are you doing?" How crazy is that. Both the vehicles are bright white both are sitting by each other and only ours got tagged. Things that make you go hm.
JOel went right to work the next day cleaning and sanding the truck for paint job. It would not have been the best paint job since we don't have any equipment. He was doing sanding and washing the truck when a guy that works at the church during the week came out to see Joel. The man heard our story and told Joel that his son is a professional painter. All I know is Joel got the paint and the son painted our Truck for FREE!!! It looks brand new. The paint job is awesome and Joel got his hearts desires.
LOOK AT GOD!!!
God works in mysterious ways. & His ways are not OUR ways!!
In Awe of our Great Big GOD!!!
The Butlers
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
WOW
Everything has changed so drastically in the past few weeks that I hope I can portray all of it.
We have been picking up from a grocery store bread on and off since July. They called us at other times for other things that they had for us but it was never consistent. We started to have a better relationship with one of the managers of the grocery store. Totally loves us. Totally liked who we are, what we were doing, and how we handled our stores that give to us. With his love for us he started to pester, bug, push the store owner to give more to us like produce and other food items they were throwing away on a weekly or even daily basis. But because of fear of legal matters the owner pushed it aside. Then the manager started to push us to bring in paperwork to prove we are trustworthy and have no intentions of any kind of legal matters.
One day while we were picking up bread the manager was asking me questions about our organization and the pay joel and I get. I told him JOel and I don't get paid and we put in our bylaws of Supplying Needs that we would not get paid. He then started asking the usual question like where do you get money from, how do you pay your bills (rent, utility etc) I just said straight out "God takes care of us" Oh he had a hissy fit. He even stopped talking to me for about 5 minutes which seemed like eternity. I freaked out in my mind but again had to give it to God. I prayed Lord you are in control of this contact if we lose it then I have nothing to be ashamed about but I will not give way to fear and I pray for this manager that you would speak to him." Yeah I felt it was that drastic that we could lose this contact. But after the 5 minutes he started to talk to me again and ripped on me hard core about my faith.
But that night we got a call from him saying the owner wanted to have a meeting with us the next day inregards to picking up from them 6 days a week and seeing how we handle donated food.
We had the meeting the next day and it was awesome. Had a great time talking to the manager and owner. By the end they agreed to let us pick up from them 6 days a week. They even stated that they loved all of our tactics and things we did to help them out. Glory to God is all I can say.
Then things just went crazy after that. We got an email from a wholesaler saying we had 2 truck loads of assorted canned and dry goods and pet food and bottled water and other non-edible products. Then another day we got a call from another store saying they had 1/2 a pallet of yogurt.
And by the end of the week we got another email from another wholesaler saying they want to donate 15 pallets of pizza. Which we are still waiting to see what the best time is to pick it up.
Well my computer is about to die. I am sitting in front of the library in the car writing this. By I do want to leave you with one last praise report. In 2010 Supplying Needs has received over 80,000 dollars worth of food, clothes, and furniture that has been distributed free of charge to indivuals as well as 16 groups that we give to. Look at God. He continues to supply us. And can I say on a tiny tiny tiny unbelievable budget. I love my God that can do the impossible.
Love all ya'll. Thank you Jesus for your provision I love you!
The Butlers
We have been picking up from a grocery store bread on and off since July. They called us at other times for other things that they had for us but it was never consistent. We started to have a better relationship with one of the managers of the grocery store. Totally loves us. Totally liked who we are, what we were doing, and how we handled our stores that give to us. With his love for us he started to pester, bug, push the store owner to give more to us like produce and other food items they were throwing away on a weekly or even daily basis. But because of fear of legal matters the owner pushed it aside. Then the manager started to push us to bring in paperwork to prove we are trustworthy and have no intentions of any kind of legal matters.
One day while we were picking up bread the manager was asking me questions about our organization and the pay joel and I get. I told him JOel and I don't get paid and we put in our bylaws of Supplying Needs that we would not get paid. He then started asking the usual question like where do you get money from, how do you pay your bills (rent, utility etc) I just said straight out "God takes care of us" Oh he had a hissy fit. He even stopped talking to me for about 5 minutes which seemed like eternity. I freaked out in my mind but again had to give it to God. I prayed Lord you are in control of this contact if we lose it then I have nothing to be ashamed about but I will not give way to fear and I pray for this manager that you would speak to him." Yeah I felt it was that drastic that we could lose this contact. But after the 5 minutes he started to talk to me again and ripped on me hard core about my faith.
But that night we got a call from him saying the owner wanted to have a meeting with us the next day inregards to picking up from them 6 days a week and seeing how we handle donated food.
We had the meeting the next day and it was awesome. Had a great time talking to the manager and owner. By the end they agreed to let us pick up from them 6 days a week. They even stated that they loved all of our tactics and things we did to help them out. Glory to God is all I can say.
Then things just went crazy after that. We got an email from a wholesaler saying we had 2 truck loads of assorted canned and dry goods and pet food and bottled water and other non-edible products. Then another day we got a call from another store saying they had 1/2 a pallet of yogurt.
And by the end of the week we got another email from another wholesaler saying they want to donate 15 pallets of pizza. Which we are still waiting to see what the best time is to pick it up.
Well my computer is about to die. I am sitting in front of the library in the car writing this. By I do want to leave you with one last praise report. In 2010 Supplying Needs has received over 80,000 dollars worth of food, clothes, and furniture that has been distributed free of charge to indivuals as well as 16 groups that we give to. Look at God. He continues to supply us. And can I say on a tiny tiny tiny unbelievable budget. I love my God that can do the impossible.
Love all ya'll. Thank you Jesus for your provision I love you!
The Butlers
Saturday, July 31, 2010
6th Year Anniversary 2010
It has been oh-so-fabulous. We have a tradition that odd years I plan our anniversary, even years Joel plans the anniversary. As you can probably guess it was Joel's year. And thus far I have had a blast. We drove about an hour and half to San Jose where we went out to eat and Joel rented a hotel room. Then tomorrow we go cruising on the 101 to look at the wonderful view of the coast in hopes to stop at a wonderful beach. It has been fabulous!!! Then the lady we are staying with said to me this week "Dess would you let me bless you with an Anniversary gift." I said sure. "I want to pay to get your hair cut." Oh no I am trying to grow it long but I was going to ask Morgan (Toni's youngest daughter) if she would curl it for me. "HOw about I pay for you to get your hair curled?" SO she called Lisa the lady that cuts my hair and set up an appointment for me to get it curled. I love it. I have never got my hair professionally done like this not on prom and not even my wedding day. I always did my hair. Man this is so fabulous.
I have enjoyed myself so much. So why am I on the internet on our anniversary. Well it is free with the hotel, I couldn't help put on pics we have thus far, and we are just chillin and I have watched all the mythbusters (there seems to be a mythbusters marathon) that I can take right now. So I thought "Hey let's put some pics on the net."
So here they are, ENJOY!!!
I have enjoyed myself so much. So why am I on the internet on our anniversary. Well it is free with the hotel, I couldn't help put on pics we have thus far, and we are just chillin and I have watched all the mythbusters (there seems to be a mythbusters marathon) that I can take right now. So I thought "Hey let's put some pics on the net."
So here they are, ENJOY!!!
Dinner at Macaroni Grill!!! YUM!!
My Curly Hair-Do
In the Car
In the hotel Lobby (taken by the receptionist)
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Did you ever just wonder??
Did you ever wonder when a certain season in your life would be over. I am wondering that more and more. Like why I am still where I am at. What is it going to take to get out of this place? What is God doing? I know He is good and everything He does is good BUT THIS SURE DOESN'T FEEL GOOD!!!
SO here are questions that are constantly on my mind:
When do we get to move out of Toni's place?
When do we get a warehouse?
When will food come in constantly?
Why are we still here waiting?
What do I have to learn form all of this?
What do I have to do to move on to the next season?
So Toni's place is absolutely wonderful! I love her family, her kids, our relationship.
BUT I desire with everything with in me to have Joel's and my own place. Whether it is in a warehouse, a 5th wheeler (aka mobile home), apartment, or house? BUt every time I bring this subject up with God he gives me the same anwer I" need you at Toni's. I have a reason why you are there." So pretty much if you are still there there is a reason. Kind of like if you are still breathing God has a purpose for you. At the same time He won't tell me the reason we are there. Maybe because I would speed up the process to do what he wants me to do so we can get out of there. At one point I was thinking maybe he knows we aren't ready to have our own place. You know how parents don't give their child something because they can't handle it. So I came to that conclusion in my own mind. BUt then God corrected me and said "Dess remember how you tell me "What ever you want God I will do, Where ever you want me to go, I will go. This is the result of your prayer. This is where I want you, this is where I want you to go. SO again I, Dess Butler, ask When will this season be over?
Next THE WAREHOUSE. When God when? WHy God Why? He promised a warehouse/building for our ministry. Now it is just the patient game.
THEN THERE IS FOOD? IT comes so randomly. Some weeks we get nothing other weeks we are buys. I just don't get it. AGain what is GOd doing?
The waiting game drives me crazy. Maybe that is what i have to learn. MOre patience, more waiting, more more more endurance.
So I am here stuck in God's will. Did you ever feel like that too. YOu don't really like where you are at but you didn't want to leave God's will for your life either. So I am here recieting to myself. I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of Good and not of harm to make you prosper to give you a hope for the future. Thank you God!!!
So that is it. Please pray for us as we wait on God.
Love,
Dess
Part of My Grandfathers Ponds he Built
SO here are questions that are constantly on my mind:
When do we get to move out of Toni's place?
When do we get a warehouse?
When will food come in constantly?
Why are we still here waiting?
What do I have to learn form all of this?
What do I have to do to move on to the next season?
So Toni's place is absolutely wonderful! I love her family, her kids, our relationship.
BUT I desire with everything with in me to have Joel's and my own place. Whether it is in a warehouse, a 5th wheeler (aka mobile home), apartment, or house? BUt every time I bring this subject up with God he gives me the same anwer I" need you at Toni's. I have a reason why you are there." So pretty much if you are still there there is a reason. Kind of like if you are still breathing God has a purpose for you. At the same time He won't tell me the reason we are there. Maybe because I would speed up the process to do what he wants me to do so we can get out of there. At one point I was thinking maybe he knows we aren't ready to have our own place. You know how parents don't give their child something because they can't handle it. So I came to that conclusion in my own mind. BUt then God corrected me and said "Dess remember how you tell me "What ever you want God I will do, Where ever you want me to go, I will go. This is the result of your prayer. This is where I want you, this is where I want you to go. SO again I, Dess Butler, ask When will this season be over?
Next THE WAREHOUSE. When God when? WHy God Why? He promised a warehouse/building for our ministry. Now it is just the patient game.
THEN THERE IS FOOD? IT comes so randomly. Some weeks we get nothing other weeks we are buys. I just don't get it. AGain what is GOd doing?
The waiting game drives me crazy. Maybe that is what i have to learn. MOre patience, more waiting, more more more endurance.
So I am here stuck in God's will. Did you ever feel like that too. YOu don't really like where you are at but you didn't want to leave God's will for your life either. So I am here recieting to myself. I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans of Good and not of harm to make you prosper to give you a hope for the future. Thank you God!!!
So that is it. Please pray for us as we wait on God.
Love,
Dess
Part of My Grandfathers Ponds he BuiltSaturday, July 03, 2010
Awww Lovin that Thing you Do!!! Thanks God!!
Hey EveryOne,
God continues to blow me away with what He does!! So This week when I was praying the Lord said to start going back to the grocery stores. (You know the ones that said no to us.) I don't know yet if He meant all 64 that said no. But I started and sent about 5 to 6 letters out. We called them on Friday and one Lady from a store said something like this "Oh yes I was going to call you today. We would love for you guys to pick up. A church is already picking up from us. So it will be you and a church. You mentioned that you would like our produce. We have produce that we put on clearance but we would rather give it to you guys. We will call you when we have stuff and we pull food weekly" We went in that hour and picked up so much food that it filled our mini-bus. Juices, dessert mixes, and tons of wonderful bread!!! THis was the same store that said no to us about a year ago maybe a little less and said they were giving to a lot of Groups and didn't want to give to us. God just blows me away.
I am learning that God can do what ever He wants, when ever he wants. He can harden or soften any mans heart. He is in total control. I was watching VeggieTales (Suprise Suprise) with Amiyah and she had picked up Gideon Tuba warrior. And in the song it talks about God making the whole universe and never asking for advice. And I was thinking oh yeah God you really don't need my help. You know what we are going through and what we are doing. All we have to do is follow you. I mean you did make the earth and it is so beautiful and you never once asked how I wanted it done so why would you need my hand in it now unless you ask. Hm food for thought huh!!!
Also Joel and I had two weeks vaca with my family. The first week I was in bed with a fever, soar throat, snot and so much more gross stuff. The second week was so much better. So much quality time with the fam. I just loved it!!! I love my nephews I just adore them. I love Mom and Dad Wendle and my sister and her husband. It was fabulous seeing them. Ew yes and playing a mean game of spades with my sister her husband and a couple that they try and get together with every Friday for cards or what not.
And we had an open house for the Three churches that have loved and supported us since me being at Friend Ships. It was so awesome showing them what God is doing here in Stockton. And they are so encouraging and loving. I just love it.
Well that is about it. Thanks for joining us on this ride we are on. Stay tuned to a JOel and Dess near you. Cause I just love that Thing that you Do God!!! He suprises me all that time.
Love,
Dess
Mom and I
My Sister and I.
At the open house: Mom, Barb, Onum, Joel and Dad
God continues to blow me away with what He does!! So This week when I was praying the Lord said to start going back to the grocery stores. (You know the ones that said no to us.) I don't know yet if He meant all 64 that said no. But I started and sent about 5 to 6 letters out. We called them on Friday and one Lady from a store said something like this "Oh yes I was going to call you today. We would love for you guys to pick up. A church is already picking up from us. So it will be you and a church. You mentioned that you would like our produce. We have produce that we put on clearance but we would rather give it to you guys. We will call you when we have stuff and we pull food weekly" We went in that hour and picked up so much food that it filled our mini-bus. Juices, dessert mixes, and tons of wonderful bread!!! THis was the same store that said no to us about a year ago maybe a little less and said they were giving to a lot of Groups and didn't want to give to us. God just blows me away.
I am learning that God can do what ever He wants, when ever he wants. He can harden or soften any mans heart. He is in total control. I was watching VeggieTales (Suprise Suprise) with Amiyah and she had picked up Gideon Tuba warrior. And in the song it talks about God making the whole universe and never asking for advice. And I was thinking oh yeah God you really don't need my help. You know what we are going through and what we are doing. All we have to do is follow you. I mean you did make the earth and it is so beautiful and you never once asked how I wanted it done so why would you need my hand in it now unless you ask. Hm food for thought huh!!!
Also Joel and I had two weeks vaca with my family. The first week I was in bed with a fever, soar throat, snot and so much more gross stuff. The second week was so much better. So much quality time with the fam. I just loved it!!! I love my nephews I just adore them. I love Mom and Dad Wendle and my sister and her husband. It was fabulous seeing them. Ew yes and playing a mean game of spades with my sister her husband and a couple that they try and get together with every Friday for cards or what not.
And we had an open house for the Three churches that have loved and supported us since me being at Friend Ships. It was so awesome showing them what God is doing here in Stockton. And they are so encouraging and loving. I just love it.
Well that is about it. Thanks for joining us on this ride we are on. Stay tuned to a JOel and Dess near you. Cause I just love that Thing that you Do God!!! He suprises me all that time.
Love,
Dess
Joel, Me, and Dean
Joel and Christopher
Mom and I
My Sister and I.
At the open house: Mom, Barb, Onum, Joel and Dad
Friday, May 28, 2010
God's Goodness!!!
So God has blown our mind once again. There is a wholesaler we are now picking up from once a month that give us a variety of dry goods, canned goods, bottled water, and pet food. This week was the second time we picked up from them. When I talked with my contact he said that he had two loads for us if we could take both of them. We said "OH YEAH". (Note: the first time we picked up it was only one load) So we call one of our friends that runs a food ministry that we give to and asked if they could take the whole first load. She started flipping out on the phone (in a good way).
"Dess you don't even know yesterday we were just praying that God would bless you and Joel with a pick up and that you would have more than one load."
I was freaking out. God is so good to answer prayers.
Then when we got to the warehouse we were talking to my contact about life and he said so who do you know in our company. Joel and I just shrug cause we really don't know any one. Then he went into the story of how they used to donate to 80 other groups but just recently he personally had to call all 80 groups and tell them they could not give to them ANY MORE. And now they only give to 3 groups and we were one of the 3.
This blew our minds. Can you just freak out for me. Because I was like trying to run this God idea through my little head. "So God they stopped giving to 80 groups because of the economy and they just didn't have anything for them any more. Then our Associate pastor of our church says that he has a contact in the this specific grocery chain and to call him we do and we get the hook up. Are you for real. God we are no buddy BUT you are somebody. Thank you God."
So that is our awesomely crazy God story. We feel so blessed and priveldge that God considers us worthy to be his hands and feet.
And passing out the food to the churches and individuals we are hearing testimony after testimony of God moving.
There was one man we give to that God has put on our hearts to give to directly. Well in our big load of items we picked up we got dog food. Both Joel and I knew he had dogs and thought of giving to him but forgot. So today we called him and said we had dog food for him. Comes to find out that he had just given his lost dollar (for pet food) to his daughter who really needed gas money. AFter he had agreed to give his only pet food money away we called 15 minutes later and said we had dog food for him. Can you believe our God He is just too awesome.
So that is what God is doing here in Stockton California. We feel blessed he called us here to be His hands and feet and Love.
God's Love,
The Butlers
"Dess you don't even know yesterday we were just praying that God would bless you and Joel with a pick up and that you would have more than one load."
I was freaking out. God is so good to answer prayers.
Then when we got to the warehouse we were talking to my contact about life and he said so who do you know in our company. Joel and I just shrug cause we really don't know any one. Then he went into the story of how they used to donate to 80 other groups but just recently he personally had to call all 80 groups and tell them they could not give to them ANY MORE. And now they only give to 3 groups and we were one of the 3.
This blew our minds. Can you just freak out for me. Because I was like trying to run this God idea through my little head. "So God they stopped giving to 80 groups because of the economy and they just didn't have anything for them any more. Then our Associate pastor of our church says that he has a contact in the this specific grocery chain and to call him we do and we get the hook up. Are you for real. God we are no buddy BUT you are somebody. Thank you God."
So that is our awesomely crazy God story. We feel so blessed and priveldge that God considers us worthy to be his hands and feet.
And passing out the food to the churches and individuals we are hearing testimony after testimony of God moving.
There was one man we give to that God has put on our hearts to give to directly. Well in our big load of items we picked up we got dog food. Both Joel and I knew he had dogs and thought of giving to him but forgot. So today we called him and said we had dog food for him. Comes to find out that he had just given his lost dollar (for pet food) to his daughter who really needed gas money. AFter he had agreed to give his only pet food money away we called 15 minutes later and said we had dog food for him. Can you believe our God He is just too awesome.
So that is what God is doing here in Stockton California. We feel blessed he called us here to be His hands and feet and Love.
God's Love,
The Butlers
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Hi There!
We got a donation yesterday from a grocery store that does the occasional donation. That was awesome because it was like meats, eggs, cheese, yogurt and other stuff. It was about a small pallet. We grabbed some for us and were able to give the rest out to a couple of groups. Then at 5pm we had another pick up of 6 pallets of bread!!
Some interesting stuff happened that day. 1st we were looking up directions to the grocery store and our laptop screen was extremely dark (like we couldn't see anything except if it was white) but i could tilt it into the sun and kinda make things out. Well, we were freaked out because we depend on our laptop a lot, but there wasn't anything we could do about it then.
2nd, later on after we had dropped off all the donations and were heading home in the bus, it suddenly stalled on us. I was able to put it in neutral and it fired up again and that was fine. But as i thought about it my mind started racing because i kept thinking... "This is a diesel, diesel's don't just stall... What's going WRONG?? Is it the fuel pump? I can't afford to fix the fuel pump!" etc. etc. etc. Well we got on the freeway and were cruising along and it did it again. So i shifted to neutral and it started back up again. Okay wierd! When i shift back into drive it runs a little then dies again. I'm checking the guages, etc. The battery needle is jumping everywhere! So i think maybe it's the battery terminals are somehow loose and losing connection. But that doesn't really make sense either. So i'm coasting now along the freeway getting slower and slower. When it suddenly starts working fine again and i'm able to drive along just fine. Great! I suggest getting off the freeway to see what's up but Dess says "well if it can just get us home!!" We were about 5 miles from home. So i kept going. As we're going over a big bridge we hit some bad freeway and the bus jostles and the engine cuts out again! AAAAHHHHH! Well this time the light comes on... literally. For some reason this time i notice a little red light over my head come on which is an indicator that the back door isn't closed. I know the door is closed, but this is a safety switch which was installed when it was a bus which won't let the driver get the vehicle going if the door is open. It's a little unnerving when you are driving 55 MPH+ down the freeway and the engine just cuts out, but hey safety first right! Well, at least we knew about this switch because it first acted up back when the bus was being donated to us, but i thought that Josh and i had disconnected it. So i tell Dess (as we're coasting down the other side of the bridge) to go to the back of the bus and work the handle to make the switch go off. Dess is so good, she went back there and started toggling that handle up and down, up and down, up and down until it fell right off in her hands while the door was in the open position!! Talk about fun times! Well, i decide it's time to pull over even if we are still on the freeway. (Just so you aren't worried about Dess falling out the back, we've got a hasp lock on the back door on the outside of the bus which was locked, so the door would only open a crack when she was working the handle!) So i get out and work the handle from the outside until the light goes off again. I get back in and start to drive off. But it dies on my AGAIN!! I'm getting frustrated, scared, etc. I get out and start putting my fingers up there where the switch is. Well, i came to find out that we had disconnected the switch, but somehow the loose wire was grounding out and giving a false signal that the door was open!! So i tied the wire up so it couldn't touch anything and we drove off, everything was fine.
Now back to the laptop, that night when we were home i decided i'd prayerfully open it up and see if it would work or not and see if there was anything that i could visually see would be wrong with it. Well, when i fired it up, the display was back to working fine again! What a blessing.
So today we started the day with a truck full of bread (6 pallets). We had a few churches lined up to accept donations from us, but we weren't sure how much we'd be able to give away. By about 1pm we had given it away to a total of 7 different groups. We even took some by the local Salvation Army Corps, much to their delight because they are having a spaghetti dinner this weekend and the bread was going to be a huge blessing to them. Look at God go! While we were donating to another group, they traded us back some chips and 6 large hams. We looked at the tag on the hams and they were valued at approximately $40 each! What a huge blessing!
Ministry stuff sure has picked up for us lately and we are excited to be able to be God's hands and feet. We sure love serving the local churches and ministry by bringing awesome donations directly to their doors. We are thankful for all the prayers and support which are making this happen. We know it's not us that is making this work. We serve an awesome God and are related to a lot of amazing saints who keep us in their prayers.
P.S. I'd like to make a note about something Dess posted a little while ago... I feel she misrepresented me and my toilet paper preferences :) What happened is that i was having a conversation with someone about how the "cheap" stuff isn't really all that cheap when you think about how much you have to use to clean up after yourself and that i felt that we could buy the toilet paper which is a higher quality and not use as much. That's all i was saying, i don't even think the fact that it's "softer" ever came up!! Just clearing the record.
We got a donation yesterday from a grocery store that does the occasional donation. That was awesome because it was like meats, eggs, cheese, yogurt and other stuff. It was about a small pallet. We grabbed some for us and were able to give the rest out to a couple of groups. Then at 5pm we had another pick up of 6 pallets of bread!!
Some interesting stuff happened that day. 1st we were looking up directions to the grocery store and our laptop screen was extremely dark (like we couldn't see anything except if it was white) but i could tilt it into the sun and kinda make things out. Well, we were freaked out because we depend on our laptop a lot, but there wasn't anything we could do about it then.
2nd, later on after we had dropped off all the donations and were heading home in the bus, it suddenly stalled on us. I was able to put it in neutral and it fired up again and that was fine. But as i thought about it my mind started racing because i kept thinking... "This is a diesel, diesel's don't just stall... What's going WRONG?? Is it the fuel pump? I can't afford to fix the fuel pump!" etc. etc. etc. Well we got on the freeway and were cruising along and it did it again. So i shifted to neutral and it started back up again. Okay wierd! When i shift back into drive it runs a little then dies again. I'm checking the guages, etc. The battery needle is jumping everywhere! So i think maybe it's the battery terminals are somehow loose and losing connection. But that doesn't really make sense either. So i'm coasting now along the freeway getting slower and slower. When it suddenly starts working fine again and i'm able to drive along just fine. Great! I suggest getting off the freeway to see what's up but Dess says "well if it can just get us home!!" We were about 5 miles from home. So i kept going. As we're going over a big bridge we hit some bad freeway and the bus jostles and the engine cuts out again! AAAAHHHHH! Well this time the light comes on... literally. For some reason this time i notice a little red light over my head come on which is an indicator that the back door isn't closed. I know the door is closed, but this is a safety switch which was installed when it was a bus which won't let the driver get the vehicle going if the door is open. It's a little unnerving when you are driving 55 MPH+ down the freeway and the engine just cuts out, but hey safety first right! Well, at least we knew about this switch because it first acted up back when the bus was being donated to us, but i thought that Josh and i had disconnected it. So i tell Dess (as we're coasting down the other side of the bridge) to go to the back of the bus and work the handle to make the switch go off. Dess is so good, she went back there and started toggling that handle up and down, up and down, up and down until it fell right off in her hands while the door was in the open position!! Talk about fun times! Well, i decide it's time to pull over even if we are still on the freeway. (Just so you aren't worried about Dess falling out the back, we've got a hasp lock on the back door on the outside of the bus which was locked, so the door would only open a crack when she was working the handle!) So i get out and work the handle from the outside until the light goes off again. I get back in and start to drive off. But it dies on my AGAIN!! I'm getting frustrated, scared, etc. I get out and start putting my fingers up there where the switch is. Well, i came to find out that we had disconnected the switch, but somehow the loose wire was grounding out and giving a false signal that the door was open!! So i tied the wire up so it couldn't touch anything and we drove off, everything was fine.
Now back to the laptop, that night when we were home i decided i'd prayerfully open it up and see if it would work or not and see if there was anything that i could visually see would be wrong with it. Well, when i fired it up, the display was back to working fine again! What a blessing.
So today we started the day with a truck full of bread (6 pallets). We had a few churches lined up to accept donations from us, but we weren't sure how much we'd be able to give away. By about 1pm we had given it away to a total of 7 different groups. We even took some by the local Salvation Army Corps, much to their delight because they are having a spaghetti dinner this weekend and the bread was going to be a huge blessing to them. Look at God go! While we were donating to another group, they traded us back some chips and 6 large hams. We looked at the tag on the hams and they were valued at approximately $40 each! What a huge blessing!
Ministry stuff sure has picked up for us lately and we are excited to be able to be God's hands and feet. We sure love serving the local churches and ministry by bringing awesome donations directly to their doors. We are thankful for all the prayers and support which are making this happen. We know it's not us that is making this work. We serve an awesome God and are related to a lot of amazing saints who keep us in their prayers.
P.S. I'd like to make a note about something Dess posted a little while ago... I feel she misrepresented me and my toilet paper preferences :) What happened is that i was having a conversation with someone about how the "cheap" stuff isn't really all that cheap when you think about how much you have to use to clean up after yourself and that i felt that we could buy the toilet paper which is a higher quality and not use as much. That's all i was saying, i don't even think the fact that it's "softer" ever came up!! Just clearing the record.
Friday, May 07, 2010
Rollin Rollin Rollin God is really Rollin
Things are rollin right along here. We are so excited what God is doing!!! Yesterday we picked up 6 pallets of ham hocks. WOW, YEAH, CHA!!! Thank you God.
Then we have a church that has a food ministry that we give to. They take a lot I mean a lot not just from us but from other wholesalers only problem at this moment they don't have a truck to pick it up in. So supplying needs (that's us) has offered to help them pick up the food if they would share with us the items we pick up so we can give to other groups. They agreed. So after we gave all the ham hocks away we picked up 12 pallets of chips for them. They wanted to give us a few pallets but we could only take one because we need the truck empty for today. Yeah that is right we are picking up over 3,000 loaves of bread today. Soon in an hour and 1/2. We are so excited what God is doing.
My mind keeps going in circles with God. "Okay God we really need a warehouse now, well I guess that isn't true because you would have already provided one if we REALLY needed it. But God we are getting all this food, oh God you already know we are getting all this food cause you are the one giving it to us. So could you give us a warehouse then, wait you would have given us a warehouse already if we truly needed it." Yeah I know that is the circle my mind is going in. For real!!!
One last story before I close this blog. When we were dropping of some ham hocks to a church they mention that a local soda wholesaler gives to them. But the wholesaler always wants to give them more then they can handle. So they asked us if we could pick up for them instead and give to them what they want and then take the rest to other churches. How awesome and exciting is that.
Any way God is really awesome and we are excited about what He is doing. I mean he was awesome before all this . . . any way.
Love you Guys,
the Butlers
Then we have a church that has a food ministry that we give to. They take a lot I mean a lot not just from us but from other wholesalers only problem at this moment they don't have a truck to pick it up in. So supplying needs (that's us) has offered to help them pick up the food if they would share with us the items we pick up so we can give to other groups. They agreed. So after we gave all the ham hocks away we picked up 12 pallets of chips for them. They wanted to give us a few pallets but we could only take one because we need the truck empty for today. Yeah that is right we are picking up over 3,000 loaves of bread today. Soon in an hour and 1/2. We are so excited what God is doing.
My mind keeps going in circles with God. "Okay God we really need a warehouse now, well I guess that isn't true because you would have already provided one if we REALLY needed it. But God we are getting all this food, oh God you already know we are getting all this food cause you are the one giving it to us. So could you give us a warehouse then, wait you would have given us a warehouse already if we truly needed it." Yeah I know that is the circle my mind is going in. For real!!!
One last story before I close this blog. When we were dropping of some ham hocks to a church they mention that a local soda wholesaler gives to them. But the wholesaler always wants to give them more then they can handle. So they asked us if we could pick up for them instead and give to them what they want and then take the rest to other churches. How awesome and exciting is that.
Any way God is really awesome and we are excited about what He is doing. I mean he was awesome before all this . . . any way.
Love you Guys,
the Butlers
Monday, May 03, 2010
Wholesalers and a Donation
We had a friend Comment that we should blog more often. So I am encouraged and inspired to write.
I have been on a high for the past few days because we got a few or couple of yes's from wholesalers. One being a meat wholesaler. Yeah I am excited. And we got a 6 pallet donation of assorted food, drinks, and supplies. The donation was mostly water but man, who can't use bottled water. Well I don't know if my parents could. They always discouraged us kids from buying bottle water because it was a waste of money. hehehe Love you Mom and Dad Wendle.
Any way so that was exciting. It was an adventure on the day we picked up the donation. When we rolled up we had a pallet from the last donation in the truck and I was thinking what on earth are we going to do with the pallet it will just take up space that we need for the donation. Joel suggested we ask the people at the warehouse if they could use it. So we just took it out of the truck and set it aside as we waited to load up our truck with the donation.
Also We had bought a pallet jack a few months ago for an occasions such as this. But when Joel went to pick up the first pallet with the pallet jack our jack broke right then and there. Oh the embaressment. But the Lord has been teaching me about having a good attitude or not showing everything I am feeling on the inside when there is a "crisis" So I put on a smile and just got to work. Do you know you can feel better just by smiling. Who knew?
That is when our pallet came in handy Joel and I quickly went to work by putting our pallet down and unloading the donations from their pallet to our pallet. We did this for 3 pallets until they came with a pallet jack that we could use to load our truck. Then things went a bit more smoothly. The workers at the warehouse commented about how hard Joel and I work which felt good because it helped me feel a little less embaressed. I mean come on it was our first time picking up from this company and our pallet jack broke, when does that happen? They were gracious and we went on our way.
Since God has not given Supplying Needs a building or a warehouse yet we parked in an empty parking lot of a vacant warehouse and went through all the banana boxes full of assorted food, water, and supplies. It was awesome and it didn't take all that long to go through each box and organize according to food, animal food, water, and supplies. We then took what we needed and for a family and then gave the rest away to 4 churches who are helping their surrounding community.
God is just so good. And we found that God had provided toliet paper (the soft kind that I won't buy but that Joel always wants. I am just too cheap) and dawn dish soap that I won't buy unless it is on sale because again I am just too cheap. But God is not and takes care of us. We also picked up food for a family which was cool because when we gave it to them they said How did you know we needed sugar, did we tell you? I said no I had no clue. God just rocks.
So that was our big adventure. We are excited they want to give to us once a month. What a blessing.
Then on Friday I was calling wholesalers about their non-sellable products and we had a few yes's. I was so pumped . . . . . still am. They are going to call us when they have something for us.
So that is about it from us. Oh wait we did get our pallet jack fixed . . . . for free. A couple that have adopted Joel and I that live in Stockton has us over to their house for dinner and holidays. Well the husband Kim wields and says if we ever need help he would love to. So when Joel brought it up that our pallet jack broke and ask if he could help, Kim was more than willing. It was such a relief to Joel because we dont' have the equipment (yet) and the supplies (yet) and the pallet jack may not have been fixed or been expensive to fix. Praise God for that kind of provision eh!?!
Okay really that is it. We love all ya'll very much. We are excited what God is doing. Thank you for all your prayers they have helped us so much.
Love Love Love,
The Butlers
I have been on a high for the past few days because we got a few or couple of yes's from wholesalers. One being a meat wholesaler. Yeah I am excited. And we got a 6 pallet donation of assorted food, drinks, and supplies. The donation was mostly water but man, who can't use bottled water. Well I don't know if my parents could. They always discouraged us kids from buying bottle water because it was a waste of money. hehehe Love you Mom and Dad Wendle.
Any way so that was exciting. It was an adventure on the day we picked up the donation. When we rolled up we had a pallet from the last donation in the truck and I was thinking what on earth are we going to do with the pallet it will just take up space that we need for the donation. Joel suggested we ask the people at the warehouse if they could use it. So we just took it out of the truck and set it aside as we waited to load up our truck with the donation.
Also We had bought a pallet jack a few months ago for an occasions such as this. But when Joel went to pick up the first pallet with the pallet jack our jack broke right then and there. Oh the embaressment. But the Lord has been teaching me about having a good attitude or not showing everything I am feeling on the inside when there is a "crisis" So I put on a smile and just got to work. Do you know you can feel better just by smiling. Who knew?
That is when our pallet came in handy Joel and I quickly went to work by putting our pallet down and unloading the donations from their pallet to our pallet. We did this for 3 pallets until they came with a pallet jack that we could use to load our truck. Then things went a bit more smoothly. The workers at the warehouse commented about how hard Joel and I work which felt good because it helped me feel a little less embaressed. I mean come on it was our first time picking up from this company and our pallet jack broke, when does that happen? They were gracious and we went on our way.
Since God has not given Supplying Needs a building or a warehouse yet we parked in an empty parking lot of a vacant warehouse and went through all the banana boxes full of assorted food, water, and supplies. It was awesome and it didn't take all that long to go through each box and organize according to food, animal food, water, and supplies. We then took what we needed and for a family and then gave the rest away to 4 churches who are helping their surrounding community.
God is just so good. And we found that God had provided toliet paper (the soft kind that I won't buy but that Joel always wants. I am just too cheap) and dawn dish soap that I won't buy unless it is on sale because again I am just too cheap. But God is not and takes care of us. We also picked up food for a family which was cool because when we gave it to them they said How did you know we needed sugar, did we tell you? I said no I had no clue. God just rocks.
So that was our big adventure. We are excited they want to give to us once a month. What a blessing.
Then on Friday I was calling wholesalers about their non-sellable products and we had a few yes's. I was so pumped . . . . . still am. They are going to call us when they have something for us.
So that is about it from us. Oh wait we did get our pallet jack fixed . . . . for free. A couple that have adopted Joel and I that live in Stockton has us over to their house for dinner and holidays. Well the husband Kim wields and says if we ever need help he would love to. So when Joel brought it up that our pallet jack broke and ask if he could help, Kim was more than willing. It was such a relief to Joel because we dont' have the equipment (yet) and the supplies (yet) and the pallet jack may not have been fixed or been expensive to fix. Praise God for that kind of provision eh!?!
Okay really that is it. We love all ya'll very much. We are excited what God is doing. Thank you for all your prayers they have helped us so much.
Love Love Love,
The Butlers
Monday, March 29, 2010
Belize you Me!!!
Belize was awesome. I could have stayed there the rest of my life. I loved the people I worked with. I loved the fast pace. I loved the work. Everything about it I loved.
SO the ministry I went to work with is called LOL ministries. (aka Laugh out Loud) Ministries. They are building an orphanage in Belize by the town or city of Punta Gorda. The couple that is running and started the ministry is Jervis and Melissa. Man Melissa and I became quick and close friends. I wish we could live together and work along side each other she is just so awesome. They have 2 kids who are adopted one is an orphan and the other two they had together.
Melissa and I in our last moments together (tear tear)
They have groups come down once or twice a month to help them out and the groups go and evangelize in the local tribes. My job was to help serve the group. My main job was breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There was 42 in the group of Grade 12 (Seniors) who were on there mission trip. It was required for them to go on it to graduate. They were so awesome. I totally fell in love with them. They are such great kids. They always said thank you and please. They were really great with the locals especially the kids from Belize. Man I just loved them. They stole my heart.
So I was located in the jungle or in the woods near Punta Gorda. I was able to go in to a village or tribe near where I was staying at. I was taken to a home of a lady named Margarita. She has 9 kids. In Belize it cost 1,000 dollars Belizean money (500 U.S. Dollars) to send your kid to High school. That is not including fund raising and other odds and ends needed for your child to go to High school. So Margarita makes purses and necklaces and sells them to send her kids to school. Her husband works for LOL ministries. Margarita was so nice letting us come into her home. Most of the buildings I saw in the villages were one room. Melissa told me that is to have wind flow because it gets so hot in Belize. So Margarita lived in a one room hut with her 9 kids and husband. She and her husband slept in one hammock while her kids slept on a floor or what we would consider a table with no matteress and I didn’t see any blackest.
Margarita with her youngest Kelly. Ms. Irma is sitting on one of their beds.
Their Stove they cook on.
I also worked with 3 ladies: Ms. Irma (Her husband paid for my trip to Belize) Ms. Carol, and Ms. Bonnie. Man I loves those ladies. They are all on fire for the Lord. I learned a lot from them. And listened to them as much as possible to try and learn as much as I could. So wise, so on fire: I just love it!!!
I also got sick in Belize. The bug or virus was going around the kids (I guess one was already sick before they came and spread it around.) I got it from them. Yuck. So the last two full days I was there I wasn’t feeling so hot. My stomach was killing me. But I really wanted to work. I just can’t sit still. So the first day I got sick the kids were on their way to a village to minister and bring hot dogs. The bus broke down just before they got there. So Melissa asked if I was felling well enough to help take 3 vehicles to help them out. Oh man was I. I loved that trip. Deep in the jungle on dirt roads. On our way there a bridge was being worked on. Now our bridges and their bridges are completely different. There bridges are wood planks. Nailed down. Very narrow. Very narrow with no railing on a lot of them. I wish I could have gotten a picture. SO any way the people working on the “bridge” decided that they would let us go without finishing the bridge. Now there was a bus, a van (that I was driving) and a pick-up truck. The bus was in the lead so I had thought if the bus can make it so can I. The 4x4 planks of wood was not nailed down yet. And as the bus drove on it you could see the planks move. But it made it through and then I went and then the truck . . . NO PROBLEM . . . “Thank you Jesus” is the moral of this story!!!
We got the vehicles there and Melissa and I turned right back around in the van. What a wonderful adventure.
Also the animals in belize are so skin and bones it is so sad to me. But I kept reminding myself if the animals are this bad you know the people are not well fed either.
Okay so the things I learned. I learned about the Heart of the Leader. How important it is to know why they do what they do. There was a lot of miscommunication at times and the Lord really blessed me with knowing the heart of both sides of the story. And I found when you know the Heart of the person it is easier to do what they want or it is easier to see why they do what they do. So communicating the heart. That was the biggest thing I learned. Oh Don’t get me wrong I learned other things about leadership like why for some people it is easier to accept every one than it is for others. And when a person who is under leadership is healthy it is easier for them to do what you ask them to do. I am not going into details but I learned a lot about leadership and why it is so important to find out where people are truly at.
So that is the gist of my trip. I had the most wonderful time. I hope soon God will send me back or at least let Joel go and maybe even together.
Thanks for all your prayers and asking about it. I love all ya’ll.
Love love love,
Dess
Ms. Bonnie, Ms. Irma, and Ms Carol: I love these Girls!!!
Typical House in the Villages
Friday, March 12, 2010
Supplying Needs and Belize
So life is pretty crazy right now. Things have slowed down in regards to passing out food. On March 1st we gave out the last of our huge food donation to a church that gives to 10,000 households. Wow I was blown away by that number. I wanted to ask if I had miss heard them but when I saw they had three 40 foot long containers full of food I thought better of my question. A few days later another Christian group called and said they heard that we were giving away food. I told them we were out but they kept insisting they wanted to trade with us and asked to be put on our list of people we give to. Then they offered us food they had cantaloupe, pears, potatoes, and egg plant. We ended up going and giving them office and household supplies as well as picking up cases of the food they had for us.
SO we were able to give all the food that the grocery store with the fire had given us to about 11 groups. Pretty amazing what God can do in a blink of an eye. Each group has their own testimony of what Jesus is doing.
Right now our main focus is PAPERWORK. Our ministry has a fiscal year end which ends in February. We are now doing paperwork that we have to do at the end of EVERY year. Joel and I have been spending hours and days trying to understand and complete the long tedious work. But it is worth it if we want to stay up and running.
It has also shown me the provision GOd has done in less than a year in regards to starting our ministry. In a matter of 11 months we have received 43,013 dollars worth of product and fincial support. This includes our refrigerated box truck, the 23,000 dollars worth of food from the grocery store that had the fire, a mini bus and much much more. It is mind blowing what GOd can do with two people who do not have income coming in (aka no paying job) and with other people to help out that believe in the vision as much as we do!!! Thank you Jesus!!! And thank you every one that has supported through this. We could not be doing what we are doing with out you.
Last I am heading to Belize tomorrow. The man that gave us the refrigerated box truck asked if i would accompany his wife to Belize. She goes down 2 or 3 times a year to do mission work with a group called LOL Ministries. www.lolministry.com. I will be gone for 12 days. I am pretty excited. Sad to be gone from Joel but all the same adventure is an adventure. I don't know exactly what I will be doing but this is what God wants me to do so I am excited for what He has in mind.
WEll that is it from us. Thank you again for all your love and support. GOd has used you in a mighty way to help further his Kingdom.
To God Be the Glory
Love love love,
The Butlers
SO we were able to give all the food that the grocery store with the fire had given us to about 11 groups. Pretty amazing what God can do in a blink of an eye. Each group has their own testimony of what Jesus is doing.
Right now our main focus is PAPERWORK. Our ministry has a fiscal year end which ends in February. We are now doing paperwork that we have to do at the end of EVERY year. Joel and I have been spending hours and days trying to understand and complete the long tedious work. But it is worth it if we want to stay up and running.
It has also shown me the provision GOd has done in less than a year in regards to starting our ministry. In a matter of 11 months we have received 43,013 dollars worth of product and fincial support. This includes our refrigerated box truck, the 23,000 dollars worth of food from the grocery store that had the fire, a mini bus and much much more. It is mind blowing what GOd can do with two people who do not have income coming in (aka no paying job) and with other people to help out that believe in the vision as much as we do!!! Thank you Jesus!!! And thank you every one that has supported through this. We could not be doing what we are doing with out you.
Last I am heading to Belize tomorrow. The man that gave us the refrigerated box truck asked if i would accompany his wife to Belize. She goes down 2 or 3 times a year to do mission work with a group called LOL Ministries. www.lolministry.com. I will be gone for 12 days. I am pretty excited. Sad to be gone from Joel but all the same adventure is an adventure. I don't know exactly what I will be doing but this is what God wants me to do so I am excited for what He has in mind.
WEll that is it from us. Thank you again for all your love and support. GOd has used you in a mighty way to help further his Kingdom.
To God Be the Glory
Love love love,
The Butlers
Monday, February 15, 2010
Distributing Food
Since receiving the huge donation of food and supplies in mid-January from the grocery store that had the fire Supplying Needs has been able to give out half the food in a matter of 3 short weeks. The food has gone to 7 churches who reach out to their community and some have come back multiple times to pick up the donated items. Supplying Needs has also been able to directly give food to 9 families.
Here are some testimonies:
One church has been giving food out in a time of need to their congregation. The pastor was praying and planning to open up the food pantry to the public this March of 2010. He had been praying for God to open doors for them to start receiving food when he got our call. When we arrived the Pastor had said this was an answer to pray.
Another church had given almost all their food out in November and December and were strategizing how they could get more food for those in need when we called. They came by to the office building that was donated to us for one month and took as much as they could fit in their vehicles.
Another pastor had just moved to Stockton from San Fransisco looking for cheaper rent. He saw there was such a need here that he started helping his surrounding area. We were connected to this pastor through a man that does Celebrate Recovery at one of the churches we give to. The first week we gave food to him he had two or three families by the next week he had a list of ten families that were in need of food and clothing.
One church we give to helps 60 people per week and another church over 300 people.
God continues to blow us away with His timing and His strategic planning to connect us with churches who have a heart to help the poor, hungry and lost.
On a final note we just learned that Stockton is number 4 in the nation of hungry people.
There is such a need here in the City of Stockton.
Please pray for:
1) The people of Stockton
A) They would come to a knowledge and salvation in Christ Jesus
B) Their needs would be met (clothes, food, shelter)
2) We are seeing now we need a warehouse more that ever. Please pray God would provide one for Supplying Needs
3) That food, clothing, toys, furniture, and building supplies would continue to pour in so we can be a solution to the city of Stockton and to the San Joaquin County.
God Bless,
The Butlers
Here are some testimonies:
One church has been giving food out in a time of need to their congregation. The pastor was praying and planning to open up the food pantry to the public this March of 2010. He had been praying for God to open doors for them to start receiving food when he got our call. When we arrived the Pastor had said this was an answer to pray.
Another church had given almost all their food out in November and December and were strategizing how they could get more food for those in need when we called. They came by to the office building that was donated to us for one month and took as much as they could fit in their vehicles.
Another pastor had just moved to Stockton from San Fransisco looking for cheaper rent. He saw there was such a need here that he started helping his surrounding area. We were connected to this pastor through a man that does Celebrate Recovery at one of the churches we give to. The first week we gave food to him he had two or three families by the next week he had a list of ten families that were in need of food and clothing.
One church we give to helps 60 people per week and another church over 300 people.
God continues to blow us away with His timing and His strategic planning to connect us with churches who have a heart to help the poor, hungry and lost.
On a final note we just learned that Stockton is number 4 in the nation of hungry people.
There is such a need here in the City of Stockton.
Please pray for:
1) The people of Stockton
A) They would come to a knowledge and salvation in Christ Jesus
B) Their needs would be met (clothes, food, shelter)
2) We are seeing now we need a warehouse more that ever. Please pray God would provide one for Supplying Needs
3) That food, clothing, toys, furniture, and building supplies would continue to pour in so we can be a solution to the city of Stockton and to the San Joaquin County.
God Bless,
The Butlers
Friday, January 29, 2010
Photo's of the Huge Donation of Food from the Fire!!!
Photo's of God's blessing!!!
Inside ONE out of two of our Storage Units.
Food in the truck piled high!!
More food in the truck!
Two Big card board bins full of food!!!
Monday, January 25, 2010
A fire that turned into a blessing!!!
So Joel and I had gone to over 60 grocery stores in 3 cities. One of the grocery stores in September/October said they would give to us. We put a plastic bin with Supplying Needs name on it and our phone number. We called every few weeks and went in a couple of times. But every time they said no no we will call you. Over and over they said no no we will call you.
Last Wednesday we get two calls during bible study from a number that we did not recognize. AFter bible study Joel called them back. It happened to be the same grocery store that said yes but never gave to us. They said they had a fire in their store and needed us to come pick up food. Joel asked if we needed the mini-bus or the truck. They didn't know but thought the truck would be best. We went there and as soon as we got out of the vehicle they asked us where our flash lights were. I ran to the nearest store and bought 4 flash lights. At the store the owner took us on a tour of the grocery store in the dark. We went up and down the aisles as the owner told us to take EVERYTHING. I mean everything. Then he asked if it was only Joel and I and where our help was. We didn't have any help. We called as many people we could think of. And after a few hours the youth pastor from our Church was able to leave work and come help us. HUGE HUGE HUGE HELP.
During this time we were wondering where we were going to put all this food. I wasn't worried I knew that if God had this planned out he would plan where the food needed to go.
The first day we loaded the truck from the top to the bottom FULL of dry and canned goods. And we had only been able to get clear 4 aisles.
We rented a 10x20 storage unit and got the first month for free. We unloaded it all the next day into the storage unit. Then went back on Friday to load more from the grocery store. We filled the truck up once again with as much as we could fit. On Friday we had a friend of ours come help of an hour. She heard Joel and I talking about renting another storage unit because there was no way we had enough room in the one we were renting. She said she had connections and called a friend whose husband owns a strip mall full of offices. Her husband approved us to be there for one month FREE OF CHARGE. Saturday we went to the place and unloaded our once again FULL TRUCK.
Today (Monday) we loaded the rest of the items. Look at God. He is so good.
And the guy that called us about the fire at the grocery store didn't even know us. When we mentioned the guy that had approved us he asked how we knew his brother. The only thing the guy had or knew of us was our one plastic bin with our name and phone number on it. We praise God and look forward to giving all the food out free of charge so we can spread the love of Christ and share what God does in the lives of people today!!!
TO GOD BE THE GLORY,
The Butlers
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