Being part of a community includes feelings of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests, and goals. For this particular HOPE story, our community came together in some incredible ways to help a man and his children. Rick was referred to us by someone who is assisting him at Volunteer Attorney Services. It seems that this one major issue Rick is trying to take care of has taken a toll in other areas of his life. He has one part time job, and a second very part time job. He had shared at the volunteer attorney service office that if he could just get some extra help in certain areas, he could start working towards a betterment of life for himself and his kids. After being put in touch with Serve Wenatchee, he spoke to two members of our team, who were able to make Rick aware of some of the services we provide, through YOUR continued spirit of community.

On the day that Rick came in to shop in the Fresh Hope Market, he was so kind. His daughter decided to meet him here, so he stood and visited with us while we waited for her. Rather than complaining about how things seemed to keep going wrong, he instead shared things he was HOPEful about. He was also quite complimentary to our organization and people, in general. When he was finished shopping, we were able to provide resources to help him get to his jobs more efficiently and effectively. None of this could continue to happen without you. Your prayers, your contributions, and your continued HOPE for our community.

I want you to know that you are a blessing, bringing HOPE and life changing help to families who faced overwhelming circumstances in 2020. It goes without saying, that this past year has seen extraordinary challenges met with incredible generosity.

To the families your generosity helped, you are their answer to their prayers. To us at Serve Wenatchee, you are partners and co-laborers. Early in the year we asked ourselves the simple question, “What are we going to do today?” and the answer was not easy yet quite simple. “Whatever we can with what we have.” Your gift provided more to do more. Thank you!

That question will continue to guide us into 2021 as we know the challenges are far from over. We commit to meet those challenges by offering HOPE in the form of help to meet the needs of the day while providing resources and support to help change the storyline.

OUR VISION FOR 2021 AND BEYOND

Our strategy is threefold:

1.      To increase funding sources that will meet the continued needs of an increasing number of members in our community.

2.      To increase the number of families served and programs that serve them.

3.      To improve operational excellence throughout Serve Wenatchee that reflects our commitment to steward well the families in need of help and the members of our community that help meet those needs.

Over the next 3 years, Serve Wenatchee Valley will expand our collaborative network and expertise to help families in crisis gain access to resources to meet their basic needs, become more resilient and employable and ultimately possess the skills and resources needed to exit poverty. With community support, we will be good stewards of the funding we receive in order to do more for those who will continue to struggle with the effects of COVID-19. Funding will be used creatively and collaboratively to operate the Fresh HOPE Market, and to maintain and expand our other charity and clearinghouse programs. We will expand our Homes of HOPE program by offering Subsidy in Place Rent Assistance Program. This gives a rent subsidy to qualified families that is connected to a mentoring program to help them move from their need for intervention to stabilization. We will also be working in the community to develop the Wenatchee Valley Housing Trust that will offer attainable home ownership opportunities to families who have been priced out of this market.

We invite each of you to join us as together we Make HOPE More Contagious than COVID-19.

We recently had the opportunity to experience an amazing story of Hope. A man who was self-employed, let’s call him Edgar, due to Covid, lost his business. Edgar is a proud husband and father to three kids, and one on the way. He knew he had to figure something out to continue to be able to provide for his growing family. So, with some help and guidance Edgar decided to go to truck driving school. Things seemed to be going well. He was excited for this new career and was feeling successful in how he was able to take care of his situation. Then, something unexpected popped up. He found out that to be able to drive, he would need to take a test, for a specialized license. For he and his wife, this was an unexpected expense that put his plans and their family's security in jeopardy. Someone with whom Edgar was connected referred him to Serve Wenatchee to see if there was any way we could help him. Because of our generous community, resources were made available to help he and his family out of this seemingly hopeless situation. Edgar is now relieved, thankful and HOPEful! He was given the opportunity to talk openly and honestly about his HOPEs and fears and was introduced to the Fresh Hope Market that will help in the days to come. Join us in prayers for his upcoming test and future. He assured us that he would keep in contact and let us know how things are going.  Thank you for making stories like this possible.

The Church has Left the Building

In the midst of these practices of distancing, we dare not lose our tangible connections to one another. In a culture where loneliness and a lack of community are already an epidemic, these isolating practices may actually create different kinds of difficulties. In short, we are very concerned about the potential side effects of isolation.

Therefore, we want to move from a paradigm of “social distancing” to “social focusing.” In other words, how can we create more focused opportunities for fellowship, practical help, and perhaps even Worship for those who are isolated from the body’s primary Sunday gathering?

Conversations are happening all over town with church and nonprofit staff, and small groups to discern how we can best start, even now, to come alongside those in self-quarantine and utilize technology to meaningfully connect with each other within the constraints of a 10 person limit, .

We are also curious about the possibilities for how we, as the church, can help others who might be negatively impacted by this outbreak. I think we begin by leaning on personal relationships and connections. As this spreads, do you personally know anyone sickened? If schools are closed, do you know people around you who will fall prey to food insecurity, or where childcare might be needed? Right now, there may not be many tangible needs: but I can promise you that before this is over, there will be profound opportunities for the church to be the church. Keep your eyes and ears open, and we will be preparing to foster that generosity as needs arise.

In all this, we pray for those sickened by the outbreak, for the families of those who have died, and for the multitudes who are providing medical care. We also join to pray for the many workers in the nonprofit world who are providing direct services and resources for those who are suffering the affects of closures of businesses, eating and entertainment establishments. The world is not as it should be, and we desperately need God’s kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. We can trust that he will answer: even if the answer looks different than our expectation. A prayer like this one might be appropriate might motivate us to become the answer to prayers being lifted up in our valley.

“Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Come and relieve those who are sick, and give your power of healing to those who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

And as we pray, we prepare: but not as the world does. We prepare in HOPE that God is with us, not that it’s all up to us. We prepare in love for our neighbors, not fear for ourselves. And we prepare to watch for God’s little invitations, all along the way, to trust Him. To cling to him in faith, as he says…

“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.”

As far as things go at Serve Wenatchee Valley, WE ARE HERE. For those in need of food, nonfood and other needed resources, WE ARE HERE. For those looking for a place to serve and support your community through your generous giving of your time and/or resources. WE ARE HERE.

May God bless you as you are such a blessing to others.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you and yours. This year, I am celebrating the 40th anniversary of my first “Be Mine” exchange with my wife, Melanie. It took 8 years after our first Valentine’s Day for us to enter the bonds of marriage, but I still remember that girl that so captured my heart in 1980 and the excitement I felt to express, “I Love You”.

At 15, I hadn’t a clue what that meant by the way!! Can I get an amen?  And there are times that I still wonder if I fully understand it.

Truth is, while I remain hopeful that each of you had someone in your life to exchange Happy Valentine’s Day greetings on Feb 14th, I know that didn’t happen for so many in our community. And for those who didn’t, Valentine’s Day can be particularly painful. Perhaps they have drawn the conclusion that they are unlovely and unlovable.

I would suggest that most of our expressions of love are tied to a relational attachment. Spouse, girlfriend or boyfriend. Or perhaps they are tied to an affinity we have with them. Family connection, social activities, political or religious alignment, or agreed upon behaviors. But what if our love flowed from another source? What if it was more universally expressed that that?

This is what happens among many children in our community at this time of year and perhaps we could learn something from them. Many kids take valentines to school today and give to everyone in the class. I remember doing this. Sharing valentines with everyone. My best friend and the girl that kicked my shins on the playground. My desk mate and the boy I couldn’t hardly be around because he smelled so bad. They all got valentines and received small expressions of love.

I remember my mother telling me, as I fought her over delivering valentines to everyone, “How would you like to be treated?” Would you like to be left out? She was basically setting my mind right by teaching me an application of what is commonly known as the Golden Rule. ‘Do unto others what you would have them do unto you!”

Did you know that virtually every world religion has a version of the Golden Rule? Here are just a few.

Christianity:        So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Buddhism:           Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful.

Islam:                    No one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself.

Judaism:              What is hateful to you, do not do to your fellowman. This is the entire Law; all the rest is commentary.

I am reminded today of Jesus’ words where He said to His disciples, “A new command I give you, love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another”. In another place He says, “You have heard it said to love your friends and hate your enemies, but I say Love your enemies”. God is a “no barrier lover” of everyone.

We know that the law of love is not limited to one day in the middle of February. Try that in your marriage. Perhaps like children who share valentines with the whole class, we can love everyone we come across, 365 days a year and that could become the change this world so desperately needs.

According to the dictionary, a barrier is “an obstacle that prevents movement or access.” We all deal with barriers every day. Some of those barriers are material ones that protect us like doors at our house, or concrete dividers on the highway. Those seem to be quite reasonable and just to me.  Some other reasonable and just barriers are immaterial, intellectual, and systematic preventing access to encrypted digital data or jobs that require specialized training. If you were to apply for the position of surgeon, I would hope there would be a barrier for anyone not possessing the medical credentials as a skilled surgeon.

Some barriers we choose. I cannot afford to attend college because I didn’t complete and submit a FAFSA application; I can’t get cash out of the ATM if I can’t remember my pin. Others are chosen for us; If you are too short, you cannot ride the “Zabezee Zinger” amusement park ride; If you have type 1 diabetes you can’t be a commercial airline pilot.

At Serve Wenatchee Valley, we encounter folks all day long that are struggling with barriers; Barriers to finding an adequate living wage to support their household. Did you know that nearly 24% of our community’s residents live in poverty based on the Federal Poverty Guidelines which is $25,750 annually for a family of four?

Barriers to finding available and affordable places to live; Did you know that it takes an annual household income of over $36,000 to afford fair market rent in our community and that our current vacancy rate is less that 4% which most effects low income families?

Barriers to finding help to meet their current need because they make too much money to qualify for many local assistance programs, but not enough to make ends meet in our community. Did you know that many support programs use the federal poverty guidelines for determining eligibility? So, if you have a family of four and make a household income of $30,000, you are above the federal poverty guidelines but below what is needed to afford market value rent in our community.

Folks are dealing with enough barriers which is why Serve Wenatchee Valley intentionally refuses to create additional ones for families seeking assistance. Anyone who has a genuine need and desire to stay safely in their home is invited to come in and explore how we can directly provide or connect them with intervention solutions and journey with them to take their next steps toward stabilization and ultimately security.

Why do we do this? Because we serve a “no barrier” God that welcomes all with open arms regardless of socioeconomic status, religious affiliation, gender identity, relational status, or ethnicity.

“In Christ’s family there can be no division into Jew and non-Jew, slave and free, male and female. Among us you are all equal. That is, we are all in a common relationship with Jesus Christ.” Galatians 3:28

It seems to me, if this is who we are in Christ, we must model this invitation to the world by being conduits of His “no barrier” love for all.

At the beginning of this year, a single mom and her child moved into one of SWV’s Homes of Hope. This opportunity gave this little family the space and the time they needed to flourish.

In fact, she recently came in to the office and shared that she has been able to save the money she needs to get into a permanent housing situation AND she has been doing so well with her anxiety and depression that her doctor has taken her off of her medications. She revealed that for the first time in five years, she does not consider herself homeless.

Thanks to your support, this family was provided with an affordable housing solution. The Home of Hope isn’t just about a home, through God’s grace, it brought healing and restoration into her life and the life of her child. Please pray about how God could use you to help restore families and...

On Saturday, May 11th we were blessed to partner with the National Association of Letter Carriers, Stamp Out Hunger food drive. Delivering the mail is job enough, but on Saturday, the mail carriers added to their plate (or trucks) the job of collecting food that was put out by residents on their routes. This was no small task.

At Serve Wenatchee, we collected a total of 15,000 lbs of food (6 ½ tons) and the other recipient of their generosity, Community Action Council, collected about the same. That is 15 tons of food given by this generous community and collected/hauled by your mail carrier. If you see them, please thank them.

When Jesus prayed “Your Kingdom to come, and Your will to be done, on earth as it is in Heaven”, do you think that includes providing food for those who need help? Is that, at least in part, the Kingdom work of God? I have to say that I think it is. There is much in Scripture that guides us to respond to the needs of the poor.

If we conclude that it is part of God’s Kingdom work, what does it tell you about the nature of His Kingdom who He works through to accomplish it? I am quite sure that there were followers of Jesus that participated in this work. Some Baptists, Catholics, Lutherans, Nazarenes, Presbyterians, etc.  I am also sure that many who helped would not identify themselves as followers of Jesus at all.

I think the nature of His Kingdom is so much bigger that we often conclude. And His invitation to participate is not limited by the same boundaries that we tend to define. I am so blessed that Serve Wenatchee is missional outpost that invites our churches and community to be a part of big Kingdom solutions in our community. As we work together, His love for all is revealed, fully open to His work through us.

Not too long ago, a single mother came to Serve Wenatchee seeking help with her rent. She hasn’t been in the community very long and came here to escape an abusive relationship and build a better life for her children. Unfortunately, she became ill and had a devastating diagnosis which has prevented her from working, causing her to lose her job.

Alone, no support network, no job or paycheck, she came to Serve Wenatchee in desperation and facing eviction. Because of your generosity and faithfulness, she received rent assistance as well as food and non-food assistance.

Most importantly, she has been connected with a church that will provide her with the support and love she and her children need. God is using you to help families. Please pray for this single Mom!