”At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly” Acts 10:1&2

It’s a theme that runs through the Bible, giving something to those who “had need”. Jesus healed those who had “need”; it would be silly to heal someone who didn’t need healing. They gave money or food to those who had “need” in the Book of Acts. Jesus washed the disciples feet and when Peter wanted his whole body washed Jesus still only washed Peter’s feet, because that was all that was needed. It was tough for Peter to separate what he needed over what he wanted; it’s tough for all of us.

One of the unexpected things that have come up working with CNRM is trying to determine what I needed over what I wanted. I have been blessed with a wonderful job and a good income. God has blessed me with the opportunity to volunteer both for CNRM and Crossroads. It’s taught me about what I “Need,” over what I “Want”.

On-site at CNRM, we have the daunting task of trying to accomplish something amazing during a time when the construction trade has been hit hard. In some cases, we are aware that we can help those in need and still get the job done for little cost. We find ourselves balancing the tasks between those who can donate money, and over those who can donate labor. Sometimes those who donate money don’t have time. Sometimes those who have time don’t have money.

We have literally been brought to our knees in prayer for those of you who have stepped into help with the CNRM. You have shared with us stories of personal tragedy, brokenness, unemployment and financial devastation, and you still look to help others who are in need by devoting your time and money to CNRM! When others might have looked at their own condition and sought financial gain, “In Faith” you put your own needs second to the needs of others. Because of confidentiality, I don’t want to start naming people, but everyone has been absolutely remarkable in their service.

I know that God sees each of your needs and from all of those involved in CNRM I want to reassure you that you are being prayed for in your time of need.

Jobsite:

You will begin to see this format throughout the project. These 4 posts are the most relevant. I attached a Word document with a complete list of projects. If you do not have Word and would like them in an email format, please let me know.

Project: Repave parking lot/install drainage
Synopsis: We are rebuilding the parking lot in order to properly drain and provide handicapped parking.
Materials: concrete/asphalt
Lead Person: Rowdy Williamson rowdy_williamson@yahoo.com (951) 314-2377
Crew: As needed-general labor, shoveling, rubbish removal, cleaning …
Tools: Personal Safety equip. shovels, brooms etc.
Special notes:
Start date: Current. Contact Rowdy for progress


Project: Enclose closet space in west dorm
Synopsis: Enclose w/stud, drywall. Install door frame.
Materials: metal or wood stud, drywall.
Lead Person: None, Contact Todd Holtkamp
Crew: 2 people, lead and helper
Tools: As needed
Special notes:
Start date: Anytime

Project: Kitchen Ceiling
Synopsis: We will be replacing the existing T-bar, ceiling panels and lights
Materials: T-bar, panels & lights on-site
Lead Person: Mark Hines hines.construction@hotmail.com (951) 833-6905
Crew: 4-5 people. Need experience with T-bar, connecting lights, general labor.
Tools: As needed
Special notes: We will coordinate shutting down the kitchen and doing some clean up during the construction. Some general labor will be needed to move equipment, clean and help get the kitchen back into operation.
Start date: We are in the process of coordinating this now.

 
“All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:44-47


What’s Happening:
I knew I was slacking on getting the blog out, there have been so many exciting things happening. I kept thinking “Okay, I get this thing cleared up and I have to let everyone know!” I looked this morning and I haven’t blogged since the 3rd of January!

In a nutshell:
We have corrections to be made on the plans that we submitted to the city. Kirk and Rowdy are working on getting those done and as soon as those permits are cleared, we will be starting on-site construction of the building.

Oltmans Construction came onto the project with a generous donation of labor. We will be able to use their labor talents to build the foundation for the façade. Lennar Homes will do the framing for the façade. Oltmans will finish the stucco and color coat and help with other projects. Behr paint will be donating the paint for the project. PlyGem windows gave us a great donation of 22 windows, 3 donated and the rest at cost. Sea Gull Lighting donated lighting. Home Depot gave us a substantial donation of gift cards. Robertson Concrete is giving us a great cost on concrete.

Rowdy is working on the drainage issues of the parking lot. New sidewalk has been poured and changes are taking place.

Mattresses:
Many heard Chuck announce that Crossroads would be donating 80 mattresses to the project. That gave me multiple calls and follow-ups trying to coordinate all of the donations and connections. The final decision was to accept an offer by Laura Castro of World Bed. They produce a tempur-pedic type mattress. She offered to donate all the mattresses for the project! I approached Crossroads and they will now be using the funds dedicated to mattresses to purchase bunk beds, unless God is getting those donated also!

Closing thoughts:
Playing on the floor with my granddaughters is always an adventure that leaves me sore the next day. It’s tough crawling around the floor being the horse, or the dragon that is slain by the beautiful princesses. At four & two years old, getting them to share always becomes a point of correction from grandpa. You are always waiting for that shout of “Mine, Mine!” or the older one using distraction techniques to get what she wants from the younger one.

As adults we find it’s easier to share when we have excess; it’s not easy to share when we feel our sharing will be a sacrifice. As adults we think that we have learned the art of sharing, which generally is not true. What we have learned is to give what we have in excess or those things that we really didn’t want any more, the art of distraction. It is the appearance of sacrifice, when we are actually just giving from our excess.

“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1&2

Each of us have those things we hold precious, prestige, time, money, we all have something we hold precious. In the Book of Acts they gave what they had to those in need. They gave three things, property, possessions and time. This was above their tithing, Peter is preaching to the Jews in Jerusalem at this time. How much more, having the full knowledge of Christ’s sacrifice do we give or sacrifice those things precious to us, or do we give from our excess?

Opportunity to Serve
Steve & Silvia Cervantes are new at leading the Saturday food service in God’s kitchen. They could use some help. This would be a good way to start the New Year in helping someone else. Contact stevelcd@yahoo.com cell# 951-833-1348

“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you?

To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” - Micah 6:8

Holidays are over, time to get back to work ….We hope that you were blessed this holiday season. Last week we submitted plans to the City. We are now waiting for corrections and permits. We are looking forward to start construction soon.

Kiosk.
We will be having a kiosk in the foyer of Crossroads for the next three Sunday mornings. Feel free to stop by to say “Hi!” and get the latest information.

Opportunity to Serve
Steve & Silvia Cervantes are new at leading the Saturday food service in God’s kitchen. They could use some help. This would be a good way to start the New Year in helping someone else. Contact stevelcd@yahoo.com cell# 951-833-1348

On Site Rules and Conduct

Our desire is for everyone to have a safe and joyful time in their service to help the homeless at Corona Norco Rescue Mission. The following guidelines have been established to reduce the liability of those organizations involved. Please understand that this is home for many people and we are interrupting their normal routine.

Hours of construction are from 8am to 6pm. Please get specific permission if you need to work at another time.

Conduct Concerning the Homeless

• Please do not distribute food while on the construction site. Those in need should be directed to God’s Kitchen for food.

• You can bring donations to Gods Kitchen. Food products must be prepared or packaged in a certified kitchen. Example: You can donate raw or frozen meat or other foods that require preparation. You can donate store bought or packaged goods, you may not bring homemade goods. Please contact the kitchen staff for specific needs.

• Please do not give money to those who ask.

• You may pray and share the Gospel with those whom you come in contact.

• Outside restrooms are provided; please do not use the restrooms in the facility.

Tools and Equipment

• You are responsible for you own tools. We suggest that you mark them before you bring them on-site.

• We do have seatainers onsite to secure larger items.

• Please lock your vehicles and secure your personal property when possible.

Safety

• No open toed shoes or sandals are allowed on-site at any time.

• Proper safety apparel should be used in association with the task being completed. Safety glasses, ear plugs, dust masks. We ask that you provide your own.

• No one under the age of 16 is allowed on the construction site without specific permission from a Team Leader. Children between the ages of 16 to 18 must be accompanied by a parent at all times.

• Each section of the building will be isolated for water and electric. Please do not energize any section without permission from supervisor.

Security

• Each section of the building will be isolated. Please do not enter areas outside the work area. This facility is still in operation and you may be walking through someone’s living area.

• Please park your vehicle outside of the lot unless you are actively loading equipment.

• Please be sure that you secure the storage area and building if you are the last on the site. It is not the responsibility of the staff.

http://www.rescuemissioncn.org/Home.aspx

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” Galatians 6: 9-10

Sometimes I plant my face in my pillow at night thinking “I could sleep for a week.” Only to have by eyes open the next morning just as early as they did the day before. Weariness can take its toll on our souls, I wish I could give you those magic remedies that would take away weariness, get more sleep, eat better, think happy thoughts …. But I still hit the pillow with the same resolve “Sleep for a week!”

I do take comfort in knowing “I did the best, to do the best I could”. I don’t always get it right, but I tried too. Taking the opportunity to do good is “Doing the best to do the best you can”. It’s just a moment, it might just be a smile, a “Hi” or it might be some hard work, all depends on your ability to see an opportunity.

The first time I met Jim Palmer, the president of Orange County Rescue Mission was on email. His signature quotes Thomas Edison "Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work". Don’t miss an opportunity to do good because it looks like work.

Onsite.
The facility is looking bigger as Rowdy Williamson, Keith Fisher and Jon King came on-site with back hoes, chainsaws and dump trucks and removed the vegetation around the property… Looks great, wonderful job guys.

Opportunity
It all started with the “Twelve Days of Christmas” That is a quote from Bill Riemer. Instead of doing a single Christmas event, there is a list of events happening at the shelter through Christmas Day. The outpouring from the community has been remarkable. There are a few needs …

Contact Steffanie @ steffanie.jarrell@rescuemission.org

From Steffanie:

First and foremost, we have the Toys for Tots, Toys “R” Us event on Monday – it is early – 4am – but our bus has fallen through – if anyone has a connection with a bus we desperately need it – we have 32 people going! We actually have a driver, we just need the vehicle (unless they feel uncomfortable with that and are willing to provide their own). At the last resort we need volunteers to drive kids and a few parents… Please Email me if you can help

Secondly, The only opportunities for volunteer ( 6 – 10 at most) is to help us set up our Family Christmas event 12/23 6pm to 8pm at CNRM, also if people who would like to perform that night. We are also looking for desserts as well as soft drinks – and then to serve refreshments – so lots of people can drop off desserts etc… but we don’t have a lot of space, so only a few will be needed to help serve (and again if a few others want to do a skit or sing a song or read a story/poem I am open to that as well).

Lastly, I can also use a few volunteers to come and help me organize the toys – but that is going to be the 21st, 22nd, and 23rd – You can come any of those days. We also need donations of large gift bags that we can put some of the toys in and all of the items for the adults. If you want to donate wrapping paper and come by and wrap gifts that would be great!(we will not have most of our gifts till the 20th or 21st) Blankets are greatly needed – these are things we can give to the schools and outside people as well! Please contact Steffanie by email.

There is more!
Mark Chow has been an amazing resource for us and other non-profits with his “A Foundation for Kids”. If you are looking for a way to help out this Holiday season, please contact Mark.: 909-923-0415 mvchow12455@hotmail.com

Dear Friend of AFFK -

Please consider helping us for Christmas by volunteering some time picking and packing gifts at our Donation Center in Ontario for a few hours!

We are trying to process about gifts for 15k - 20k children by Dec. 24th!

Dec. (Today) Dec 17th: 9 am - 7 pm

Dec. 19th: 9 am - 5 pm

Dec. 20th - 21st - 9 am - 7 pm


A Foundation for Kids
2021 South Archibald Avenue (60 fwy & Archibald Avenue)
Ontario, CA 91761 909-923-0415 mvchow12455@hotmail.com

Gifts for Kids - we can use more gifts for kids; sports balls, skate boards, games, dolls, EVERY DONATION WILL COUNT, etc.
Thank you & God Bless! ...Mark Chow.


Make this holiday special by helping someone in need!

“He who gives to the poor will never want,
But he who shuts his eyes will have many curses.”

Proverbs 28:27

It’s a game we have all played with our children when they were little; a game of “Hide and Seek”. We pretend that they are invisible when they cover their own eyes. We exclaim “Where did Jimmy go?” as the little one sits with his eyes covered, giggling, thinking that no one can see them. Child psychologists will tell you that a small child sees things from their own point of view and have difficulty thinking about other people’s experiences.

It’s been said more than once “I don’t want to know”. Knowledge would require me to do something rather than just sit in my own ignorance. Sometimes I have not matured any farther than my own childhood when I choose to sit with my eyes shut and ignore the problem.

God calls us to maturity, and maturity is defined as thinking beyond ourselves. So with poverty we are asked to act and there is a reward for those who do. We think that it would be a physical reward, but actually it is maturity that we will discover and having maturity we will lack for nothing.

Bookmark it:
The website has been redone and soon you will be able to see more ways to serve at Corona Norco Rescue Mission. http://www.rescuemissioncn.org/Home.aspx

On Site:
Thanks to Rowdy for setting up Regan Paving to slurry the back alley so we could place storage containers.
Lucas Oil donated two Seatainers that were placed on-site for storage . Thanks, Tom & Brian for your generous donation.

Thanksgiving Day Event:
The Thanksgiving event was a big hit. Thanks to everyone who dedicated time during your holiday to make it happen. We had teamed with Mark Chow from “A Foundation for Kids” to put together a great day for those less fortunate, to give them something to be joyous about on Thanksgiving Day. You made an impact, you thought beyond yourself to bring a gift of celebration to others. We were overwhelmed with the response of volunteers … Thanks

“But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are THE PEOPLE OF GOD; you had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.

I Peter 2:9-10”

It’s a very simple need that exists within all of us; it’s the need to belong to something. I have a daughter who is disabled, so that propels my wife and I into advocating for the disabled many times. I have a simple statement that seems to open up the eyes of many people who ask questions about the handicapped: “They just want to be like you.” They want to be included and considered as an important part of our society. They want to belong.

The Holy Spirit does the same thing through Peter in the above verse; He makes us special because we belong to him, not disabled from our sin, but Holy from His Mercy; not just “A people”, but a “People of God”. We belong to God.

This Thanksgiving Day many will take time to include serving the homeless and needy in the Thanksgiving Day event planned at the shelter. You might be someone that has invited a family to join you in your home. Remember, many do not choose homelessness in the same way many don’t choose to have a disability. They just want to be like you.

Bookmark it: The website has been redone and soon you will be able to see more ways to serve at Corona Norco Rescue Mission. http://www.rescuemissioncn.org/Home.aspx

Thanks to everyone who helped with the sandblasting project. It was finished on time.

Thanksgiving Day Event:
The response has been amazing and it sounds like it will be an amazing event. We received a great response of volunteers; if you have any questions direct them to Volunteers@rescuemission.org

We have teamed with Mark Chow from “A Foundation for Kids” to put together a great day for those less fortunate, to give them something to be joyous about on Thanksgiving Day. Over 300 families in the community were invited, so it sounds like it will be great fun. Thanks Mark!

9:00am – 12:00
Set up time


12:00 – 3:00pm
Game booths,
Prize booth
Snack bar - popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, snack bars, beverages
Face painting
Arts & crafts
Family gift basket distribution (gift bag for every family)
Meal Box Distribution
Inflatable’s

3pm – 4pm
Breakdown/Cleanup.

Contact: Christina Wollin at Volunteers@rescuemission.org and put CNRM Thanksgiving Volunteer in the subject line.

The subject line is important, so that your email will be seen in a timely manner! Thanks for your heart to help the less fortunate in Corona!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving” Colossians 3:23-24

As I mentioned last week you are going to be hearing about more opportunities and less philosophy, so here goes…

Bookmark it:
The website has been redone and soon you will be able to see more ways to serve at Corona Norco Rescue Mission. http://www.rescuemissioncn.org/Home.aspx

Current:
Sandblasting the exterior is continuing, Dave should be finished the first half of Friday. Dave has been relentless with his crew. Jon King and Edwin Hernandez have been a great help. If you can make it to help cleanup, contact Dave Armas Cell # (909)367-5800.

This Friday, November 19th. 10am @ CNRM.
Dave and his crew have worked hard all week sandblasting the facility and now we need to clean up the mess in preparation for Thanksgiving Day.

Lead Person: Jon King broncos29x@yahoo.com (714)381-0499

The Need: 10 people onsite.

Expertise: Labor, cleaning up debris, cleaning pavement areas.

Tools: Push brooms and shovels are optional. We will have some on-site, but if you are fond of using your own, you can bring them.

Personal Safety Equipment: Gloves, eye protection, dust masks. closed toe shoes (no open toed shoes on site)

Thanksgiving Day Event:

Here is a chance to do something good in Corona this year! There will be a Thanksgiving Day event at the Corona Norco Rescue Mission on Thanksgiving Day! Need to get out of the house for a few hours with the kids? Looking for something good to do on Thanksgiving? Need to burn off some of those Turkey Day calories? Here is a chance for you to make a difference.

We have teamed with Mark Chow from “A Foundation for Kids” to put together a great day for those less fortunate, to give them something to be joyous about on Thanksgiving Day.

9:00am – 12:00

Set up time (6 volunteers)

12:00 – 3:00pm

Game booths – (5 volunteers)

Prize booth – (2 volunteers)

Snack bar - popcorn, cotton candy, snow cones, snack bars, beverages – (3 volunteers)

Face painting – (2 volunteers)

Arts & crafts – (2 volunteers)

Family gift basket distribution – (4 volunteers) (gift bag for every family)

Meal Box Distribution – (4 volunteers)

Inflatable’s – (2 volunteers)

Security – (4 volunteers) will be issued a SECURITY vest and radio

3pm – 4pm

Breakdown/Cleanup – (6 volunteers)

There are over 600 people on this list. You can serve all day or part of the day. If 120 people can give 2 hours, then everyone can serve and enjoy the holiday with their family. Start a tradition of service with your family.

Contact:
Christina Wollin at Volunteers@rescuemission.org and put CNRM Thanksgiving Volunteer in the subject line.


The subject line is important, so that your email will be seen in a timely manner! Thanks for your heart to help the less fortunate in Corona!



It is going to be great to see everyone come together and make this happen!