MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Dear Friends – Volunteers and Donors,

MERRY CHRISTMAS!  (If you find that politically incorrect I suggest you go check your God Meter. J)  I will be out of the office until Jan 5, so Happy New Year too.

I hope you all are keeping up with the progress of Samaritan Inn through the Christian Care Center messages from Executive Director Samuel Smith.  Since he came in June my job has become somewhat easier as he is taking some of the responsibilities  I had before.  I want to take this opportunity to once again thank you all for your hard work, prayers, donations of money and goods for the benefit of homeless children and their parents.  Since opening Samaritan Inn on June 30, 2010 we have had 24 adults and 39 children residing on campus and since September 15, 2011 have helped 9 families totaling 35 people find housing and move from homelessness into an apartment.  We are very thankful to all the many people who have made this possible in the name of Jesus Christ.  Samaritan Inn is truly a Community of Faith ministry.  I do have a Christmas Wish List I ask you to pray about and see if you or someone you know can help.  Anyone who wants to bring a group to tour Christian Care Center;  Contact Samuel Smith at 352-314-8733.

WISH LIST:

1.  Spiritually mature women with good life skills to work with our residents to help them through tough times, keep on track with case plan, help with children, assist Barbara and me keeping the place in order and some administrative duties.  I wish we had someone here from 9-3 and 2-8 daily.     

2.  A regular list of “Go to” guys Ray can call on short notice to help with such things as repairs, projects, unforeseen issues, etc.

3.  Ladies who could watch children play in our play area or movies in our common room to let moms have some “down time” for a little while. 

4.  Volunteers who would be willing to cook using our new kitchen along with Marty.  I would like to start a regular schedule list and post it so we will know who will be here on what day.  We serve dinner to residents between 5 and 7 PM each day and we will work a schedule for prep, cook, serve, clean up and dishes in the dish washers.    

5.  $20,000 to build the new roof needed to begin the north wing.  When the roof gets in place we can take work on rooms one at a time if necessary without fear of rain destroying the interior.  We will be able to start the electrical replacement and plumbing replacement.  We are at a standstill until we come up with the money to build the new roof.  Pray that God will see and provide for us to move forward.  Government money is pretty much a thing of the past and I personally don’t see them giving Faith Based organizations help any time soon.  It is OK because God has provided in the past, he will continue to move in His time on His schedule and we accept that.

Thank you all and God bless you.

Chester Wood, Samaritan Inn Director

Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me."