We appreciate and thank you for your comments. Here’s some we recently received that I wanted to share with all of you:
‘I think this is our third or fourth year of using your crosses in our holiday baskets – over 2000 in that time! We produce approximately 1500-1800 baskets a year for the needy and we place them in all baskets for 12 and older … Thanks for all you do. This is a wonderful ministry!’
– Sue, CUPS Basket Ministry
‘Thank you so much for providing crosses for us to give away in Guatemala. God
bless you abundantly.’
– Kay, Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello, MN
And, in response to last month’s post – ‘Happy Hands, Happy Hearts’:
‘What a magnificent story how these ladies help with your ministry. I am sure that is a two-way blessing. I took 3 of my crosses with me this month on a South American cruise and passed them along to staff members on the cruise ship, one from Brazil and two from Philippines. So, I’m really making an effort to pass them on not just in the USA but across the World. Thank you so much for what you do to spread the Word.’
– Pat, GA
‘Thank you so much for sharing the story and pictures of Happy Hands, Happy Hearts.’
– Darlene, MN
‘What a wonderful ministry! Bless their hearts – bless your hearts!’
– Sue, MN
The last week of January, Immanuel School in Walker, MN observed Helping Others Through Service and they invited Ernie and I to talk to their students about Cross The World. We were well received by the students, as well as the teachers, as we told them how our little ministry got started and answered questions about where the wood for the crosses comes from, the kind of wood we use, how we get other supplies, who makes the crosses, how many crosses we’ve given away, where the crosses go, etc. The kids quickly got into it!!
But, the biggest excitement came when the kids were asked if they wanted to make some crosses to share … it didn’t take long for the line to form at the work table! Here’s some pictures of eager hands and enthusiastic hearts:
Many of the kids told us the crosses they were making would be given to their parents, siblings or friends; almost all of them told us their school bus driver would be receiving one! What a bounty to be received!!
It was truly a joy and a blessing for us to see crosses pass hands from one student to another, from students to teachers, and from students to Ernie and I!
What a wonderful opportunity to share the news of our helping serve others in God’s world; we thank Immanuel School for inviting us to be a part of this special week!!
REJOICE IN HIS GOODNESS!!
And, in thinking about Helping Others Through Service, here are nine things God won’t ask you on that last day:
1. He won’t ask what kind of car you drive. He will ask how many people you drove who didn’t have transportation.
2. He won’t ask the square footage of your home. He will ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3. He won’t ask how many clothes you have in your closet. He will ask how many people you have helped clothe.
4. He won’t ask what your highest salary was. He will ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5. God won’t ask what your job title was. He will ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6. God won’t ask how many friends you had. He will ask how many people you were a friend to.
7. God won’t ask what neighborhood you lived in. He will ask how you treated your neighbors.
8. God won’t ask the color of your skin. He will ask about the content of your character.
9. God won’t ask why it took you so long to look for salvation. He’ll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, not to the gates of hell.
We thank the following Friends in Christ who requested crosses from us during the month of January:
Glenda S – ND
Faith Lutheran Church, Monticello, MN – for mission work in Guatemala
First Presbyterian Church, Lafayette, LA – for CUPS Basket Ministry
Resurrection Lutheran Church, Women of the ELCA, Tucson, AZ
Jeanne C – NV
Rev. Herb S – MT
Immanuel Lutheran School, Walker, MN
Some food for thought:
Ask yourself if what you’re doing today is getting you closer to where you want to be tomorrow.
CROSS THE WORLD 