For the past month, Scott has been daily posting pleas for help with this venture on Facebook. A few weeks ago, the need stood at $9000. Today, thanks to gifts in kind, unexpected discounts, and a few financial gifts, the amount needed to make this happen is now $4500!!!!
To that end, we are taking the time and space here to invite your support and help for this particular leg of the Children’s Home Tour. However, before that, let me tell you a little bit out the Orlando Union Rescue Mission (O.U.R.M.) Operating out of inner-city Orlando, Florida, O.U.R.M. serves in an environment that is, by-in-large, hidden from public view. Amidst deteriorating, residential low-income housing, strip clubs, adult stores, dilapidated store fronts, and unmanicured sidewalks, this Christ-centered lighthouse brings the rescue of Jesus to a very hard place 24/7.
While, like most rescue missions, they offer daily meals, clothing, and general support to the community’s homeless population, O.U.R.M. has taken things a step further. They have also invested in and offer long- term housing for single mothers and fathers in need. In addition to this, education, encompassing Biblical discipleship and financial life skills are offered as well. In short, O.U.R.M. is looking to give a hand-up versus the proverbial hand-out. At present, they are housing 180+ adults and children on campus.
In view of this, we can’t express our gratitude and excitement at the opportunity to bring the Home Tour to O.U.R.M! While not technically a Children’s Home, their mission is an all-too-familiar one for us. To that end, we are asking for your help. As we have in the past, when going in December, we are coming to share the gospel and to throw as extravagant a Christmas party as we can for these precious souls.
And for that, we will need your help. Our team will be arriving on December 28 to load in, with the first of our five worship gatherings to begin on Thursday December 29 culminating in a New Year’s Eve Christmas celebration on the evening of the 31st complete with personalized Christmas gifts for every soul (180 +) in residence at O.U.R.M.
Each adult will receive a 121 t-shirt, 127 winter hat, CSB compact leather bound Bible, and rechargeable led flashlight. All children, ages 9 and under will receive the Jesus Storybook Bible. All Children and teens will receive a 121 t-shirt, 127 winter hat, CSB compact leather bound Bible, and a handheld retro nintendo game console; constituting a $50 value gift for each resident. In addition, every gift will be individually wrapped with personally labeled tags and hand-written Christmas cards. (The gifts mentioned are pictured below.)
Would you consider making an early Christmas gift to 121 to help us purchase these presents for O.U.R.M? If we act early, we have the opportunity to purchase these items in bulk and to have them wrapped before departing NC on December 28. Again, the cost per person is $50, however, every bit counts and for every dollar given, we are so grateful. The total need is estimated to be between $8500 & $9000 depending on residential census at the time of our going (As UPDATED above, the need is now $4500!!!!). As always, you can give in the following two ways: Online: simply click on the Donate button below and be sure to designate your gift (Christmas Gifts) in the space provided during the check-out process OR by check, written to 121 ˆnc. and mailed to P.O. Box 26, Wallburg, NC 27373. Again, be sure to designate Christmas gifts on the memo line.
As always, thanks so much for helping us bring the rescue of Jesus to hard places.
121 team