Mission News: Thanksgivings: The Flavor of Grace, Not Gravy

Some happenings since our AIDS focused conference

• bulletin board highlighting HIV/AIDS solutions on Knox hallway wall;
• Mario M. helped dispense meds at JACQUES Initiative;
• meeting, led by John Schmidt, with Central and Grace Fellowship people about partnering to address HIV/AIDS issues in Baltimore and Malawi;
• generous contributions to Partners in Malawi, Children of the Nations in Malawi, JACQUES, AIRS and Moveable Feast;
• Julie S's youth SS class baked 18 dozen cookies delivered to Moveable Feast;
• Eric S. and Linda H. will be teaching Life Skills Courses at JACQUES Initiative;
• 7 people from Central will attend Disturbing Voices (HIV/AIDS) Conference in California, 11/29-12/2;
• all of Central's alternative-giving suggestions address HIV/AIDS solutions (see brochure);
• prayer encouraged on December 1st, World AIDS Day;
• Mark Moyer established a Mocha Club team (see front page article);
• planning for a site visit to the AIRS house on York Road;
• 6 small groups considering dates for the two-session DVD, "Hope & Action;"
• a Circle redesigning their usual December cookie exchange, sending their confections to Moveable Feast instead;
• Jean P. helped with the day-before-Thanksgiving lunch at JACQUES;
• Wilma E. has requested to support a child through Compassion International, from an AIDS-affected area in Africa.

There is much to be developed in the realm of vision, process and strategy for God to truly use Central to have an impact, small or great. "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life" Proverbs 13:12. Partnering in "fulfilling" is available and awesome!