November 31

Last week marked a full month of having been blessed with the generosity of Hamann Property Management and Pan American, L.P. And what a blessing it has been! We have been able to provide ‘gently used’ mattresses to hundreds upon hundreds of needy kids in Mexico. Thanks to the generosity of the Hamann group, Holland America Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Miramar Freight, Innovative Waste Solutions, South Bay Volkswagen and others, kids are waking up well rested after having slept on comfy beds; these are children who have known nothing but sleeping on the ground, insulated from the dirt and cold by a sheet of cardboard from a box salvaged from the dump or perhaps a fragment of builder’s plastic sheet. What a gift!

We are also helping to launch an effort to supply beds to the urban poor and homeless community here in the U.S. We have teamed with ‘A Good Night’s Sleep’ based in L.A. and been able to provide more than 100 mattresses to a women’s shelter – providing a sanctuary for abused and homeless women and their children. And a local men’s recovery home asked for 3 dozen mattresses for their patients; we were able to provide them on the spot. This outreach was not part of our plan, but evidently part of His.

Each mattress is a blessing and a true gift to the person who received it. And each gift fulfils the biblical admonition to reach out to the least among us – to care for the widows and orphans – to raise the poor from dust and the beggar from the dunghill. Each of these gifts would be in a landfill now but for the selfless generosity of our supporters and volunteers. The mattresses are given to any who ask who have a need, and at no cost.

The owner of a "99 Cents and Up" store retired and closed his doors. The inventory of his store, largely kids' clothing, was generously given to Hilarious Givers to distribute. Debra and the ladies sorted the goodies for distribution during this Christmas season. Most has already been given out - the rest will go to needy folks before year's end.

 We have been offered an additional supply of mattresses from other cruise lines. At this point, my response has been ‘we’ll see’. I would love to be able to continue this ministry into the new year, but of course that would depend upon the continued generosity of our gracious benefactors.

Please pray for the continued viability of this worthwhile ministry.