Friday, April 9, 2010
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Mattresses!
Me: This is a FEEDING ministry, not a MATTRESS ministry! Got to keep my eye on the ball and not get distracted by mattresses. We're out of food!
God: Thanks for sharing, Judd. Now listen: there are these mattresses on a cruise ship that we've got to get under the kids you serve for me. You're going to be blessed, just trust me.
We were blessed with 210 mattresses last month - the Holland American Line ship Oosterdam is replacing all its mattresses, and the (not so) old mattresses are ours to pick up if we want them. The first 210 came off 3 Saturdays ago, and picking them up turned out to be somewhat of a hassle. As did storing them. Likewise, getting them across the border. But nearly all of them are now gone, and the last will be under our kids and others we serve before the week is out. So now, the second load of 210 will be ready this Saturday.
The first challenge: get a semi onto the cruise ship terminal property in San Diego. Passing security is a chore. Finding a 45-footer for Saturday is a challenge. Plan A - didn't work. Found out Monday our truck and driver wouldn't be available on Saturday. And it has to be Saturday. Go to Plan B - cartage from a past donor who has been a big help before. Found out Tuesday the decision-maker/underwriter is out of town and very likely not going to be able to help this time. In the meantime, the 'arranger' called to get my assurance we would pick them up - of course I said 'Absolutely!' But I'm really feeling uneasy about this whole exercise.
Wednesday morning found me in a funk. I have to get this whole thing turned off, and soon. People are depending on me to do things that clearly are not going to be done. Started an e-mail to let everyone know it was not going to happen, that the mattresses would go to a landfill, and maybe we'll get some at some future date. I give up. But God made these mattresses available; surely he doesn't want me to quit. Or does he? Maybe I'll send the e-mail Thursday - I'd rather just not think about it now.
Later on in the morning, I got a telephone call - someone I'd never met, nor even heard of. Wants to know if there's something he can do to help Hilarious Givers. Has a flatbed truck, does business with the cruise lines all the time, hauling stuff off the pier. Not only Holland American Line, but all the cruise lines. Mattresses, ping pong tables, televisions, video games, all the stuff they take off the ships when they upgrade - he would really like to hook us up to help the orphans. I ask - how 'bout Saturday? He responds - love to! I'll let you know for sure tomorrow. Thanks, God. Plan C with frosting and a cherry on top.
An acquaintance overhears my conversation. He has a large open trailer with a truck to pull it. Happy to loan it for the weekend - it might take a couple of round trips to get all 210 mattresses, but it will work. Wow! Plan D - just to make me feel more comfortable. God is great!
Now all we need is a small working party - sure 'nuff - volunteers are e-mailing me.
Oh. And the food? got a call Tuesday - we have a commitment for a full semi - 42,000 plus pounds of nutrition coming from Minnesota - Gain International, Feed My Starving Children, Campus Crusade for Christ, Strong Tower Ministries - all involved. We expect delivery next week.
Came home yesterday evening - e-mail from a ministry who is helping earthquake victims in Chile - do we have any mattresses? And a bible college in the Baja needs mattresses. And a nursing home in TJ needs 100. Can we help?
"Then you will call and the Lord will answer. You will cry for help, and he will say: 'Here am I.'" Isaiah 58:9
God: Thanks for sharing, Judd. Now listen: there are these mattresses on a cruise ship that we've got to get under the kids you serve for me. You're going to be blessed, just trust me.
We were blessed with 210 mattresses last month - the Holland American Line ship Oosterdam is replacing all its mattresses, and the (not so) old mattresses are ours to pick up if we want them. The first 210 came off 3 Saturdays ago, and picking them up turned out to be somewhat of a hassle. As did storing them. Likewise, getting them across the border. But nearly all of them are now gone, and the last will be under our kids and others we serve before the week is out. So now, the second load of 210 will be ready this Saturday.
The first challenge: get a semi onto the cruise ship terminal property in San Diego. Passing security is a chore. Finding a 45-footer for Saturday is a challenge. Plan A - didn't work. Found out Monday our truck and driver wouldn't be available on Saturday. And it has to be Saturday. Go to Plan B - cartage from a past donor who has been a big help before. Found out Tuesday the decision-maker/underwriter is out of town and very likely not going to be able to help this time. In the meantime, the 'arranger' called to get my assurance we would pick them up - of course I said 'Absolutely!' But I'm really feeling uneasy about this whole exercise.
Wednesday morning found me in a funk. I have to get this whole thing turned off, and soon. People are depending on me to do things that clearly are not going to be done. Started an e-mail to let everyone know it was not going to happen, that the mattresses would go to a landfill, and maybe we'll get some at some future date. I give up. But God made these mattresses available; surely he doesn't want me to quit. Or does he? Maybe I'll send the e-mail Thursday - I'd rather just not think about it now.
Later on in the morning, I got a telephone call - someone I'd never met, nor even heard of. Wants to know if there's something he can do to help Hilarious Givers. Has a flatbed truck, does business with the cruise lines all the time, hauling stuff off the pier. Not only Holland American Line, but all the cruise lines. Mattresses, ping pong tables, televisions, video games, all the stuff they take off the ships when they upgrade - he would really like to hook us up to help the orphans. I ask - how 'bout Saturday? He responds - love to! I'll let you know for sure tomorrow. Thanks, God. Plan C with frosting and a cherry on top.
An acquaintance overhears my conversation. He has a large open trailer with a truck to pull it. Happy to loan it for the weekend - it might take a couple of round trips to get all 210 mattresses, but it will work. Wow! Plan D - just to make me feel more comfortable. God is great!
Now all we need is a small working party - sure 'nuff - volunteers are e-mailing me.
Oh. And the food? got a call Tuesday - we have a commitment for a full semi - 42,000 plus pounds of nutrition coming from Minnesota - Gain International, Feed My Starving Children, Campus Crusade for Christ, Strong Tower Ministries - all involved. We expect delivery next week.
Came home yesterday evening - e-mail from a ministry who is helping earthquake victims in Chile - do we have any mattresses? And a bible college in the Baja needs mattresses. And a nursing home in TJ needs 100. Can we help?
"Then you will call and the Lord will answer. You will cry for help, and he will say: 'Here am I.'" Isaiah 58:9
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Door of Faith Baby's Home
Green valleys, pounding surf, sparkling skies, muddy roads. That was Sunday.
Pounding rain, visibility next to nothing, soaked to the skin. That was Saturday.
Guess which day was the long-awaited dedication of the nursery at the Door of Faith Orphange?
Something like a hundred hardy souls showed up at La Mision B.C. on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the new nursery. Cold and wet on the outside, but warm and fulfilled on the inside.
Most of the volunteers who have been laboring over the past months and years come from Strong Tower Ministries, headquartered in Orange County, 80 miles or so north of Chula Vista.
Saturday morning was a distribution time for Hilarious Givers. Before heading south, we distributed six pallets of nutrition to missions from our Miramar warehouse. Then we loaded up our truck with food and set off for La Mision. It soon became apparent that we would never get to the Door of Faith Orphanage in time for the grand opening - the rain was falling in deluges. Traffic on the U.S. side was being slowed to a crawl in some places - when I passed the third spin-out accident, this one involving a jacknifed big rig, we decided that tomorrow would be early enough.
So Sunday, right after church, we headed south. It turns out that while crossing the border is relatively pain-free on Saturdays and weekdays, Sundays are a different matter. The Mexican authorities don't staff the inspection station as fully on Sundays, so folks with donations aren't allowed the courtesy that they enjoy the rest of the week. A couple of harried inspectors, while polite and deferential, were unloading everything to check for contraband. The export documents we had carefully FAX'd on Friday helped not at all. So we waited.
. . for a mile or so
Hearing the laughter of the kids, seeing them care-free and playing in a loving and safe environment made the trip worthwhile. We arrived just in time for the evening meal.
It's easy to forget that each of these precious kids had endured some personal tragedy early in their lives. Some have lost both parents, so are truly orphans. Some have been placed with Door of Faith because their parents were not able to provide for them, so were forced to abandon their son or daughter. Still others have been rescued from abusive homes. But each is now safe, secure and cared for in a loving environment.
And now, there is a magnificent new nursery - a place to care for the most vulnerable of these beautiful kids. And what a nursery it is!
Pounding rain, visibility next to nothing, soaked to the skin. That was Saturday.
Guess which day was the long-awaited dedication of the nursery at the Door of Faith Orphange?
Something like a hundred hardy souls showed up at La Mision B.C. on Saturday to celebrate the grand opening of the new nursery. Cold and wet on the outside, but warm and fulfilled on the inside.
Most of the volunteers who have been laboring over the past months and years come from Strong Tower Ministries, headquartered in Orange County, 80 miles or so north of Chula Vista.
Saturday morning was a distribution time for Hilarious Givers. Before heading south, we distributed six pallets of nutrition to missions from our Miramar warehouse. Then we loaded up our truck with food and set off for La Mision. It soon became apparent that we would never get to the Door of Faith Orphanage in time for the grand opening - the rain was falling in deluges. Traffic on the U.S. side was being slowed to a crawl in some places - when I passed the third spin-out accident, this one involving a jacknifed big rig, we decided that tomorrow would be early enough.
So Sunday, right after church, we headed south. It turns out that while crossing the border is relatively pain-free on Saturdays and weekdays, Sundays are a different matter. The Mexican authorities don't staff the inspection station as fully on Sundays, so folks with donations aren't allowed the courtesy that they enjoy the rest of the week. A couple of harried inspectors, while polite and deferential, were unloading everything to check for contraband. The export documents we had carefully FAX'd on Friday helped not at all. So we waited.
And waited.
An hour and a half later, we were back on the road. The drive down the coast was beautiful. The surf was up, traffic light, and the company was great. There's something wonderful about being in a small 4-wheeled metal container with your best friend for an hour or so, listening to music, enjoying the scenery and just being together.
Then off the new road, on to the old highway for a few miles, then off the old highway . . . .
. . for a mile or so to the Door of Faith Orphange.
Hearing the laughter of the kids, seeing them care-free and playing in a loving and safe environment made the trip worthwhile. We arrived just in time for the evening meal.
It's easy to forget that each of these precious kids had endured some personal tragedy early in their lives. Some have lost both parents, so are truly orphans. Some have been placed with Door of Faith because their parents were not able to provide for them, so were forced to abandon their son or daughter. Still others have been rescued from abusive homes. But each is now safe, secure and cared for in a loving environment.
And now, there is a magnificent new nursery - a place to care for the most vulnerable of these beautiful kids. And what a nursery it is!
Congratulations to the Strong Tower Ministries crew and to all who gave freely of the time and treasure over the months to make this happen.
It is truly humbling to be a small part of this blessed ministry. The Door of Faith Orphanage is one of dozens that Hilarious Givers is privileged to support with its feeding ministry.
We took some time to tour the grounds, play with some of the kids and get to know a recent addition to the staff, Becca. Then, with the sun setting, it was time to head back north. But not before stopping for tacos and tortas!
The drive home through the gentle Mexican night was a time to reflect upon the events of the day. What greater sense of accomplishment can there be than this - reaching out to influence young lives? We give so little, they need so much, and we take away so much more than we give.
Then, sooner than we want, we're back to reality. Waiting in line at the garrita to get back to the U.S. Not so long this evening.
Then, the 20 minute drive home. Two different worlds. So far apart, and yet so near.
You, our supporters, make all of this possible. Without your generosity, your volunteer time, your prayers, without your encouragement - none of this would be possible. And Debra and I would be another ageing suburban couple watching television on Sunday afternoon. And kids would go to bed hungry.
Please, take a few moments to visit our website and learn more about our mission. Put yourself on our mailing list so we can keep you up-to-date. Pray for us, send an e-mail of encouragement. Or make a tax-deductible donation to help sustain us. It doesn't cost much to support our food outreach - a couple of dollars per month per child fed. But it does cost something, and you can help.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Waiting for spring
One of the beautiful gifts I receive by being involved in Hilarious Givers is the group of friends I get to rub shoulders with. These are all folks I would likely not have even known about before Hilarious Givers, but who have so richly blessed my life - just by being a part of it.
Less than a year ago I was introduced to Greg. Greg is the director of Genesis Diez, a children's facility located in a beautiful valley not far from Ensenada.
Numbers don't tell the story - but they help. Our feeding program helps provide nutritious food for 38 full-time residents and staff, plus the families of handicapped kids, plus augmenting the diets of the surrounding populace - over 1,000 people regularly benefit from the generosity and bounty of donors and volunteers from this side of the border! And while Hilarious Givers does not prostelize, it is clear that these blessings are the result of the grace of our Most High God.
Less than a year ago I was introduced to Greg. Greg is the director of Genesis Diez, a children's facility located in a beautiful valley not far from Ensenada.
Genesis Diez exists to give the kids who live in urban orphanages in Tijuana and Ensenada a learning experience. These kids spend their young years in concrete buildings, living in dorms and eating institution-style meals. Typically the population in one of these orphanages is 75-100 kids; they go to school, but beyond that, their existence is pretty much the same as if they were in prison.
The kids come to Genesis Diez for a few days a year and live in a rural environment, rich in experiential opportunies. The bright April day I visited some of the kids were making jewelry, others were painting murals.
Many of the kids were not on campus because they were off on a field trip. To see the joy on those precious faces, the sparkle in their eyes, the excitement in their voices - the couple of hours' drive from San Diego was a tiny price to pay.
Hilarious Givers regularly provides food and sanitary supplies to Genesis Diez. I had met Greg a couple of times since we were first introduced, but hadn't really had a chance to sit and chat with him. Two weeks ago I met Greg at our warehouse, and during a pause in our activities I got to know him, and Genesis Diez, a little better.
Genesis Diez, it turns out, is more than just a summer camp for disadvantaged kids. Volunteers from all over the U.S., and even Canada, come to spend time at the ranch. In addition to the camp I visited, there is another facility for families with handicapped children. And the towns, villages and campos in the valley all benefit from Genesis Diez; not only from their feeding outreach, but in the provision of school uniforms and supplies, and serving as a resource to the migrant families who come to tend the fields.
Numbers don't tell the story - but they help. Our feeding program helps provide nutritious food for 38 full-time residents and staff, plus the families of handicapped kids, plus augmenting the diets of the surrounding populace - over 1,000 people regularly benefit from the generosity and bounty of donors and volunteers from this side of the border! And while Hilarious Givers does not prostelize, it is clear that these blessings are the result of the grace of our Most High God.And Genesis Diez is only one of the 40-plus organizations Hilarious Givers supports.
We are starting a fund to provide herds of goats and flocks of chickens to some of our supported facilities. Genesis Diez will be among the first - this is a project that definitely has the hand of God on it. Not only will we provide fresh meat, milk and eggs for the kids, but we'll be fostering independence among the families. If you would like to provide financial support to help buy a herd of goats, your generosity will be rewarded. A few tens of dollars buys a goat or flock of chicks, a few hundreds will provide a herd of goats for a small community.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Invitation: Pallet Building Party
Invitation: Pallet Building Party Hilarious Givers is having their February Pallet Building Fiesta!
Come One, Come All!
Saturday, February 6, 2010Miramar Transportation (Pilot Freight)
9340 Cabot Drive,Suite G,
San Diego, CA 92126
February is a short month with a long weekend. And, we have time-sensitive nutrition that won't be usable in March. Your help is needed.
Reserve your spot now - this is a great way to get your friends, neighbors and kids involved in Hilarious Givers! Space is limited.
Contact Judd at : Judd@HilariousGivers.org, or call him at (619) 534-6801 or Facebook him!
Thanks for any help!
Debra ;o)
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Awesome!
awe⋅some /ˈɔsəm/ –adjective
1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight.
2. showing or characterized by awe.
3. Slang. very impressive: That new white convertible is totally awesome.
January was an awesome month for Hilarious Givers!
We had planned on about a dozen loads of nutritious food and drink for the kids in Baja and their families. Knowing that my planning is almost always overcome by God's plan, we prepared 25% more pallets than we were going to need. 16 pallets of food is a lot! Each pallet is typically about half a ton of food, so a pallet fills a small pickup or SUV.
Then came the rains. Baja California received 7 to 10 inches of rain in a few hours, accompanying by shanty-destroying winds. Villages were cut off, houses damaged, shacks destroyed. Reports of children being swept away, never to be recovered, made the local news. From experience in prior years, we knew of the misery being suffered by those least able to endure.
And then the earthquake in Haiti. As many as 1/3 of the residents of Port au Prince killed or injured. We all had our hearts touched by the suffering and devastation.
We struggled to not be torn by the two centers of suffering. Through the providence of the Lord and the generosity of our donors, we can make a big difference in suffering lives impacted by both disasters.
Our Mexico feeding mission swelled from 12 pallets to 20. Volunteers stepped up, the food was available, and we were able to nearly double the amount of sustenance we expect to provide in a single month. This despite the barriers, natural and man-made, thrown up.
Here's a shot of our truck crossing an arroyo during one of our caravans. Sometimes there is the little stream you see here, but most often it's just dry.
Here's the same crossing last week. Nobody's crossing, and if this is the only way in and out, you're stuck.
Just hearing the torrent rush by inspires awe.
And the kids have to eat every day. So, being able to respond on a few hours' notice is, well, awesome!
Meantime, we were privileged to be able to help move 17 pallets of desperately-needed medical supplies to Haiti, thanks to the generosity of friends and associates of one of our corporate sponsors, Miramar Freight. Totally awesome! And, we're working on a cooperative endeavor with the U.S. Navy to provide continuing relief to that devastated nation.
We never feel we have enough to get the job done, but somehow, some way, some body steps up and volunteers, or donates, or just prays for us.
Awesome.
1. inspiring awe: an awesome sight.
2. showing or characterized by awe.
3. Slang. very impressive: That new white convertible is totally awesome.
January was an awesome month for Hilarious Givers!
We had planned on about a dozen loads of nutritious food and drink for the kids in Baja and their families. Knowing that my planning is almost always overcome by God's plan, we prepared 25% more pallets than we were going to need. 16 pallets of food is a lot! Each pallet is typically about half a ton of food, so a pallet fills a small pickup or SUV.
Then came the rains. Baja California received 7 to 10 inches of rain in a few hours, accompanying by shanty-destroying winds. Villages were cut off, houses damaged, shacks destroyed. Reports of children being swept away, never to be recovered, made the local news. From experience in prior years, we knew of the misery being suffered by those least able to endure.
And then the earthquake in Haiti. As many as 1/3 of the residents of Port au Prince killed or injured. We all had our hearts touched by the suffering and devastation.
We struggled to not be torn by the two centers of suffering. Through the providence of the Lord and the generosity of our donors, we can make a big difference in suffering lives impacted by both disasters.
Our Mexico feeding mission swelled from 12 pallets to 20. Volunteers stepped up, the food was available, and we were able to nearly double the amount of sustenance we expect to provide in a single month. This despite the barriers, natural and man-made, thrown up.
Here's a shot of our truck crossing an arroyo during one of our caravans. Sometimes there is the little stream you see here, but most often it's just dry.
Here's the same crossing last week. Nobody's crossing, and if this is the only way in and out, you're stuck.
Just hearing the torrent rush by inspires awe.
And the kids have to eat every day. So, being able to respond on a few hours' notice is, well, awesome!
Meantime, we were privileged to be able to help move 17 pallets of desperately-needed medical supplies to Haiti, thanks to the generosity of friends and associates of one of our corporate sponsors, Miramar Freight. Totally awesome! And, we're working on a cooperative endeavor with the U.S. Navy to provide continuing relief to that devastated nation.
We never feel we have enough to get the job done, but somehow, some way, some body steps up and volunteers, or donates, or just prays for us.
Awesome.
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