The Hesed Project
Hesed is the Hebrew word used to describe God’s kindness, generosity, and compassion. On December 20, 2009, we gave away envelopes containing random amounts of money. We asked those who took an envelope to use the money to bless someone in a practical way. Jesus said we should help those in need. What if we were all looking for ways to invest in people? If we would pray, look, and listen, I’m sure that we would find ways to help others. We created this space for you to share your Hesed stories.
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After Sunday services, we went to Corridor G and as we were leaving to head home, we saw a man in the freezing cold holding a sign that said he was homeless and asking for help if possible so we stopped and handed him the money. He accepted and politely responded “God bless” and then looked down at his hand to see the $20 bill and with excitement, he said again GOD BLESS!!!!
After church on Sunday we both left with $40 in our envelopes. Both of us were beyond excited. At first we thought about finding a Salvation Army pot to donate it to. Then we began to think a little bigger and thought about going into the Subway down town and just buying a ton of people lunch. After an hour or so of brainstorming we finally decided on combining our money. We ended up buying $80 worth of toys and taking it to the shelter. We had a great time and got to give back to the community too…what a blessed day it was!
not more than a couple of hours after interviewing Matt and Chad about the project, Rudi and i went to do a story on a family that lost everything they had…not due to fire or flood as is usual, but because they lived in a duplex with meth makers.
due to the dangers of meth and cooking it and the toxic byproducts it causes, this family of 3 had to leave their home with nothing except their cat and their medicines. no clothes, furniture, mementoes or Christmas presents…their 9 year old boy wont have any of the presents that had already been bought and wrapped.
so after we had interviewed and shot them walking around the house they would never be able to enter again i gave them the money that God had given us. i told them it came from River Ridge but really it was God’s money. and that they should buy their son some toys.
if anyone else feels led to help them out, either with the money from this project or with donations of toys, clothes, furniture etc, you can email Amber and Jesse Maldonado at ajkmaldonado@hotmail.com or get hold of me at trock@wchstv.com and i can get it to them.
Thank you all for this project and God bless River Ridge.
This last year, I have come to know a little girl through teaching at our local elementary school. Her smile can light up a cathedral and she has the most beautiful singing voice I have ever heard. We have been practicing reading and from time to time I teach her more about singing. To surprise her wonderful mom, I had prepared a basket full of Christmas goodies. This Sunday, when we learned about the Hesed project, I asked my boys if we could spend our money on a Christmas present for my little singer. They were on board right away, and I used our $20.- to buy her a pair of boots (and some socks)to keep her warm and to keep her smiling through the winter.
Since Sunday I have been praying for God to show me how He wanted me to use the $40 in my envelope. Today as I was driving home from work, I saw a man holding a sign that said “will work for food” so I pulled over to buy him a meal at Burger King. I have to admit, I have never given cash to somebody with a sign like that, I am always a little nervous that they won’t spend the money the way I think they should. Even with this project, I thought I would buy him a meal and keep the rest of the money for the next person I saw with a need. As I approached the man, another person came up and handed him a bag with a hamburger in it and it was clear to me that God was telling me to trust Him and give all the money to this man. So I handed him the envelope, said God bless and Merry Christmas and walked away. He followed me and asked me who I was, so I introduced myself and told him the money was from my church. He seemed suprised to find out there was money in the envelope. He thanked me and said he was homeless and things have been hard since its gotten so cold. I asked him what his name was so I could pray for him. He said his name was John, and that he would call me sister because he knew that I was his sister in Christ. He got a little teary and shook my hand. The man who bought him the burger gave him a ride home and as I sat in my car, I had some time with God.
This entire event happened in about 5 minutes, but as I fought back tears in my car, I realized that God had this moment in mind for a lot longer. I don’t know what John will do with the money, but I know that today God touched both of us. John experienced the love of God and got a reminder that he’s not alone. I experienced a God moment that I will not soon forget. It is not often that I feel like I know what God is telling me, but today I heard him loud and clear. God was telling me to trust Him.
Please join me in praying for John.
Amy’s story is a great story. That is exactly the “triple blessing” that encourages me with the Hesed Project. John was blessed, Amy was blessed and the Lord was blessed and exalted.
I was surprised to learn what a blessed burden this money was for me. From the moment I received it I searched and prayed for the maximum effectiveness for this unexpected largesse. My first inclination was to use it as seed money, attempting to turn it into more. I made some Christmas pillows as gifts to friends decided to offer additional ones for purchase, using my $40 to buy the supplies, but then the snowstorm hit and my power was out for four days, making the pillows impossible. During my storm imposed quiet time, I learned of a women on the West side who has taken in a 4th grade boy from a family in crisis living at Sojourners. A nonprofit group at Glenwood Elementary (where I do Read Aloud and other volunteer work) adopted this family, along with several others, for Christmas gifts and household needs. However, the woman taking care of Terrance refused to allow her name to be on a “list”. She has taken in this boy, and another younger child and is attempting to not only shelter them, but to impart values, work ethic, pride and unconditional love to these children. The counselor at Glenwood and I started with the River Ridge $40. Both of us matched it and gave it to this woman for her impromptu household. I feel it all played out according to God’s plan. I was blessed over and above what I would have imagined a mere $40 could do.
During Matt’s sermon, I was praying about it and I kept thinking of my sister. We’ve had quite a journey, never were close as adults and then we lost Dad on 2000 and then our oldest sister in 07. Our Mom had dementia at the time and it was too much. She spiraled downhill quickly. We had to have her put in a nursing home for assisted living. She’s doing ok now.. My sister and I weren’t even talking for a while but recently have been. I had bought her a Christmas present and when I gave it to her on Sunday I told her about the Hesed Project. I told that she was the first thing that came to my mind. It was to be given from God in love. She smiled at me sincerely for the first time in a long time and thanked me. She couldn’t belive it was $40. She sent me an email later and thanked me again. She said that she hoped that 2010 would be a better year for us and when I read that, I thought, “it’s already started”. God is awesome! I explained to my sons later that I was sorry that I didn’t talk to them first but that I felt that I was led to give that to Jill. They both told me they were proud of me….That was one of the best feelings for them to say that. Through these tough times, I’ve grown closer to Him that I’ve even been. Thanks again to Matt and everyone at River Ridge. You guys are changing lives every day. God bless you.
My children and I went today to Ronald McDonald House and gave God’s $60 that we had been entrusted with to families spending the holidays there. We were given a tour of the facility and were told that most of the families staying there have sick children who are in the hospital. We are blessed to have our health, family and home this holiday season and every day. I give thanks to God for all of our blessings and I pray for these families, that they will know his blessings also.
Since August, my co-worker has been having health issues. She’s been tossed back and forth from doctor to doctor to find out what is wrong. A few weeks ago, she was finally diagnosed with a reoccurence of thyroid cancer. She had thyroid cancer a few years ago and had her thyroid removed. However, they recently found a few spots in the tissue around where the thyroid was removed that are cancerous. She is in her 30′s and has 3 kids. She’s such a shining light in our office. She smiles and laughs constantly!!!
She was finally diagnosed at Duke Hospital. Each time she has to go there for an appointment, she and her husband have to leave the kids with relatives and drive there, which is expensive after a while. She now faces radiation treatment and the outcome looks positive. She had two options for treatment. One was to go off of her thyroid medication for 6 weeks and then go to Duke for 3 days of radiation treatment. When she has to go off of her thyroid medication, it is very difficult for her. She has no thyroid and the medication takes the place of the thyroid in her body. The radiation would also be a stronger dose in 3 days and would be harder on her. The second option was to continue taking her medication and go to Duke for a week of radiation treatment.
I have a close bond with her and we talk often. She always tells me what is going on. Last week when she found out her treatment options, she told me that finances were tight right now with the holidays and she may have to take the option that was more intense and only required her to be gone for 3 days. They won’t admit her to the hospital to have the treatment, so she has to stay in a hotel. There’s a hotel near the Hospital where she will have her treatment that offers a discount to patients and their families. However, it is still an expense they were not planning on having to incur.
After we received the money from the Hesed Project on Sunday, she was the first person that came to mind for us to help. My parents and I both chipped in more money and added it to the $20 that was in our envelope and I gave it to her yesterday. All she could do was cry and say thank you. She didn’t want to accept it, but I finally convinced her to take it because God was leading me to give her the money. It was enough to cover 2 nights stay while she is going through treatment. She makes a difference in my life every day at work by being so cheerful and kind. I wanted to make a difference in her life!!!!!!!
One of us recevied an envelope with $20, and the other and envelope with $40. We gave $20 to a cook at a school in our area who is very, VERY pregnant. She is going to have to take two weeks of pregnancy leave without pay.
We still have $40 left to give! ; ) Should be fun!
LOOKING for an idea? The Sojourners Shelter currently has 25 children living there. If you would like to buy and deliver a present to a child (or children), call the church (347-8585) between 12:30 and 4pm on Wednesday. We will give you the first name, sex and age of a child. You will buy wrap and deliver the present(s)
an update to my story: after we aired the Maldonada’s story on monday folks have come from everywhere to help them. Rudi and i are going tonight to St Albans to meet Chief Crawford from the police department and he and his officers are going to take them to some stores to shop for them….also Rudi was given $100 dollars from a family at River Ridge to give to them. i would say their name but i will let them tell their story about it.
but THANK YOU for your prayers and donations for this unfortunate family who was just caught in the middle of something they couldnt control.
our story on the family will be on tonight, the 23rd, and our story on THIS project will be shown on Christmas day. maybe if other churches see this it will spur them to do the same.
thank you Matt, Chad, Ted, etc…this is real Christianity at work.
Dear Matt, Ted, Chad, & Mark,
God truly gave you all a wonderful idea to spread the Good News of Christ to our city. I am sorry that Sam and I are gone to Texas for the holidays and did not get a chance to participate. These stories are such an encouragement!! To God be the Glory as people in Charleston are reached for Christ. Keep the stories coming fellow brothers and sisters.
UPDATE. 19 fo the 25 children at Sojourners Shelter have presents coming from the Hesed Project. If you would like to buy a present for one of the remaining children, please email MattSanten@gmail.com
We heard about a family in a trailer court down the road from the church who lost power and as a result all of their refridgerated food. We took the $40 from the Hesed envelope, went to Aldi, added another $20 and brought them two boxes of groceries. The mom and two children were very thankful.
Several months ago TJ learned that a work friend of his had been diagnosed with cancer. This man is only 36 years old, has young children, is divorced, and works in the construction field. Since he has gotten sick, TJ has been checking in from time to time to see if he needs anything. When you work in the construction field, there is no “sick leave”, “vacation days”, etc. They are paid-by-the-hour, so no work=no pay. We also learned that this man’s reited father had to come out of retirement to get a job so that his son would not lose his home. We have been very worried about his financial status. As soon as we learned about this project, we both knew our money HAD to go to him. TJ and I put some of our own money with the $20 we received from River Ridge and sent it through someone else as a gift from God.
Wow! What an evening! My husband and I have been talking over the last couple of days about what to do with the money in the Hesed envelope. When I saw Matt’s post about the Sojourner’s children, I knew that was what we were supposed to use the money for. We received $100 in the envelope, so we decided to take several of the kids off the list and buy gifts for them. When my husband told his coworkers about the church project, many of them wanted to reach out and donate, as well. We ended up having 8 children to buy for (ranging in age from 18 months to 14), and had nearly $300 in which to do it. Matt was right about what he said in the sermon this past Sunday…this will be a Christmas we’ll never forget! I am so blessed to have such a wonderful church family and am proud to be a part of River Ridge Church!!
After leaving church on Sunday Teresa and I stopped by the door and grabbed one envelope on the way out. We discussed as a family what we should do with the $20.00 we found inside the envelope. This was a great discussion for all of us to have. It really made us step outside of ourselves and really take a good look around. That day we really never settled on what to do and decided to continue to pray for God‘s leading.
Monday night we heard about the Maldonaldo family (that Tim had mentioned earlier). Teresa and I both felt that this was where we needed to use the money. We decided to email WCHS to see if we could find out how we could help.
We often times sell pumpkin rolls during Thanksgiving and sometimes we have a few people wanting some for Christmas as well. It was today that we made those deliveries. I thought we should take the money that we made from the pumpkin rolls and put it with the twenty dollars we were given. Teresa called later and said she had gotten an email about how we could contribute and asked what I thought about giving the pumpkin roll money with it. It was great to know we were together on this. We donated the money at lunch time anonymously to the family. Later we saw Tim’s posting. This has blessed us to be part of what God is doing for this family.
Thank you, Matt, for sending me the Hesed Project web site. It’s a beautiful idea. I had trouble getting through the comments: my tears flowing so fast at the thoughtful, generous and inspirational ways people found to help others at this time of year.
I am very blessed by God’s seed that was planted in the Hesed project. In my small circle, the money and the purpose of spreading God’s love has been a welcome change in conversation during this Christmas season. God blesses us with many friends, and our $20 was given to a lady that helps in the office. When I told her that Hesed meant merciful loving kindness, she even wrote it down. Thank you River Ridge for being in touch with God’s will.
Several years ago, I befriended and older gentleman, in the twilight of his life, while in the produce section of Wal-Mart. Over severl months, e would see eachother and exchange pleasantries. I learned that he and his wife were from Italy and they immigrated to Clay County after WWII, where he practiced medicine and she raised their son, Daniel. I wanted to believe this nice story but kept my guard for some reason. After a few chance meetings, I stopped seeing the man around the store. I thought he had passed away.
Fast forward to our time with the junior high at Manna Meal in the fall for “Go” Day..where I meet Daniel and his doctor dad. They are there as guests, not volunteers. You can tell these two men do not live for material gain but are both very intelligent. Their clothes are worn and layered; their car on it’s last leg. The both speak so warm and kindly of their mother and wife, respectively. My heart goes out to them for their life past and the love they have for the mother. After our time with the kids, I leave, hoping these two men are able to take care of themselves.
As I was running into Books A Million to get a gift for my own dad on Monday, I see the doctor who is chatting up the ladies at Joe Muggs. He sees me and compliments my smile but I can tell his eyes are dimmer than the last time we met and he is not moving as quickly. I ask if he alone and he says Daniel is looking at books. I pay for my dad’s gift and as I stand there, I am moved to purchase another gift card for these men. They put themselves in a public place but are also lonely in this world.
I take the card to Daniel, who remembers me and Liam, and wish both of them a Merry Christmas. Daniel becomes teary eyed and is at a loss for words, but thanks me several times.
Sometimes we go through our lives, ignoring those who easily fall through the cracks. Our families are so important, each member with a role to play. When one member leaves, some times the other parts don’t know how to take over. My heart swelled as I left the store, knowing that God’s hand was over our encounters through the years. I know these meetings were not “chance”.
Originally, I wanted to invest, Like Cyndi Murray mentioned, to make a huge impact. I had all these thoughts of how to invest the $20, but in the end, it was two gentlemen who need a friend and were who the Holy Spirit led me to invest in.
I think about how far in advance Matt and the leadership at River Ridge had to prepare for this and know that God is truly alive in our family. readig all the posts reminds me of how blessed I am with you all and my family at home.
I was at WalMart at 6 a.m. Monday trying to avoid crowds and “X”mas as much as possible, when I stumbled across a long line of people, and 3 “guards” to a pallet full of merchandise. Apparently, a hot shipment of Zhu Zhu hamsters and wheels had arrived, and they were to be sold at 7 a.m. to the lucky people who had a number (1 pet and 1 wheel per person).
The manager hovering over the pets excitedly handed me a number, and I politely laughed in response. I didn’t ask for the number, and didn’t want the line or the pet, even for my own 5 year old. I got up at 5 a.m. to avoid crowds, not join them.
A few aisles later, the Holy Spirit shared with me this line, not the $20 God gave me through River Ridge, was my Hesed gift to others. Reluctantly, and humbly, I returned to the manager to get a number, and stand in line with the others. I received a bit of a ribbing from the manager and the line of patrons, after becoming a joiner, but didn’t tell them why I had returned. This gift of giving God’s money to others was for me as well.
Niki delivered the gifts yesterday. I pray that this hard to find Zhu Zhu treasure will bring a little joy to the family that was evicted from their home, because of contamination from a meth lab in the adjoining duplex unit.
Peace on earth and goodwill to all men through the gift of Christ to us all. Merry Christmas!
On our way home from the Christmas Eve service, our tradition is to stop for Chinese take out. When we arrived there was a homeless man eating rice that had been thrown in the dumpster. We struck up a conversation with him and figured out his needs. He was stuck in Charleston, but trying to get to his sister’s house in North Carolina. We took him to the bus station, but it was closed. So we left him at a park, went home, purchased a bus ticket online and brought it back to him. So far as we know, he got on the bus at 12:30am bound for his sister’s house. We pray they have a wonderful Christmas together.
I am a security guard. I worked Christmas Eve night. While I was closing up the mall, a group of people walked up to me, I told them that we were closing up and that I am trying to get home as soon as possible to see my family. They told me Merry Christmas and handed me a red envelope and told me that I deserved it and that we do a great job as security down at the Charleston Town Center Mall. I didn’t look in the envelope til they walked away. There was money in it. I counted it and thought about what they had did. I went back to the office and called the other officers to meet me. There was five of us working that night. I counted the money again and split it with the other officers. The money I got gave me gas in my car so I could head home to my family. I just would like to thank those people for what they did. This whole month I haven’t got into the Christmas spirit til those people gave me that money. That is the true meaning of Christmas! Thank you so much! God bless you all!
Once again, River Ridge Church has affected my life, without me even seeing it coming. Your love and kindness which changed my life a few years ago, has put a smile on the face of a terminally ill man. Thank you for your generosity. Grace and Peace
We as a family let our children decide what to do with the funds receieved. Our little boy wanted to give it to a child with cancer. A family friend and physician at camc new of such a child who was 16 years old and spending Christmas in the hospital. After making the anonymous delivery, God began to work, as Deb was able to witness to the nurses. One nurse in paticular followed Deb to the car in awe of a church that represented such love. I would not be suprised to she her at River Ridge. We applaud you for stepping out and following Christ and teaching this awesome lesson. Praise God!!
Kaitlyn and I have a heart for international children in need. We decided to sponsor a child through Food for the Hungry organization. We are sponsoring Edgar, who is 9 years old and is from Guatemala. This is a blessing for us because it is a monthly commitment, and the Hesed project has helped us start something we have wanted to do for a while. Kaitlyn is really excited to write to Edgar in Spanish since she will graduate with a Spanish degree in the spring!
We wanted our girls to be involved in how we used our Hesed money. We called the Union Mission in Charleston before Christmas to ask of their greatest need. The response was simple. They were having their Christmas dinner that next day, on Christmas Eve, and would like to make it as much like home for those in their shelters as possible. They asked for cookies, candy, fresh fruit, and also towels and washclothes. Alayna, Allison, and myself then ran up to Walmart to use our $40, plus some of course, to purchase these items. We were even thrilled to find our favorite cookies on sale for $1 a box! 20 boxes of cookies, bags of apples/oranges and candy, and even some towels later, we headed home to meet Keith and deliver our goodies to the shelter as a family. We were moved just by being at the Union Mission mens shelter, but most importantly because when we stopped by, they were having their Chapel time, and it was humbling to see all of them, with so little, worshipping God.
I as many left church that Sunday wondering what I was going to do with this money! I first asked around friends and family of someone who may be in need but couldn’t come up with anything. I carried this envelope around just in case! I prayed God would lead me to who I should give this $20 to. My mom came down Christmas Eve and needed to go to Kroger. So I was taking her to Kroger both talking on the cell phone. I wasn’t paying attention when I turned in to the Kanawha Mall and caught the glimpse of a man holding a sign and I turned the truck around abrubltly to go back to this man and child. My mom aked what in the world are you doing as I roll down the window and the man approaches the truck. His sign read homeless vet anything will help. I gave him the money and told him it was from River Ridge Church. He had a sparkle in his eye and thanked me several times before I left. I then had to explain to my mother what was going on as we shopped at Kroger.
Ben and I know a family from where we grew up and that have Young Life ties. Their 2 1/2 year old son drank Draino. He has been in intensive care in Pittsburgh for over a month. At this point, they know he will live, but they are not sure of the extent of his injuries. They just know they will be permanent and severe. We sent our hesed project money, along with some of our own, to help with gas and food costs as they travel back and forth to the hospital and live away from home.
We spent most of the last week and a half praying, and looking for a way to bless someone with the Hesed money. After some time, we felt led to help Sojourner’s Shelter. So, Nathan did a little research into what their needs were. Then, we purchased toiletries, breakfast foods, and devotionals for the shelter. This evening we delivered the items to some very greatful staff and residents.
We weren’t totally sure how to handle the money that God had given us the responsibility for using. I was telling a former co-worker about the hesed project and she told me about an 18 year old girl that lived behind her. Elizabeth lives in a small room of a condemned house. There is no glass in her windows and my friend went in a put up plastic to cover the openings. There is heat in the house but it’s still freezing inside. My friend told me that Elizabeth didn’t have any bedding. We went out and bought a set of flannel sheets, a comforter and a blanket for her bed. It cost a bit more than the $60 we had – how I wish we could have done even more. When we delivered the items to Elizabeth, our children were shocked at her living conditions but the smile on her face certainly warmed the house. We are also trying to help her get a job. She told my friend that she was overwhelmed and was kept very warm that night. Praise the Lord!
We attended River Ridge Church on December 20th for the first time, since our church was cancelled, due to the snow storm. We were blessed by the warm welcome, friendly familiar faces, and Pastor Santen’s message, and challenge with the Hesed project. We wanted to share the experience with our kids and let them have input as to how to put the money to good use.
We decided before we received our envelope that we would “match” whatever was inside. Our $20 become $40, and we began wondering and praying how to use it.
Our son, who is eight, thought we should use it to buy a Bible for someone who doesn’t have one. We have heard some wonderful stories of how the Gideon program has reached people for Christ, who may otherwise not have heard the Good News. We figured that the Gideons can multiply the money even further, and possibly reach several people with “our” (God’s) $40 from the Hesed Project.
Thank you for helping us and so many others think outside of ourselves this season. It is very exciting to think of how this project touched so many lives.
I prayed for some great way to respond with this money. I thought that “just” giving it to a homeless person holding a sign would not be very “accountable” way of using it. God put a man holding a sign in front of me and really weighed down my heart to give to him. It was his money to start with so that is where it went. I heard somebody say recently “want to hear God laugh; show him your plans…” peace tuck
We talked about what to do with our money for awhile and then got the email that there were kids at the Sojourner’s shelter who didn’t have toys for Christmas. So we went shopping and Jared and Abigail picked out toys for 2 boys and 1 girl. We wrapped and delivered the toys on Christmas Eve. What a wonderful church we have and what a great way to share God’s love. This project has touched our lives and others in such a positive way. Thanks!
I had recently heard a story from a friend that she was in the drive-thru at Starbucks and the person in front of her paid for her order. She then paid for the order behind her and hoped it woud carry on. I thought about this and in an attempt to boost generousity in the community I started purchasing the order for the people behind me in the drive-thru line the entire week of Christmas. (yes I eat out everyday:) THen I received a call from a friend about some children that live near him that did not receive any gifts for Christmas, so I took the rest of the money and added to it and helped purchase giftcards for the 3 children. I think the Hesed project is such an amazing and selfless act that inspired and helped so many people in our community in such a variety of ways touching many more hearts than just donating one lump sum to a charity. I hope this becomes a Christmas tradition for our church. Just telling my friends and families about the generousity and caring of Riverridge inspired more people to give of themselves this year. Thank you Riverridge!
My brother is a graduate student at Marshall. He is heavily involved with Big Brothers, Big sisters. About 5 years ago he received a little brother, who also had two younger brothers. My brother has since taken all of them under his wing as little brothers. Their father is in prison, and their mother has been in and out of jail due to drugs so they all live with their grandmother. Coming back from Ashland, KY on Christmas Eve, 4 of us stopped to tell them Merry Christmas in Huntington. They were supposed to spend the Christmas holiday with their mother, but while riding in a car with their mother on Christmas Eve, she got arrested for unknown reasons. The boys had to walk home to their grandmothers house. Since the grandmother didn’t think they were going to spend Christmas with her, there was no Christmas tree and zero gifts. On Christmas, my brother called them, and found out they had gotten no gifts and said they merely played video games all morning. They said their grandmother had no money to get them gifts, and that they might get a gift card from their aunt, which they never received. Since my mother was with us when we went to visit, she got so devastated, that she asked my brother and I to see if we wanted to pitch in money to throw them their own Christmas. There are five children in my family, four with spouses all of which happened to be in for the holidays. We all asked our parents, spouses, and friends to see if they wanted to pitch in. Everyone was so excited about it that we went to Wal-Mart the following night at midnight and spent over 350 dollars on the three boys. My brother went and picked them up from Huntington and brought them back to Charleston where we were able to fill stockings for them and give them each about 15 gifts. We then took them to Golden Corral and then to the movies to see Avatar with unlimited popcorn. My mom was also able to buy a really nice pair of pajamas for their grandmother. All I can say is God was present!
On Saturday Dec 19th we had a co-worker call us in need of help. He is a generous man who has a family of 11, that he supports on one income. He called late that night asking if we knew of anyone who had a heater they could use. They had lost their power like a lot of the area and had no source for heat. He has three grandchildren under the age of 5 that he was extremely worried about. After many calls we could not come up with any type of heater for their family. Ivy and I decided to find them a hotel room, which we were fortunate and able to find them one.
So as I am sitting in Church on Sunday morning, Chad begins to explain the Hesed project and states that each envelope will have a different amount. I immediately was smiling inside as I felt that I would probably get an envelope with $100 inside, because of what had transpired the night before. I knew right away this was god showing up only 14 hours later. Sure enough I opened the envelope and I was correct, $100, which is roughly about what had been spent on the room. I know we don’t need rewarded everytime we do something generous, but when God shows up like that it is awesome.
Feeling extremely blessed we decided to send our $100 to Lita(a child in the Compassion program that we Sponsor) as a gift. Compassion will help make that money go much farther than we could ever think of, and I know she will be extremely grateful. Thanks to River Ridge Church for making this possible.
Eric Brookes & Family.
We’re a family of four with a mom, dad, and two daughters (15 and 13). I’m the fifteen-year-old. Tuesday morning, it was really cold and snowy. Mom and dad borrowed a couple of coffee carafes from the church, made some coffee, and we went to Suzie’s Biscuits and got nine biscuits with our Hesed money. We put them in an insulated bag, took some paper coffee cups and lids, and walked the streets of Charleston from 8:50 to 9:30, giving people coffee and biscuits. We started at the library, because we knew there would be homeless people waiting outside a few minutes before they opened, planning to go in and get warm. There were four men there, and they were all very appreciative. Dad told them it was from River Ridge Church, and one of the men told us that he comes to church at the Charleston campus. “Just proves that River Ridge is the best church,” he said.
We walked through to the Transit Mall (Slack Plaza) and gave out the rest of the biscuits and coffee. One woman had two little kids, and wouldn’t take a biscuit for herself, but did take one for her kids.
My dad used to work for Union Mission Ministries. About 14 years ago, he was a chaplain at Cross Roads, the men’s shelter. One of the men who took coffee recognized him. “I think I know you,” he said. “Did you used to preach up at Cross Roads?” Dad told him that he had, but it’d been a while. It turned out that the man was helping another man, one who was disabled, to get to the DHHR.
We gave out the last biscuit, and when we got back to the car, dad checked out how much coffee was left in the carafe. He only pumped it once without getting air. We had less than half a cup left.
When I first got out of the car, I was a little worried. I didn’t know what to expect. I mean, I’d never done anything even close to this before. But the more things we handed out, the better I felt about it. People were just really grateful to be a little warmer and less hungry than they would’ve been.
I’d wanted to do something in the community for a long time, and this was just the right thing to do. I think I’ll remember the experience for the rest of my life. Thanks, River Ridge, for making it happen.
I have a start up apparel company, so I have asked my suppliers to donate as much as they can. I am going match what was in the envelope to buy what can not be donated. Then I will have River Ridge embroidered on everything. I will then go to the mission to pass out to those in need. Hopefully, the clothes will warm their body and God will use RiverRidge to warm their soul.
I am so proud of the blessings RiverRidge provided for so many over the holidays. Although I did not get to participate in this project, I am overcome with the many responses of what it meant to those who left comments. River Ridge rocks!
Last night while watching the local news I felt it was a news flash that was directed just at me. The news lady said that all the local Shelters were in need of warm blankets. Today I went to the store and delivered 5 very warm blankets to the local Shelter for Veterans on the corner of Leon Sullivan Way and Smith Street. I had $20 from River Ridge and added enough to buy the blankets. It is a wonderful feeling to know that our Veterans will be warm and cared for while in the shelter. Thanks River Ridge.
“Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, ‘Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:15-17
I am so encouraged to see how your faith is ALIVE, River Ridge! You are clothing the naked, providing food (including coffee and biscuits) to the hungry, and ensuring that entire families stay warm in the cold. You are living out God’s Word! Thanks for the huge encouragement!
Love and miss you all…
What an amazing blessing this whole project has been. Just thinking about my experience as well as reading others has once again brought tears to my eyes.
I (Kerri) had received twenty dollars at the Christmas Eve Service. The rest of the Barnett clan had received forty at the Sunday service prior to Christmas Eve. We had no idea how we wanted to spend the money, but we kept praying for an answer. Finally, we had decided we would take the money to Union Mission to help their wonderful work.
On our way up to Kanawha City, Mom and I stopped to get out hair cut at Mountaineer Beauty College in St. Albans. The young woman who cut my hair had pictures of her two children –one girl who is 2 1/2 and a her young son who is only three and a half months old. For the past month, she has been in and out of hospitals trying to determine the cause of his problem. He will just quit breathing sporadically, but they can not find the answer to why. She said, “I told my mother that God is in control and I’ve put it all in His hands. He will provide a way for us to make it.” I thought to myself, here is a woman who is trying to better herself with education, and is doing all she can do for her family. I left her a generous tip, but still felt so heartbroken for her. Once we sat down in the car and turned it on, Mom suggested we give our Hesed money to her. Of course! I couldn’t believe I had been so blind to what God had shown me –a perfect opportunity to help with the mounding medical bills she must have. We walked back in there, and she began crying saying, “You don’t have to do this. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
Sixty dollars may only help pay a portion of her bills, but I know what she said to be absolutely true. “God will provide.” Thank you, River Ridge, for helping make a difference in not only her life, but ours as well.
I was trying to think of who could benefit the most form the money that I received. I asked God to give me guidance. The Tuesday morning after the service, I work DHHR and I received an email form an APS worker asking for donations for a needy family who were good people but didn’t have any money for Christmas for their children I promptly went to her office and told her about the project and what it was about. Her eyes welled with tears and she said what church do you go to and I told her River Ridge. I am very proud of this church and what was done with this money.
I had a former roommate in college who’s sisters 7 year old son was having health problems for some time. Right around the time of the Hesed Project started, her son passed away. On our drive home before looking in the envelope, Megan and I decided to match whatever amount was in the envelope and bless their family during this difficult time especially around Christmas. It was such a humbling experience to send the envelope with a Christmas card to their family telling them that God loves them and so do we. It was such an honor to serve that family and we are very thankful God and the church gave us the opportunity to do this through the Hesed Project.
I too prayed about the $40.00 in my envelope. I carried it in my purse awhile. Nothing hit me. I took it out of my purse before I left for Christmas in Wheeling where my fam lives. While at Chirstmas eve service at the Vinyard Church, the pastor announced that all the donations received during Christmas eve services would be donated to “Be the Blessing”, an organization that makes and delivers inexpensive wheelchairs to third-world countries. Imagine, having to crawl around. I mailed in the $40.00.
Skip and I have been discussing what to do with our $40 hesed money for a while. Nothing really seemed to jump out at us until we heard that one of our friends from the early days at River Ridge was diagnosed with a brain tumor, Rick Frost. Rick led the RRC worship team in the old theater. He was the first person to invite us to a home group. We learned about our life’s purpose and what a great home group is all about with the Frost’s. I really don’t know what our walk with Christ would be like today without that simple invitation from Rick.
Since moving this summer to Hurricane, we’ve been saving up money to pay for excavating and better drainage around our home. We decided to donate the $500 to the Frost’s at RRC under Frost Benevolence. When comparing one man’s life to one family’s basement, we can’t deny our purpose here. We are praying that Rick’s tumor will disappear, that God will be glorified no matter what. I am thankful that my husband, Skip, is such a giving man. He inspires me to be more giving.
Traci, Shane and I have been thinking and praying about what to do with our $40. We thought, as many have thought, to give it to the Salvation Army or another organization that helps our needy in the community. We thought about giving it to the homeless holding the signs. I guess the weather has been so harsh, we havent noticed anyone requesting help. I am fortunate to own a State Farm Agency and see daily the struggles of many people. However, this one family inparticular has really tugges at my heart. The Hancock family our a young couple with a small 7 year old beautiful little girl. They struggle daily to keep food on the table, clothes on their little girl and to provide for her needs. During these difficlt times Ruby is always so positive and upbeat. Her love for her family is constantly reflected in her smile and pleasant demeanor. Unable to buy presents for her little girl she still took the time to hand quilt a small blanket as a present for one of my employees. She presented this to Mike with the words, “thank you for givng me clothes and toys your daughters have outgrown. I dont know what I would have done the last few months without you.” When I handed the money to her, I knew immediately this is exactly what god wanted me to do.
Matt, what an awesome project. Lets pray our church is in position we can do it again next year!!!!
I put the $40 I received with money I had already saved up for my annual Christmas party I sponsor in the Philippines. About 5 years ago I met a husband and wife conducting church services in one of the most poorest parts of Cebu. I provide them with a small amount of money each month to help with ministry but every year I try and provide extra money to help make Christmas special for the children. God has allowed me to be a part of this ministry and I would love to share my pictures and stories with anyone that would like to hear. There is so much opportunity there to change peoples lives.
Well I prayed for days and days until I really felt the Lord lead me for this money I wanted it to truly be what he wanted me to do. So first I thought the Lord was telling me to give it to a single Mother, she was in the hospital and she has alot of medical problems. But I tried for 3 weeks to contact her and even stopped by her work and she never called back. So I began to start praying, Lord is this not the one and so then I thought he was telling me about this other Lady in need, she has Leukemia and can not afford her medicine.
Benjy and I have discussed and prayed over our Hesed money for several weeks now. With local power outages and illness in our area, we just were not feeling led in any certain direction, and then like a smack in the face, while standing in the frigid, cold, watching students walk into my school, the obvious hit me!
I watch little ones walk into a Westside school daily without coats, boots, and other important needs…. Why not give to them? So Benjy and I talked with the school counselor of a school with 95% free and reduced lunch and discovered the basic needs of the students and purchased with our $40 Hesed cash and then some, after Christmas sale clothing, underwear, and coats… Seeing the smiles of children that normally droop their heads in embarassment is quite a reward our God can give!!
Our family prayed about this hesed money. This past week as the boys and I prayed and we discussed where we felt God wanted us to use this $20. We made a decision to give it one of our school custodians. This man and his wife are raising their 3 grandchildren all under the age of 4 and one child has special needs. His daughter and dad of these children are both in jail. Matt, Jake and I found Tom walking down the hall. We stopped to chat with him. We briefly explained that our church had a hesed project and that this meant God’s lovingkindness. We told him that we prayed for him and that we wanted him to have this. Jake handed the red envelope. He said, “Thanks.” and we went back to my classroom. Honestly, I think he must have thought I had handed him a religious track in the envelope. Five minutes later he was knocking on my classroom door. He approached me asking “Do you know what was in the envelope? There was $20!” I replied, “Yes.” He gave me a hug and with tears in his eyes he said, “You don’t even know. I did not know how I was going to get home today. I don’t gas in the car. Thank you.” I told him it was from God. Thanks River ridge for providing the opportunity to participate in this.
Our family considered several different options, including Salvation Army, coordinating with the school to assist a family in need or just handing out the monies to homeless individuals. We finally decided to give the money to a family friend who is in the religious studies program at WVU. He is going on a mission trip this summer to Thailand as part of the Pioneers Edge Program. This young man has has a calling to the ministry and needed to raise $4500 to fund his trip. this contribution, when combined with others, has allowed him to reach his funding goal. These monies will help spread God’s word to SE Asia.
We carried the Hesed envelope around for quite awhile. We really hoped and prayed to find a cause that moved our hearts. During the recent snow and extreme cold, WCHS-TV initiated a drive for clothes, blankets, and donations to assist the homeless during such harsh conditions. We were moved to contribute our envelope, as well as two winter coats.
Bill and I struggle with what to do with our Hesed amount. Our envelope had $20 and we added $100. We donated this to World Vision for Haiti. My company is matching funds for Haiti 1:1. We felt this was the best way to increase the amount given to us so others could be blessed.
Steve and I were so excited to share our Hessed project with someone in December. We struggled with where exactly God would call us to give. One of my dad’s coworkers lost his home to a fire just around the New Year and we immediately thought that was where it would be used. However, in the generosity of many around us, we were able to have so many items donated and help from so many! God truly was working for them, but placed a hesitation on our Hessed project. The next week, one of my study patients were in for a visit, and God laid the strongest conviction on me that she needed compassion…and a reminder of who Jesus was to her as a child. I called Steve and we agreed immediately. I found her waiting on the bus and told her about the Hessed project and let her know that God had kept her on my mind and in my prayers, that this was a piece of compassion from the River Ridge. As she thanked me, in tears she revealed to me that she was raised in a Christian home and has needed someone to remind her that Jesus still loves her. As I type this and relive that encounter, it brings tears to my eyes and such joy to know that God introduced the McConihays to a church who understands that people need the Lord, not a social status. What a blessing to give!
I want to start off saying how grateful I am to be part of a church that has such a giving heart. It would have been very easy for the leadership of the church, considering the hard economic times, to just roll that extra $10,000 into next years budget or put it in a rainy day fund, but they didn’t. They decided to trust God and bless others with the abundance and I applaud that. My family didn’t really plan what we were going to do with the money, we tossed around a couple things, but with the snow storm, and Christmas preparations and traveling none of those ideas came to fruition. I kept the envelope in my wallet since the Sunday before Christmas figuring that God would put someone in our path that God could bless with the money. A few days after Christmas, my wife and I were at a local restaurant we frequent often. As soon as we sat down, two ladies who work there immediately were put on our hearts. One was an old high school classmate of mine, who I knew had a rough upbringing, and had been waitressing hard there for the last few months. The other lady, who we have befriended over the years, has been bussing tables there a long time and has two kids and a husband out of work. God laid them on our heart becuase I knew both of them could probably use the money. SO we split the money we got from the Hesed project and added some of our own and gave each $60. I left a little note at the table for the waitress, stating that I hope God would bless them with this money during the Christmas season. I gave a simlar note by hand to the other lady and she got a little teary eyed when I handed it to her. I was checking out and the one waitress came up and gave me a big hug and said thanks. I can’t think of a better Christmas blessing than that!!
I must share that I was very burdened with this project. I felt I needed to use this money wisely and at just the right time for just the right person, etc. I’ve carried it around with me for weeks feeling guilty that I still had it, hoping and praying that the Lord wouldn’t return before I could give it away!! (Think of the story of the Talents!)
This week I spoke with a friend who’s husband was laid off when the Aluminum plant closed in Ravenswood. They have really struggled over the last year, but as far as I knew, they were getting by. But after speaking with her, I truly felt led to send her the money. I matched what was in the envelope, enclosed it in a card telling her it was a gift from her Heavenly Father that loves her more than she can imagine. Here is the response I got from her:
Thank you does not begin convey what I want to say. I was going to call, but the tears would not stop. I wouldn’t share this with just anyone, but it’s important for me that you know what the money meant to our family. This week my husband’s unemployment check was “lost” as they said, and as of today is a no show. We have barely had enough food in the house to feed the kids a small dinner, forget about breakfast or lunch. At least the boys have school and could eat. For dinner last night we had exactly 5 pieces of cheese and 6 pieces of bread in the house to feed all of us. So when I opened the package and found the card with money in it, we cried, because David was able to go to the store and pick up some things. Up until that minute we had nothing to feed the kids today or the next for that matter if his check doesn’t come. We had been praying for help, and WOW what a Blessing!!! The kids were so excited when they saw me fixing an actual dinner tonight! They will go to bed tonight with smiles on their faces and full tummies. Thank you so so much, please know how much it TRULY did mean for our family!
I wrote her back explaining how perfect God’s timing is! He knew their need and had provision waiting for them at just the right time! I am so blessed to have been a part of God’s amazing grace!
I was blessed to have the opportunity to attend your church on December 20, 2009 as the church I regularly attend was closed due to inclement weather.
When the pastor described the church’s decision to GIVE via the Hesed project rather than “store in their barns” I knew God would bless the project. A great responsibility was on my shoulders as I left there with my envelope containing $20.00. I realize it has been several weeks ago but my desire was to find a way to grow what I had been made responsible for.
About one month after receiving the money, we had a missionary, Jan Hendrickson, from the Philippines, visit our church. She runs the Agape House Orphanage and expressed the need for sewing machines.
I spoke with our church and challenged people to donate toward the purchase of the sewing machines using the $20.00 I was given. We have now raised enough money to BUY 4 SEWING MACHINES !!!!!
Thank you for the opportunity to serve the Lord with you in this effort. “. . . if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made perfect in us” (1 John 4:12)