Christian Outreach Center 222 S. Lincoln Ave. Clearwater, Fl 33756 727.443.1728

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Our Newsletter   

October, 2008

 Dear Ministry Partners,

      The school year has started and the weather is pleasantly cooler here in Florida. The Afterschool programs and Saturday Kid’s Church are in full swing. During the Afterschool programs on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the children are served wonderful meals prepared by Mrs. Mary, Mrs. Dee and Mrs. Jean. Finding food has been a challenge for us for some time and this keeps Mrs. Brenda on the alert checking the food bank’s list daily (online), to see what is available. When something good becomes available (meat or poultry especially) it often is gone by the next day. So the battle goes on….It has become an interesting challenge to come up with a menu using just the ingredients we have on hand.  (This concept would make a great Game Show.)  These ladies are very talented in this area and you know it’s a success when the kids clean their plates and the serving containers have been served dry!

     Our Saturday Kid’s Church has been wonderful as we learn to Trust, Obey, Honor, be Committed and Pray to God our heavenly Father. We have been learning lots of valuable lessons from the Bible.  One of the best things we have to report is that several children have prayed to ask Jesus to be their personal Lord and Saviour.  That is what this ministry is all about.  Mrs. Mary is our primary decision councilor and she literally shouts “Hallelujah!” when a child understands the lessons being taught and asks Jesus into their heart/life.

     An ongoing need we have at the center is for caring volunteers.  It would be wonderful if we had a extra volunteer here and there. Mrs. Brenda has been driving the bus full time, the other bus drivers are unable to drive due to work schedules. Our children do not demand much from us, they just want someone to give them some attention and show them they care.   A brand new worker this week was asked by a five year old child if she would be her Mama.  These kids need attention!  Are you available?

     As you read this newsletter we will have successfully completed our fundraising, Quilter’s Luncheon and Auction on October 4^th. We are so grateful to the many quilters who have donated quilts to this event. We have even received quilts from many other states. Prayerfully we will have raised some much needed funds to help us with the ministry’s expenses. We will report to you in our next newsletter the results of this fundraiser and who is the winner of the beautiful opportunity quilt.      

    Christmas is just around the corner and the center will have a Christmas Celebration on December 20^th. We need your help to make this great event happen. In the past we have spent about $30 per child and we hope to do the same this year. To purchase gifts for 100 kids the total needed is $3,000.00.  This event is not in the COC budget and we need your help to make Christmas special for children who often go without.  Please note these gifts with a “Christmas” notation.

    We ask our “Prayer Warriors” to keep praying for the center, the children, staff and volunteers, and for the Lord’s direction in all that happens at the center. Please continue to remember these people with health concerns in your prayers Kathy, Betty, Larry, Jim, Paul, Anna Beth, Eileen, Ed and Chance.                                                                                                               

Blessed in His service, John & Brenda Grampsas

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