Growth.....

This post is for our Ramona familes only - no changes are being made to the SOWED in Guatay distribution.

 

Dear Friends:

This will be our last food distribution from our home.  Starting on December 29, 2012, we will be handing out food from the Calvary Chapel Church located at:

114 14^th Street

Ramona, CA 92065

Calvary Chapel is the large warehouse looking church across 14^th Street from the Albertson’s Center.  This also is the building behind Di Carlo’s and directly behind the new medical clinic being built.  We will have signs out on that morning and you should be able to see our family at the dock area on the 14^th Street side of the building. 

We are hopeful that this new location will facilitate an easier entrance; parking; much less confusion; and finally, potentially more people will come. 

Our procedures will be the same.  We will simply ask that you sign in, leaving us a phone number and the total number of people you are picking up for.

Please continue to spread the word about our distribution to others you know that might be in need.  We are blessed each time we are able to help someone or a family in need.  God has provided us with a bigger and better location to serve, and we are thankful. 

Blessings to all for a Merry Christmas and New Year from your “SOWED in Ramona” family.

SOWED in Ramona and Guatay has been blessed by our long-time relationship with Jordan Outreach Ministries in Coachella, California.  Thanks to the wonderful partnership with Pastor Joe Jordan and his wife Kris; countless thousands have been fed over the past 3 years.

Pastor Joe and Kris Jordan founded the work of Jordan Outreach Ministries International in 1997.  In the fall of 1997, Jordan Outreach Ministries began under the umbrella of Fred Jordan Missions as Fred Jordan Missions-Coachella Valley. In 2001, Jordan Outreach Ministries, an independent, Christian, non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization came to be.

Today, Pastor Joe and Kris continue to work hand-in-hand doing all they can to help meet the growing needs of the Coachella Valley's impoverished families and at-risk children and youth.  It is through their gracious giving hands that our little family has been able to accomplish so much to help the hurting and hungry of Ramona and Guatay.  We are eternally grateful for everything provided to us through Jordan Outreach Ministries.

In Matthew 6:20, the bible says "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal".  With Jordan Outreach Ministries, they truly understand that concept and put it into real life action.

Also, in Matthew 25:33-40, the bible says "On the last day, Jesus will say to those on His right hand, "Come, enter the Kingdom. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was sick and you visited me." Then Jesus will turn to those on His left hand and say, "Depart from me because I was hungry and you did not feed me, I was thirsty and you did not give me to drink, I was sick and you did not visit me." These will ask Him, "When did we see You hungry, or thirsty or sick and did not come to Your help?" And Jesus will answer them, "Whatever you neglected to do unto one of these least of these, you neglected to do unto Me!".

Let it never be said of SOWED in Ramona and Guatay that we neglected our neighbors and fellow men, when we have the power to serve others with eternal devotion.

We are sorry to say this past week we weren't able to pick up and distribute as much food as usual. Occasionally we run into issues like lack of donations, cooler/equipment malfunctions. We supplement with items we keep on-hand like crackers and dry good foods. We're hoping to be back on track next time.

Wrapping Up July....

Well our next distribution will be August 11th. Wow, we're posting for August already! It's hard to think that we're beginning to drop into the end of 2012. This year is really going fast! Every week we seem to be adding families. I wish our numbers were declining, I wish that more families were doing better, no children went to bed hungry. It would be great if there wasn't a need for SOWED, but as you know.... there is.  So we will be here doing what we can for those in need. We won't turn anyone away or make any demands. I will ask one thing of you.......when you see someone in need, please reach out. Share what you can, or bring them to our next distribution. 

Very few people know what we go through to organize, prepare and distribute all of the SOWED goods. Well, I'm going to share what happened yesterday; We left Ramona around 1:30pm. We head out to Imperial County to gather our food from Jordan Outreach Ministries. Of course there are several routes we can take, we typically choose Banner down to the 86. Beautiful drive, not a lot of traffic. As we enter the second hour of our drive we were caught in a HUGE summer storm. We begin to pass though/over areas of road that were quickly becoming washed out. As we approached the Taranchula  Wash, we see it impassable. We get out and see how furiously the water is rushing over the roadway. We know we'll have to wait it out but for how long? Law enforcement arrives, people/cars start backing up. A few try to go through and fail. We found out the road was washed out behind us too. All we can do is wait. Finally around 7pm a CHP officer said the water behind us has slowed a bit and he will try to escort us back and get us headed through Borrego Springs, down to the Salton Sea. Then we can catch the 86 and be on our way. Success! We arrive at our location at 9:30pm, get loaded, fueled up and iced down, back on the road at 11pm. Of course we don't go back that way! We came up through Hemet, Escondido, and home. Unload and set up in Ramona, repack for the Guatay SOWED, and half of us get back on the road headed for east county. After all that, we unload at home and get into bed at 5am. Beginning our distribution at 9am both in Ramona & Guatay. Now of course it's not always like this, but as you can see we will do whatever it takes to make this work. This program is very important to us. If you are in need, I promise we will do what we can to help! I will load some pictures on our Facebook page later today. http://www.facebook.com/SOWEDRamona God Bless, SOWED~

There’s nothing more difficult to face during times of hardship than the reality of not having enough food to feed your family.

We are trying to ease that burden.

There’s no need to explain your situation, to hang your head with shame, to walk by without asking for help. Please don’t let pride get in the way.

SOWED is here to help. We give what we can to all in need.

This week went great, lots of new faces. I know some of you may have not been able to make it due to the parade closing down Main St. Sorry for that.....

Remember if you have special needs please let us know, we will do what we can; i.e. diapers, formula, etc.

Of course we cannot guarantee anything but we will always do our best!

We wanted all of you to know that our children do play a large role in all of this. They often make the trip out to the Ministry to collect the food. They help unload and stock everything as well assist in the distribution. Sometimes helping those that may require a little extra assistance to their cars.

It’s important to teach our children respect, compassion, tolerance, and faith.

Our faith is what keeps us going through these difficult times.

**** On a side note: Our distribution takes place at a private residence. Please do not arrive before 9am. We respect our neighbors and would like our SOWED guests to do the same.

Thank you!

Please share this with those who feel may be in need.