ISOH/IMPACT | Reaching Out & Serving Others | Virtual Library

“The joy set before Him, He endured the cross.”  Can you imagine Jesus was full of joy going to the cross?  A 18 year old girl in Perrysburg, Ohio helped me understand this.

I was making a frequent stop at the local dry cleaner recently.  The young gal behind the counter had a pin on her shirt that said, “today is my birthday.”  I wished her a happy birthday and asked how old she was today.  Her response rocked my world…..”18″ she said.  I could hardly wait to turn 18 years old so I could donate blood!”  Wow, how many “other” responses did I think was going to come out of her mouth.  Did you think she would say, “so I could date” or “could have a drink” - no, she was excited to turn 18 so she could donate blood to the Red Cross.  Listen to her response.  “Yea, I always wanted to donate my blood so I could help save someone’s life.”

Isn’t that exactly the joy Jesus was talking about when he was facing the cross?!  His blood was going to save my life and your life!  Last year I had cancer surgery and received two blood transfusions.  During the course of the past year, I have asked God to bless that unknown person for donating their blood to save my life at that time.  How much more TODAY should we all thank God for His blood that has saved us once and for all!  Amen!

Download the ISOH/IMPACT 2008 Annual Report and Minsitry Update.

Throughout 2008, ISOH/IMPACT partnered with friends like you to offer critical medical rehabilitation and hope to 12 children and adults.

Aziza is one of the special children who received life-saving medical attention through the Children’s LightHouse. Born in Tajikistan with a perforated anus, Aziza was given a death sentence. There were simply no options for treatment in her home country, and famine made it impossible to give her the special nutrition she would need to stay alive.

ISOH/IMPACT answered by helping Aziza and her grandmother to receive emergency visas to come to the U.S. Here, doctors graciously agreed to treat Aziza at no cost. Today, this precious baby is alive, healthy, and growing stronger each day. Thank you for partnering with us to provide hope and life to this special family. View the 2008 audit.

“I am bored.”  Are you saying that this summer or have you heard your children say those words?  God is looking for workers to help in His kingdom.  Isn’t it cool that the God of the universe wants us to help Him change the world!  Come to ISOH and do just that.    Isaiah 58:7 says, “…Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?  Then your light will break forth like the dawn and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  Then you will call and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help and he will say, Here am I.”

Start serving God and get involved in His interests.  If you do, watch God revolutionize your life for His glory!  Call today and find out how you can volunteer at ISOH.

Susan Gerken/Jesus Girl

To view a PDF copy of ISOH/IMPACT’s independent audit from 2008, please click here.

How many of you Facebook?  On my Facebook I have 18 friends.  Yesterday I was given the option of accepting or ignoring someone who asked to be my friend.  If Jesus had a Facebook, He would want to be your friend.  Would you accept or ignore His request?  Do you know what it means to be a friend of Jesus?  It means knowing He is the Son of God and He paid the price of your sin because He loves you.  Jesus already knows everything about you.  The bible says He formed you in your mother’s womb.  He knows every hair on your head and He loves you enough for Jesus to die for you.  Doesn’t that sound like a true friend?  Someone you would want to accept in your life?  All you have to do is tell Him from your heart and you will be on His Facebook for life!  Join me and become a Jesus Girl (or boy!)

Many thanks to the volunteers who helped us prepare our gardens for spring planting. These dedicated gardeners from Fallen Timbers Middle School and Keystone Bank dug, raked, and piled dirt to prepare the raised beds. By the time the volunteers were all done, even the planting had been completed!

The harvest from the gardens will be used to feed the residents at the Children’s LightHouse and hungry families across our community.

We were recently in Bulgaria to renew some old ties and see what the Lord would have us do in this former communist society. Bulgaria has changed in many ways since we were there helping Kosovo refugees from the war in the 1990’s. One thing that hasn’t changed is the poverty in some of the villages. What impressed us the most was how The Church of God In Bulgaria is developing its church in areas that have been overlooked by many. 

We visited a gypsy village called Samakov where a church has literally sprung out from the building that was the local trash dump. The church emptied that building and began having services a little more than ten years ago. Today, it is literally bursting at the seams. We visited the church for a Sunday evening service of over 1200 people in attendance. We were told others were discouraged that they literally could not fit in the door. They were seating people on the stage, the stairs to the balcony, and anywhere else they could physically be able to participate. 
 
This area is one of the poorest in Bulgaria, but people are flocking to the church. It was a place of fighting between families before the church came. The scene has been drastically changed. So, why am I telling you about all of this? Our help is needed. Could they do it on their own? Probably in time, but what if we were capable to help them now and didn’t? Can we really look away? There are programs established, but they cannot keep up with the need. They need help with food and supplies. Children need sponsors so they can read and write. The building needs to be expanded. God is moving in this place, why not be a part of it. Consider how you can partner with us today to make an everlasting change in the life of the children and families of this place.

Mission Team Members were:  Linda A. Greene, RN Ph.D., President & CEO of ISOH/IMPACT, Bob Lalonde, Vice President and Renee Lalonde, Board Member