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

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

Welcome to my new blog.  Here you will get the inside scoop on what is happening at ISOH/IMPACT, The Children’s LightHouse and the Greene family.  I also want to minister to your spiritual needs and will post some of my favorite devotionals.  

Please visit often and speak up.

Reaching out & Serving Others

By Jennifer Taylor

It wasn’t a knock-out punch, but Hurricane Gustav still left the Gulf Coast battered and bruised.

“It could take 6-8 weeks to get the electricity really going, and the people are in despair. They need help,” Linda Greene-ISOH/IMPACT.

Linda Greene of ISOH/IMPACT is receiving daily reports from her disaster volunteers down in the Gulf. They paint a grim picture of Gustav’s aftermath.

“The issues are pretty incredible. They have to wait in line for two hours to get gasoline. Some of the people in Baton Rouge are just now getting back into their homes,” Greene.

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all photos by Poetic Images

WATERVILLE, OH. When Hurricane Gustav began barreling down on the Gulf Coast, ISOH/IMPACT had already started its disaster response procedures. An emergency appeal dropped to donors in the early morning hours, reminding them of the need for donated items and cash gifts to respond to those who are in their hour of greatest need.

As Gustav made landfall, an unexpected visitor showed up at the ISOH/IMPACT headquarters. Senator John McCain stopped in to show his support for the relief efforts, thanking Linda Greene, ISOH/IMPACT President and CEO, for all the organization is doing to help its fellow Americans.
During his visit, Senator McCain helped package cleaning supplies in plastic buckets so they would be ready to ship out at first notice.

Dr. Greene was encouraged by the Senator’s visit and hopes that it will serve as a motivation for others to get involved with ISOH/IMPACT and its disaster response efforts. “Senator McCain’s presence helps show how important it is for us to get involved now and respond immediately to the victims of Hurricane Gustav,” Dr. Greene said.

“Each one should use whatever gift he or she has received to serve others faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms,” Senator McCain said, reading from the back of Dr. Greene’s business card.

“And as the hurricane strikes Louisiana as we speak, all Americans, I know, will be motivated by those words of serving others and using whatever gifts we have to help our fellow Americans,” the Senator said, encouraging others to get involved in relief efforts.

ISOH/IMPACT is accepting cash gifts and donations of relief supplies. Please see a PDF copy of this press release to view the items that are still needed.

Cash donations are vital to providing for packaging, transportation, and distribution costs as well as facilitating emergency response teams. Cash donations can be made at the warehouse during normal hours of operation (M-TH 8:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., F 8:00 a.m.-noon). Cash and credit card gifts can also be given through the ISOH/IMPACT website (www.isohimpact.org), mailed directly to our offices at 25182 W. River Rd., Perrysburg, OH 43551, or by calling us at 419-878-8548.

For more information about ISOH/IMPACT’s disaster response for Hurricane Gustav or Senator McCain’s visit, please contact Linda Greene. Photos are available at www.isohimpact.org or by special request.

Due to Senator John McCain’s visit this morning, ISOH/IMPACT was featured on the front page of MSNBC.com!

screen shot of the MSNBC.com home page on September 1, 2008

A few times a year, International Services of Hope/Impact, a local ministry, brings to the Toledo area foreign youngsters who need medical care. Each time, volunteers bearing toys await them at the airport.

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