Join Amazon Smiles Program to Give Back

The phrase giving back is frequently mentioned. People say they want to Give Back. Sometimes this is for a school that helped them: sometime it is for a city.

In Menlo Park. CA. A local developer gave back a huge new gymnasium and more so the residents could enjoy.

Companies also have giving back plans. I am all for this! Some VC urge their partners to give to the non profit of their choice.

It is because of generous giving from several besides a thousand small gifts that SECOND HARVEST FOOD BANK has helped so many including the children at camp and now food for the poor every week at Verbo Church...just to mention a few things they do.

We all know about Amazon. There is a company that has grown like crazy and they also have a give back plan that can involve you if you shop on Amazon. You simply go through the Amazon Smiles program and select the charity of your choice. 5 percent of your purchase price will go to that charity.

I am happy to let you know that you can shop and help the children we serve simply by selecting Project Lost Sheep when you shop via Amazon Smiles

What a neat way to think of others while you are shopping on line. Feel free to tell everyone about this. As some companies get so much bigger, I believe Giving Back will become the norm.

TO WHOM MUCH IS GIVEN, MUCH IS EXPECTED.
This is bedrock to America.

Let us get in the habit of sharing with others. We will soon have smiles on our faces because we are doing something that makes a difference.

Thanks for GIVING BACK!

Jim's Testimonial of Touchdown Camp

Joyce Dueker asked me to write down some thoughts on why I've taken 20 months off work and to what extent, if any, TouchDown played a role in my decision.

A Little About Me and Who Connected Me with TouchDown Camp
For those of you who don't know me, 99% of you, my name is Jim Dillard and I lived most of my life in SF Bay Area. To date myself I used to play in the orchards that have long since been Apple's Cupertino headquarters.

Back in 2010 I asked God to help me find the "right" volunteering opportunity. Within 3 weeks I ended up sitting next to Joyce at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church and you can guess what happened: Joyce was Joyce :) I can still visualize exactly where I was driving home on Highway 101 thinking "Really, God....at-risk youth? That is who I'm to volunteer for??"

Jump to my first TD camp back in 2011. It is Thursday and all the children were at Fair Oaks Elementary -- I happened to be taking penalty kicks (soccer) with some of the older boys. One child just scored for the third consecutive time and this was, by far, the best shot of the day. The conversation following his goal:

Me: "Whoa! Top corner...nice shot. So, how long have you played competitive soccer."
Child: "Whadda mean?"
Me: "You know...playing soccer on a team. AYSO, CYSA?"
Child: "Never played soccer on a team before. My Mom couldn't afford it."

Although I'd witnessed poverty and lack on my surf trips to Mexico and El Salvador this was the first time I experienced it with a child whom I personally cared for who lived within a 10 minute drive. Little did I realize his nonchalant comment would impact me and my life. And now be the norm of those whom I work with.

May, 2017
Fast forward to May, 2017. Here in Charleston, SC, there is an academic gap: the state's best elementary school, #1 out of 620, and worst elementary school, #620 out of 620, are just 6 miles apart. I'm witnessing firsthand how many at-risk, or underprivileged, youth are inadvertently* being funneled down a path whereby they will transition from at-risk youth to disconnected youth: those aged 16-24 years old who are neither in school nor working.

The Bay Area is no different and the need for people to invest their time and / or money as a means to narrow the academic / opportunity gap is greater than ever. Imagine a child in second grade unable to count by 10s to 100 or pronounce words like 'that' while reading aloud. At what point does dropping out of school become more enticing compared to the frustration of staying in school?
For those up to date on governmental policies coming down the pike it is now apparent that those with the fewest resources will be most negatively impacted. Some businesses and people in the Bay Area are stepping up yet is it enough? Unlikely. Can't do money or time? Then utilize those unproductive moments while waiting in a line, at a stoplight, or where ever, to say a prayer.

Lastly -- and I am biased here especially being a white male -- but the group that needs to step up the most are white males. According to all studies white males will earn more money for doing the same amount work as any other group. If we make more than others then we should give more than others. Yes, I realize males often are the breadwinners and / or seemingly don't have the extra time and funds but just look around and you'll realize we possess more than enough.

And for the single guys out there contemplate this: 60% to 80% of the people you will volunteer with are women.

Jim

Hunger in Redwood City?

Hunger is not a joke. There are plenty of hungry children and families in America. I really had no idea how close the pockets of poverty were until we started camp in Redwood City next to two of then most affluent cities in America.

Most of the children came to touchdown camp with no breakfast. We soon learned that lots of food would be part of camp. Thanks to Second Harvest Food, non profit, we were able to provide more fresh food and partnership with them has continued to be a daily blessing to Verbo Church where camp is held. A big truckload of food comes and the church distributes the food to the poor.

It was shocking to see children at lunch stuff food down their shirts to take home to their families. One family we found out had no food at all in the house at Thanksgiving. Food continues to be our largest cost at camp. It is my firm belief that churches of America need to be proactive in helping food banks in their community as well as homeless shelters.

Back to camp...
A call for seconds at lunch is always received with a rush of kids. In the Lord's Prayer we say "give us this day our daily bread". Maybe to the affluent these are pretty words but they are a call to action. Be thankful if you have food in your home and do what you can go share daily bread with those who do not.

Let a time of fasting be a reminder that you have a stomach that can growl with hunger every few minutes. Hunger is a real menace to concentrating or having energy for life. Look around. See hungry children just a few blocks away.

Until we see with our eyes and feel with our heart, children in America will continue to feel the real pain of hunger. And the Lord will be disappointed in us, his followers.

Snowed In

Winter here in Idaho is quite a different experience from California. We have had the most snow in 30 years and our first experience of being shut inside for days.

Then, a neighbor came and put together an ad hoc collection so a friend of his could come and plow our street. The snow was so deep that US mail could not deliver and garbage truck got stuck. Yesterday, the street got plowed.

Another neighbor called and offered to bring in groceries but I was over joyed to get out in her jeep which could cut the roads despite ice and snow. I had fun grocery shopping with her in a huge warehouse like store. Then we dropped my important letter in the main post office slot. We saw a mail truck on a tow truck. The Main Street of town was very icy but she expertly got through to make another delivery or food to a stranded friend.

All this to say that real love in action involves connecting with those around you and doing your part. Let's not forget that we are called to love one another and that means getting involved with others. Let's pull together and help each other for a America that shines out under God.

Pray sincerely, open your heart and expect something

It is interesting to me that although God knows all about us even to the number of hairs on our head and our thoughts and words we know little of now He works.

Praying real, heartfelt prayers can open your understanding to more of how wonderful this God, our Heavenly Father really is.

What if we are undecided whether or not to go on a certain journey? The time for good ticketing is short. We want to go but we don't know if this is Gods plan or not.

We can dare to pray with a time limit. Here is a real specific and time limited prayer and it is OK to do that.

God, your plans are always good for me and your timing is perfect. I need you to let me know in the next 24 hours if I am to go on this trip.

Now this isn't a game. It is a real thing you are wrestling with. Should I go? Is it In His plan that I go?

And I can tell you with certainty if it is sincere, specific prayer that God your maker will let you know what the answer is. You may hear in the middle of the night. The confirmation that your answer has come is that you will feel peaceful, not stressed, about going, or not going.

There is such deep security in knowing that we have such a loving Father who wants good things for us and knows us completely that we can pour out our hearts to him without reservation and know He hears and gives His perfect answer!

Planning for next year's Camp

Camp for the kids is my passion. I can't help but also think of next year's camp during this holiday season.

All the bits and pieces to make camp happen came together including a tamale all day project at Verbo, Redwood City, that went towards Camp. 140 children plus 60 volunteers had a joy filled week of challenge and change. Teens who gave their time grew spiritually.

Touchdown Camp programs are being duplicated. We expect a camp in Madrid, Spain Verbo church. Another camp is in San Antonio, Texas. Patty Cardona is being asked to speak in Miami, Florida about children's program.

Growth is wonderful. It also costs money. Camp 13 will happen again in 2017. We are somewhat like a teenager. We are growing, needing new donors and volunteers. We are again asking for the generosity of people who read this to chip in whatever you can. We have no office or salaries. We all are volunteers and cheerful Givers.

When you get behind us with a small push, you join a moving ball that is bouncing all over to make a difference for children.

Getting into the Mood of Christmas

The most wonderful season is here and as I write looking out on fresh snow I am thinking of the best ways to get ready for the birth of Christ.

We can get all caught up in the celebrations, the trees, the buying and Wrapping of gifts and there is nothing wrong with these outward things but think back on last year. What really got you to the heart of Christmas? Did you really experience God?

Here are a few steps towards a deeper Christmas. 

1. Play Christmas music that feeds your soul.

Recommended on Amazon: 

- CLASSIC CHRISTMAS HYMNS AND CAROLS by choir of Kings College, Cambridge.

- THE MESSIAH ...  all of it. Many versions

- THIS IS CHRISTMAS, the most beautiful music.

2. Take time to enter into the joy.

- Cut out things that you don't enjoy and give yourself a break.

- Movie for the whole family: Christmas Angel ...

3. Take time for quiet and personal devotion.

- Put down the paper and take down the Bible.

4. Give thanks for your God and for the divine child. 

- Hold your focus on the things that last! 

- Read Luke 2

As we approach the manger this year may our hearts be prepared
To receive the miracle of life that awaits.

Hallelujah!

Being Gracious Goes a Long Way

It is that wonderful time of year when strangers share their holiday plans and grocery carts over flow with goods. Today, a woman shared with me that she had been 4 times this week to the same store to grocery shop mainly for a holiday meal.

The aisles are packed with goodies to share. People are in an outreach mode. For years my husband and I hosted a Christmas tea and he baked wonderful cookies and our table overflowed with not only food but old and new neighbours.

We made a special effort to invite people who were new.

Now, since our move, we are new and especially at the holidays we can feel a bit out of the loop, but yesterday, a neighbor invited us to join her family and extended family and friends. It will be a large holiday party and we will be part of the celebration.

I can tell you being a stranger to Idaho that this has had a big impact on me. Even if we could not have gone for some reason the glow of being included would have counted.

We are told in the Holy Bible. DO NOT FORGET TO ENTERTAIN STRANGERS.

May we not be so insular as to forget the newcomers, the old, the lonely, and the hurting for the sake of THE ONE who did not forget to come for us!