Servias Ministries Blog

Another Kids In Need Update:

As kids are coming in and many new students are showing up, we have had several that didn’t have school supplies. What a blessing to be able to hand a teacher a gift card (supplied by Servias) so that they could place a Target pick-up order and grab extra supplies for these kids!

I’m reminded about the importance of school to so many of our kids. Although most of our students had wonderful summers filled with vacations and days swimming at the pool, many of our students were in situations where their needs were unmet while they didn’t have the support of the school. One student went straight to his Villager this morning and began sharing with her about some extremely difficult circumstances this summer, including poor nutrition. His Villager asked for a Crest gift card and is going to stock him up with healthy food and protein drinks to send home this weekend and to keep in her room for him on school days. After a summer away from all of his friends and teachers, she was the one that he immediately sought out because he knew she was his safe space. What a gift!

We had another sibling set whose mom lost her home over the summer. One of them came in this morning with no school supplies- that need was met as soon as we realized it. Later in the day, she went to her Villager with a headache and not feeling well. She had some granola bars and gatorades ready to give. The student began to share that they don’t have much food at home and listed a few things that she really needed at home. Her Villager took a Crest card this afternoon and will be able to give the student each of those things tomorrow morning. Our pastor preached on sharing meals with others, and how that opens a door to share God’s love. One of the top things we use the gift cards on is snacks. It just made me think that while it may be a granola bar or a bag of Cheez-Its, it’s the equivalent of “breaking bread together” to these kids. So much trust has been established through something as simple as a snack.

God is doing big things in Bethany. There have been so many times that I hear a story or see something happening, and just think, “There He is! He’s at work!” I know He has always been present, but I have such a sense of anticipation about what’s in store for the community of Bethany this year. Servias Ministries is helping to make an immediate difference as well as an eternal difference in the lives of these kids….as well as the teachers. There’s something so special about being given the opportunity to be the hands and feel of Christ to these kids.

Thank you for all you do!

Your giving to help those in need is making a real difference in the live of the kids, their families, and the teachers as well.  Thank you for your continued support!

School kids are returning to class and we have provided funding for food, school supplies, clothes, shoes, etc.

Thank you for your support of Kids in need.

Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 20:

32  “So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

33 I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel.

34 Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.

35 I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'”

Amen!

Sent from the superintendent:

We had a boy who is involved in our Villager program recently lose their house to a fire.  The Village program quickly stepped in and provided support and met some needs very quickly. Most of this was done through your donations and cards. I can’t tell you what a blessing this has been to our students and community. I appreciate all you continue to do to help families in need. 

Our support continues throughout the summer as well!

I wanted to reach out last week was to share a letter that one of our Villagers received. She partnered with this student in 5th grade and 6th grade. She kept snacks in her room for him, and he stopped in every day. He gradually began to open up more and more to her and obviously found safety and support in her room. She was able to get him a new backpack when the straps on his broke during the year, she would often send food home with him to get him through the weekend. One time he came in and said, “You are always able to help me, and there’s something else I need. I really like to take baths, but we don’t have a plug for our drain.” The simplest thing, but she was able to get a drain stopper for him to be able to take baths at home! She felt like she was doing such small things, but as you can tell, the impact she had on him was huge. I’ve attached the letters he gave her on the last day of school. 

The following are two letters students wrote to those whom we assist:

The following are a couple of testimonies from one of the counselors where we have helped the kids:

I helped one of our 4th grader’s family out with some gift cards from Target and Crest at the end of the school year. His Mom had battled terminal colon cancer the entire school year and passed away just before school was out. It was uncertain where he would go and grandma wasn’t sure she could keep him and raise him. He may have to move in with an uncle. We are hoping he can stay at Central because he has a close relationship with myself and our assistant principal. The gift cards were greatly appreciated!!

Also I had another single mom who had been working and caring for her kiddos just fine until she got laid off…her car was repossessed overnight with all of their stuff in it – including her son’s backpack. She was beside herself and did not have any extended family to help. She was in the front office several times crying her eyes out. I provided them with both Target and Crest gift cards – she just burst into tears and was so grateful!!

It is all about Agape Love!

Hello!

I was able to give a family some gift cards who needed some extra help right now. They recently agreed to be a kinship placement for a couple of brothers at our school. They took a total of 5 children in and the Uncle came in to ask for help. They are overwhelmed! One of the children is special needs and wheelchair bound. The Uncle cried tears of joy when we presented him with the gift cards. Thank you for making this happen!

Proverbs 19:17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD—
and HE will repay you!

Thank you for your continued support!

From one counselor:

I did give a family that recently had a baby some Target and Crest cards to help out. They struggle consistently due to single parent home and many siblings.

From one of the teachers:

Our cafeteria staff village 3 siblings. They have developed a close relationship with the mom and were able to help give them an extra special Christmas. (pictures attached)

Coming back from break, one of those students had lost her jacket. Our cafeteria staff took immediate action and bought her a new jacket by the end of the day.

We have also used our cards to purchase multiple pairs of gloves for the cold. The kids know that they can come get a pair anytime.

Last but not least, just last week we began to roll out the program in the middle school. We’ll keep you updated as that all comes together!

We are a year into this program and we are seeing so many impactful relationships.

Thank you for supporting those in need and healing the brokenhearted.

Thank you for your contribution that help the kids have a good Christmas.

From Megan, one of our school counselors:

I had a Mom come into today who has been leaving on unemployment since losing her job in August. She said she gets roughly $100/week. I gave her some Crest and Target Gift Cards.

Thanks again for all that you have done for our families! I have loved being able to bless others in need!

Our latest update:

Before Thanksgiving break, we were able to provide our Village families with a Crest giftcard to help get them through the week. I know this was a huge blessing to so many of them- either to help with a Thanksgiving meal or to help with groceries while their kids didn’t have access to school lunches.

Several of our Village families are also on the school’s Christmas Assistance list, so we are able to use the giftcards to meet their needs in this way as well! Thank you for the new stock of giftcards you dropped off. This will help us tremendously as we prepare for Christmas!

Our middle school principal, Mrs. Donley, is working on rolling out The Village into the Middle School after Christmas, and we are so excited to be able to reach more families! After she talked to her staff about it a couple of weeks ago, several teachers have already contacted us and are eager to get to work! We were able to provide Crest giftcards to these families before Thanksgiving as well. This morning I received this email from one of the teachers: “The Crest gift card that the middle school gave their family before the break opened the door for school and home to work together as a team.” 
We are also planning on putting together little giftbags for the kids before Christmas break with seasonal goods like kleenex, chapstick holders to attach to their backpacks, and fun Christmas treats. 
We can’t thank you enough!

The ministry is expanding and we appreciate those who are able to contribute to Servias. FATHER knows your heart and you can expect HIM to supply all your needs according to HIS riches!