Dec

Dec. 7, 2001

Dear Ones,

Tis the season of good will towards man. Christmas! When Love came down, humbly filling a stable, boldly filling the sky, joyfully filling our hearts, and quietly changing our lives: Christmas! It’s a time to humbly give thanks, boldly proclaim Him as Lord, joyfully share His love with all, and earnestly seek Him in all that we do. Merry Christmas!

I ran across a tract taken from the movie entitled: "It's a Wonderful Life!" I am sure most of you are familiar with the movie. The tract says so eloquently what I want each person I meet to know: "You matter. Your life DOES count and YOU make a difference, more than you realize!" Or, in some cases:

"You can make a difference, so don't be afraid to try!"

It's Christmas and a time when we are often asked to "stretch" and make a difference in other peoples lives. Yet, sometimes one wonders, "Am I really making a difference- or is this just another appeal so someone can make their budget or stick a feather in their caps?" The budget at Heart and Hands Ministries, is carefully based upon donations plus what we personally set aside out of our own paychecks. Feathers? They are non- existent! I am more into "treasures laid up in heaven." Like winning souls.

Ps. 2:8 “Ask of me, and I will surely give the nations as Thine inheritance, and the {very} ends of the earth as Thy possession.” (NAS) And souls have needs... simple deduction! Meeting their needs is a means of sharing the love of Christ in a tangible way. When they look at the thing given, they will remember it was given in the name of Jesus!

This year we worked in conjunction with several other non-profit organizations and with you our partners. Together we have accomplished a phenomenal amount! Listed below is a quick overview of what has been achieved:

246 boxes of clothing to Belarus and Ukraine

(?) several boxes of clothing to Romanian orphanage

2 computers to Jim Zirkle's Ministry in Guatemala

3 computers to school #16 in Belarus

1 computer to University professor in Ukraine

2 monitors to school #2 in Rudky,Ukraine

5 computers to three U.S. ministries one of which is an AID/HIV outreach

2 large boxes of library books to school #2 in Rudky, Ukraine

2 boxes of “back to school supplies” for school #2 in Rudky, Ukraine

133 toothbrushes and that much, plus more, toothpaste to 133 children in Ukraine

1 box of medical equipment and supplies (bedside potty, walker, crutches, prosthetic limbs, etc.)

Monetary help to one young pastor and his family in Belarus

And Christmas for 118 children (65 in Belarussian orphanage and 53 in Ukrainian orphanage)

(This included a bag with 10-12 pieces of candy and a gospel tract in Russian, a paddleball, a 5" kaleidoscope and a mini yo-yo, all with Christian graphics on them!)

Projects awaiting funds for completion are as follows:

* 8 computers upgraded and shipped to Ukraine. Cost: $175.00 each. (includes the shipping cost)

* Vitamins (chewable multi's for the children to help them through the winter), as well as

help with shipping them. Want to ship by Jan 5th. Need 510 bottles for 3 months supply.

* Vegetable seeds ordered and shipped for spring planting. Estimated cost is .35 a packet including customs, papers, and instructions in Russian, and help defraying the cost of shipping.

Want to ship out by Jan.30th.

* Phonics books and tapes, and teaching materials. Cost $116.00 plus shipping

* Blank cassette tapes for Ukrainian school for their English classes

Shipping runs .59 a pound plus $10 delivery charge per box or $15 if two boxes are delivered to the same address. This guarantees that the boxes are walked through customs and delivered to the recipient’s door!

This year, between Ukraine and Belarus, 80 school children, several teachers, 2 orphanages of 118 children, and several ministers/ministries were touched, not to mention the untold numbers who received the gospel as clothing was given out to them. Did we make a difference? In the lives of a few hundred people, yes! Who knows how many we will touch next year! Who knows how many you or I will touch next week or next month. Do YOU make a difference? You betcha! In the movie, "It's a Wonderful Life," George Bailey didn't think that he made any difference at all, but he found out differently! May you recognize the tremendous impact that you have helped to make! (By the way, if you've NEVER seen this movie, go rent it, buy it, or look for it on TV during the holidays. Watching it, whether for the first time or the fifth, will be time well spent!)

Lastly, will you pray for us? Pray for wisdom and Divine connections. Pray for open doors and for the finances to come in, enabling us to broaden our base and do more. If you will pray Ps. 91 and Jabez's prayer over us, we will be so blessed and grateful. (Don't forget to pray it over yourself too!)

We love all of you and wish you each a Blessed and Holy Christmas Season. More than just for this Christmas, we wish you a "Wonderful Life" that is filled with Him! Merry Christmas and a Happy, Happy New Year!

Love,

Nancy and Tom

Heart And Hands Ministries, Inc. Imprinting the World With the Love of God

P.O. Box 187 Elk Mills, MD. 21920-0187