Missions & Love Gift Ministries … Fall 2020

 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free.”
- Luke 4:18 NLT

Who is blinded by their own shortcomings? Who is held in bondage by a destructive habit or thought process? I was freed by Christ Jesus from alcoholism. Our national mission focus is on addiction and I was held in bondage to alcohol. I was blinded to how my alcoholism had an effect on my family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers. I had avalanched into alcoholism after three immediate family members passed away. I did not know how to deal with the feelings of the losses, so I drank to not feel.

Alcoholism has been medically described as an allergy. When a person drinks a drink of alcohol the body craves more and I could not get enough. Followed also with a mental obsession so that I was thinking continuously thinking about having enough for in the morning, to have it during the day and at events. Everything I did, I needed to make sure I had enough.

I was held in bondage to alcohol and I am so glad that Jesus has broken that bondage and has healed me from that disease. It is only by God’s grace I am sober today.

During this time of the pandemic there has been an increase in emergency room visits from alcoholism. Many over-doses from people suffering from drug addiction. This is happening all around us.

I ask you to see how you can help someone in your home, community, or church. Paul spoke in the gospels about how he could not boast as it was only by his weaknesses that God had empowered him.

You can help someone by sharing your own story of how Jesus has helped you when you felt hopeless, powerless and in pain from losses you have experienced. Share your story of how Jesus has helped you overcome a struggle, disappointment, or loss.

You can comfort someone grieving or be there for someone that is alone.

God tells us

“That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.”
- 1 Corinthians 2:9-10 NLT

His secret is in our hearts. That is where he dwells and can use us to help others.

I pray that you seek Him for how you can not think of yourself so much and see how you can bless someone else to show the love of the LORD to others.

That is how we are going to make a difference in this world. We can show Christ to our neighbors, community and make a difference right where we are living. God has given us gifts they mean nothing without love. Pray and ask God to show you who to reach out to with love.

On our national website – www.abwomensministries.org/ watch the webinars on addiction.

Addiction in Context: A Public Health Framework webinar from November 5, 2020, with Presenter: Dr. Onaje Salim, Board-Certified Counselor, Licensed Clinician.

Equipping Families to Deal with Addiction webinar on December 3, 2020 9PMEDT/6PMPST with Presenters: Mary Ann Badenoch LPC, MAC, Marcia Lee Taylor, M.P.P, Patt Aussem, MA, LPC, MAC, NBCC, Partnership to End Addiction 

All the webinars are archived and available to be viewed even after the date has passed.  They are free but donations to keep them going are very much appreciated. 

Love Gift

As of February 2020, New York States Love gift giving is $844. The national website has not been updated to get current information.

I did get a call asking if we still do Love Gift. They heard we were not doing it anymore. This is not true we are blessing many by giving to the Love Gift ministry.

Love Gift is an over-and-above offering that supports American Baptist mission and ministry.

It was begun during the Great Depression, the Denomination faced a deficit and the women challenged one another to raise enough funds to cover that deficit. They rose to meet that challenge and then some!

Today, Love Gift is an extra gift to the United Mission support of the American Baptist family.

Through Love Gift, missions and ministries in the United States and Puerto Rico and around the world are able to reach out to millions of God’s people.

ABWM receives 15% of the total collected from Love Gift. 

Vicky Shaw