LAKE OCONEE NEWS ARTICLE MARCH 2008
LOCAL MINISTRY REACHES OUT TO OUR SOLDIERS
As Americans we all know we should do what we can to support our troops in Iraq. However, the average American citizen doesn't know what to do except to pray for the war to end and for our soldiers to be returned home safely.
A small group of ladies from Women in the Church (WIC) of Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church in Eatonton decided to take action and get behind our troops through the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) Chaplain Ministry. Through WIC we formed a group called Military Outreach Ministry (MOM). We started out by writing the PCA Chaplains deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait and other places overseas, asking them what we could do to help them and our soldiers.
A line of communication was opened and it has blossomed into something that is growing in leaps and bounds as Chaplains began identifying specific needs including prayer requests. One Chaplain told us of a need at a military hospital in Kuwait. It seems the soldiers are only issued hospital gowns for their recuperation period following surgeries, and Chaplain Chet Lanious said it would be wonderful if we could send some white socks, t-shirts and gym shorts for these hospitalized soldiers. MOM went into action and collected 187 pairs of socks, 97 t-shirts and 84 pairs of gym shorts and shipped them to the hospital in Kuwait. Also contained in the boxes were many cards and notes telling the soldiers and Chaplains that MOM members are continuously praying for them. As a result of this first shipment, MOM received a "Certificate of Appreciation" from the Department of the Army recognizing our donations. That project was six months ago and now Chaplain Lanious says the supply is running low and if MOM wants to, they could sure use more. Plans are underway to fill this need once again.
Another Chaplain asked us to send some personal hygiene items to women soldiers. Once again MOM answered the call of duty and shipped these items along with cards and other Christian literature. This shipment resulted in MOM receiving several personal cards from women soldiers expressing their gratitude. Friendships started up among MOM members and these women soldiers and now we communicate individually and directly with these soldiers on a more personal level.
Brenda Pinson, MOM Co-Chairman, says "our Christmas packages to the soldiers included specially designed cards with a Christmas message about the birth and life of Christ and how to become a Christian. It is important that this ministry to the soldiers carries a strong spiritual message about the good news of the gospel. We want to address the soldiers spiritual needs as well as their material needs. In fact, every box that leaves our church always contains literature and notes with Christian messages."
Over the last several weeks members of Lake Oconee Presbyterian Church began making donations toward a new project by MOM to collect food items such as beef jerky, chewing gum, trail mix, crackers, candy, and other non-perishable foods. Last week MOM packed up the food and shipped 20 boxes totaling 360 pounds to several Chaplains and some individual soldiers in the hopes of bringing them a little "taste of home" and a Christian message of love (please click here for pictures). "We want them to know that we appreciate the sacrifices they make for us every day and are praying for their safe return home," said Brenda Pinson. She also stated, "when we began the MOM project last fall, we wanted to let the soldiers know that we are standing behind them and we hope to be a blessing to them. But when we receive letters back from soldiers and Chaplains expressing their gratitude, it is so exciting, and they end up being a blessing to us." As Chaplain Shannon Philio stated, "BRING ON THE LOVE".
MOM hopes others in the lake community will join us in getting behind our soldiers who are far away from home and in harms way. If you are interested in becoming a part of MOM, please contact Brenda Pinson at brendapin@bellsouth.net.
