Chili Mobile
Greetings,
I hope you are well. Wow!! What a night!
We had the honor to serve over 85 lbs. of chili, over 40 loaves of bread and over 250 cups of coffee to the less fortunate and homeless last night in Santa Ana.
The thankfulness and appreciation from the great people we served as well as some of the stories and experiences clearly shows and tells me that what God started with a 30 lb chocolate Santa Claus before Christmas is what we are called to continue on a weekly base.
Last night we used up all of our food supply!
Erinn and I stopped at the Market Broiler on the way home to thank the manager for the bread they have donated since we started three weeks ago. After he heard the stories he told us that he will supply 40 loaves of bread every time we need it…..He is even going to let us store it at the restaurant and all we have to do is just swing by and pick it up when we need it How awesome is that? Praise the Lord!!!!
In case you served alongside of us or donated some money over the last several weeks for this new outreach ministry I wanted to say “Thank you so much!!” You have made a huge difference!!!
May I go a step further and ask you for a couple more favors?
- Could you please write down your experiences and some of your conversations while you served the less fortunate and why you think we should keep doing it? Stories like this help us to get confirmation that we do what we are called to do as well as ask for donations and are great for our website.
- We need more chili, coffee, propane, insulated transport boxes and food carriers, cups, bowls, spoons in addition to some other items. Would you please consider either donate some money or ask your friends and co-workers to make a donation so we are able to keep buying supplies? We buy it at the Restaurant Depot tax-free. So the money donated buys the most possible for the $.
- We need more volunteers and I hope we can build teams and rotate so none of us will burn out.
- I’m in contact with a company willing to donate their time to put signs on the camper. In case you may know somebody interested in a sponsorship opportunity on our mobile feeding unit please let me know.
- In case you believe in prayers would you please pray that the Lord would bless this endeavor in ways we never thought possible and that not our will but His will be done.
As some of you know, we are in communication with individuals and organizations in Costa Mesa and Huntington Beach and are considering not just feeding the less fortunate in Santa Ana on Tuesday but to do the same in Costa Mesa on Wednesday and in Huntington Beach on Thursday. I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves and only want to move forward if we have clear marching orders from the Lord.
I would like to leave you with a thought or maybe I should call it a surprising realization.
At least half of the people we have been serving are not homeless. Some families still have a “home” or like one lady last night called it a “fox-hole” but just no money left to put food on the table. They are what is now being termed the “working poor”.
Last night when I finally curled up in my warm bed with a roof over my head I could not help but start crying….thanking the Lord for all my blessings and begging Him to keep open doors so we can keep serving the less fortunate neighbors of ours.
Thank you for your love and support! God bless you!
Be encouraged,
Roy Gerber
Paws For Cause
9114 Adams Avenue, # 197
Huntington Beach, CA 92646
Phone: 714-965-6363
Cell: 714-655-1242
http://www.pawsforcauseoc.org
roy@pawsforcauseoc.org
Dear Roy,
My name is Leisl Stoufer and I am the Director of Children’s, Youth and Family Ministries at California Heights United Methodist Church in Long Beach. As a Youth Pastor, I am regularly involved in mission projects and outreach events which I enjoy tremendously.
Two weeks ago, I volunteered with the Paws for Cause Chili Mobile serving chili to the less fortunate and homeless in Santa Ana. I have to tell you that the hours I spent making the chili, working with the other volunteers and ultimately meeting the homeless community was one of the most meaningful experiences of my life. I have worked on other feeding projects before, but none of them were as life changing as this!
From the moment you prayed over the chili, over the volunteers and for the people we would be serving, God’s undeniable presence surrounded us. The love and laughter that took place between the volunteers and the community was beautiful. The thankfulness in the eyes and hearts of the people served was radiant. It was especially moving to hear that the week before there had been concern that you would run out of chili. As you prayed over it, every time the ladle was dipped, a full portion of chili was served. There was just enough! The week I was there, we had a little chili left over. We bagged it in a plastic bag and just as we were leaving, a latecomer stopped by to see if we had any left. We had enough bread and just enough chili! The God of miracles from 2,000 years ago is still the God of miracles today! And God was all over the Chili Mobile that night!
On a personal note, while I work in a church and I am surrounded by God every minute of every day and I love God with all my heart, I have been spiritually dry. I have been in a place of discernment and I have hungered for clarity and direction in my life. I have been craving Jesus! Thanks to you and the Chili Mobile, I got my Jesus back! While we fed the people on the street with physical nourishment, I was fed spiritually. My heart is bubbling over with the Holy Spirit! I am not hungry. I am not tired. I am full of energy and enthusiasm! I am on fire for Jesus! I am completely fulfilled by the power of Christ!
I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve in such a special and meaningful way. You and your ministry are making a difference in the lives of many! Not just the people you serve, but the people who serve with you! Thank you! Thank you!
I wish you all of God’s blessings as you continue to serve so faithfully! You are doing remarkable work and I was privileged and blessed to be a part of it!
May God Bless You!
Leisl Stoufer