A CHRISTIAN MISSION
April 2024 Newsletter
Prayer Request for April 2024
This month, let us come together in passionate prayer for our country's leaders amid these tumultuous times.
Please call us if you have any questions about the Mission or how you can help. 432-337-8294
A Word From Our Director ~ Pastor Andrew Pistone
How Often Do You Laugh?
“There is a time for everything…a time to weep and a time to laugh.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1a, 4a)
I thought you might want to read a letter that a kid wrote to his parents while he was away at Boy Scout camp. He had been away from home for some time, and the little guy was sending an update about his experiences. I'm guessing that you'll smile, and maybe - even laugh out loud.
Dear Mom and Dad,
Our scoutmaster told us to write to our parents - in case you saw the flood on TV and were worried. We're okay. Only one of our tents and two sleeping bags got washed away. Luckily, none of us got drowned – because, when the flooding happened, we were up in the mountains all night – looking for Chad. Oh yeah…Please call Chad's mother and tell her he's okay now. He can't write a letter - because of the cast. I got to ride in one of the search and rescue Jeeps. It was really neat. We never would have found him in the dark if it hadn't been for the lightning. Scoutmaster Walt got mad at Chad for going on a hike alone - without telling anyone. Chad said he DID tell him…but it was during the fire, so he probably didn't hear him. Did you know that if you put gasoline on a fire – the whole gas can will blow up? The wet wood didn't burn, but one of the tents did. David's gonna' look a little weird until his hair grows back.
We'll be home on Saturday, if Scoutmaster Walt gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked okay when we left, but Scoutmaster Walt said that - with a car that old - you have to expect something to break down. That's probably why he can't get any insurance. But we all think it's a neat car. He doesn't care if we get it dirty and, if it's real hot, sometimes he lets us ride on the fenders. It gets pretty hot with ten people in the car and four of us on the fenders, but he let us take turns ridin' in the trailer until the highway patrolman stopped us and talked to Walt.
Scoutmaster Walt's a neat guy. He's a good driver. In fact, he's teaching Terry how to drive on the mountain roads where there isn't much traffic. I know that Terry is really too young to drive, but he can see over the steering wheel, and Scoutmaster Walt says it's pretty safe when there's so little traffic. Did you know that you don't need guard rails on roads that don't have much traffic? All we ever see up there are logging trucks.
This morning, all the guys were diving off the rocks and swimmin' out in the lake. Scoutmaster Walt wouldn't let ME dive, because I can't swim…and Chad was afraid he'd sink because of that big cast – so he let the two of us take the canoe all the way across the lake…all by ourselves. It was great! You can still see some of the trees under the water from the flood.
Scoutmaster Walt isn't crabby like some of the other scoutmasters. He didn't even get mad about us losing the life jackets. He's spending a lot of time working on the car, so we're trying not to cause him any trouble.
Guess what. We've all earned our First Aid merit badges. When Dave dived in the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works. Wade and I threw up, but Scoutmaster Walt said it was probably just food poisoning – from the leftover chicken. He said they got sick that way - with the food they ate in prison. I'm so glad he got out and became a scoutmaster. He's the best! He said he sure figured out how to get things done better - while he was doin' time.
I have to go now. We're gonna' go into town to mail our letters and buy bullets. I'll see you pretty soon.
Love,
Cole
(Of course, this letter is fictitious - but hopefully, it made you smile.)
A Shorter Letter – Oozing with Love
Kids at summer camp are sometimes required to write home – to reassure Mom and Dad that things are going well. The intention is good, but this next little guy was hungry, and just wanted to go and get his dinner.
Dear Mom and Dad,
I was forced to write this so I can eat.
Love,
Josh
(Unlike the first letter, this one is authentic.)
Not Just Laughter – But True Joy!
Once in a while, it's healthy to have a good laugh. I'm thinking that it should be a regular occurrence in our lives. As followers of Jesus, we have plenty to smile about, and laughter is a gift and a blessing
from God.
Of course, the lighthearted humor and the joy we get from reading these letters from camp - are not the same as the TRUE JOY that God can provide. Even people who don't believe in God might laugh at these fun letters…but Dr. David Jeremiah said, “Without the joy of the Lord, laughter is no more than hollow echoes in an empty soul.” If we are followers of Christ, the Holy Spirit gives us TRUE JOY that can make our laughter rich and real. One of the fruits of the Spirit is joy. (Galatians 5:22) “A happy heart makes the face cheerful.”
(Proverbs 15:13)
Medical studies have shown that laughter is healthy. It can reduce stress and even improve our immune system. The Bible says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22)
We're exposed to unusually dark times because of the many evil things that are happening in the world around us. Of course, we should be informed, but - when we have a steady diet of bad news - we have to be careful that we aren't distracted from the joy that God wants us to enjoy. When you laugh with a joyful attitude - grounded in the Truth of God's Word – you will encourage others wherever you go.
We should be comfortable laughing at ourselves, too. I'm guessing that we all make silly mistakes and do embarrassing things from time to time, and – it's good if we have the ability to laugh
at ourselves.
Even when times look dark, we can remember that God is in charge. We can trust Him – and enjoy moments of refreshing laughter. For believers, He provides true JOY and a secure future in heaven, and we are incredibly blessed – for today and
for eternity.
Pastor Andrew
Thrift Store
If you haven't had a chance to shop at our Thrift Store, we hope you will do that very soon. The proceeds from the store are a major source of our support. You will find thousands of quality items at incredible prices, and you can shop with confidence that your dollars are helping to change lives.
We are located at 1515 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX Our hours for shopping are: Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
We continue to take ALL donations with grateful hearts. We could not do this without your help.
We will come to PICK UP any and all donations – just give us a call at 432-337-8294 to schedule a pickup. You can also drop off your donation at the Thrift Store,
Funds / Donations Needed
Your financial support will help us provide hot meals, a safe place to sleep and shower, and exposure to the truth of God's Word through Bible study and counseling to those who struggle with addictions. Many come to know Jesus as Savior because of the work God is doing here at the Mission.
There are a few ways you can give:
#1: PayPal Giving Fund:100% of what you give goes to the Mission. Paypal does not keep a processing fee when you use this service. If you would like to make a direct financial donation you can go to PayPal at the link below.
https://www.paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/2432315
#2: Use our Website http://www.doorofhopemission.com/donate.html
#3: Mail a Check to Door of Hope Mission PO Box 1789, Odessa, TX 79760
#4: When you Shop at Amazon or Ebay, just add us as your preferred charity, and a portion of your purchase will go to the Door Of Hope Mission.
With Amazon: Visit Amazon Smile www.smile.amazon.com, then login to your account then you need to select Door Of Hope Mission Odessa TX so we will receive donations from eligible purchases when you shop.
With Ebay: You just need to add the Door Of Hope Mission to your favorites. Click the link this link to add us.
https://charity.ebay.com/charity/charity-name/2432315
If you have any questions please call us 432-337-8294.
The Door of Hope Mission is supported 100% by DONATIONS and our thrift store. We do not take money from the government because they would restrict us from preaching about the freeing power of Jesus to those we help.
All donations are tax-deductible.
DOOR OF HOPE THRIFT STORE UPDATE
We are in need of good furniture and antiques that you might want to donate to our ministry, and of course - we continue to take ALL donations with grateful hearts. We could not do this without your help.
We can also accept cars, trucks, RVs and boats.
If you have items you wish to donate, please drop them off at the store. If you need us to pick them up, please call the Mission at 432-337-8294.
We invite you to come and visit the Door of Hope Thrift Store. We are located at 1611 E. 8th Street, Odessa, TX 79761.
Our hours for shopping are Monday - Saturday from 9:00 am – 7:00 pm.
Please visit us on Facebook : www.Facebook.com/DoorOfHopeThriftStore
All donations are tax deductible.
Please check out our latest post and like our page at https://www.facebook.com/DoorOfHopeMissionTX