A CHRISTIAN MISSION
June 2024 Newsletter
Prayer Request for June 2024: This month, take a moment each day to pray for those who have hurt you. It may be difficult to extend compassion and forgiveness to those who have caused you pain. By offering prayers for their well-being, you open your heart to healing and release the burden of bitterness. God understands the depth of your pain and will guide you through it.
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
Years of Anticipation
One morning in 1820, a 12-year-old boy named Phineas got up before sunrise. He hadn't slept very much the night before. He was too excited. He had packed his bag and had been looking forward to this day for as long as he could remember. He was going on a trip to see an island – HIS VERY OWN ISLAND. On the day he was born, his grandfather had presented him with the deed to a sizeable portion of land in Connecticut – called Ivy Island, and he was taking a trip to see it for the very first time. Not every young boy owns a plot of land – especially not an island. His parents were always reminding him that his piece of property contained the most valuable farmland in the state, and that it would make him very wealthy one day. In a teasing way, they said, “Don't forget about us when you're old enough to take charge of the island.” His friends were occupied playing “make-believe” and other normal childhood games, but Phineas spent quite a bit of time dreaming about Ivy Island, and how someday - he'd be in charge of the entire thing. He'd build a house, start a farm, raise some cattle, and be the ruler of his exclusive, valuable island. He felt important, and he definitely wanted to see it!
For the past couple of years, Phineas had been begging his father to take him to see the island, and his father had finally agreed. Early that morning, they climbed into their wagon and began the trip. Phineas could barely sit still. At the top of each hill, he would ask, “Are we almost there?” and his father would assure him that they were getting closer.
Finally, they got to an open meadow, and his dad pointed to a row of tall trees in the distance, and said, “Once we pass those trees, you'll be able to see the island.”
Phineas was so excited, that he jumped down from the wagon and began running. When he got past the trees, he saw it – Ivy Island! He stopped suddenly and his heart sank. It was a dangerous swamp that was covered in sinkholes and poison ivy, and it was infested with hornets, snakes, and other wild creatures. He had been told that it was the most valuable piece of land in Connecticut, but it looked worthless. He was stunned, and his father started roaring with laughter. For years, his family had been telling him that it was a very generous gift of “prized” real estate - but it wasn't. The whole thing was a cruel, heartless joke – and everybody had been in on the joke – perpetuating the story for the entire twelve years of his life.
The grandfather who had given the property to him, was one of the wealthiest citizens and largest landowners in Connecticut at that time, but he also had a reputation for being a dedicated practical joker. This definitely didn't feel like a joke to Phineas. He felt like he was the laughing stock of his family and friends. He was humiliated and disappointed, and some people say that his disappointment shaped the rest of his life. He had been deceived and, when he became an adult, he made a business out of deceiving other people. – by promoting magic acts, hoaxes, curiosities, and oddities. We don't know him as Phineas…We know him as P.T….P.T. Barnum – the successful circus promoter and entertainer.
We All Have Disappointments
All of us have experienced disappointment – when we expect one thing, but end up with something completely different. Our jobs can be disappointing - like the man who built a business - but, when his industry went into a slump, went broke and lost everything he had worked for during the last 30 years. People without integrity disappoint us – like the contractor who began building someone's home, but never finished the job. Relationships can be especially disappointing – like the woman who says that her husband cares more about his golf game than he does about her. There's disappointment all around us!
There's nothing wrong with these people who have been disappointed. Their desires are sincere. One of them wants to earn a living…another wants a builder who keeps his word…and another wants a husband who will honor his promises. They never thought that their dreams would be crushed. But now, what do they do with their disappointment and their broken hearts? These situations aren't just inconvenient hassles. Some disappointments are extremely difficult, and they can even change the course of our lives.
There's a fine line between disappointment and anger – between hurt and hate; and we have to be careful not to cross that line. Often, we face disappointment because – even though we have a sincere heart – we have unrealistic expectations. A pastor tells a story about his six-year-old daughter. They were discussing his work, and it seemed like she wasn't very happy with his profession. She wanted him to stop being a pastor.
She said, “I like you as a preacher, but I just really wish you sold ice cream cones.” It was a sincere statement. It made sense to her – that the happiest people in the world were the men who drove ice cream trucks, and…on top of that…it would also benefit her. Of course, her father didn't do what she wanted, because he knew more about life than she did. Disappointment!
As long as we're on this earth, we will all experience disappointment. Sometimes it's just a simple nuisance – like being stuck in a slow-moving line at the grocery store when we're in a big hurry; but sometimes, the disappointment can be painful – like when we sincerely pray for something that's crucially important to us – and God doesn't answer our prayer the way we want.
Max Lucado said, “Are we glad that God says, 'No' to what we want and, 'Yes' to what we need? Not always. If we ask for a new marriage, and He says, 'Honor the one you've got,'…we aren't happy. If we ask for healing, and He says, 'Learn through the pain,'...we aren't happy. If we ask for more money, and He says, 'Treasure the unseen,'…we aren't happy. When God doesn't do what we want, it's not easy. - Never has been. - Never will be; but faith is the belief that God knows more than we do about this life, and that He will be with us.”
As we gain wisdom, we can be thankful that God doesn't answer all of our requests. Very often, we need to restructure our expectations – so that they line up with God's will for our lives. “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)
Trust the Engineer
Corrie ten Boom said, “When the train goes through a tunnel and the world gets dark, do you jump out? Of course not. You sit still and trust the engineer to get you through." 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.”
When we feel like our disappointments are too heavy – we shouldn't panic. If we are followers of Christ - we want to pray for wisdom and patience…and be reminded that God is in control.
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