Sometimes you get FloWeRs!

Sometimes, its the litte extra blessings that count!  Sunfresh gave us all these flowers one day!  They were about to throw them all out & we saved them from the dumpster. They put smiles on the faces of every lady that came to the food bank that day!  Not one went away empty handed. My flowers actually lasted a whole week!  God loves to smile on us : )

The Incredible, Shrinking Garage!!!

Well, it seems our garage is getting smaller, or the Food Bank is GROWING! Skip and I looked at some old pictures from just a few months ago. We thought we had so much food. Now we look at the abundance and we're amazed!!! We add people to our list weekly, so we're growing in numbers. We're over 200 now, and that represents some singles, students, some small families and some very large families! So, an accurate count of 'mouths', would be more like 600, or possible even 800. It's hard to believe!

God is pouring out the provision as the need grows. This is Shelly in the photo above. She picks up produce for us from HyVee on State Line. She had the idea, the burden & she ran with it! She is a blessing to us all. We now have more food than ever! The abundance is amazing. And there are always left overs that are taken to the base or FSM for those who can't come during hours to pick up something. Our garage is seemingly shrinking with all we bring in these days. We've tried to re-arrange and make the best of the space. But its obvious, that one of these days, we will need a bigger place! Even tho it's crowded with overstock items, I'm still not giving up my half of the garage we keep the Honda in!!! I'm holding out : ) So, meanwhile, we spill out to the drive way with some things. It's food bank, Al Fresco!!!

GIFTS

We are so grateful for all of you! This little garage gathering has turned out to be such a joy to us. We never thought it would turn out to be such a great community building point. But we're so glad it has become just that. Of course, we should have known...fellowship always revolves around FOOD!!! We just love sharing testimonies, prayers, praises, revelations & needs with you all. We love being a part of your lives in this way...and love that you all are a part of ours. Thank you for partnering with us in praying in the food and other blessings God gives us all. It's so much fun for us to see what Father brings us each week!

We love how so many of you have taken 'ownership' in this ministry...bringing us goodies out of your garden, or your kitchen pantry, or whatever God has given you to share with our IHOP family that gathers here. It's so good to see the body caring for one another & sowing what you have.

GOT MEAT???

God is so amazing! The awesome, generous, TYSON Company filled our 'vats' to overflowing! They donated 5,000 lbs...that's TWO AND A HALF TONS OF MEAT to Manna4u!!! It was so much meat, we couldn't contain it all. They would have given us another pallet, but we couldn't fit any more in the truck or in our freezers! So, remember to bless the Tyson company when choosing your meats at the grocery store. They have been very, very good to us!

Just in time for this trip to pick up a box-truck full of meat, we received a generous donation that covered our gas expenses to make the pick up...and a freezer repair to keep the meat in deep-freeze. So, thank you for your donations of finances! God seems to bring in just what we need, when we need it!!!

We will give out all these goodies over the course of 2 to 3 months, as that is how frequently we hope to receive donations from Tyson. We'll replenish the freezers once a week...so be sure to check for some meat. Remember our limits, so everyone gets some. They are always posted on the freezers. GOT MEAT???

"O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!" Romans 11:33

In a season where prices of food & fuel are hitting record highs, and the global economy is tottering...and even some stores are limiting the amount of rice one can purchase...our awesome GOD, in His fore-knowledge and wisdom gave us an abundance of rice for His storehouse! He poured out a blessing we could barely contain! Just before news of this rice shortage hit the headlines, we received a donation of a pallet of rice...and a pallet of pinto beans. The type that covers the page in the photo above are actual news stories that were circulating. We've given quite a bit away, but still have plenty to weather the storms. God will take care of His own...no matter the circumstances around us. He's proving it to us now in the everyday things that we may have faith when things get even more difficult. There's no need to hoarde...no need to worry...God will rain manna from Heaven if that's what it takes to feed His people! Upon pondering the incredible wisdom of God, it occurred to me...He even knows the exact number of rice grains in this pallet! This is our JEHOVAH JIREH!!!
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Is it just a garage???

SMALL
BEGINNINGS.....

From the Werner's small garage, to our slightly larger garage accomodations... the Manna 4 U food ministry has moved, as of the later part of March, '08! Thomas & Manon have served faithfully for over a year now & passed the torch on to us. It has been our hearts to supply the youth & families here in what ever way the Lord allows. So when this lot fell to us, we gratefully accepted the opportunity to fulfill this desire & supply His people here at IHOP with the food He provides! The Werners still come over & help us, as we used to help them. We're SO glad, as we've really formed a bond with their family. We count it a priviledge to serve.We get to fulfill the Abrahamic covenenant; to ...

"Be Blessed...and Be a Blessing!"

We believe this is only the beginning & God will enlarge this ministry to include the supply of a multitude of needs His people may have. So many come here with nothing, having left everything behind. Many students have such basic needs as beds & bedding & do without. We're asking...We'll see what the Lord will do! One thing is sure...It will be an exciting journey of trusting Him & watching Him provide.