With all the talk these days of social distancing, let’s all be smart and practice physical distancing – but let’s also develop some new habits for connecting in ways that encourage and comfort!  Connecting through the phone and email can serve as emotional and spiritual lifelines to friends, family, and neighbors. This is a wonderful time to connect more deeply with Scripture and the Holy Spirit in quiet times. And, if you’ve got a little bit of technology, join the twice weekly ZOOM prayer group organized by Love INC (contact Karina House at karinahouse44@gmail.com to join).

Love INC continues to connect with our neighbors. A dedicated crew of volunteers is answering Love INC phone calls from home, and we have been checking in with many Love INC neighbors on a regular basis. This week, we called the folks who are enrolled in our temporarily-suspended Building Hope II and Affirming Potential classes. Jennifer reported a beautiful time of prayer and encouragement with one class participant who, in spite of many health challenges, refuses to dwell on the negative!  What an inspiration! Another class attendee reported being very low on food and concerned about their ability to get out and pick up supplies. We directed them to a meal-delivery ministry and also delivered some groceries to the doorstep.  Yet another Love INC volunteer is connecting weekly with a particularly vulnerable class attendee who is feeling isolated.

Our volunteers are also making an effort to check in with our most vulnerable, isolated clients. We were able to pray with and encourage several people this week. We delivered some much-needed groceries and household items to a wheel-chair bound grandparent caring for grandchildren.  We helped guide a single mom who just lost her job toward food banks and how to file for unemployment. Several neighbors expressed how much it means just to have someone to talk to.  Linda said, “One neighbor called just so that we could pray together for the healing and protection of the world, and she prayed for us (Love INC).”

The Body of Christ is active, praying, and serving in this time of isolation. May His Name be glorified! If you have a desire to sew, or cook, or offer some other assistance, contact Volunteer Coordinator Jewel Ratzlaff at jewel.ratzlaff@gmail.org or 845-416-5964.