From: Muriel Luedeman
Prayer! Praise!! Progress!!!
Dear, Initiative Friends,
Praise Him! PRAISE Him!! PRAISE HIM!!!
The Independence Is Alive and Well Initiative has had weekly requests for tours of the Unity Center. Pastor Carline makes time for these tours to share God's vision and Divine Provision. Invariably, visitors see the good God is doing in the Center, and ask, " What do you need?" and "How can I help?" The Initiative's policy is not to ask for donations. We don't do fund raising or go for grants and government assistance. We pray and we step out in faith, do the work God gives us at hand, and He faithfully provides. This proves to us that we are not moving in our own strength, but God's, knowing this is HIS work, not ours. We wait and let the Holy Spirit move upon hearts to donate to this Kingdom building venture.
The next project is replacement windows. We are already over halfway to the goal of $99,000. God is so GOOD! $44,000 remains for installation of commercial grade energy efficient windows. See the attached photos. After the windows are installed, comes the exterior repair, re-stuccoing, and painting. Ongoing monthly expenses are utilities service and building liability insurance. If the Holy Spirit is urging you to do Christmas and year-end gifts, you may send donations made to The Unity Center of Independence, MEMO: UCI Windows. Mail to PO Box 521141, Independence, MO 64052. Unity Center Admin. hours are Monday - Wednesday, 9:00am to 2:00pm if you want to drop your donation off and see first hand the renovations being made.
Only God could do what we have seen happen in the Independence Is Alive and Well Initiative and the Unity Center in just 20 short months! 2020 was an amazing year of progress and blessing. The water damage insurance claim was settled in record time and the roof is repaired. The electricity was upgraded in the kitchen and a 3 basin commercial sink is operational and a new water heater is installed. Team Jesus provides hot meals on Saturdays, and volunteers fill between 120 and 180 meal bags twice a month for seven Beloveds camps, hand out supplies free of charge through the Jesus Store. The two wellness exam rooms are nearly ready for service to the Beloveds. We have had 30 to 80 volunteers, (Predominantly our LDS youth) turn out for the Neighborhood Clean Up Days on 2nd Saturdays to pick up litter and edge sidewalks. The Initiative church groups supported the City of Our God billboards and signs God launched through a dream given to a Kingdom minded sister. Pastor Carline and Team Jesus hosted a conference, Rebuilding the Broken Church October 8-10 and invited God's Ten billboard sign ministry, who blessed us with many full color vinyl billboard banners to hang up in the city to multiply the City Of Our God signs. God opened a door in February to send a team of eleven from Team Jesus to minister to orphanages and schools in Kenya. A 72 hour prayer vigil was held July 7th-9th.
As Beloveds are being served, they also are serving, to help with renovation, meal prep, and neighborhood clean up. That is the way God and the Kingdom works. First time volunteer, Christina, came to help with meal prep yesterday and left with a wheelchair for herself, a walker for an aunt, and Christmas gifts for a niece and nephew. The same day a young Beloved who came for a hot meal, shared that he helped prepare the Jesus Store this summer. The Jesus Store is fully operational, with shelving installed and volunteers coming in to sort and stock them. Beyond our initial expected clothing and personal items, we are receiving furniture and major appliances to pass along. Incredible provision! Many donations of time, materials, and funds keep us bountifully supplying needs and we are free of debt.
Please send this year end praise/progress report to your family and friends so they may be encouraged to know God is moving in our community.
I believe what we have witnessed this year proves that the God of the Universe is our kind, lavishing Father. May we lift our voices in joyous praise for God's goodness and grace toward us all.
Muriel Luedeman
Communications Secretary
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