From Gods Hands is a needs based ministry that helps supply an immediate assistance to hungry families and children in Spartanburg County, vote below on how you think we can best help.
Sunday, June 29, 2014
the best worst happiest saddest hardest easiest encouraging and discouraging week of my life
I can say a lot of things about this past week. I can tell you that I was sick one day. I can tell you that people got on my nerves everyday. I can tell you that I am ashamed of my lack of experience with a hammer and nail. I can tell you that my anger for the cruelty on earth toward innocent children makes me actually want to kill people. I could say that it infuriates me when people speak before they think, that they yell before they count to 10, that they can't always get along. I can tell you that it bothers me that people make rules and then ignore them.
I can also tell you that I have never been more fulfilled in my life. I can tell you that I fell in love with a family of total strangers I can tell you that I was sent to Lake City this past week by God, not because of a promise I made to the youth and not because I was asked to go but because God placed me there. I am overwhelmed at the more than 30 camps around the state of South Carolina that did the same thing in the past couple of weeks. I'm grateful for the relationships that I've made to the bonds that will last a lifetime with not only the people I shared a bedroom with but with the people I worked on the house with with the people that fed me with the people who hugged me with the people who gave me free drinks at the lumber store to the people who gave us free supplies at the concrete company.
all of those things that I can tell you about are wonderful and great but for the rest of my life when I think of Lake City in 2014 I will only see one thing... I will see a beautiful little girl twirling around on a smooth floor in a living room floor safe from rain and storms in a house safe from falling trees in a yard with no dangerous stump to hurt herself on in a house that no longer has black mold to make her sick. She has bathroom lights that work, and ceiling fans that work and will help to keep her house cool...God placed us in Lake City but he placed ladybug McFadden in my heart...its always about the children with me and it will always be about the children with me I'm going to sleep much better knowing that she's not going to have cuts on her feet from dancing like a little girl should do in her own house! God bless Salkahatchie...God bless its supporters and God bless the McFadden family.
I can also tell you that I have never been more fulfilled in my life. I can tell you that I fell in love with a family of total strangers I can tell you that I was sent to Lake City this past week by God, not because of a promise I made to the youth and not because I was asked to go but because God placed me there. I am overwhelmed at the more than 30 camps around the state of South Carolina that did the same thing in the past couple of weeks. I'm grateful for the relationships that I've made to the bonds that will last a lifetime with not only the people I shared a bedroom with but with the people I worked on the house with with the people that fed me with the people who hugged me with the people who gave me free drinks at the lumber store to the people who gave us free supplies at the concrete company.
all of those things that I can tell you about are wonderful and great but for the rest of my life when I think of Lake City in 2014 I will only see one thing... I will see a beautiful little girl twirling around on a smooth floor in a living room floor safe from rain and storms in a house safe from falling trees in a yard with no dangerous stump to hurt herself on in a house that no longer has black mold to make her sick. She has bathroom lights that work, and ceiling fans that work and will help to keep her house cool...God placed us in Lake City but he placed ladybug McFadden in my heart...its always about the children with me and it will always be about the children with me I'm going to sleep much better knowing that she's not going to have cuts on her feet from dancing like a little girl should do in her own house! God bless Salkahatchie...God bless its supporters and God bless the McFadden family.
Thursday, June 26, 2014
Wednesday, June 25, 2014
day six
Today was rough....Lots of missteps and frustrations, lots of disappointments...flooring is harder than i thought...roofing is hot, painting is going slow, the teens are getting hot and bitchy...but you know what? there is a four year old girl named Ladybug...that smiles everytime she sees us...she doesnt know us, doesnt know why we are here or what we are doing, but she knows we are here to help, therefore----By GOD, she WILL be getting new laminate wood flooring, a new roof, and a painted porch, new kitchen sub flooring, and new safe ceiling fans, BECAUSE HER FAITH IN US HAS RENEWED OUR FAITH IN GOD AND EACH OTHER!!!! God Bless Ladybug McFadden! N God Bless Sakahatchie!
Feeling much better today....i woke up early to center myself and give a private thank you to God for seeing me through yesterday even though im having trouble being thankful for 7 hours of vomiting.
Im seeing alot of things here that could quite possibly be used in my future work with FGH.
The organization of things and the meer fact that we are all gathered together to complete a common goal...this is how i want FGH to operate.
As i look at the Articles of Organization that are waiting for signatures, i cant help but daydream about the future of Spartanburg County. I cant help but daydream about what i know needs to be done at home...
Feeling a bit philosophical today, so be prepared for a lengthy report tonight!
Todays word is Courage.
Lets see how far we can take it!
Im seeing alot of things here that could quite possibly be used in my future work with FGH.
The organization of things and the meer fact that we are all gathered together to complete a common goal...this is how i want FGH to operate.
As i look at the Articles of Organization that are waiting for signatures, i cant help but daydream about the future of Spartanburg County. I cant help but daydream about what i know needs to be done at home...
Feeling a bit philosophical today, so be prepared for a lengthy report tonight!
Todays word is Courage.
Lets see how far we can take it!
Tuesday, June 24, 2014
Day 4 at Lake City
As the campers return today the sky is overcast and full of dark clouds signifying rain, which is a welcome site I am sure for the workers today.
I was down for the count today. I'm not used to the food we have been eating here. Its been amazing good but did a number on my stomach. So I made the decision to stay behind today and let nature take its course.
Having said that, I was amazed how fast the day went by for me:( I am feeling better now and will be back on site tomorrow!! Three apples for dinner and an orange for dessert is all I am allowing myself today...Tomorrow is a new day.
I am eagerly awaiting my teams return. I cant wait to hear about how well they did on the house today. So much I wanted to get done with the kids, but I'm sure they took care of all they could!
I guess age and life has caught me trying to be younger and more agile than i am. I need to pace and be ready for what comes tomorrow!!!
To Maggie, Bryan, Kristina, Trey, Caleb, Hanna, Evelyn, Alexis, Sean and Wren...Im sooo sorry I let yall down today!
I was down for the count today. I'm not used to the food we have been eating here. Its been amazing good but did a number on my stomach. So I made the decision to stay behind today and let nature take its course.
Having said that, I was amazed how fast the day went by for me:( I am feeling better now and will be back on site tomorrow!! Three apples for dinner and an orange for dessert is all I am allowing myself today...Tomorrow is a new day.
I am eagerly awaiting my teams return. I cant wait to hear about how well they did on the house today. So much I wanted to get done with the kids, but I'm sure they took care of all they could!
I guess age and life has caught me trying to be younger and more agile than i am. I need to pace and be ready for what comes tomorrow!!!
To Maggie, Bryan, Kristina, Trey, Caleb, Hanna, Evelyn, Alexis, Sean and Wren...Im sooo sorry I let yall down today!
Monday, June 23, 2014
Day three......
A little less enthusiastic today...
I Know nothing about the work I am doing. It's very frustrating to see so much work going on and not know the first thing on what to do to pitch in and help.
So, you all know me, I turned to the six kids and just started wrangling them in like sheep...So I guess if Bryan and Maggie and Kristina and Trey are our site leaders I am its shepherd. Im proud to be too!!! It's what I am good at.
Our team has six awesome kids: Wren, Caleb Shawn and Alexis, Evelyn and Hanna...I took right away to these kids. They were all eager to help and make things better for this family.
I was told not to post the negative because it's counterproductive to what we are trying to accomplish, but I feel like I need to be honest and do it anyway...
Imagine being a teenager with five brothers and sisters and having 11 complete strangers in your house working on things that interfere with your life, your summer and your sleep schedule...Well,we have a teenager that is less than happy that we are invading his space. I am only telling you this because of the lesson we have been sharing with our teens. We are here not only to be workers on these sites but to be the hands feet and mouth of our LORD!!!
This is such an important task, being the Lords mouth. Maybe by the end of the week this teenager will be
happy that we came and maybe he will find himself closer to God! I know we will! We are here because the Lord sent us...He will take care of the rest!
The coolest thing about today, for me and Maggie, was that we were able to provide our homeowner with new Laminate wood flooring that was above and beyond our budget thanks to the UMCC Youth fundraiser!!!! We got a great deal so if you need to find cheap flooring, i can tell you where to go!!!
If you don't already know how amazing the UMCC youth are, just ask someone!
OK, today was awesome....Tomorrow is a new day!!!!!
Goodnight from Lake City!!!!!
Love Rob
I Know nothing about the work I am doing. It's very frustrating to see so much work going on and not know the first thing on what to do to pitch in and help.
So, you all know me, I turned to the six kids and just started wrangling them in like sheep...So I guess if Bryan and Maggie and Kristina and Trey are our site leaders I am its shepherd. Im proud to be too!!! It's what I am good at.
Our team has six awesome kids: Wren, Caleb Shawn and Alexis, Evelyn and Hanna...I took right away to these kids. They were all eager to help and make things better for this family.
I was told not to post the negative because it's counterproductive to what we are trying to accomplish, but I feel like I need to be honest and do it anyway...
Imagine being a teenager with five brothers and sisters and having 11 complete strangers in your house working on things that interfere with your life, your summer and your sleep schedule...Well,we have a teenager that is less than happy that we are invading his space. I am only telling you this because of the lesson we have been sharing with our teens. We are here not only to be workers on these sites but to be the hands feet and mouth of our LORD!!!
This is such an important task, being the Lords mouth. Maybe by the end of the week this teenager will be
happy that we came and maybe he will find himself closer to God! I know we will! We are here because the Lord sent us...He will take care of the rest!
The coolest thing about today, for me and Maggie, was that we were able to provide our homeowner with new Laminate wood flooring that was above and beyond our budget thanks to the UMCC Youth fundraiser!!!! We got a great deal so if you need to find cheap flooring, i can tell you where to go!!!
If you don't already know how amazing the UMCC youth are, just ask someone!
OK, today was awesome....Tomorrow is a new day!!!!!
Goodnight from Lake City!!!!!
Love Rob
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Day 2 Post 2
ok, I don't usually post twice in one day but I am trying to fill some of the free time in my afternoon.
We went and spent sometime today with the family that we will be helping. The father of the family is very happy that we are there,in fact they all seem to be. Being a father myself I can say I hurt for him slightly because he is in less than perfect health and seems to want to supply his family with a safe and nice home but just isnt able to complete the job.
Every light fixture in the home is either broken or barely working. The flooring in the laundry room is soft and giving, because of the moisture under the house and the fact that this room is used for Laundry, the ceiling is also peeling away, yes...POPCORN SPRAY STUCCO STUFF...this will be my job:)
There are lots of screens missing from the windows, and the roof must be reshingled and the house needs pressure washing due to black mold growing in the siding. several banisters and rungs need replaced on the front porch... lots of electrical work needs to be done and there is a giant dead tree leaning into the walkway threatening the house. The "stump" has a giant gaping sinkhole that needs filling and there are treesthat need to be cut back...
Our team consists of me, Maggie Funderburk three other adults and six fourteen year old youth...three females and three males...Each youth has a special talent that I can't wait to see, I have already warned everyone that my special talent is laughing hysterically and running from loud noises, but no one found that funny.
Maggie and I have decided to contribute to the flooring if we can find it cheap enough, through the fundraising we did at church...Having said that, the flooring is important because I know from past experience that ripped up vinyl flooring and particle sub flooring equals bloody feet, and these kids deserve better!!!!!!
OK,
It is now almost time for dinner, then a trip to the swimming pool that I will miss in turn for a private long shower!!!!!
The end of Day 2 is closing in on me and i am still feeling really good
Contunue to pray for us cause its freakin hot!!!!
love,
Rob
We went and spent sometime today with the family that we will be helping. The father of the family is very happy that we are there,in fact they all seem to be. Being a father myself I can say I hurt for him slightly because he is in less than perfect health and seems to want to supply his family with a safe and nice home but just isnt able to complete the job.
Every light fixture in the home is either broken or barely working. The flooring in the laundry room is soft and giving, because of the moisture under the house and the fact that this room is used for Laundry, the ceiling is also peeling away, yes...POPCORN SPRAY STUCCO STUFF...this will be my job:)
There are lots of screens missing from the windows, and the roof must be reshingled and the house needs pressure washing due to black mold growing in the siding. several banisters and rungs need replaced on the front porch... lots of electrical work needs to be done and there is a giant dead tree leaning into the walkway threatening the house. The "stump" has a giant gaping sinkhole that needs filling and there are treesthat need to be cut back...
Our team consists of me, Maggie Funderburk three other adults and six fourteen year old youth...three females and three males...Each youth has a special talent that I can't wait to see, I have already warned everyone that my special talent is laughing hysterically and running from loud noises, but no one found that funny.
Maggie and I have decided to contribute to the flooring if we can find it cheap enough, through the fundraising we did at church...Having said that, the flooring is important because I know from past experience that ripped up vinyl flooring and particle sub flooring equals bloody feet, and these kids deserve better!!!!!!
OK,
It is now almost time for dinner, then a trip to the swimming pool that I will miss in turn for a private long shower!!!!!
The end of Day 2 is closing in on me and i am still feeling really good
Contunue to pray for us cause its freakin hot!!!!
love,
Rob
Salkahatchie Day 2!!
So this is day two!!
I am still stoked to be here. I am stuffed like a pig after Bill’s team
prepared an awesome breakfast. A ton of
food!
After church and a few site meetings and a trip to
Lowes/Lake City Lumber we will have a lot of free time today. This is good…I
need time to collect myself and gather my senses. My anxiety levels rise and fall as I prepare
to do this work that I have never ever done before.
But after talking with my team yesterday evening, I see that
I’m not the only GREEN one here. This
makes me feel a little better. My camp
team is full of experienced workers too so I feel pretty good about the work
that is about to be done.
As I laid down to sleep last night, trying to sleep with
teen horseplay going on down the hall, I realized that all these kids are here
to begin a lifetime of outreach and mission work. I am proud to be here helping
to guide them and bring them closer to this world of giving that I love SOO
much!
I cannot believe that I have spent such a huge part of my life hating!
I vowed to give myself to mission work. I replaced a life of
selfishness, greed and hate with the acceptance of HIS Grace and His Love! I grew in Selfishness, Hate and greed through
hate, Hate of God, Hate of Life and Hate what I had allowed my life to become.
It took a lot of time and Doctors’ time for me to accept God’s
plan in my life, to remember the loss of my son as God’s will and not God’s
punishment. So in atonement for all of
the things I failed at, and for the Love and care that I cannot lavish upon my
son, I do this work for others and I created for God this Organization to feed
the hungry. To ensure the care for the people we still have here on Earth.
Only through compassion and Love can we be good disciples
for God. Only through Love can we set good examples as the body of Christ in
this broken world.
My prayer today is that we all find our place in this
hurting and needful society and in that place we find God’s Grace and accept it
as what it was intended for…OUR SALVATION !!
Love to everyone!
Rob!
Saturday, June 21, 2014
Salkahatchie Summer Service Day One
Wow, What a day it has been.
Actually I should start by saying WOW what a month it has been.
Stress and anxiety have been completely consuming me for the past couple of weeks. So many different things have been influencing me lately and its been crazy.
It has been a blessing to be able to leave the stress and frustrations of life in Chesnee behind for a week, even though its going to be a tough week full of work and labor that I am not used to, It is a nice change of pace...But like I said earlier, it's just day one, I am sure my view will be different monday or tuesday.
So after a HOT drive from Spartanburg to Williamsburg County SC (my AC is officially out) we had some time to get acquainted with the youth and some of the other adults on the trip, We had a nice dinner of Chicken Bog (which most people have no idea about unless you are low country-fied), pickled slaw and amazing desserts prepared by the Lake City UMC's Women. What a treat to be treated like family by these awesome examples of GOD's Love. After dinner we spent some time preparing for our week.
This evening games ensue...tons of board games and corn hole as well as chatting about past experiences. I do feel a little left out of most of the conversation, but everyone from my church knew how insecure and anxious I have been and have been accommodating... Plus I wont lie, I plan on sleeping alot!!!!!
I am looking forward to worship tomorrow with these faithful people in the great PEE DEE area of our awesome state!
I got to spend some time with Cesalee tonight as she came to have dinner with me, it was a real treat, i wasnt too happy she came all this way alone, but she is independent like her pop( plus its only 45 minutes away)!
My site is a house belonging to a family of 6, They live in a home that is plagued by moisture issues, soft ground and poor air flow. The constant moisture has caused mold to grow on the exterior of the house, and the flooring has buckled. This house will also be getting a new roof. I know absolutely NO ONE in my camp site except for Maggie. I met several of the workers in May, but im going into this scared and green
So pray for my nerves and my anxiety, PLEASE!!!!!!
So now on to more great news!!!!
From Gods Hands is now officially a South Carolina registered nonprofit organization. I have my articles of incorporation in hand and once my officers and directors have signed the documents we will be in business!!!!
The Treasury Agent and CFO for the Charity is Linda Moore. Her responsibilities are specifically financial, She will hold the checkbook so to speak and help me with financial oversight.
My Board of Directors consists of three women I trust to be both reasonable and impartial
Robin Watson
Becky Barrett
and
Rhonda Funderburk (Pro Tempore)
Well that is all for tonight from Lake City, SC. I will be checking in every day on the blog and on the facebook page. Keep praying for us and for the charity and remember...Love each other like Jesus loved us and it'll all be alright!!!!!
Night!!
Actually I should start by saying WOW what a month it has been.
Stress and anxiety have been completely consuming me for the past couple of weeks. So many different things have been influencing me lately and its been crazy.
It has been a blessing to be able to leave the stress and frustrations of life in Chesnee behind for a week, even though its going to be a tough week full of work and labor that I am not used to, It is a nice change of pace...But like I said earlier, it's just day one, I am sure my view will be different monday or tuesday.
So after a HOT drive from Spartanburg to Williamsburg County SC (my AC is officially out) we had some time to get acquainted with the youth and some of the other adults on the trip, We had a nice dinner of Chicken Bog (which most people have no idea about unless you are low country-fied), pickled slaw and amazing desserts prepared by the Lake City UMC's Women. What a treat to be treated like family by these awesome examples of GOD's Love. After dinner we spent some time preparing for our week.
This evening games ensue...tons of board games and corn hole as well as chatting about past experiences. I do feel a little left out of most of the conversation, but everyone from my church knew how insecure and anxious I have been and have been accommodating... Plus I wont lie, I plan on sleeping alot!!!!!
I am looking forward to worship tomorrow with these faithful people in the great PEE DEE area of our awesome state!
I got to spend some time with Cesalee tonight as she came to have dinner with me, it was a real treat, i wasnt too happy she came all this way alone, but she is independent like her pop( plus its only 45 minutes away)!
My site is a house belonging to a family of 6, They live in a home that is plagued by moisture issues, soft ground and poor air flow. The constant moisture has caused mold to grow on the exterior of the house, and the flooring has buckled. This house will also be getting a new roof. I know absolutely NO ONE in my camp site except for Maggie. I met several of the workers in May, but im going into this scared and green
So pray for my nerves and my anxiety, PLEASE!!!!!!
So now on to more great news!!!!
From Gods Hands is now officially a South Carolina registered nonprofit organization. I have my articles of incorporation in hand and once my officers and directors have signed the documents we will be in business!!!!
The Treasury Agent and CFO for the Charity is Linda Moore. Her responsibilities are specifically financial, She will hold the checkbook so to speak and help me with financial oversight.
My Board of Directors consists of three women I trust to be both reasonable and impartial
Robin Watson
Becky Barrett
and
Rhonda Funderburk (Pro Tempore)
Well that is all for tonight from Lake City, SC. I will be checking in every day on the blog and on the facebook page. Keep praying for us and for the charity and remember...Love each other like Jesus loved us and it'll all be alright!!!!!
Night!!
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
non profit!!!!!
after receiving word from the state of South Carolina that my 501 c3 has been accepted I am now faced with new possibility and purpose! my goal is to raise money for a food truck...It can be an ice cream truck a conversion van an old bread truck any kind of vehicle that can be converted into a distribution vehicle so that we can more easily get meals and light medical supplies to the people who need it in the Upstate South Carolina especially Spartanburg County.
it is very difficult for a lot of people in our community to imagine being hungry but I assure everyone reading this that there are thousands of people in our own county who go without everyday because they simply can't afford the food and that's where I want to step in that's where God wants me to step in and that's where we all need to step in.
we all come across financial difficulty in our lives, we all go through periods where we can't pay our bills and we all go through periods where we can't afford to buy the little things in life that we feel like we should be able to buy.
I personally believe that there is something that we should all have access to freely...food.
yes food for sustenance and food for life food for our children, food for our family and food for health.
food is the one thing besides water that we have to have to live. We can live homeless and we can live uneducated and we can live without money for clothing but we cannot cannot live without food and water there's no way around it.
yes I'm asking for help...I'm begging I'm on my knees praying to God that someone reading this will help. As I have aged I have seen the atrocities that happen on our planet in our country and our community everyday. It is time for us to take responsibility for each other, to stop being selfish and ensure that our brothers and sisters are given the essential items that they need to survive.
I'm only one person with a calling and I live in a community that doesn't have a lot of support for this Calling...some of my closest friends could give a crap about what I'm doing and some total strangers have gone out of their way to give me advice on how to reach the next level with my nonprofit.
starting in July we are going to get back on to the fundraising trail and figure out how to get the ball rolling on this endeavor...those of you who know me know that I do not ask for money directly I have done a couple of online fundraisers but have never really come right out and asked for money, until now. If everyone reading this article where to donate $1 to the Paypal account or to the go fund me account we could reach our goal and get back to work quickly.
the Lord laid this calling on me, and I accept it! Now I hope HE will touch your heart and have you help too. God bless you all and I look forward to updating you...
Rob.
http://fromgodshands.blogspot.com/
it is very difficult for a lot of people in our community to imagine being hungry but I assure everyone reading this that there are thousands of people in our own county who go without everyday because they simply can't afford the food and that's where I want to step in that's where God wants me to step in and that's where we all need to step in.
we all come across financial difficulty in our lives, we all go through periods where we can't pay our bills and we all go through periods where we can't afford to buy the little things in life that we feel like we should be able to buy.
I personally believe that there is something that we should all have access to freely...food.
yes food for sustenance and food for life food for our children, food for our family and food for health.
food is the one thing besides water that we have to have to live. We can live homeless and we can live uneducated and we can live without money for clothing but we cannot cannot live without food and water there's no way around it.
yes I'm asking for help...I'm begging I'm on my knees praying to God that someone reading this will help. As I have aged I have seen the atrocities that happen on our planet in our country and our community everyday. It is time for us to take responsibility for each other, to stop being selfish and ensure that our brothers and sisters are given the essential items that they need to survive.
I'm only one person with a calling and I live in a community that doesn't have a lot of support for this Calling...some of my closest friends could give a crap about what I'm doing and some total strangers have gone out of their way to give me advice on how to reach the next level with my nonprofit.
starting in July we are going to get back on to the fundraising trail and figure out how to get the ball rolling on this endeavor...those of you who know me know that I do not ask for money directly I have done a couple of online fundraisers but have never really come right out and asked for money, until now. If everyone reading this article where to donate $1 to the Paypal account or to the go fund me account we could reach our goal and get back to work quickly.
the Lord laid this calling on me, and I accept it! Now I hope HE will touch your heart and have you help too. God bless you all and I look forward to updating you...
Rob.
http://fromgodshands.blogspot.com/
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