LCC received an e-mail from a woman in
Florida in a desperate state. “It’s like one bad thing after another,”
she wrote. The single mother of one had lived her whole life in
Illinois, and had grown up in the Lutheran church. After moving to
Florida, her financial troubles started. Her boyfriend and his child
were also having financial trouble, and most of them needed emergency
dental work. Tim Hetzner contacted Pastor Charles Kanefke of Trinity
Lutheran Church in Cape Coral, Flordia, a LCMS congregation in her area.
He asked Pastor Kanefke if he would be able to meet with her. LCC
praises God for His presence in the events that unfolded, and is
especially grateful to Pastor Kanefke for taking the time to share the
continuation of Krissy’s story....
From:
Rev Charles Kanefke [mailto:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
]
Sent: Thursday, December
11, 2008 9:39 AM
To: 'Tim Hetzner'
Subject: RE: Mission
Outreach to Family in your Area
Tim,
I have
some exciting news for you. Krissy came in to our church and we had a very
nice visit. She had grown up Lutheran and had been attending church
regularly in the Chicago area with her daughter. But when they moved down
here they never connected with a church and were, in her own description,
spiritually adrift. We were able to help Krissy & Jim with their water and
electric bills. Then we helped them with the first month’s rent on a new
apartment and our men’s club helped them to move their furniture. So they
are now in a good situation there.
But that
is not where the good news ends.
Krissy
began regularly attending worship here with her daughter, and a few weeks
later Jim started to attend also. In fact, I think partly because of the
men’s club involvement, they have really begun to bond with the members of
our congregation (we’re a friendly bunch, anyway). We had been praying for
their financial situation to improve, and suddenly Jim told us a few days
ago that he was hired on as a plumber with a local firm – full benefits and
all! They really see the hand of God in all of this! What a great gift –
far greater than just having their finances improve!
This has
also been a great gift for our congregation. Whenever they can get
personally involved in someone’s situation and see the Holy Spirit at work,
it boosts our own faith and commitment.
Thank
you for referring them to us and giving us the opportunity to serve them!
May you and your organization continue to be blessed by our Lord throughout
this season of Christmas and the new year!
Peace &
Blessings!
Rev.
Charles J. Kanefke
Trinity Lutheran Church - Cape Coral, FL
Phone: 239-772-0172
Psalm
46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God!" |
