These toys will be taken to these precious grandmothers Christmas Eve.
Bishop Speaks
Toys for grannies … Help! The gift of giving
Listen up all my readers who have been blessed by Bishop Speaks this past year. If you've been blessed, encouraged, lifted up, enlightened, and inspired by my column it's time you help this ministry out and bless back.
One of our ministries here at the In Touch for Christ Christian Center is “groceries for grannies,” but now as Christmas is moving fast toward us, this ministry is collecting “Toys for Grannies” -- Toys for precious, proud, loving yet humble grandmothers, who instead of sitting down and enjoying their last years on earth relaxing, they are taking care of their grandchildren.
These precious grandmothers are not asking for a "hand-out", but yet a "helping hand-up." This Christmas Season, this ministry team here at In Touch are reaching out to each of you to assist us with making sure these grandmothers on a fixed income will have toys for their grandchildren.
What I love about all these grandmothers that I've followed during this year is that they are not greedy, but in reality are in need of assistance. Many of these grandmothers don't get assistance by any agency and really don't want any agency to assist them. One proud grandmother told me, "Dey gonna mess with my monthly money Bishop."
The grandmothers I'm talking about are taking care of two or more grandchildren. These grandmothers have often told me this month of December that they have sat down with their grandchildren and told them, "Having food to eat and a roof over yall's head is a gift." To us as adults that sounds great, but these children should and will have toys under their tree Christmas Morning, as my ministry team will walk by faith. We cannot be so heavenly bound, that we are no earthly good for these precious children.
These grandmothers don't have and didn't have a way to get to functions to get toys for their grandchildren. One eighty-one year old grandmother, taking care of two grandchildren, while both her daughter their mother is in prison for one more year and their father in prison as well for selling drugs, told me, "Bishop, I went to my church to get toys for my grandchildren, but the staff at the church got the best toys for their children and when I tried to get to the front for toys, I was ran over by the other adults." She continued, "I just walked on back home." I called her pastor and told her what happened to this grandmother, a week later have not heard from her pastor or received any toys. I guess that pastor got some of the best toys for her four kids as well. SCANDELOUS!
Some of these grandmothers who I've spoken with have said they will put off getting their medication just to buy a few toys. One grandmother told me and she was so cute with no teeth in her mouth said, "I ain't begging for nothing bishop, God gave us the greatest gift, His Son, Jesus Christ." This grandmother was on point, but do kids understand this? I'm sure they do if we explain this to them, but also they should enjoy the gift of JESUS and enjoy the gift of toys. RIGHT?
Saying all this, what do I need from each of you, my readers, who have been blessed by my Bishop Speaks column this past year to do?
What am I requesting from each of you who have stopped me in grocery stores, at the mall, the gas station, in the Just Us Center, I mean the Justice Center Downtown. Those of you who have e-mailed me, called me, been blessed by this In Touch Ministry. WHAT DO I NEED AND PRAY YOU'D DO?
This Saturday, Dec. 17, between 2-5 p.m., stop by the In Touch for Christ Christian Center, 969 E. 140th, (Off St. Clair Ave) in the heart of the Collinwood Community, directly across the street from the Job Corps Campus and drop off a toy, or better than that, drop off some toys. You don't even have to wrap them as the ministry team will wrap them, put age, boy or girl, for the toy to go to that individual.
These toys will be taken to these precious grandmothers Christmas Eve.
Meet me personally and have a cup of Hot Chocolate between these hours. If you don't have time, won't make time to buy a toy, stop by and drop off your check made out to In Touch for Grannies and the team will buy the toy for you.
Ok, I guess I've said enough and the faith walk will start. Looking forward to seeing each of you this Saturday between the above hours. The church number is (216) 761-7100 but don't call up, just show up with your toy, toys, or your check. Amen! And remember JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THIS SEASON.
You can e-mail the bishop at bishopspeaks@aol.com, visit him on facebook under Bishop Prince J. Moultry or call him at the church (216) 761-7100. Join him each Sunday morning 11a.m. sharp for Praise and Worship at the above address.
