The James II Project

Busy week so far!

Great meal yesterday at FUMC. Was able to help a new friend get the funds he needs to get his birth certificate and ID. Another friend is headed out of town to treatment thanks to Scott Hartmann from PreventEd.

Today at Sal Army we gave away all of our food! We had over 60 friends there for lunch! Wow! We rejoiced with a long time friend that needed help removing a broken down garage due to disrepair. We had a team of James II volunteers, Connect Church STL volunteers, Catholic Charities and St. Vincent DePaul volunteers that went over Friday and cleared everything out and then a new dumpster was brought in and tore down the garage. He has been a friend of ours since we began the meals and he was the first one to say we are his family. So thankful for the hearts of those that have come alongside our friends to help.

High Ridge is busy today as well. The heat drives people inside to get a reprieve. We had a few amazing visitors! 2 of our friends that went to Adult Teen Challenge came by to say hi! One is graduating and deciding to stay on as an intern! The other gentleman is doing so well and is thankful to be safe and in a place where he can get healthy and find hope!

We received word that another friend was able to keep their housing after having issues with a neighbor. He struggles with PTSD as a veteran and it has been hard. We pray for him and are so thankful he was able to work things out and is still safe. God is working in so many peoples lives and we love watching Him move.

NEED HAS BEEN MET! God is good.

URGENT:

WE NEED TWO LARGE DOG KENNELS.

We have a friend that has been taken in for a warrant and has two dogs. We have found a place to take them but we need 2 large dog kennels for them to stay in...
Please text 314-675-0375 if you can help.

Over the past 3 years we have watched God work in so many miraculous ways. We know that a miracle is only something God can do , and we truly believe that James II is something only God could have orchestrated. Part of that orchestration is how He has built His team of servants. Throughout these past three years we have marveled at the heart and dedication each of our amazing volunteers have exhibited as they have answered the call to be His hands and feet by serving those in our community that are facing unimaginable difficulties.

To that end, we want to announce that we have brought Susan Altnether on to be our Program Director. Susan has been a driving force in constructing our Policies and Procedures, organizing our volunteers, implementing our handbook and has been a key part of our team as she has exhibited amazing empathy and strength as we help our friends navigate their circumstances.

Please pray for Susan as she steps into this role that is so suited for her! We are so thankful for her!

We have had another great week serving our friends in the community that are seeking hope!

We were able to see 4 friends head out to various treatment facilities within Missouri.

Have been able to provide bus tickets to a few more that needed to get to a place where they would have shelter and safety.

Provided 156 seats at the table to help provide resources to our friends in need! God is good!

Have a great weekend!

First Christian Church Hematite delivered blessing bags made by the VBS group! Partnering together is so important!!!

Today we were maxed out at The Salvation Army. 10 new faces and great meal!

We are so truly blessed to be able to partner with the amazing churches and Salvation Army to serve our meals in their buildings.

We have a few more friends heading to treatment today and tomorrow. What a huge blessing Scott has been from PreventEd!

Have a great weekend!

This week we have been blessed to be able to help many in Festus, Arnold and High Ridge.

Monday we served 30 friends in need.

A man contacted us last week and we were finally able to connect with him Monday. He and is son live in his van but recently the air conditioner went out and he was desperately trying to find them shelter from the heat. He began working and was given a subsidy to begin child care for his son so he can go to work, but they needed help. We were able to secure a hotel room for a week with the help of the Southern Vicariate office and then took them to the store to get food. He was so thankful and we were so blessed to be able to help.

Tuesday we served 46 friends in need at Sal Army.

A post came out on FB from a family needing a few nights of help as they had a water main break and their air conditioning needed repair. There are 7 children in the family and the mother was super worried about their welfare. We were able to work out a deal with a local hotel and get them a few nights to get through until the water is repaired and their AC is working. She was tearful and relieved when we were able to help. She said that people judge them and she felt foolish and like she had no hope. She was reminded that she is made in the image of God and worthy of dignity and that her circumstances do not define who she is.

Tuesday afternoon we served 18 friends in need in High Ridge.

Last week we had no air for our friends or volunteers, but praise God the air was able to be repaired and our friends got a reprieve from the heat. Our large family came in and played a game of UNO together, the kids were running around and having a good time. We had 2 new faces. The meal was welcomed and everyone was thankful.

Every week our phone rings many times each day, we do our best to provide information on resources that can help our new friends overcome whatever obstacle they are facing. With God as our guide we will continue to work towards our motto that one meal can change a life.

Karin

Another week of meals in the book!

Festus meal was full on Monday, Tuesday meals were busy and today was super full at Salvation Army.

We have new friends that are deaf and unhoused, 3 new phone calls today of people that are losing housing or without housing and have children, 3 new friends at our meal that need housing and several other needs.

Please keep all of those that are losing hope in your prayers. We are so thankful for all the organizations that we can direct people too, but we need more resources for the unhoused. We have to do better in Jefferson County helping our life long residents that are going through so many different circumstance, but especially with housing and being unhoused.

Have a great weekend. God is good, faithful and always keeps His promises!