The Shepherd’s Hands
394 Chapman Road Saluda, SC 29138
www.theshepherdshands.com
DECEMBER 2014 NEWSLETTER
It’s been a good year at the mission, and we praise the Lord for people like you who have made it possible. We ministered to 828 families this year through the clothes closet and food pantry. We provided some furniture to needy families.
I wish it were possible to name every individual who came to help us during the year but there are too many to name. We had six teams that came and ministered through VBS, Block Parties and school supply day.
We need 14 individuals to operate the mission on distribution day and we only have 12 that come regularly and not everyone is able to come each month. We need at least four more individuals who could join in this ministry on a regular basis. Marianne and I always go a week ahead to receive the food and restock the pantry and clothes closet. Our Van leaves on the Friday before the third Saturday at 7 AM and returns Sunday morning.
We would like to be able to set a schedule so that we could know who will be going each month. If you feel that God would have you to join in this ministry to the people of Mercer County WV, please contact me at 864-980-4568 or theshepherdshands@gmail.com. We need your help and would be very grateful.
Since out last update we had our Thanksgiving distribution and thanks to a gracious individual we were able to provide a turkey to each family.
December was a great time; we had 114 children who were provided Christmas gifts through our “Adopt a Child” program. Let me thank those individuals who made this possible. Harris Baptist Church in Greenwood, SC, provided the gift bags to each child including gloves, socks, chapsticks, hats, candy and a toy. We sincerely appreciate Harris providing these bags.
Each adult received a gift of their choice of items from our shelves in the clothes closet, plus each family received a health kit provided by the Rocky Grove Baptist Church in Sally, SC. Everyone who came through the mission also received a bag of fruit along with the regular food bags. Lotion was provided by Ward Baptist Church and Laundry detergent by Ridge Springs Baptist Church. The people were thankful for these extra gifts.
What a joy to be able to help these individuals who come to the mission. We have signed up 41 new families in the past 3 months and it’s putting a strain on our food supply but God provides each time so that we are able to take care of them. The needs are great but our God is greater in helping us to meet those needs.
A word on our generator; thanks to you our supporters we received all the funds needed for the purchase. It has arrived and will be installed January 10th, another milestone has been accomplished.
Not everything was good that happened this month, our faithful helper Junior Owen accidently shot himself while bear hunting. The blast took the entire muscle off at his right shoulder. The doctors are unsure what his usage of the arm will be with the muscle gone. He has no strength to pick up things. Junior, Charles and Jerry were so faithful in picking up our food and unloading it at the mission. Pray for healing for Junior.
We look forward to the New Year knowing that greater things are yet to come. We already have our summer filled with teams coming to work on the mission and homes in the area as well as to provide VBS and Block parties. Please pray for this ministry as it has grown beyond our wildest dreams.
Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
Mayhew and Marianne West
PS: A very special word of appreciation to our faithful, we love you and thank God for you.
Also due to my email provider not able to work in my Windows 8, I am having to change the email address. My new email address is, theshepherdshands@gmail.com. If you would like to continue receiving these newsletters please reply to the new address. I have over 200 email addresses which make it impractical to type each of these into a new computer.
Friday, January 30, 2015
Sunday, October 26, 2014
The Shepherd’s Hands
394 Chapman Road Saluda, SC 29138
www.theshepherdshands.com
NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2014
Wherever He leads I’ll go. It’s easy to sing that song and not really pay attention to the word, but isn’t that what we promised when we accepted Christ as our Savior and promised to follow Him. I see so many people that are really missing the joy of serving others.
This month was filled with opportunities to serve others; we had 18 new families come to the mission for help. A tornado hit about 2 miles from the mission on Tuesday night before we arrived on Monday to survey the damage. One home was completely destroyed with the mother and 4 year old inside when it hit, but praise the Lord they weren’t seriously hurt. We helped that family along with one of our regular clients whose home was damaged also. We also assisted two families who were victims of their homes burning to the ground.
I’m thrilled that we are there to help in times such as these. It saddens me to think how it would be if we weren’t there. You say help would come some way, I realize that too, but what if we weren’t there? What joy we would miss! I thank the Lord for those of you who come from time to time to help, you are very important to this ministry. I wish that we had enough workers that we could assign people each month. Then we would know where we stand each month, as sometimes we have to scrape to get enough workers. Let me encourage some of you who get this newsletter to pray about giving your time several times a year to help us out in this ministry.
Let me give you an update on the generator. We have on hand $ 5,780.00 of the $10,000.00, and the exciting part now is that there is one on sale a step up from the original until November 5th. It would be great if we could receive enough to take advantage of this deal. Pray that the monies will come in by that date.
Had hoped that we could provide each family with a turkey for Thanksgiving, but the food bank didn’t receive what they anticipated so we’ll substitute other items so they can have a good Thanksgiving dinner. After all Thanksgiving is being grateful to God for what we have.
Did you realize that the year is fast coming to an end? Where has all that time gone? It’s time for us to think about Christmas. Hopefully all our minds are on Jesus, the real reason for the season.
We expect to provide for the folks with a fruit bag, health kits (which have already arrived from a supporting church) along with gifts for the children. The past two months we have been gathering information as to the sizes and a toy for all under 12 years of age. We would like to have folks adopt a child and provide one item of clothing and a toy for each child.
We will be seeking Sunday School classes, churches and individuals to provide these. If you or your group would like to help us achieve this, you can contact me and I will forward you a list with the child’s names and items he or she would like to have for Christmas. We will be distributing these on December13th.
As always we thank you for your prayers and support. Without your support, we could not accomplish the work that God has called us to do.
Mayhew
theshepherdshands@gmail.com
394 Chapman Road Saluda, SC 29138
www.theshepherdshands.com
NEWSLETTER
OCTOBER 2014
Wherever He leads I’ll go. It’s easy to sing that song and not really pay attention to the word, but isn’t that what we promised when we accepted Christ as our Savior and promised to follow Him. I see so many people that are really missing the joy of serving others.
This month was filled with opportunities to serve others; we had 18 new families come to the mission for help. A tornado hit about 2 miles from the mission on Tuesday night before we arrived on Monday to survey the damage. One home was completely destroyed with the mother and 4 year old inside when it hit, but praise the Lord they weren’t seriously hurt. We helped that family along with one of our regular clients whose home was damaged also. We also assisted two families who were victims of their homes burning to the ground.
I’m thrilled that we are there to help in times such as these. It saddens me to think how it would be if we weren’t there. You say help would come some way, I realize that too, but what if we weren’t there? What joy we would miss! I thank the Lord for those of you who come from time to time to help, you are very important to this ministry. I wish that we had enough workers that we could assign people each month. Then we would know where we stand each month, as sometimes we have to scrape to get enough workers. Let me encourage some of you who get this newsletter to pray about giving your time several times a year to help us out in this ministry.
Let me give you an update on the generator. We have on hand $ 5,780.00 of the $10,000.00, and the exciting part now is that there is one on sale a step up from the original until November 5th. It would be great if we could receive enough to take advantage of this deal. Pray that the monies will come in by that date.
Had hoped that we could provide each family with a turkey for Thanksgiving, but the food bank didn’t receive what they anticipated so we’ll substitute other items so they can have a good Thanksgiving dinner. After all Thanksgiving is being grateful to God for what we have.
Did you realize that the year is fast coming to an end? Where has all that time gone? It’s time for us to think about Christmas. Hopefully all our minds are on Jesus, the real reason for the season.
We expect to provide for the folks with a fruit bag, health kits (which have already arrived from a supporting church) along with gifts for the children. The past two months we have been gathering information as to the sizes and a toy for all under 12 years of age. We would like to have folks adopt a child and provide one item of clothing and a toy for each child.
We will be seeking Sunday School classes, churches and individuals to provide these. If you or your group would like to help us achieve this, you can contact me and I will forward you a list with the child’s names and items he or she would like to have for Christmas. We will be distributing these on December13th.
As always we thank you for your prayers and support. Without your support, we could not accomplish the work that God has called us to do.
Mayhew
theshepherdshands@gmail.com
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
The Shepherd’s Hands
394 Chapman Road Saluda, SC 29138
www.theshepherdshands.com
NEWSLETTER
September 2,2014
Back to school means that summer is over. At the mission we have had a wonderful summer and still basking in all that has taken place.
We began the first week of June with a team from the Southside Baptist Church in Abbeville, SC, ministering for two days in the community. It began on Friday night with a movie with pop corn and drinks. Saturday a block party with inflatable bouncing house and slide, horse shoes, pop corn snow cones and hot dogs for lunch. That was a very successful weekend as several families that were there have been to the mission each month since to receive clothes, food and school supplies.
July was another exciting month; a team from North Augusta, SC, conducted a sports camp at the gym in Matoaka and helped out at the mission on Saturday. A team from First Baptist Wagener, SC, arrived on Sunday for a week of VBS at Grace Church in Lashmeet.
In August some folks from Abbeville and Johnston came to help distribute backpacks filled with school supplies. We are so grateful for those who made it possible to once again meet the school needs of the children who come to the mission.
We were able to minister to 166 families in providing food and clothing and were able to provide assistance to two families who homes were damaged by fire.
We thank each of you for your faithful support to the Shepherd’s Hands.
Winter is just around the corner and last year was the worst winter in over 50 years for the people in West Virginia. As you recall we were able to provide a warm place for some families who were without power for a short time. Many times when the power goes out it remains out for weeks before it is restored.
We would like to be able to help regardless of the situation; but it our power goes out also, it would be impossible to help and would put us in position to lose the frozen food in our freezers. We have seven freezers, not all of them are always full when distribution is over. To assure that we will always have power we need a standby generator that would come on even if we are here in South Caroline. We don’t want to lose what we have in the freezers and also to have power to help others in time of need.
It would cost us in the neighborhood of $ 10,000 for one to take care of the whole building. I want you to join us in prayer that God would provide the funds for this much needed piece of equipment. We have watched the faithfulness of God in meeting so many needs in the short time of the mission.
The Shepherd’s Hands is a tax deductible 501 3c IRS approved corporation. If God so leads you to join in providing assistance you may mail your gifts to The Shepherd’s Hands, 394 Chapman Road Saluda, SC 29138.
May God richly bless each of you.
Mayhew West
thegoodshepherd@gmail.com
PS: If anyone has an old hearing aid that you aren’t using we have people requesting one, it just might be possible that we could get one to fit their ear or maybe find someone to make a new ear piece for one. That would be another blessing for someone that has a difficult time hearing. Just mail it to us or drop it by.
394 Chapman Road Saluda, SC 29138
www.theshepherdshands.com
NEWSLETTER
September 2,2014
Back to school means that summer is over. At the mission we have had a wonderful summer and still basking in all that has taken place.
We began the first week of June with a team from the Southside Baptist Church in Abbeville, SC, ministering for two days in the community. It began on Friday night with a movie with pop corn and drinks. Saturday a block party with inflatable bouncing house and slide, horse shoes, pop corn snow cones and hot dogs for lunch. That was a very successful weekend as several families that were there have been to the mission each month since to receive clothes, food and school supplies.
July was another exciting month; a team from North Augusta, SC, conducted a sports camp at the gym in Matoaka and helped out at the mission on Saturday. A team from First Baptist Wagener, SC, arrived on Sunday for a week of VBS at Grace Church in Lashmeet.
In August some folks from Abbeville and Johnston came to help distribute backpacks filled with school supplies. We are so grateful for those who made it possible to once again meet the school needs of the children who come to the mission.
We were able to minister to 166 families in providing food and clothing and were able to provide assistance to two families who homes were damaged by fire.
We thank each of you for your faithful support to the Shepherd’s Hands.
Winter is just around the corner and last year was the worst winter in over 50 years for the people in West Virginia. As you recall we were able to provide a warm place for some families who were without power for a short time. Many times when the power goes out it remains out for weeks before it is restored.
We would like to be able to help regardless of the situation; but it our power goes out also, it would be impossible to help and would put us in position to lose the frozen food in our freezers. We have seven freezers, not all of them are always full when distribution is over. To assure that we will always have power we need a standby generator that would come on even if we are here in South Caroline. We don’t want to lose what we have in the freezers and also to have power to help others in time of need.
It would cost us in the neighborhood of $ 10,000 for one to take care of the whole building. I want you to join us in prayer that God would provide the funds for this much needed piece of equipment. We have watched the faithfulness of God in meeting so many needs in the short time of the mission.
The Shepherd’s Hands is a tax deductible 501 3c IRS approved corporation. If God so leads you to join in providing assistance you may mail your gifts to The Shepherd’s Hands, 394 Chapman Road Saluda, SC 29138.
May God richly bless each of you.
Mayhew West
thegoodshepherd@gmail.com
PS: If anyone has an old hearing aid that you aren’t using we have people requesting one, it just might be possible that we could get one to fit their ear or maybe find someone to make a new ear piece for one. That would be another blessing for someone that has a difficult time hearing. Just mail it to us or drop it by.
Monday, June 30, 2014
JUNE 2014
June! What an exciting time at the mission. We spent 11 days there and it sure was good to get home for some R & R.
Our first trip was on June 4 so that we might be there to greet the team of 19 from Southside Baptist Church, Abbeville, coming on the 5th. What a wonderful ministry this team provided for the children of Lashmeet. On Friday evening they treated the children to a movie with pop corn and drinks. Can you believe I sat through the whole movie Frozen? Ha!Ha! Then on Saturday from 10AM to 2 PM they had a block party with blow up slide and bouncing house. That was something new to the children and they had a ball. In addition, there were other games and activities including making bracelets and refreshments with snow cones and pop corn and drinks. The children and their parents were treated to a hot dog lunch with all the trimmings.
What a blessing to have this group of young people and adults. The children and adults became so attached to them that several of the children wanted to go home with them. We are very grateful for their willingness to come and share with the people of WV.
We had to stay over to get the food for our next distribution on the 21st. When we unloaded the truck, it was time to head to Home Sweet Home.
We headed back up on June 12 with several first timers from Ridge Springs Baptist Church. These ladies joined 7 others who came up on Friday to help in the mission on Saturday.
What a wonderful time of ministry we had in giving away food and clothes to those who came. We also were able to provide a bed, mattress and box springs to the couple who live in the shed. They were so excited to have a bed to sleep on. Without supporters like you we would not be able to provide the needs of the people, thank you.
It’s that time of year when we seek school supplies; due to the harsh winter school will be starting two weeks early on the 7th of August. As always we need your help in providing the items that we need. The principal of Montcalm School has requested help again this year as well as our own children that come to the mission.
The items she suggested were three ring binders, note book paper (wide margin), spiral notebooks (wide margin), crayons or markers, pencils, pens, journals, hand sanitizer. We will be able to furnish the book Bags.
Last year we were able to provide 184 children with these book bags. We will be grateful for any assistance you can give us in this matter. I’m aware of the needs here in our area’s also, but these folks can’t help one another and are dependent on others for their needs. Thank you again for your faithful support.
As always, we are grateful.
Mayhew and Marianne West
PS: We will need additional help on August 1 for a back to school party. We will be going up on Friday morning and returning Saturday afternoon, let us know if you can assist that weekend.
Monday, March 24, 2014
March Newsletter
February was an unusual month as many of you felt the results of the recent storms. We all went through some difficult times. When we lose the electric and water we’re so handicapped. But we all made it through by God’s wonderful grace.
We were in West Virginia at the time and they say we had about 23” of snow, I only measured a about 18” on top of the trailer. It was enough to keep us on the hillside from Tuesday until Sunday.
We had planned for a big day on Saturday as February was another snowy day and we only had sixty people come for clothes and food. We had 5 freezers loaded with meat, plenty of canned good, bread and produce.
Friday was a pretty day and we had the parking lot and access road scraped and it was clear and the sun dried both out. Even though it was predicted that night we were being ready just in case. I looked out at 1:30 and the lot was still clear, but when I looked out at 6:30 it had brought another 4” during the early morning hours.
What are we going to do with all that food. Having given up all hope of anyone showing up was busy up stairs when Marianne called and said people were here.
Here we are, Just Marianne, Jerry and myself to bear the load to help those who braved the cold and snow to get the food they needed. To our surprise we had 34 families that came that day. What a blessing as we had three new families to come.
God always brings the sunshine in the darkest of days. What a blessing to see them braving the weather to get the food they needed.
We brought up the box truck to leave in picking up the food and everyone not being able to come we had no way home. Wayne and Melanie left early Sunday morning and came to our rescue. It’s so good to have friends who will put themselves out for others. It was a welcome sight when they showed up at 10:30 that morning.
Since we knew they were coming we had everything packed up and ready to leave when they arrived. Before they arrived and I was placing everything at the door I thought. With great anticipation I was eagerly waiting for them. That’s the way we should be waiting for the return of Jesus, looking every day for His arrival. One day He will return to rescue us from this world and carry us to our heavenly home. Now that’s exciting, what a day that will be, nothing like our rescue from the snow.
Let me close always thanking you for your prayers and support. May God bless each of you.
We were in West Virginia at the time and they say we had about 23” of snow, I only measured a about 18” on top of the trailer. It was enough to keep us on the hillside from Tuesday until Sunday.
We had planned for a big day on Saturday as February was another snowy day and we only had sixty people come for clothes and food. We had 5 freezers loaded with meat, plenty of canned good, bread and produce.
Friday was a pretty day and we had the parking lot and access road scraped and it was clear and the sun dried both out. Even though it was predicted that night we were being ready just in case. I looked out at 1:30 and the lot was still clear, but when I looked out at 6:30 it had brought another 4” during the early morning hours.
What are we going to do with all that food. Having given up all hope of anyone showing up was busy up stairs when Marianne called and said people were here.
Here we are, Just Marianne, Jerry and myself to bear the load to help those who braved the cold and snow to get the food they needed. To our surprise we had 34 families that came that day. What a blessing as we had three new families to come.
God always brings the sunshine in the darkest of days. What a blessing to see them braving the weather to get the food they needed.
We brought up the box truck to leave in picking up the food and everyone not being able to come we had no way home. Wayne and Melanie left early Sunday morning and came to our rescue. It’s so good to have friends who will put themselves out for others. It was a welcome sight when they showed up at 10:30 that morning.
Since we knew they were coming we had everything packed up and ready to leave when they arrived. Before they arrived and I was placing everything at the door I thought. With great anticipation I was eagerly waiting for them. That’s the way we should be waiting for the return of Jesus, looking every day for His arrival. One day He will return to rescue us from this world and carry us to our heavenly home. Now that’s exciting, what a day that will be, nothing like our rescue from the snow.
Let me close always thanking you for your prayers and support. May God bless each of you.
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