Chronicles of Covid - Chapter 3

For if you give, you will get! Your gift will return to you in full and overflowing measure, pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, and running over. Whatever measure you use to give—large or small—will be used to measure what is given back to you.” Luke 6:38 (Living Bible)

Dear Friends,

As this pandemic continues it has changed the way our country has done business; many grocery stores you need to line up to enter, the majority of schools are distance learning, we have ZOOM meetings rather than in person, churches meet outside and this is only to name a few.

At City Impact, we have had to make adjustments too.  Today, we staggered our work hours to ensure a safe distance, we wear masks in hope of not spreading COVID, our therapists are counseling their students on-line and we have postponed the majority of our fundraisers. To tell you the truth I was apprehensive on how our Christmas Toy Drive would work.  It is normally a festive event that is a block party with Jolly Jumpers, face painting, hot chocolate and homemade cookies and of course, Santa shows up with candy canes.  This event usually brings in enough toys for City Impact’s kids, but also other non-profits and low-income churches.

Our team debated this issue, how can we possibly have this event? Then our Santa suggested a toy drop off.  It did not have a lot of glitz and glamour, we did collect some toys and gift cards that were needed, unfortunately only a third of what was needed.  This year, we also have an overwhelming number of families that need food and temporary housing. But, GOD . . .

I was reminded of the 1665 Great Plague in London which killed an estimated 100,000 people—almost a quarter of population—in 18 months. The plague was transmitted through the bite of an infected rat flea. One Sunday morning in a neighboring village a preacher of a small country church stood up and said “people are dying in the streets; God and the church are being blamed for it. So, this is what we are going to do.  Every family in this church will bring into our homes a sick and dying person and we will feed them and nurse them back to health.” That is exactly what they did – this real story goes on to say within six months all the people infected with the plague in their village became well.”

But GOD . . . He loves flexing his muscles through his people. This morning, as I write this letter, I am in tears; you see over $12,000 has been raised in gift cards for food, toys and clothing, we even had funds to provide temporary housing for a family.  Yes, GOD provides through people like you and community members to love on His children.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

​Because of Him,
Betty Alvarez Ham
​President


P.S. Support us when you shop smile.amazon.com/ch/77-0388915 for gifts and more and Amazon donated to City Impact.