January 2024 Newsletter
Wind, Rain, and Cold
We begin our sixth year sharing God’s love with the homeless, asking for prayers. The first three weeks in January have been brutal. Rain, sleet, light snow, and frigid temperatures as low as 10 degrees makes life miserable for those that are unsheltered. Fortunately, some were able to stay in temporary shelters, but many others hunkered down outside the best they could.
Total numbers for the month were 101 bags, 27 ladies’ personal care backpacks, 105 blankets, 105 warm hats, 105 pairs of gloves. Our clothing vehicle assisted many needy folks with 23 pants, 25 coats, hoodies/jackets/sweaters, and 43 pair of men and women’s underwear.
January 14th. The City of Duncanville.
Police Chaplain, Moises Ruiz, put out a request to local churches asking for help. His concern was helping needy folks his officers might meet during the extreme cold weather. We responded with care bags, blankets, hats, and gloves.
January 20th. Assembling the Bags.
The freezing weather didn’t stop our group of 25 from gathering to assemble bags, backpacks, and clothing for the Sunday outreach. All had a great time of fun and fellowship, as well as hot chocolate and cookies!! Later that afternoon, Jim Lackey and I went out to locate areas where we could find homeless folks for the Sunday outreach. We decided to go by Oak Lawn Methodist Church, one of three emergency shelters serving Dallas. They sheltered fifty to sixty homeless during the extreme cold. The Church needed anything we could offer. We told them we would supply fifty of our care bags, along with blankets, hats, gloves, and ladies’ backpacks.
January 21st. Oak Lawn Methodist and Downtown Dallas.
After morning service our team of 11 loaded four vehicles and headed out, picking up burgers, and then to Oak Lawn Methodist. We were greeted with smiling faces from the staff as we delivered the bags and were assured the bags would go to needy folks in the area.
After searching for homeless in the Lemmon Avenue area with no luck, we headed to downtown Dallas. We made three stops and found many needy people. The remaining bags were much appreciated along with 91 articles of clothing.
Please pray for these folks we met on Sunday.
Chris-25, Tarsia, Sue-42, Derrick-55, Carl-60, Alicia, Jason-46, Jamie, Danna-26, Terry, Umuniquel-27, Shawn-28, Chris-63, Bryan-54, Steven-35, Daniel-53, Ronald=53, Joe-29, Cary-41, Samuel-31, Shandra-37, Thomas-71, Melissa-55, Francisco-29, Josh, Curtis, Degale-62, Willie, Andrew-20, James-55, Starr-37 prayers to wake up every day, Anthony-50 for he and his kids, Aenita-60 to stay warm, Chris protection & guidance through addiction, Jose-47 everything, Walter-74 get off streets, Regis-56 keep lifted up in prayer, Felisha to be in good hands, Eric-47 keep warm, Ezzard save soul, Craig-35 get out of homeless, Ekumdio get back house-marriage-job, Tyrell-36 get work, Gary-36 for his health, Isaiah-21 a house,Carrie-51 escape abusive relationship, Patricia-39, Joshua-33 God’s guidance, Ricky-64 wheelchair bound, Regas-58 health/safety.
Volunteers
Saturday volunteers. Mary & Parker Almanza, Nelda Baker, Debbie & Jerry Brooks, Donna Broughton, Bob, Bonnie & David Cawthon, Anita Davis, Mindy Drum, Deb Faulkner, Gina Gregor, Bill & Sue Hendricks, Linda Higgins, Bobby Hill, Kathryn Knowles, Jim & Lynn Lackey, Renie McClelland, Gayle Staggs, John Wentz, Bob Williaford, and Margaret Witherspoon.
Sunday’s outreach team. Debbie Brooks, Bob & Bonnie Cawthon, Mindy Drum, Gina Gregor, Kathryn Knowles, Jim Lackey, Renie McClelland, Gayle Staggs, Kelly Valencia, and Bob Williaford.
Help us help others by cleaning out your closet!!
We need outdoor clothing, shirts, tops, pants, leggings, coats, sweaters, scarves, hoodies, socks, bras, gloves, outdoor shoes, sleeping bags, tents, and blankets. I’ll gladly pick it up!
Our Bags contain more than forty items of food, personal care, safety, and spiritual guidance. Your financial donations are appreciated and help us serve the lonely, forgotten, and underserved population.
Bob Cawthon | bob.cawthon@gmail.com | 214-213-9320Bob’s Bags is a self-supporting ministry of: First Christian Church of Duncanville 203 S. Main St. Duncanville, Texas 75116