INEZ, KENTUCKY— APRIL 10—12! APRIL The 37 people in the picture below represented you and Dalton’s Food Pantry last weekend in Inez, Kentucky. When a person chooses to volunteer at Dalton’s Food 2015 Pantry, especially for a trip like this one, your heart is full of hope in giving God’s blessing to someone who may not otherwise know God at all. You pray to God asking Him to open hearts and minds as you take on the image of Christ being His hands and feet, serving, loving, providing in ways far from our everyday comforts. It doesn’t take long that you begin to realize that it’s not at all about you and what you’re feeling or what you hope to do in another persons life. It ossible. e p e becomes all pursuing souls souls pursuing about that nd nd other person. How can you help make their life a little “This was my first time to do something better, easier, more comfortable? like this. I didn’t know what to expect but this experience was far more than I could “People remembered me, by name! They ever had imagined. Thank you for letting would tell me that because I prayed with me come and I want to do it again.” them last time, they were healed from their sickness, or found a job, or repaired “My family and I are humbled and grateful a broken relationship.” that we would be allowed to do the Lord’s work with you. It would be our honor to “This was my first time on a trip like this wash your feet.” with you people. I watched you all as you served. There was such compassion “Just as it takes many items to build a fire, among this group, truly caring for the the kindling, the matches, the newspaper, other person. I want to come back and the logs, so it is with this group. We each serve with you again!” have a job to do and a purpose and when we work together, we can make something “Just like the stars shine in the sky, we beautiful and meaningful happen.” shine in the lives of these people, caring for them and loving on them.” At the end of our time together on Saturday night, we gather together and grace “I don’t know how it could have been any share our thoughts about the weekend. better. These people have such a great What did God teach you? What was your need and over and over I heard sincere “heart” story? Who will you continue to thank yous.” pray for and build a relationship with? “I’m overwhelmed at all we accomplished The above statements are just a glimpse today and the number of people who we into what we experienced. served.” Dalton’s Food Pantry would like to “I’m grateful that I got to be a part of this personally thank each and every person group who unselfishly served with joy.” who went with us! These people sacrificed their time and finances but we seeds of “Several people came up to me while I was know they did it out of their love for the passing food out asking if I could pray for Lord! Consider joining us next time. We them, right then and there. Of course I promise, you will not regret it and you in planting seeds of love, hope and encouragement for the assured growth which is promised in God through whom all things ar things all whom through God in promised is which assured growth the for encouragement hope and love, of seeds planting in felt privileged to do so.” Dalton’s Food Pantry compassionately touches lives in being the hands and feet of Jesus, by providing essential necessities a necessities essential providing by Jesus, of feet and hands the in being lives touches compassionately Pantry Dalton’s Food will NEVER be the same! DON’T PLAY CHURCH—LIVE IT! By: J.R. Dalton It’s 11:00 pm—Do you know where your children release them is more important than protecting are? This was a daily reminder to parents in the 70’s, themselves from the attacks of vicious gossips who lurk posted on all T.V. programs. This was a period in my about in the hallways of every spiritually dead church. life when I was stuck in sin. My hands were covered The gossip had already started in Inez, Kentucky at the in sin as a high school student; wild and free in this local bait shop; that Dalton’s, a rich business man, is old dark world. Holy Spirit speak as I write this coming to town to feed the crack heads. Yes, greed is in article. My Pastor claims people love honesty; be Inez, Kentucky too! But so is Jesus Christ! The devil is real and raw when you witness in the hood. a lie! Last Friday night it was exactly 11:03 pm and I was I feel God wants a “real” church with real people who now 60 years old—gray headed and on fire for Jesus are brave enough to face the truth about themselves and Christ. Only because of his mercy and grace, God humble enough to share it with others. When that had a plan for me. I was being obedient to God and happens, the life of the church begins. Dead churches was in Inez, Kentucky with 40 volunteers that were are playing hide and seek. Vibrant churches are safe asleep in the hotel as I walked the parking lot praising places for people to be nothing more or less than who God and praying that the church they really are. The truth will set volunteers in the Kentucky area would you free. show up to help serve those less fortunate in approximately 7 hours. I No revival ever ripped through a don’t look around much anymore—I church in Inez, Kentucky or always look up and oh, what a anywhere in the country without at beautiful night it was. The stars were least one brave soul who decided to crystal clear, sparkling as if they were stop faking it, take off the “mask” speaking to one another. I prayed that and start coming out into the open help was on its way. about his condition. If you want to lead the charge for Christ, lead out After all, when I set up in the morning into the open. Lay your heart bare at 7:00 am, there are two churches for others to examine and you will within 50 feet of us. I know God is be surprised what God can do with going to show up; He always has my you and those who follow your lead. back! God’s mercy and grace is a life I have personally found that God’s true vision of the changing surprise. It is the motivation that keeps me church is for the hurting, sinning and sick people to going and I try to tell as many people about it as I can. come together to heal in the midst of the Holy Spirit. It is my only hope, otherwise I would face a life of God never hid the realities of His family. The certain condemnation because I know I am not good disciples often walking with Christ himself, doubted enough to earn my way to heaven, except for God’s Him, lied about knowing Him, betrayed Him and got grace. Man doesn’t have what it takes. into some of the most egotistical conversations ever That Saturday morning at 7:00 am in Inez, Kentucky, recorded. The physical presence of Jesus did not hundreds of God’s people were fed, clothed, witnessed produce perfection in the hearts of his disciples. Why to and loved on. “Please note”, not one person showed should we expect perfection from ourselves? I love to up to help us serve from the 2 local churches, but the be around people who God works with - those who King of King and Lord of Lords, Jesus Christ, showed are authentic in their faith. They don’t fake it, up and showed off! What a beautiful day! because they have no need to. I don’t play church, I live it! I feel what I look like to God means more We praise you God! The devil is a lie! than what I look like to man, revealing their own God Bless, struggles and encouraging others to press on to J.R. Page 2 INEZ PRAISE Did anyone happen to drive through town the other day in front of the Inez Swimming Pool at Church and see all the volunteers giving out to the surrounding county's? Book bags, Clothing, Food, Make-Up, everything for your everyday needs. Well, I fixed a big Lasagna, Salad, & Cornbread dinner for all of them. I took it to their hotel. You should have seen their faces. They couldn't believe someone actually cooked them a meal. Told them just to leave the pans I would be back to get them later. Well, picked them up today and this is what I found in an envelope they had left. I didn't expect it, I didn't ask for it, I just wanted to do something good for someone. I wanted to say thank you so much for choosing our county to help out. Sha-La Cook Thanks for food it really helps. Please let us know when you come back too Martin Co.