Mission Mahaska! Begins
Amanda is a single mother with two children, who needed assistance with a deposit for a new place to live when her apartment was closed due to structural damage. Marshall is a 74-year old veteran who is unable to drive. He lives alone but needs rides to periodic doctor appointments at the VA. Sally has had a number of physical and legal troubles and is trying to get her life back on track.
These three fictional people are examples of neighbors who come to Love In the Name of Christ (INC) for assistance. They are a microcosm of some 500 households who receive services in Mahaska County annually. Love INC, a partnership of local Christian churches, provides needed services in a caring, compassionate way that seeks to empower individuals, rather than enable them.
Mission Mahaska! is the name Love INC has given to a new outreach initiative being launched to educate our community and churches, and to increase involvement and support. Mission Mahaska! includes a unifying focus of matching people willing to serve with people in need in our community. The mission of Love INC is “To mobilize churches to transform lives and communities In the Name of Christ.” The mission starts with individuals.
“Love INC coordinates the time, talents, and treasures of many to serve neighbors in need right here in Mahaska County,” said Executive Director Debbie Howe. “Working together we can multiply resources and more effectively assist our neighbors, helping to make our corner of the world the best it can be for everyone.”
The financial aspect of Mission Mahaska! is seeking 500 sponsors of $100 or $200 in support of the families who receive services each year. Financial gifts may be given by individuals or groups, in the form of a one-time payment or monthly contributions (see gifting options at www.loveincmahaska.org). All funds remain in Mahaska County to support Love INC’s mission and are used to support all components of the ministry, including but not limited to, rides to medical appointments, mentoring, curriculum for Love INC’s educational classes, participation incentives, rent and deposit assistance, utility assistance, and gas cards.
During the Mission Mahaska! initiative, financial donors will receive a paper person/family cut-out with information about a real-life situation that led someone to seek assistance from Love INC. No names are listed, but the cutouts with stories serve as a daily reminder and prayer prompter for those among us who face daily challenges.
Paraphrasing an Igbo and Yorub proverb, “It takes a village….” is what Love INC and the Mission Mahaska! initiative hope to create…a village of Christians carrying out Christ’s teaching to “Live Love” and help our neighbors. The task is one person at a time, helping each see their own God-given value and move toward reaching their potential.
To schedule a presentation or for more information, contact Love INC at 641.676.3750 or stop in at the office at 500 High Ave W. The office is open Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 9 a.m. to Noon; and on Wednesdays, 1-3 p.m. Love INC of Mahaska County gratefully receives support from United Way of Mahaska County.
