We are learning a lot at New Valley about this thing called Mercy. We are learning that it's often times more fun to look outside of ourselves and our living rooms and our cable TV. And to get up off of our couches and find neighborhoods we've never been to. And meet those people and serve those people. We are learning, too, that we can share the gospel by getting up off our butts and serving people with our hands and feet..even more than our mouths. We are learning that community development and God's redemptive plan involves building relationships with people different than us.

This past Saturday we had an awesome time (and an awesome turnout) painting the home of an elderly woman in Tempe. We joined up with the very cool folks at First Pentecostal Church in South Phoenix. Here are some pics.

We had a blast working on our new facility together. About 15 folks showed up. We made some great progress! Thanks to everyone for coming.

Here are some shots Scott (our pastor) took...

Having tried a number of different things for our Mercy Ministry (serving the poor, social justice, playing a part in redeeming the world) - some good, some not so good - we tried a staple in this realm..the Rescue Mission. If you're not familiar with them, they are pretty much in every major city in America. Their role is to rehabilitate homeless men. And they are pretty good at it.

We are trying to find something we can commit to on a regular (monthly) basis, and the Rescue Mission is one of the places we are considering (we are still looking for someone to own it). So..we decided to take part in their annual Adopt-a-Family for Christmas event. It was a lot of fun! It was their biggest one to date, giving gifts to over 1500 people.

When we arrived (7:30am and about 45 degrees)(yes, it was in Phoenix), there was tents to set up and two tractor trailers full of gifts in garbage bags to pull out.

Kira and the Trailers



Leland, the Moving Man



Erin, The Servant Queen



Mike, The Servant King



Erin was everywhere!



After all the bags were pulled out and organized into groups, folks started arriving in droves to get their gifts. They went through the little Disney line we created, went to chapel, and then got to Kira and me (Jeff). We basically served as traffic cops, holding folks up until there was room at their designated table to get their gifts. This was the best part as we were able to interact with pretty much every family that came through. We brushed up on our Spanish, that's for sure. :)







Yes, even the mascot from Red Robin was there!



The Crew



All in all, we had a great time! Thanks to each of you who showed up! Thanks to Katie Olmstead, too! (She was with the late shift). :)

It's so neat when one of our own sees themselves as a "Sent One" and goes out into the world to do their part in redemption. Mary Euler, a member of the New Valley Mercy Team, recently traveled to Uganda with Food for the Hungry. Mary will be sharing more about her trip at church on November 11.

This is a pic of our Mercy Team sans a few folks. We are reading through a book by John Perkins and are being challenged to think outside the box and out of our comfort zone.



Esch! We'll miss ya, man! Jim and his wife Sherry have taken a job in Chicago. :(