A Carl's Kitchen Christmas

Christmas is around the corner, and the doors of Carl’s Kitchen are about to swing open yet again for another memorable celebration.  We invite you to take part in a Carl’s Kitchen Christmas! 

From the moment Carl’s Kitchen officially opened its large, heavy metal doors nearly four months ago, the atmosphere in the community shifted.   There’s a new found curiosity on the streets.  As the doors swung wide open at the dedication ceremony to a warm, loving and inviting atmosphere across the threshold, nearly 160 beautiful children came barreling in that frigid Saturday in June in Callao, Peru.  The sounds of laughter and high-pitched squeals from wide-eyed young children were echoing from the yellow cement walls.  The rhythmic beats of pitter patters simultaneously rumbling everywhere kept our hearts leaping in sync. It’s as if we were experiencing their same joy, but from a vantage point of giving rather than receiving—but still joy all the same!  As we gave a gift we received a gift.

We looked around taking in every sound, smell and kodak moment that flooded our senses.  With tears in our eyes, we were beyond thankful for all God was doing for these people in Callao.  It wasn’t long after that we found ourselves lost in thought imagining how much more we could do.  We stood frozen as if time was standing still, dreaming of what could still be.  We were thankful for the moment in time we were part of with so many others that had sacrificially given to make this ministry possible, but had a Holy anticipation of what God could still do for this community through Carl’s Kitchen. 

In the days and weeks following our return home from Peru, amidst the many American comforts we often can take for granted, we wrestled with the poverty we encountered first hand.  What was next for the children and families of Carl’s Kitchen in Callao?  We prayed to God with thanksgiving and pleas simultaneously in our hearts.  Before long, God birthed yet another dream to piggy back on Carl’s Kitchen to reach even deeper and impact the growing number of families that are attending Carl’s Kitchen weekly and experiencing the life-changing love of God.  We knew God was depositing a seed in our hearts to make room for a special Christmas for these families…a Carl’s Kitchen Christmas was about to be born. 

Our hearts leaped within us as a child experiencing the magic of Christmas all over again.  We remembered so many Christmas’ as children and the joy and happiness that faithfully abounded year after year.  The friends, family, gatherings, meals, gifts and all the special traditions that made Christmas simply magical.  We believe God’s heart is to lavish us continually like this with His unfailing and relentless love.  Our desire is to create an atmosphere and set the table for each of the Carl’s Kitchen families to know God sees them, loves them and cares for them.   

So this year, we are providing a Carl’s Kitchen Christmas for every family and child that comes to Carl’s Kitchen that special weekend in December to celebrate Christmas with us.  We will be offering a special Christmas meal at the kitchen for everyone, providing an age appropriate toy for every single child at Carl’s Kitchen and sending home a large Christmas basket with every family with everything they will need to create a special Christmas celebration meal with their family in their own home on Christmas day.  In addition, we will be providing Bibles to every family who needs one.  We want to celebrate the reason for the season with all of our Carl’s Kitchen families and would love to extend an opportunity for you to take part in this memorable experience this Holiday Season!

Please consider adopting a precious Peruvian family to provide a Christmas dinner basket for $80 that would include the entire meal for their family on Christmas day.  Or, sponsor a young child or family with dreams in their heart and provide a special Christmas gift purchased just for them for $20 per child.  We are also praying for provision for $500 to purchase a television for Carl’s Kitchen to aid in ministry videos and preaching on site at the kitchen.  Every single donation makes an eternal impact. 

We have seen an incredible response from the adults and children that have been coming to Carl’s Kitchen every Saturday since it opened in June.  Our guests are both physically and spiritually hungry, and God is using this kitchen to change their lives.  They are connecting with volunteers, establishing relationships, coming back faithfully week after week and begging for a church to begin on site at Carl’s Kitchen.  They are watching their community be changed first-hand.  The people can’t believe there are others in America that would do this for them.  I believe a Carl’s Kitchen Christmas will be one more tangible way to share the love of God with this community.

Donations can be made to Carl’s Kitchen through Latin Equip ministries at https://latinequip.org/donate/  Please choose “Carl’s Kitchen” in the drop down for your donation.  All gifts, food items and baskets for a Carl’s Kitchen Christmas will be purchased, wrapped and assembled with love by our dear friends of Cathedral of Faith Church in Lima, Peru.  We are encouraging all gifts to be given by December 1, 2018.

Merry Christmas and a happy Holiday Season to you and your family!  Thank you for considering sending love this Holiday Season to those in Callao, Peru—expanding our reach and making our world just a little bit smaller all at the same time!

An Inside Look at the Grand Opening of Carl’s Kitchen

Though a chilly, cloudy day in the coastal area of Peru may have been typical in June, God had something out of the ordinary in store for the people of Callao on Saturday, June 23, 2018.  This was one of the days God set aside to collide hearts and visions to help provide for the children and families of Callao, Peru. 

Statistics prove this impoverished city has been notorious for increasing criminal and gang activities through the years.  BUT God had a different plan for this city and its people.  Change was coming.

God put a seed in a man’s heart years ago.  John, from the city of Callao, was a business man and property owner.  He recognized the struggles around him and longed to see the needs met for the children in his city.  At the time, it was a simple dream in his heart.  As time went on, it was no coincidence John and his wife met the pastors of Cathedral of Faith Church in Lima, Peru.  Upon initially meeting, the pastors talked with John about how great his name was.  They went on to explain there was also another great man named John who is in the Bible.  God used this moment and the pastors of Cathedral of Faith to lead John to Christ.  John started attending church and never did forget about his dream to help his city.  One day, he talked with the pastors about their interest in potentially buying one of his properties.  He agreed to sell the property on the condition it would one day be used to help the children in Callao.  With the same compassionate heart for the lost and struggling, the pastors purchased the property from John and agreed to one day use it to help the children.  Their desire, building upon John’s dream, was to use the property to help children and families with some form of outreach ministry that would one day be the catalyst to start a church in Callao.

Around the same time frame in 2008, Carl Manis, a man well-known for his heart and love language to feed people, passed away in Monroe, Michigan.  His family dreamed about creating a lasting legacy in his honor based on his generosity and compassion for the hungry.  As the days quickly flew by holding so many busy moments of their own, the dream and vision stayed as a dormant seed—until God’s timing came to pass. 

Knowing the 10th anniversary of Carl’s passing was approaching, the time had come to help make this dream a reality.  With God’s prompting, a little research and a few phone calls the dream came alive!  Pastor’s Steve and Shelly Hopkins of Latin Equip Ministries had the perfect opportunity for dreams to collide.  With the collaboration of Latin Equip, Cathedral of Faith Church, Carl’s family and loved ones, Gateway church and so many amazing donors and prayer warriors, nearly one year later on June 23, 2018, Carl’s Kitchen officially opened the doors for the grand opening celebration.

Though a chilly, cloudy day in Callao, Peru, the laughter and anticipation made it feel like warm sunshine was smiling down from Heaven everywhere!  Music was playing and flooding the streets.  Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Pluto were dancing their hearts out.  Eager and curious faces peered through windows, around open doorways and from the roof tops.  Something new was bringing life to the barren streets of Callao.  Soon, children started coming from every direction and lining up to take part in the festivities.  There was dancing, face painting, balloon animal creations, candy and a free, hot meal complete with rice, potatoes, chicken and lemonade—a classic Peruvian feast!

With over 100 children in addition to many curious parents and grandparents flooding into Carl’s Kitchen for the dedication, the day was perfect.  The pastors of Cathedral of Faith Church, Steve and Shelly Hopkins of Latin Equip, Carl’s family, the Mayor of Callao and several other city officials and prominent men in the community attended the grand opening.  Yes, there were tears, so many tears.  Tears of joy everywhere.  So many shared of their excitement about the impact Carl’s Kitchen will bring to their city.  They explained that feeding these children and exposing them to a better value system has the potential to significantly improve crime rates, family dynamics and ultimately their city.

Each and every week since the opening, on Saturday mornings, children have waited at the door of Carl’s Kitchen for their hot meal and Bible lesson.  Adults have been coming as well and are hearing about God’s love for them and choosing to give their life to Christ, in part because of the tangible love shown to them through you, Carl’s Kitchen and the local church. 

Now, three months later, Church ministry leaders overseeing the kitchen have explained what a significant impact Carl’s Kitchen is having in Callao.  They have said many people in the community are helping and can’t believe that Americans would come and do this in such a dangerous area.  Local officials have offered to help with Carl’s Kitchen and neighbors on the street have been providing security. This area, which was known for their high crime, is being changed by the gospel!  In addition, Latin Equip has developed relationships with a nearby school that has given them an open door for ministry.

Pastor Charlie of Cathedral of Faith Church says, “We want to be a church that has bread in one hand and the Bible in the other.”  God is doing just that through the partnership with Cathedral of Faith, Latin Equip and Carl’s Kitchen.

To every person who has prayed and supported Carl’s Kitchen and the work in Callao, Peru and to all those that will one day be part in the future—THANK YOU!  Lives are being changed because of your faithfulness!  Only God can plant seeds in hearts around the world and make their dreams collide! It’s all for His glory!

Kodak Moments

A special thanks to Monica for sharing a few special "Kodak Moments" with dad through the years!

We have a rule in our family.  We celebrate the Mother’s & Father’s Day ahead of time for the grandparents, and the actual day is reserved for the parents in the trenches of raising the kids.  Therefore, we set aside the actual day to stay at home so we can allow the spouses and kids to celebrate mom or dad all day (although any family is welcome to join us at our house).  The person being celebrated doesn’t have to lift a finger, are usually met with their favorite meals that day, lovingly handmade gifts from the kids, as well as a given a nice gift. 

This year, Father’s Day is going to look a little different.  Our entire family will be traveling across the country to celebrate and honor the life of my dad, Carl Manis by opening a food kitchen that bears his name, as well as his life’s passion—feeding hungry children. 

Dad grew up like most of the children we will be there to reach:  on his own and hungry.  My heart aches every time I hear the stories of him being a child without shoes or clothing and that he would experience a real hunger that we have never truly realized.  Real hunger isn’t simply eating a late lunch.  This lack brought on a great sense of ingenuity in young Carl and its one of my favorite stories about him.  As a child, he traded a bicycle he was given for a donkey…then traded the donkey for his first horse.  Those who knew Carl realize that he was an avid horseman and created a thriving and esteemed horse business that birthed and trained national champions.  He didn’t always share these humble beginnings with others, but he did share the result of it—a lavishly generous heart to feed others.  Food, for my dad, was most certainly love.  He would pour this on people of all ages.  It would be a rare instance if you went out to a meal with him and talked him out of paying for the entire party even if it was six or seven families of people—if you did, it was because you discreetly paid.  But, he had a special spot in his heart for feeding kids...

I remember several times I became frustrated with his heart to feed kids—particularly mine!  Guess who snuck them their first solid food as an infant?  Their first ice cream cone?  Their first candy?  Several bags of candy snuck into their pockets after a meal at cracker barrel for the car ride home?  You guessed it, dad.  I used to get frustrated.  Now, I see the love and my heart yearns for him to overload my kids with sugar just one more time.  Man, he loved his grand-babies and made sure they never had an ounce of lack in any area—and clearly not the sugar arena.

It has been 10 years since dad passed.  So, this Father’s Day, we’re going to make up for lost time.  We will be sitting aside 10 days to honor the life of my dad by opening a food kitchen that will feed, love on, and care for over 5,000 hungry children each year in Callao, Peru—all as they hear the love of Christ.  We have suitcases packed with clothing, toys…and, you guessed it, candy! 

Dad, your legacy lives on.  Thank you for instilling in us hearts for those who are hurting and hungry.  You showed us that kids don’t deserve the situation that they’re born into, and it is up to the rest of us to make a difference for them.  We’re making a difference in Jesus’ name—and the kitchen bears yours!  Moreover, your grandchildren will also see first-hand the need to make a difference in our world—what an inheritance you are giving them.  Proverbs 13:22 (ESV) says this:  “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children, but the sinner’s wealth is laid up for the righteous.” 

A special shout out to my hubby who is giving up his Father’s Day of rest, to show our kids that they are called to make a difference in this world.  I love you Matt—happy Father’s Day!

Reflections

Reflections of days gone by from my mom, Connie...

As I am packing for my trip to Lima for the dedication of Carl’s Kitchen, I can’t help but stop and reflect on Carl, my endearing husband of 36 years, the loving father of our beautiful daughters and beloved “Papa” of our five precious grandchildren.  

When Melissa prayerfully chose this venue to honor her dad, the rest of our family eagerly jumped on the bandwagon.  Feeding people was Carl’s love language, so this was a perfect legacy for him.  Carl’s Kitchen will be a blessing to many hungry children for years to come.

The Holy Spirit reminded me today that Carl also blessed others through food while he was still alive here on earth.  A few memories were given to me that I would like to share.

Carl loved horses and livestock, and we lived on a farm in Newport, MI.  By the way, that farm and barn he built is now an international animal rescue called, “The Devoted Barn”.  I remember Carl getting a great deal on a number of hogs.  He fattened them up and blessed the entire neighborhood with a free hog.  And there was also a time that he bought 50 baby turkeys, raising them in time for Thanksgiving.  You guessed it.  Everyone he knew, friends and family, got a free turkey for Thanksgiving that year.  He later raised baby chicks and gave them all away too.  When the girls got married, he started raising Black Angus beef cattle (only the best), so he could keep their families supplied with prime, corn raised beef every year. 

He loved candy and always seemed to have some in his pocket.  I have a fond memory of him offering candy to some children that he didn’t know.  I had to remind him that parents teach their children not to accept candy from strangers!  I think he gave it to them anyway! :-)

Speaking of food, I would like to share Carl’s favorite meal, and you will probably be surprised how simple it was.  Fresh green beans cooked with salt pork, fried potatoes & onions and cornbread.  It took me decades to finally bake cornbread like his grandmother’s.  The missing ingredient was bacon grease!  Carl’s favorite dessert was coconut cream pie, and his birthdays were always celebrated with made from scratch, German Chocolate Cake.

Carl would be so proud of his entire family supporting and personally dedicating Carl’s Kitchen on June 23rd.  A huge thank you to Melissa for coming up with this dream and making it happen.  She has spent endless hours behind the scenes making all of this possible.  And, thank you Latin Equip for giving us this opportunity to partner with you.  We can’t wait to help feed these 100 hungry children; and not just with food, but with the love of Jesus.

Blessings,

Connie

The Man Behind It All...Carl Leon Manis

We are about 8 weeks away from Carl's 10th anniversary in Heaven.  Though there is no greater place he could possibly be, he is sorely missed here on earth.  I miss his long, tight bear hugs, his famous junk food cupboard, his attempt at loudly yodeling the Lovesick Blues along with Hank Williams on one of his favorite 8 track tapes, his card nights (even though he cheated!), his love for green beans and buttermilk cornbread, his appreciation for a great ice-cream cone on a muggy, Michigan, summer night, his warm southern hospitality that he brought to Michigan when he migrated north, his worn, yellow, leather work gloves in his pickup truck, his good ol' smile that made everyone know they were family and his well-loved holiday gatherings with an unending smorgasbord of food.

What better way to celebrate and honor him than to create a space for others to do what he absolutely loved to do....generously provide and thoroughly enjoy a meal and conversation around the table with others. 

This dream to honor and celebrate my father and his legacy has been in my heart for over 9 years.  Time has a way of passing all to quickly.  How can it be?  Yet, here we are. 

Carl's Kitchen will officially open ten days from now on June 23, 2018.  Here at the kitchen in Callao, Peru, 100 hungry children will have the opportunity to receive a hot meal in a safe environment and hear and experience the unfailing love of Jesus Christ every week.

Isaiah 58:10, says "If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday."

Dad, may you be celebrated as we help to satisfy the needs of the oppressed in your honor and continue to do what you loved to do--help to feed the hungry.  Your lasting legacy and light is shining in the darkness! 

Dad, kiss the cheeks of Jesus for me!

If you or someone you know is interested in supporting Carl's Kitchen, you can give a tax deductible donation directly through Latin Equip Ministries.

http://latinequip.org/donate/

Please be sure to specify “Carl’s Kitchen” on the drop down menu, “choose which fund to give to”.  All gifts are tax-deductible.

XOXO,

Melissa

It's almost time!

We are just days away from officially launching Carl's Kitchen in Callao, Peru.  Stay tuned as we update you on the progress!

https://www.timeanddate.com/counters/fullscreen.html?mode=m&iso=20180623T10&year=2018&month=6&day=23&hour=10&min=0&sec=0&p0=454&msg=Carl%27s%20Kitchen%20Grand%20Opening

A word from our ministry parnters, Latin Equip

We know how much Latin Equip supporters love to help feed hungry kids. Check out this video to find out more about our latest project near Lima, Peru!

https://vimeo.com/248586708

Carl's Kitchen will help bring change to a marginalized community near Lima, Peru.

Latin Equip partners Scott and Melissa Motschenbacher and their family have raised funds to build a commercial kitchen, and provide basic food needs in Callao, a densely populated city of a half million people near Lima, known for its high crime, drug, and gang activity. Carl's Kitchen will feed 100 kids each week, reaching them and their families with the Good News of Jesus.

Our goal is to locate a church on this property to bring hope to this underserved community. While the kitchen is paid for, renovations to the existing roof and apartment will be needed so that a pastoral family can live on site. This single mom told me that she hopes we will be able to build this church so that she and her two kids can attend. An additional $20,000 is needed for this part of the project. Your donation will bring help and hope to this community! 

Donations can be made directly through Latin Equip Ministries.

http://latinequip.org/donate/

Please be sure to specify “Carl’s Kitchen” in the drop down menu, “choose which fund to give to”.  All gifts are tax-deductible.

Pennies from Heaven

Pennies from Heaven--To find loose change unexpectedly on the ground always brings a joyful smile to my face.  To some, loose change is meaningless, for others it is worthless, but to our family, loose change is priceless.  My father used to always say, "I am not too proud to pick up a penny."  He taught us the value of a penny.  He found such joy in stumbling across loose change.  To my father, every penny mattered, and it all added up. 

He loved to save his change in large, blue, 5-gallon water containers and watch it slowly add up.  In fact, I still have one of the containers and save change myself.  My kids save change. And, my husband saves change.  My father was even known to never use the very change in his pocket, but preferred to break another bill so he had change to throw in his well-worn, scratched up, blue, foggy jug.  Every night as he emptied the tattered pockets of his worked for stone-washed jeans with the pungent fresh farm aroma, he would proudly walk to his change jar and add to the ever rising level of coins.

Fun fact: I remember a time oh so well when my sister walked in front of my dad throwing change on the ground intentionally knowing he was behind her picking it up!  Dad picked up every single coin...then finally caught on as we were all laughing!  Then, we got the lesson of the value of a penny...AGAIN and had to make sure we picked up every penny that was dropped! 

Ever since Dad went to be with the Lord, whenever our family finds change on the ground, we say, "pennies from Heaven", smile and bend over and pick it up to keep it in a special stash of "pennies from Heaven"!  I often explain to the people that may be around that my dad always taught me the value of a penny.

Pennies from Heaven has taken on a new meaning in my heart this year, as I have watched so many people give sacrificially to Carl's Kitchen.  It has taken me months to digest what all God is doing.  The pennies have added up as Dad faithfully promised they would. 

As you may know, Carl's Kitchen is a $35,000 endeavor--renovating property that Cathedral of Faith Church has had vacant waiting for a God opportunity to start an outreach and future church. The construction of the kitchen required a $15,000 investment.  In addition we committed to Latin Equip Ministries to fully fund the operation of Carl's Kitchen for the next five years, until the church can successfully oversee the operation.  The meals will cost $4,000 per year to feed 100 children weekly.  So, our commitment for the meals over five years is $25,000--making our total commitment with Carl's Kitchen and meals $35,000.

We have had many generous donors give over $21,000 cumulatively to date toward Carl's Kitchen since we started this endeavor in October 2017--that is OVER 2 MILLION, 1 HUNDRED THOUSAND PENNIES.  There have been so many heart felt stories behind every penny.  At Christmas we had a family donate on behalf of their children who have went to be with the Lord, so many people reached out during the holidays wanting to sponsor tables and chairs on behalf of their families,  people donated on behalf of #theEliEffect, #LovewithNoRegrets and #BeJoeyful supporting intentional acts of kindness in loving memory of two beautiful baby boys.  We have had approximately 15 tables and 50 chairs sponsored through our "seat at the table" campaign.  In addition, we have had a family generously step up and commit to making a monthly donation to cover 1 year's worth of meals; a family commit to an upcoming $500 donation, and another to give an ongoing monthly donation.  We are estimating at this point we have just less than $10,000 to raise over the next 4 years.  God is so faithful.

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO IS PRAYING, DONATING AND ENCOURAGING THIS JOURNEY.  WE ARE SO THANKFUL FOR EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU AND THE LEGACY YOU ARE LEAVING!

There are still so many ways you can take part.  Please continue to keep this ministry in your prayers as we construct the kitchen, open weekly for sandwiches and community awareness in the short-term and prepare for the Grand Opening in June. You can also give financially with a tax deductible donation and sponsor a table for $50 or a chair for $25, sponsor a weeks worth of meals to feed 100 people for approximately $80, sponsor a months worth of meals for approximately $325 or sponsor one year's worth of meals for $4,000.   Donations can be made directly through Latin Equip Ministries.

http://latinequip.org/donate/

Please be sure to specify “Carl’s Kitchen” on the drop down menu, “choose which fund to give to”.  All gifts are tax-deductible.

Thank you for your consideration!

Carl's Girls

Happy Thanksgiving

It's almost Thanksgiving.  It may have been my dad's favorite holiday.  My father, Carl, loved sharing a meal with others-especially at Thanksgiving.  But, he found a way to make every day feel like Thanksgiving.  He loved inviting others over for dinner to share in a meal, good conversation and sometimes a heated game of cards!

He passed on the tradition!  Within the past couple of years, I purchased an unusually long table on Craig’s List. At its smallest, condensed size, the table barely fits in the dining room.  I bought the table dreaming about filling it with friends and family meal after meal.  And this week we are embarking on the Super “Bowl” of meals.

I will admit, preparing for Thanksgiving Day has become a month-long celebration in my home. I start inviting guests weeks in advance.  And by the way, if I missed sending you an invitation, yes you are invited!  Please join us!  Dinner is at 6!  I begin purchasing Thanksgiving dinner items consistently for weeks, trip after trip.  I am intentional to take advantage of the many sales leading up to Thanksgiving. I begin setting the extended table, folding tables and dessert table days before our well anticipated gathering.  In my mind, the more the merrier.  I would love to share the holiday with everyone.  I find myself continuing to invite friends and family up until Thanksgiving Day. I know many get stressed just hearing about the number of guests.  The love of hospitality is something special I inherited from my parents.  I love to host.  I enjoy time with friends and family, and I get excited to serve and bless others.  Something comes over me during the holidays and at gatherings, and it feels as though I am heading into the final NASCAR lap head to head with Martha Stewart.  I love to create an atmosphere of honor and blessing for others.

As I have been buying the turkey(s) and preparing this week, I have been thinking about the scripture to give thanks in all circumstances.  I decided to look it up in the Message translation to hear it a bit differently.  1 Thessalonians 5 says, “Be cheerful no matter what; pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens.  This is the way God wants you who belong to Christ Jesus to live.”

I know this holiday season alone can help me to be thankful this time of year, but what about the rest of the year?  How thankful am I in the midst of the everyday life?  When the Bible says to give thanks in “ALL” circumstances, do I really do that?  The answer is, no I do not.  But I can work on that.  I can be intentional to be more thankful.  I remember my paternal grandmother, Onlee, repeatedly explaining to me, “there is always something you can be thankful for”.  Looking back in the rear-view mirror of my wrinkled, 43 year old life, I am thankful for so many things: my parents, my entire family, friends at Jefferson High School, my first job at Danny’s grocery store, friends at Michigan State University, a great college education, my husband, my husband’s family, friends and co-workers at S&P in Wisconsin, my husband’s jobs and friends and co-workers, our salvation, the voice of God, our three children, friends from MOPS, the Trinity United Methodist Church family, the Lapeer Assembly of God family, the Cornerstone Church family, the Thrive Church family, the Jim Elliot Christian School community, the Front Range Christian School community, the Colorado Early Colleges community, the Oral Roberts University community, the Red Rocks family, missions trips around the world sharing the love of Christ and the people we have met along the way, Latin Equip, Missions.Me, the dream of Carl’s Kitchen, prayers, work and donations toward Carl's Kitchen, audacious dreams, answered prayers, our health, the freedom’s we have in America, pastors and mentors, scholarships, our various homes through the years, our neighbors, gatherings with friends, faith, peace, love, joy, wisdom, creativity, gifts, talents, treasures and resources and memories with so many dearly loved friends and family.

Looking through the windshield of the road ahead, I am thankful for God’s truth, guidance and leading into the unknown. I am thankful for old friends and new friends.  I am thankful for the future and every day we have breath in our lungs.  I am thankful for provision, I am thankful for Carl’s Kitchen and the many lives that will be touched one meal at a time and the Christian church that will be starting from this ministry. I am thankful that every week can be Thanksgiving at Carl’s Kitchen, just like it was in our home growing up. 

Happy Thanksgiving to you!  We are so thankful for you.

Melissa

If you are interested in supporting Carl’s Kitchen in honor of Thanksgiving this week to help create Thanksgiving meals every week in Callao, Peru, please donate today at:

http://latinequip.org/donate/

Please be sure to specify “Carl’s Kitchen” on the drop down menu, “choose which fund to give to”.  All gifts are tax-deductible.

Arise

I just love how our God cares about the intricate details.  He loves, chases, corrects, calls, equips, speaks, encourages, challenges, motivates and believes in us. I was thanking God for the privilege we get to hear His voice and the honor it is to obey when He speaks.  It's not always easy, but He's always there.  We don't have all the answers, but He does!  It is such a fascinating, awe-inspiring journey that God has called us to be part of.  What a powerful testimony to be willing to let God use us, our gifts, talents and resources that He ultimately has uniquely given us.  I was thanking God for the opportunity He has provided with Carl's Kitchen.  As I was reading my Bible and praying for God to speak to me further still, He did. 

My heart was pierced as I read Lamentations 2:19, "Rise during the night and cry out. Pour out  your hearts like water to the Lord.  Lift up your hands to him in prayer, pleading for your children, for in every street they are faint with hunger."

I felt the confirmation and prompting to "ARISE"--get up, cry out, pour out my heart like water before the Lord, lift up my hands in prayer and plead for the hungry children.  It gave me a new perspective, passion and intensity to Arise, and let God use me to be part of something I once thought was impossible. There are children in every street faint with hunger, spiritually and physically.  What a gift to have the opportunity to be part of changing another person's life.  I know we all desire to "Arise" when God calls.

Thank you to every person who has been part of the Carl's Kitchen journey and for those God is about to bring to be part of this story. Our Thanksgiving Table campaign that launched last week on Nov. 6th has been incredible.  We have seen so many loved ones and those we have yet to meet from around the country "Arise" and sponsor Thanksgiving tables and chairs at Carl's Kitchen.  Thanks to God's provision, and the willingness of so many to Arise and be part of investing in another person's life, we have met the half-way mark of meeting our goal of sponsoring 13 tables and 100 chairs that will set Thanksgiving tables weekly at Carl's Kitchen!  We are still believing for 5 more tables and 50 more chairs to be sponsored before Thanksgiving next week.  Tables can be sponsored for $50 and chairs can be sponsored for $25.  Please prayerfully consider if God would have you be part of this Thanksgiving table celebration!  

If you are interested in supporting Carl's Kitchen or sponsoring tables or chairs, tax-deductible donations can be made at:

http://latinequip.org/donate/

Please be sure to specify “Carl’s Kitchen” on the drop down menu, “choose which fund to give to”

Thank you for your boldness to "Arise" and be used by God where you are!

Melissa