Jeremiah15:16 “When I discovered your words, I devoured them.

Jeremiah15:16 “When I discovered your words, I devoured them. They are my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear Your name…”

Have you ever wondered who you are in Christ? I believe that when we know who we are and who we belong to, it shapes our character just like if we join a sports team, the military or get married. When you know who you are, it dictates your behavior. As Christians when you get to know who you are and how much God really loves you, you have no choice but to live out this verse. We have been adopted by the King of Kings and we bear His name when we accept Him as our savior-Praise the Lord! However, many people haven’t heard this good news of the Gospel. We see so many people who come in depressed, oppressed spiritually, emotionally or by life itself. I have heard testimonies that give me nightmares. I see people wondering the streets talking to themselves, having fights with people in their heads. Others so intoxicated or high just to be numb from the trauma they endured. We even wonder from the outside looking in, why don’t they make the choice to do better. Every night before I go to open the Code Blue Shelter, I go to where the homeless congregate to see if they want to come. Some do get in the van, some don’t. Now, one man has been in the hospital for weeks for frost bite on his feet because he didn’t come in. Another mentally challenged woman walks the street and sleeps on cold concrete when the wind chill was below 0 or during 7 inches of snow. If I talk too much about the Code Blue Shelter she disappears. I mention it occasionally and then she comes to the Christian Caring Center to eat, get clothing, a sleeping bag, etc. We keep going because that is what the Lord would have us do, but also because we are driven by the Holy Spirit to give them the Gospel message. Once they know who they are, created in the image of a Holy God, it changes everything. From the mentally challenged, addicted, criminal or me-it changes everything-PTL!! He can reach down to anyone in the streets, jails, schools or in a nice house and become our Savior and bring joy, healing, and deliverance. That is why we do what we do because of who we are and what we know. God doesn’t favor anyone. His grace and mercy and salvation are free to everyone hallelujah! I have included our year end flyer this month and the numbers are very great. They are all individuals to us at the Christian Caring Center but most of all to God. I know that we can’t do anything without God, but we couldn’t have done this without your support and prayers. All of this work takes place with the support of goods, donated food, supplies and finances. I know that we have all been experiencing our own higher costs at the fuel pump, grocery stores, utilities, etc.; however, most of you have still supported the Christian Caring Center as all our costs are increasing also. We have 8 dedicated and faithful full-time and part-time employees that work directly with clients and volunteers. None of that would be possible without your faithful giving. We are deeply grateful. Thank you for sharing your prayers, time, and financial gifts to spread this wonderful Gospel to the people we serve at the Christian Caring Center during this new year. We look forward to “the year of the LORD’s favor” in 2022 for your family, the Christian Caring Center and all our clients.

Abiding in Him,

Madelyn Sutton

Executive Director