A Thought for Today
Ernestine Kennedy
Acts 10:9-16
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth:
12 Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air.
13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat.
14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean.
15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common.
16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
WRITEON FOR OCTOBER 16
sister alies.
COMMUNITY BUILDING
Last week we celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month by visiting Luis at the Costa! This week we switch gears and ask an important question: where do your Christmas decorations come from? Well, there's a small business in town that might have what you want: BROKEN WINGS MINISTRIES THRIFT STORE.
Of course not just Christmas (or any other holiday) décor, but clothes, books, DVDs, VIDEOS, and lotsa other stuff! One never knows from visit to visit what treasures might be found!
KIM STEPHENSON is the manager and has worked there for 9 years. She has witnessed and participated in lots of growth and development. “We’ve had a big influx of donations, even from Carthage, Duck Hill and Tupelo!” Not unlike the other small businesses we have been visiting, BW has to face many challenges. In her business, though, Kim shares that we need: “good quality and even brand names. When the donations arrive volunteers work with the team to size them, sort by color and item…so you, the customer, don’t have to dig…we’ve got it sorted!”
As in other places, I asked her what made a good manager. “Someone who listens to team and customers. One who is flexible and cares. Folks come from our County to shop and we have customers from nearby counties. I love to chat with them and hope they see our point of sale tables with our specials.”
“Our advertisement is on FB and I try to put a Bible verse there each morning. We’ve gotten positive feedback, including folks coming into the store. As manager I need to pay attention to customers wants, needs and often I am a sounding board…BW helps!”
Broken Wings Thrift Store provides 3 paid jobs and 5 volunteer jobs that rotate. Bro. John Staszefski is the current Director of Broken Wings Ministries, as well as Pastor of New Hope in Weir, for the last year and a half. But, Kim, runs the store.
“I want the atmosphere to be like a family for our Team as well as the customers. That is important for good business. We also try to accommodate some of the community programs such as ‘RE-EMPLOYABILITY’…folks come and stay 6,8,12 weeks depending on their doctor and current job…and then move back into their own workplace. We also help with clothes and the basics…a hand-UP…not OUT…”
I asked Kim what some of her dreams might be. She said: “I’d like to start a morning devotional; a literacy program’; and DOUBLE the size of the building! I confess to hating paperwork but TRISH GILLIAN, Office Manager helps a lot. LINDSI CROWLEY, is our FB Administrator. Like us…BROKEN WINGS MINISTRIES THRIFT STORE. We also have a Board are interested in AND NEED any kind of donations! Please continue to support us!”
OPEN: T-Fri 8-4; Sat 8-12.
