Fall colors are changing fast, and we are all praying other positive changes are coming with them! We are praying that all of you are staying healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic that has changed our world. Passages has been blessed by the faithfulness of donors. Even though we are not able to do our fundraisers in the personal and fun way we did in 2019, we have had some checks come in and messages asking what people can do for us.
COVID has definitely changed the way Passages does business! Even though checks have come in, we are still down by 50% of the donations we typically would receive from doing our fundraising events. In addition, many of our volunteers had to step away from being able to serve us, and we had to limit the traffic coming to and from the house.
Thankfully, the volunteers are trickling back in as we watch and see how the numbers of infected people changes daily. Less volunteer activity means the staff is picking up the work that those volunteers did for us in the past. We made the decision not to hold our Splash of Color 5K run this summer, as there were to many unknowns with reserving the area with Parks and Recreation and how many people would be able to attend with COVID.
We also made the decision to do Passages Pies Plus, our fall signature event, virtually this year. As with everything this year, the event will look a little different, but we will have sweet treats available to donors through Fork Real. We will also have Passages women sharing their uplifting testimonies, plus updates from me and Jim Parry, vice president of the board. A link to the virtual event to view online will be emailed out in October. We hope that you will join us!
The struggles for all of us are real during these unusual times, especially for those struggling with addiction and/or mental health issues. What we at Passages are focusing on in 2020 is that God is still blessing us! Yes, there is a lot going on, but when we get our minds off those issues and focus on what God is doing in our lives and our ministry, He is moving in mighty ways!!
One of our favorite Bible verses at Passages is Jeremiah 29:11-- “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you, not to harm you, plans for hope and a future.” The distractions in the world don’t have to deter God’s plan for us, when we focus on Him and not the storms.
There is still hope in recovery--”My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. “ Psalms 73:26 If you have not yet had the opportunity to partner with Passages in some way, please consider doing so. Take this opportunity to introduce a woman to God and watch your relationship with Him grow closer as well. Be an example of His love to someone who is hungry and desperate to truly know His love for her. You will be blessed as much as you bless her.
Please go to our website www.passagesliving.com for more information about ways to partner and how to contact us. Blessings, Marge Beam, Director