Baptist Mission Center Update
Well, now that the snow and ice have melted we’re back to regular routines. We missed a number of days, but we’re praying for the snow to stop for the winter.
Despite the weather, our programs continue to see increased participation. Today at Baptist Friendship House we had 12 women come for Bible Study with two new ladies. That’s remarkable as last year at this time we averaged only 5.
New programs
Baptist Friendship House is adding a new program. On the first Monday of each month we will have Coupon/Budget Club at 6:30pm. We will gather to cut and share coupons, share shopping tips, and find ways to stretch our precious dollars. We hope to have a program every Monday evening that helps the ladies help themselves. Ideas that have been offered are:
- Resume Building
- Scrapbooking
- Computer Classes
- Lawnmower maintenance
- Sewing/Quilting
- Flower Arranging
- Health Issues/Nutrition
If you can help with any of those areas, please contact Nathan White (343.5437).
Community Issues
I don’t like wading into politics, but there are two issues in today’s paper that impact our community. The first are proposed budget cuts and the second is that the city received the regions’ unhealthiest ranking.
Budget cuts:
Within the Department of Social Services, for example, McDonnell has suggested eliminating general fund support for nine programs outright, including $1.2 million for homeless assistance programs, $700,000 for domestic violence services, $4.8 million in child support supplements and $3.6 million for the state Healthy Families initiative.
From the Department of Health, McDonnell’s lieutenants have suggested eliminating nearly $1 million from a teen pregnancy prevention program, cutting $1.8 million for the Virginia Association of Free Clinics, trimming $2.2 million from the Virginia Health Care Foundation and eliminating local health department dental care services. (Roanoke Times article)
Obviously nothing is final, but no matter what happens, this abymsal economy continues to affect the least of these – those that we serve. We can’t count on government; how are we, as God’s people, going to help?
Unhealthy rankings
Roanoke ranked 116 out of 132. The results in the healthiest communities were those that:
…show that people who live in healthier counties tend to have higher education levels, are more likely to be employed, have access to more health care providers, and have more access to healthier foods, parks and recreational facilities. (Roanoke Times article)
Around the neighborhood
Last week there was a shooting just one block away from the Baptist Friendship House. Two of our ladies live on that block. Please pray for them, their families, and for their safety.
Yesterday a body was found in Southeast. Please continue to pray for the families in that neighborhood that Baptist Community Center serves.
