Home Folks Newsletter

Submit yourselves therefore to God.

2011-06-13T00:38:00.000-07:00

James 4:7 "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you."
In the midst of our many struggles in life, I have found this promise of God to be wonderfully true over and over again. In serving Jesus, the devil tries so hard to distract, discourage, and destroy God's servant. However when we are tempted to grow faint of heart, or maybe even doubt God's purpose for us; God always provides a way of escape.
In every situation where my faith has become weak, it's always been life's distractions that take my focus off Jesus, the author and finisher of my faith. Once I return my full focus to Jesus and the central calling he has on my life; I am empowered to persevere. My passion is renewed.
Today I have the honor of transporting a lady from Pine Mountain Valley to WGMC in Lagrange by 8am. That's a 70 mile round trip one way to the Hospital for the Glory of God (Pine Mountain Valley is 35 miles from LaGrange). I have no idea what this trip would cost by the professionals.
A nurse called me 2 weeks ago from Opelika, Al. They needed to transport a lady to the Dr. in Opelika the next day. Their only transport service went out of business 2 weeks earlier. It was going to cost $750 by ambulance for this Dr. visit. Opelika is about 40 miles away from LaGrange. Can you see more clearly the need for our non-profit, donations only service? Maybe we could help your church start this type of Ministry.
Please pray and seek God in how you may help us continue to help others. We love you.
Most of all Jesus loves you.
Love in Christ,
Bro. Rondel

Honor The Elderly With Great Esteem

2011-05-16T02:21:00.000-07:00

After 6 years of Ministering to the elderly and home-bound, I have come to a sad realization that many of our families deal with difficult and straining conditions. Many loving care-givers are overwhelmed with the demands and responsibility of caring for their loved ones. Much of the Christian community is unaware of the needs and the terrible loneliness that our home-bound face. Our society is so fast paced, we often are lead to believe that government programs and local services are in business to handle these unseen life encounters. If it's not in our immediate family, we as the body of Christ, rarely have a clue of what these families and care-givers are dealing with on a daily basis. My goal is to enlighten the body of Christ and make a difference in "honoring our Fathers and Mothers" as God has intended. There are so many people in need,living in less than adequate conditions, often neglected by their families, or receiving minimal care. Wheel-chair transportation costs are enormous. Often medicaid transport is not available to many, so the care-giver must get their loved one to Dr. appointments any way possible. Many appointments are missed. God has called us to make a difference.
Even with our limited services,our ministry has grown to a point that we must limit most of our transports to wheel-chair patients only.
According to Phillipians 2:3-4 "Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others."
We are believing God to "enlarge our Coasts" that He may be glorified in all that is done in our community.
I Tim.5:3-5 "Honour widows that are widows indeed. But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents:for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day."
I Tim 5:8 "But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he haith denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel."
I Tim 5:16 "If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed."
Families that have patients who can walk, should find a way of transport in their own family first, seek help or guidance from their home church, or use a taxi. Using the wheel-chair van for a taxi service is not being a good steward of what God has intrusted to us. We are serving as a non-profit, non-emergency wheel-chair service to those who have no other way. We are available Mon. Wed. & Fri. 10am-6pm.
It breaks my heart to see many patients who are in their last days facing these difficult times as I have mentioned. They must be our first priority at all times.
Thank you for pondering my thoughts tonight. Please continue to pray for us.
In Christ's Love,
Bro. Rondel

God's Faithfulness is Everlasting

2011-04-16T21:32:00.000-07:00

God's been good to us. We don't always understand life's circumstances, but we must trust God's plan to make us more like His Son Jesus. God's calling on my life is certain and lasting. We've endured much trials this past year, yet God has blessed us beyond measure.We have a wonderful bundle of joy sent from heaven during our most difficult times. Our new granddaughter SarahBelle, (10 months) has filled our family with unspeakable joy.
Our church has supported and encouraged us in our ministry beyond my highest expectations. God has blessed our ministry and our church. I believe He is preparing others in broadening our vision to other areas. There are so many wonderful home-bound people who are mostly forgotten by the world. They are in dire need of a caring helping hand. The needs are great.It burdens my heart for lack of other drivers. My doctor has limited my own activities due to several health issues.
One of my patients (Mr. Ezell Cotton) a wonderful, content, and Godly man; passed away this week. He brought much joy into my heart. We went on several Dr. visits. He was always giving the Lord praise for the blessings in his life. He didn't complain about anything and had a heart of joy as the cancer was slowly taking his life.
I am honored That God chose me for this vision. I'm just one sick person trying to help another get to the Doctor, share Jesus with them and their family. God makes the change. I just love them where they are.
God has also made possible for Marion Barton to assume my Nursing Home Worship Services locally. She is a simple woman of God with a passion for the residents. It is my honor to welcome her into this part of our ministry.
Until next time, may God bless all of you.
Love In Christ,
Bro. Rondel Story

Radio Ministry

2011-02-03T04:03:00.000-08:00

Greetings in the love of Christ. Wanted to let everyone know that we've started back our radio music ministry "live" on WOAK 90.9 FM, LaGrange, Ga. on Wednesday nights 9-11pm. First and foremost we want to uplift the Name of Jesus through song and testimony. Give us a call (706-884-2950) for song requests, dedications, or maybe you'd like us to pray with you. Whatever is on your heart. We want to encourage and point everyone to Jesus.
We are also on WRNK 96.3 FM, Lanett, Al. on Tuesday evenings
from 6-7pm.
May god bless all of you.
Thanks for listening. It's all about Jesus. It's not about us. Praise His Name!
Bro. Rondel

Feb. Greetings

2011-02-02T04:35:00.000-08:00

Praise Jesus for His wonderful love and mercy! Without Him, I am nothing. Just want to thank you for your many prayers. My Doctor has adjusted some of my medications and insists that I must have more consistent rest. God has blessed. This week I feel much better.
We've made several changes in our wheel-chair ministry operations and they have already helped us to be more effective in serving the most difficult and often forgotten people who are home bound. This also allows me to be at my best in God's calling.

Our goal is to be there when it seems like no one is able to help. We want to be ready when God sends us to those desperate needs. We do our best to let the love of Christ shine into these families in such a way that God gets the glory. It's all about Jesus. It's not about us.

Mrs. Rebecca is one of our many special blessings. She's in a wheel-chair, totally blind, on dialysis, and has been in and out of the hospital several times the past few months. She glows with the love of Christ. She's content in His hands. She's always got a big beautiful smile and full of joy. I've brought her to our church a few times and she's overflowing with rejoicing in the House of God.
She also loves chicken & dressing. She calls me every few days just to say hello and see how I'm doing and where I'm at. The sound of her voice is filled with excitement and I am encouraged all the more to continue on with God's calling on my life.

Looking forward to the months ahead as God continues to use us. Thanks for your prayers and support.
Love in the Name of Jesus. Bro. Rondel

New Homefolks Ministry Guidlines

2011-01-20T21:19:00.000-08:00

My Doctor has advised me that I must not over extend myself. Most people don't realize that I'm just one sick person trying to help another sick person get to the doctor. Therefore we are defining a more consistent ministry. We serve those in need through the love of Christ as a ministry out of Baptist Tabernacle Church In LaGrange,Ga. We do not charge a fee. We accept donations only.
People in wheel-chairs, who have no other way of getting to the Dr.are our top priority. They have the greatest needs. We want to show everyone the love of Christ, but until God provides more drivers; we must operate on a limited schedule.
Homefolks Ministry Normal Schedule
3 days per week...Monday, Wednesday, & Friday.
No pick-ups before 10am.
We will try to help with some out of town urgency's as they arise and the Lord provides.
Our contact # is still 706-333-2920. Anyone calling this # will get a recording. Please leave your name, brief message, and return phone #. We will monitor this # and should return all calls by the end of the next business day. You must leave a clear message to get a return call.
May God bless you all. We ask that you pray for more drivers with a passion to serve.
Love in the name Of Christ,
Bro. Rondel

Dec. 13, 2010 Blessing

2010-12-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

I just want to PRAISE JESUS for His Marvelous Grace and Mercy. This year of 2010 has been one of our most challenging and yet most blessed of our 21 years of marriage. God has been so good to us. No matter what we have faced, even when I've been much discouraged at the circumstances around us; God has always made us stronger and brought us through all of our trials. As we grow closer in our walk with Jesus, we are more encouraged to continue on in the calling He has put in my heart. God has shown His faithfulness time after time in ways that I could never have dreamed.
I am most thankful for Jesus loving me and saving me from a sinner's hell. I thank Him for bringing me and Pat together. And again today for protecting Pat from harm when a dear struck the front of her car. It just came speeding out of nowhere. Fortunately there is only minor damage to her car and Pat was not hurt. Praise Jesus.
All year long I've been seeing people much less fortunate than myself. I hope you'll watch the videos of some of these people. Please continue to pray for us that we can continue to grow in God's will and serve more of the forgotten elderly and home-bound. If we ask God, He'll show us that they are all around us.
May you all have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
In Christ's love,
Bro. Rondel Story

Ministry Update Oct. 2010

2010-10-25T19:31:00.000-07:00

God has been so good to us ; most especially this year. He has seen us through many challenges and blessed us beyond measure. What a joy it is to serve Jesus. We're honored that he chose us to help those who are in great need of getting to the Doctor, but are so often forgotten.
Jesus said He would never leave us nor forsake us.
Many blessings to you all.
Love in Christ,
Bro. Rondel

2009-11-27T07:22:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving! Praise Jesus for His marvelous grace. We all have so much to be thankful for. I am extra thankful to be back on 3rd shift again. For over 2 years I've been working 2nd shift while our grandchildren have been growing up without seeing much of Paw. The Lord has blessed me indeed by moving me back to a similar job in the dept. where I started over 3 years ago. This will also allow me again to share our Vision in other churches on Sunday and Wednesday nights. Please pray that I will soon develop a consistent sleeping routine that is critical to my well being as a Bi-Polar patient. Thank you also for remembering Pat in the many sacrifices she has made for my service to the ministry. Both of us have many health issues, but praise Jesus, one day we'll have a new body! My long-range goal is to eventually return to full-time Ministry Service. God has given me a great passion for this ministry and my heart longs to be with the people in need.
We've seen many prayers answered this year and we've been touched with so many blessings from those we serve. There are hundreds of stories I could share from over the years. Today I'd like to tell you about Mrs. Willie Mae Strickland in West Point, Ga.
I first met her in the fall of 2008 as I picked her up in a wheel-chair going to the wound clinic in Newnan, Ga. Both her legs had been amputated, but the left leg was not healing. After waiting there about 3 hours, the staff told me they were calling for an ambulance to admit her to the Hospital next door. I told them I brought her this far, that I could also take her next door. As I left her at the admissions desk, she asked me to call her family to let them know.
I left a message on her daughter's voice mail. In just a few minutes she called me back. As we were talking she said, “do you know who this is?”. To my pleasant surprise, I was talking to a co-worker from the West Point plant (Twanda Winston). This was the beginning of a wonderful friendship with Willie Mae.
Many times over this past year we've transported Willie Mae to Doctor and Hospital trips in LaGrange and Newnan concerning this bad leg. Finally it had to be amputated again. One night at work, Twanda hugged my neck saying, “thank you for helping my Momma. This is the only way I can repay you.” I told her that hug meant so much to me. It was an honor for me to be there for her Mom. I had no idea what Twanda was dealing with. As her mother was recovering from the latest surgery and doing very well, Twanda went into the Hospital again in Opelika, Al. After a few short weeks, she lost her battle with cancer. She came home from the Hospital on a Tuesday and went home with Jesus on the following Sunday morning Oct. 4, 2009.
I had the great honor of transporting Willie Mae to Twanda's funeral. What a great testimony was proclaimed about the life of her sweet, young, loving daughter Twanda Winston. Please pray for Twanda's 3 daughters also. Twanda poured her life into her children.
Willie Mae is very special to me. She's still doing very well with her leg. We're all thankful that Twanda didn't have to suffer a long long time. I can only imagine the pain of losing a child and then add that to the loneliness of being home-bound. I am blessed whenever I get to visit Willie Mae.
God has been so good to us all. I can't praise Him enough. What are you thankful for today?
Love in Christ,
Bro. Rondel Story