Military Ministry

What stared out as a special request for K-cups and Tide pods quickly shifted to Operation Kind Bars; a special request for something healthy, delicious and portable. I wished I could give more details, but I must adhere to OPSEC (Operations Security).

With a deployment of 6 months for the 12 Airmen we adopted, I wanted to be sure they received  a minimum of at least one package from home each week they are deployed. Because of the outpouring of love and support, that goal was reached, and then some! Praise God!

Unfortunately, I did not expect so many roadblocks with the mail. I have been sending packages of hope for nearly 10 years and this is my first experience with delays and roadblocks; which quickly began delaying their packages. Instead of the boxes flowing in every 10-12 days, the packages were being held up and delivered all at once, causing their limited space for storing personals to reach their maximum capacity.  Because of situations beyond our control, our Airmen have had to ask us to cease all future boxes. This broke my heart! I know how much these packages mean to each and every one of them and I was a little disappointed that the plans I thought were God’s weren’t.

However……

With nearly 15 additional boxes already packed, ready to ship, and needing a home, I began asking all of my contacts if they knew any military personnel that could use them. I stand in awe how God used 12 deployed Airmen to bless other troops across the Middle East and back home. Two boxes were sent to a Soldier at Fort Carson , one box went to a member of our church family also serving in the Middle East, and the remaining boxes will be distributed throughout the Middle East thanks to the contact my son in law (a Marine) gave me. God is so so GOOD! Our boys were happy to hear that because of their special requests, other troops will now be blessed.

“The heart of man plans his ways, but the Lord establishes his steps.” – Proverbs 16:9

Again, thank you for the love, honor, care, and support you continue to show towards our troops! Packages of Hope would not be possible without your love and support! Please continue to pray for our troops and our leaders.

“Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did unto me.” – Matthew 25:40

Below are pictures of some of the boxes we sent out. Most of the Tide Pods had already shipped before I was able to take a photo, but we shipped tons of Tide Pods.

With a Grateful Heart,
Lisa Marie Barrett, Director

 

Praise GOD! We have had such an outpouring amount of love and support for Operation K-Cup and Tide Pods that we are shifting gears and engaging Operation Kind Nut Butter Bars to send to our 12 Airmen.

Today I was able to ship 4 large boxes of K-cups, Tide Pods, prayer cloths, and bibles to our 12 Airmen deployed to the Middle East. Pictured below are some of the boxes that came in to my office today, and a few sneak peek photos of some of the boxes that shipped today, not to mention the boxes we already have at church and have been promised. By the time I left work TWO additional cases came in that are not featured here.

Because of this, we are going to shift gears and convert the remainder of this project to Operation Kind Nut Butter bars for the month of January. These will pair nicely with the remaining coffee that needs to be shipped and our Airmen have specifically noted these will be greatly appreciated! In addition to the Kind Nut Butter bars, we are asking for individual bags of almonds, nuts and as always, CARMEX. These snacks are portable, healthy and packed with protein so they will go a LONG way for these brave warriors. I can NOT share details, but things are extremely critical and they need our prayers and support now more than ever.

In addition to the Kind Nut Butter bars, individual bags of nuts, and Carmex,  monetary support is needed. At minimum I have 15 additional boxes to ship and each box costs $18.45 to ship. Your tax deductible gift and letters or cards of encouragement can be mailed to:

Father’s Vineyard, ATTN: Military Ministry, 724 Oakland Road, Spindale, NC 28160.

Thank you for your support and please continue to pray for our troops, their families, and our leaders.

He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day. Psalm 91:4-5

 

This past Independence Day, July 4th, 2019, was spent wrapping and packing boxes to ship to deployed Sailors. We sent several goodies, necessities and stuffed animals. Everyone was grateful for the support and enjoyed the boxes!

 

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who brought items to church or  dropped items by my office. We will never truly understand the amount of light and hope these packages bring to our troops! Again, THANK YOU!

I am hoping to send another round of light and hope to these brave warriors. If you would like to be a part of Operation Hope, please bring any of the following items to church or you may drop your items off at my office, Edward Jones in Food Lion Plaza, Rutherfordton. Monetary donations to cover postage or to purchase items can be mailed to: Father’s Vineyard, FBO: Military Ministry, 724 Oakland Road, Spindale, NC 28160.

• Notes/Cards of encouragement and gratitude
• Carmex
• Individually wrapped nuts/trail mix (NO chocolate please!)
• Beef Jerky/Slim Jims
• Hard candy
• Cough drops
• Wipes (small thin individual packages)
• Powerade/Tea (individual packets to add to water)

With a grateful heart, Lisa…

 

 

The National Center for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder has designated June as PTSD Awareness Month and The United States Senate has designated June 27th  as National PTSD Awareness Day.

PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder) is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life threatening event such as combat, a natural disaster, a car accident or sexual assault.  Everyone with PTSD whether they are a Veteran or civilian, needs to know there are effective treatment options available to them to help improve the quality of his or her life.

According to recent PTSD studies provided by PTSD United, nearly 8% of all Americans have PTSD; that’s 24.4 million people. They also reported that Soldiers with symptoms of PTSD once faced rejection  by their military peers or were feared by society in general. They were often labeled as weak and were removed from combat zones.

According to the VA nearly 20% of all Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom veterans, up to 10% of all Gulf War veterans and up to 30% of all Vietnam War veterans have experienced PTSD. Consequently, the demand for treatment continues to grow.

Tragically, one active duty military personnel and 22 veterans commit suicide every single day. These alarming statistics prove that most people with PTSD do not get the help they need.

Help bring awareness about PTSD and the effective treatment options that are available by picking up a PTSD Awareness ribbon at church.

Pledge to raise awareness by wearing your ribbon throughout  the month of June. To learn more about available treatment options and ways you can help  click here. There is also a daily events calendar posted on the on the referenced link.  Some of the daily events include posting the PTSD Treatment awareness banner on your Facebook page and doing something as simple as reaching out to a veteran.

Raising awareness can help make a difference in the life of a Veteran or any other person who has experienced trauma. Your awareness could just save a life!

 

 

Thanks to the generous donation of our church and the community, we have been able to send several packages to our local deployed Soldier and his unit. Hopefully their special box will arrive soon and I can share an update on that as well!

In memory and honor of Lance Cpl. Jordan Haerter  (USMC), Operation Gently-Used Stuffed Animals, some of the most recent packages we sent included stuffed animals for the troops to deliver. Operation Gently Used is a venture in Jordan’s honor, a foundation that honors his memory.

Last weekend I received such wonderful news! The stuffed animals had arrived. One of the Soldiers in the unit just received Soldier of the month. It was also her birthday and the troops wanted to do something special for her. I was so touched to know that one of the stuffed animals was her birthday present. Their gesture touched my heart to the point of happy tears, knowing some young Soldier was able to smile a little brighter because of the love and support of Operation Homefront and Operation Gently Used.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.  Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. – Galatians 6:9-10 New International Version (NIV)

   

 

I am so blessed to be the director of this ministry. I am humbled by the love and support of our church and community. Your generosity and prayers are making life and missing family and home much more bearable for our deployed Soldiers.

Today I was able to send two more packages! I also received a very special treat for our deployed Soldiers in the mail today. I will be mailing those boxes tomorrow. I can’t wait for them to receive their new packages! As soon as I have confirmation they have received the special boxes, I will share pictures of what was sent. I don’t want to spoil the surprise!

  

Sending everyone who has supported this project and ministry a heartfelt THANK YOU!

 

Local deployed Soldier finally reached his destination and is able to receive mail.  I was able to put together a small package to get Operation Homefront kicked off  on March 8th. He will be deployed for 9 months. We have a second Soldier deploying soon.

If you would like to write a letter of encouragement to these deployed Soldiers and their units, please mail your letter to Father’s Vineyard, 724 Oakland Road, Spindale, NC 28160. Church members and guests can place their letters in the blessing basket located in the back of the church near the information center.

We will be collecting Carmex, beef jerky, Slim Jims, cough drops, hard candy, single serving nuts, boxes of individual sleeved Powerade, and monetary donations to help cover the cost of postage throughout the month of March. Donations can be dropped off at the church office or at the back of the church on Sunday mornings. Please make any checks payable to Father’s Vineyard and include Military Ministry on the memo line.

Thank you again for your support! Our troops are always grateful to receive these packages.  I want to challenge you today to be more than a giver; be an extraordinary giver! What happens when we give? When we bless others, we too are blessed.

 

What an incredible year we had making a difference in the lives of our Deployed Soldiers by sending them letters & packages of hope! In 2018, we shipped approximately 50 packages and mailed over 300 cards to units in Iraq, Baghdad, Afghanistan, and Kuwait with Arming Our Guard with God’s Word, Carmex Express, We Are Nuts About Our Troops, and Operation Kuwait for CHRISTmas mission projects.  Both units we sent packages to are back on US soil. Praise God!

When we seek to love people and be Jesus to them, we are also serving our Lord and Savior by being His hands and feet. Thank you for being His hands and feet!

I apologize for the long delay in posting the update for this mission project. As soon as we got the boxes packed and shipped, my family started coming in for Christmas. Soon after, I lost the ability to upload information until now.

I would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who supported Operation Kuwait for Christmas. The deployed Soldiers were overjoyed to get their packages! Thanks to the support of Father’s Vineyard, my family and our community, we were able to send 8 boxes filled with love, prayers, and goodies! There were also 20 individual presents, one for each Soldier.

We have another young man from our county who will be shipping to Afghanistan next month. Please take a moment to write a letter/card of encouragement and drop it in the blessing basket at the back of the church (near the information booth). You may also mail your cards to the church, just add Deployed Soldier to the front of the card. More details to come.

 Thank you again for your support! Please continue to keep our military and their families in your prayers. If you have a loved one deployed or in training or know someone who is, please let me know.

Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. Galatians 6:9-10