Wednesday, November 29, 2017

November News Letter

We had a skid load of Bibles delivered this morning at the Berean office. Thankful Robin and Eldon were willing to help with the unloading. While the Bibles were being unloaded Cindy was busy typing in the requests for the week.
As soon as the Bibles were unloaded Robin and Mary went right to work stuffing, wrapping and labeling the Bibles heading out this week.

Bill arrived as we were busy to mail out the Bibles but we weren't quite finished. He left with the promise he would be back to load them into his truck and haul them to the post office. We sure are thankful that we now have strong men doing the hauling. We needed to order supplies today. Another 10,000 number 10 envelopes, 10 boxes of paper, 10,000 business reply envelopes and more wrapper sleeves. We are very thankful for those that donate money for these supplies. It always shocks me how much we spend on that.
To see the Berean new's letter click HERE.

Tuesday, November 28, 2017

After ThanksGiving But STILL Thankful

Another wonderful morning of fellowship while we worked on the prison Bible studies and Bible requests. Tuesday mornings are such a blessed time with such wonderful volunteers. We work together in harmony, with prayers going up for the prisoners, this program and each other. There really is nothing sweeter in the eyes of God to see His children serving and loving HIM and each other. I'm very blessed to be allowed to participate in this program and if you are looking for a way to serve there are many many opportunities with the Berean Ministry. Below are a few of the volunteers working at the Berean office today. Vonnie and Marvin are working behind Rhoda and Shirley.
 Marvin is busy applying the address labels to envelopes.
 Marvin and Kathy were the readers today while Bill is working on the computer entering the lessons. 
 Vonnie is busy separating the studies by numbers. 
 Bill is getting the Bible wrappers ready for Marvin to enter while Robin is busy making copies. 
 Rhoda, Shirley, Vonnie and Chuck are filling envelopes and once they are stuffed with the new lesson, sealing them. 

 Below Bill is getting ready to print out the certificates of those prisoners that have finished all 50 lessons in this study. 
The prisoners love the certificates. We got a letter from one prisoner who wrote, "this study is the first thing I've EVER finished in my life. Believe me that certificate was proudly hanging on his cell wall. Sometimes the letters cause us to burst out laughing. Last week we had one man write that he was sentenced to 150 years and would we be willing to help him when he gets out. Most of the letters that come are requesting a Bible but a lot of them are thank you letters. They really appreciate the comments the graders leave on the lessons. The graders in this program are most important. Sometimes this is the only outside communication a prisoner has. They anxiously await for this piece of mail. If you are a grader we THANK YOU from the bottom of our heart. One updated note for graders ANY studies going to ANY of the jails or prisons in MICHIGAN MUST grade in black or blue ink. Michigan no longer allows any studies going through with RED INK.

Tuesday, November 21, 2017

A Good Day

We had another productive day at the Berean office. Lots got done and lots of volunteers to do the work. Thankful for each and every one!







Tuesday, November 14, 2017

Experienced and Efficient

We didn't have a lot of mail today and blame that on the Veterans Day Holiday Saturday. For some reason when there is a holiday over the weekend or on a Monday we just don't get much mail. We had a good group of volunteers to come in and process what mail we did get. Leila, Dave and Kathy were our readers today.
 Bill had the main computer and runs it well. 
Eva Jean is working on labels below. 
 Once the mail was entered on the computer, the labels put on the envelopes and the envelopes put on the studies we migrated to the other room to work on stuffing the next set of lessons for each prisoner. Below Jeanette is checking with Chuck about the spelling on a name while Vonnie and Jan put the studies in order. Shirley and Glenna were stuffing and sealing envelopes. 
 Below Joyce and Leila are probably discussing really important items of the day, maybe what is for lunch but more than likely something with the prison ministry. 

 Dave and Bill were in the other room working on the computer.
 Below we are just about finished for the day. These volunteers are experienced on how to get these jobs done and done efficiently. 
 We had a good time today working together and got everything accomplished that needed to be done. Very thankful for such willing volunteers that not only work hard but have fun working together.

Wednesday, November 1, 2017

Plenty To Do

We had young helpers this morning at the Berean office. Joan's youngest 3 came to work and work they did. Faith and Berlica were put in charge of stamping the return address on the envelopes while Mackenson was in charge of putting on the non for profit stamps.
 Cindy and I entered the Bible request then Bill came and started entering on the 3rd computer. We were able to finish all 90 requests in less than a hour. Carol and Robin were in the other room working on wrapping the Bibles.
 Below Bill is explaining to Faith and Berlica that he has 8 daughters and 8 sons. 
Of course they were pretty impressed. Later I explained to them that Bill is Willow and Tate's grandpa and that Willow and Tate's dad, Billy is Bill's oldest son. Mackenson was impressed. The kids worked so well they were taken to McDonalds for a late breakfast.