Dear Friends of Alpha and Omega Ministries

It=s been long time since an update, but that doesn=t mean that nothing has happened. This has been and remains a very exciting place to live and work.  We are now up to 30 male residents and four families on our campus.  We are in the process of purchasing a duplex house immediately adjoining our present campus.  This has allowed us to offer some single rooms to some of our long term residents.  Two of the fellows in this house are in college and are carrying four point averages.  Consider that they were homeless when they came to us.  Who says God can=t do anything??? At the moment all of our residents but five are employed and three of those are disabled to the point where they are unemployable. In this time of heavy unemployment, God has been very good to us.  

At this time we have had a couple of unseasonably nice days and were working at preparing the campus for spring. That means again spending much time on our rutty drive way.  This is a perennial problem.  Last fall I was assured the problem was solved once and for all, but sure enough, the ruts are back full force.  Someday perhaps we=ll get to pave the roadway.  Hopefully that would be a permanent solution. 

Last year we were able to line our Rose Street side with rose bushes and they bloomed beautifully into the snow thanks to the tender loving care of our late Tim Hemmer.  He will be sadly missed. Maybe he can tend roses in heaven?

Several of our residents participate in our church=s Praise Team under the direction of a former resident Gary Custard.  Resident Phillip Stephens is leading a special six week Sunday School class titled >How to get the most out of your Alpha and Omega stay.  Other residents Mike King, Phil Stephens, and Ken Goodwin preached and covered the adult Sunday School during our vacation in Florida recently, and Mike covered the director position. It=s so good to see the Lord developing gifts and skills

in His people.  Being clean and sober is a good goal, but serving the Lord with all the gifts he=s given us is better.  What is especially wonderful is that at one time these people were society’s discards.  God sure does a great renewal job!

It=s been a relief to me to have a kitchen steward, Mike bishop who assists me with food ordering meal planning and kitchen supervising, transportation managers Charlie Cutillo and Bill Grazier have done a great job of juggling schedules and getting everyone to work on time, and last but not least, my great team of house leaders who faithfully meet each Monday night to assist in the business of ministry. We are all volunteers in the kingdom work.

 This year has marked a notable increase in churches and individuals who have covenanted with us for regular financial support.  God makes much of small efforts.  Perhaps God is speaking to you about holding up our hands here at A&O.  No gift is too small to help.  Little is much when God is in it. Gifts may be sent to Alpha and Omega Ministries 124 Fellows Ave. Kalamazoo, Michigan 49001.  Or contact us on the net at shirley@dines.net.

Until next time BGod Bless you   Shirley D.