February Meeting time • Saturday • February 21st • Time: 9:00-Noon • Room #1108

Thank you “Blanketeers”

Blanket Distribution 10 blankets were given to Baby Angel Threads to be included as part of the lay-ettes they provide to needy mothers of newborns.

50 blankets were distributed to the Women’s Lighthouse Shelter in Oxnard to offer comfort to the children who come with their mothers, often in desperate situations and stressful circum-stances.

100 were given to Craig McCord for the needy of the Philippines. Please see the photos on this page and page 2 of this newsletter to better understand the need of the people Pastor McCord serves through Workers for the Harvest.

10 blankets have been set aside for the upcoming mis-sion trip to Belize led by Elizabeth Romero.

40 blankets with satin bind-ings were provided to Grace Children’s Home for the new baby house as well as 10 twin sized blankets for the beds in the new house for older children.

Calvary’s Blanket Ministry

Blankets Delivered As a result of your time, effort and willingness to show God’s love, 17,099 blankets have been deliv-ered to 31 countries.

Julie Jenkins Esther Johnson Bob Kari Cheryl Kari Al ison Kerner Judy Kerner Jeanne Korb Kai Kwok Sue Leigh Mark Lindauer Dyan Lucero Al ice McLuckie Joanne Medved Rebecca Miguel Maddie Moore Sam Moore Ann Ongania Isabel Perez Liz Perez Christina Rodriguez Lisa Rodriguez

Cindy Barham Suzanne Bellamy Cole Berweiler Kim Berweiler Hugh Bryant Beth Cook Norma Dizon Antonette Duque Carol Eisner Edna Ell icott Scott Ell is Susan Eschelbach Baxter Flor Claire Flor Barbara Gibbs Avis Gil leland Sandy Gregory Jil l Hessick Tracy Hil l Maria Hughes

Putting Margin in Your Life Can Ease Stress “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and hum-ble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30.

Four immediate benefits you’ll receive by building margin into your life: 1) Peace of mind—when you’re not always hur-rying and worrying, you have time to think, time to relax, time to enjoy life. 2) Better health—unrelenting stress harms our bodies. The truth is your body needs downtime in order to heal. 3) Stronger relationships—relationships take time and margin provides the time to sit and talk, to listen and enjoy one another and to provide the comfort we each need. 4) Usefulness in ministry—Being available to God for his use makes all the difference in this world. Except from Purpose Driven Life

Alissa Ross Niki Ross Kay Satterlee Rosalie Seshan Barbara Simmons Jeanne Stermolle Larry Stermolle Arlene Szuchon Bobbie Taylor Judy Tedeschi Marri Thomas Sierra Townes Elvire Van Spall Connie Vanderwilt Chloe Walton Tracy Walton Kandi Wahrenbrock Joyce Wiechert Rod Will is Kathy Wilstein

This poor single mother in the mountain town of Kili (Philippines) had no blanket to wrap her child until Christmas Day. Before she received our blanket, she wrapped her baby in old rice sacks. (Read more stories on page 2)

Philippines Craig McCord recently sent photos of his last trip to the mountain country of Abra in the Philippines where there is no electricity and firewood is scarce. Our blankets not only provided the comfort and warmth of Jesus, but to most, it was the only Christmas gift they have ever received. For those children who do receive Christmas gifts it is usually a bar of soap or a bunch of bananas. Our blankets will be cherished as a prized possession. Thank you Craig for sharing not only your photos but telling the story of each person in the photos.

Mary is an industrious single mom in a small group of homes, not big enough to have a name. She struggles to make the house festive by decorating a

tree branch and taping up a plastic Merry Christmas sign. Her one year old, will probably never be able to go to a school because it is so far away, so she is dedicated to home schooling (to what degree we don't know). Because it was so cold there, and because there was niether school nor picture books we gave the extra warm ABC blanket to Mary. We also prayed for her and her mother and baby.

This is the Pastor in Ba-e. He lives with his wife and three kids in a one room tin shack, smaller than most tool sheds. He spends almost all his time looking after the church. Even though the congregation tithes, it is usually only a small sack of rice or a few cabbages. He is dying of Tuberculo-sis and can seldom afford his medicine. For $2,000 US Dollars he could build a house big enough for the family. If 100 people would give just $20. we could change this man of God's life.

In cold remote mountain villages like Ba-e, with no electricity, there is only one way to warm up on a chilly windy, rainy day. This boy is lucky enough to have a warm jacket, most kids here don't, and now he also has a warm blanket.

When this precious old woman received her blanket she was overwhelmed with joy and began to praise God.

On Christmas Day, in the falling down termite eaten church at Kili, young and old praised God for the gift of warmth of our blankets.

Thank you Craig for delivering our blankets and sharing God’s Word and love with these people.

Page 2 February 2009

Honduras Thanks to the efforts of Julie Edwards and her team many blankets have been delivered to Nicaragua and Honduras. This photo gives us a glimpse into the life of this little girl who lives at the dump. May the love that this team so clearly demonstrates and our blanket offer her and oth-ers hope and a reminder of His love for them. Thank you Julie for all you and those who go with you do for the least of these.

Page 3 February 2009

Men in the Blanket Ministry! Several years ago when my wife became active in the blanket ministry, I seemed to recall that it was often referred to as the blanket ministry for the ladies. However as Linda took over the leadership of this ministry, there was a transformation that began to shape the look and feel of what this ministry was all about. Seamlessly I saw God working to bring in new hands and faces to the monthly meetings, that not only included women, but men as well! Over the past year we’ve had dads with their daughters showing up to make blankets, and now we seem to have a consistent group of men of all

ages that are there on the 3rd Saturday of each month contributing to the success of this ministry! What the Lord is doing in the hearts of these men just keeps me in awe! I see Hugh Bryant who has a serving heart for the Lord, not only making blankets but bringing with him, some of the special needs men, teaching them to serve and give back, as these men have made dozens of blankets over the last few months. Bob Kari, de-spite his handicap looks forward to the meetings and does a fantastic job cutting the fringe around the blan-kets, and he does a great job keeping the men at his table in conversation plus I see Bob’s enthusiasm as he champions the blanket ministry wherever he can. I see Mark Lindauer humbly show up to create a loving gift of a blanket for someone in this world who has little or nothing. I see Rod Willis take a finished blanket that he’s made, and place it before the Lord and pray over it before that blanket goes on to that special someone with Christ’s love. I see Tracy Walton who shows up to help cut the fleece fabric material into a blanket size with a servant’s heart. I see Cole Berweiler with his mom Kim, giving up a Saturday morning, working dili-gently to make blankets not only at the church but Cole takes them home to make more at home. I see a new face in newcomer Kai Kwok as he was touched by what he saw in this ministry and decided to show up to learn how to make blankets. I saw Larry Stermolle and his wife Jeanne, also newcomers, show up to lend a hand as a couple, who together made their 1st blanket with God’s love in their hearts. Without a doubt, I see God at work within this ministry , He’s touching lives, not just for those who receive His love in these blankets, and not only for those who deliver the blankets, and not just for the ladies either in this ministry. I see God at work in the hearts of men here at Calvary as well. So ladies please don’t be offended that more men are par-ticipating in this ministry! Because together, each of you are helping to wrap His love around the world, in the warmth of a blanket made by each of you with a serving heart. Len Krukowski

MOPS On behalf of Mothers of Preschoolers, Alissa Humphries presented us with beautiful fleece blankets that were made as a part of a service project. This is the second year that MOPS has purchased fabric, made the blankets and donated them to us to distribute to needy chil-dren. Alissa also told us a little about MOPS and the support they offer to mothers who have preschool children. If any of you know new moms who are not part of this organization, please encourage them to contact the church for additional information. These ladies are a resource and a support one another. Childcare is offered at their meetings so it is also an opportunity for the moms to have a short break from their young children and know they are nearby and being lovingly care for. Thank you MOPS!

Page 4 February 2009

In Memory of Jodi Hickerson Ano the r one o f ou r “blanketeers” was called home to be with the Lord on January 12th. Jodi Hickerson served the blanket ministry for several years. She loved to sew satin bindings on our fleece fabric and make her special blankets for “the little ones”. We always made sure that her blankets went to the infants and small children who would be comforted by

that soft satin binding. Jodi was a spirited woman who was a part of many peoples lives as a teacher for 20 years and a realtor for 30. She will be deeply missed by all those who were touched by her presence. Jodi’s work lives on in the life of the children fortunate enough to re-ceive her special blankets. Please keep Jodi’s family in prayer as they grieve the loss of this amazing woman.

Robin Clement I receive Robin Clement’s monthly newsletter and wanted to share a little bit of it with you. I believe she opens our eyes to how many struggle for day to day survival and provides an opportunity for us to give thanks for all that we have. She writes:

This is an actual dwelling that was on the way to our Spectrum construction site. This neighborhood has no water and it must be delivered, filling up the drums in front. As you can see what-ever can be found is used to keep the wind and rain out.

The next time you are not happy because your internet connection is slow or maybe you don’t like the car-pet in the family room, consider how much of the world really lives and be thankful instead of discontent.

"Is it getting any better in Tijuana?" The truth is "No." In fact, I think it's growing worse and reflects the up-heaval in the American economy. In the poor barrios, fac-tors like family breakdown, immorality, poverty and drugs combine to create an environment of hopelessness and desperation resulting in even more violence. To be honest, in some cases there is really no reason to live, leaving more and more teens and men to become eager candidates for the Mafia and Cartel.

Thanks once again for your prayers, not only for our ministry, but for my safety as I work the dark side of Tijuana. The rewards are great, the dangers, very real. I am grateful to you for being part of the team. Robin

Please include Robin in your prayers. She serves so many of Mexico’s children who live in poverty. May the Lord continue to bless her ministry and keep her safe when she finds herself in a potentially dangerous terri-tory and/or situation.

31 Countries Julie Edwards recently returned from Cuba and was able to deliver a few of our blan-kets to the children there. It is a challenge to get the blankets into the country. She plans to return soon traveling with a group and each person should be able to take four to five blankets without them being

confiscated. Cuba is the 31st country to receive our blan-kets!

To date our blankets have gone to Belize, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Cuba, El Sal-vador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Kenya, Laos, Mexico, Nepal, Nicaragua, North Korea, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Romania, Russia, South Africa, Sudan/Darfur, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda, Ukraine, and of course to children in the USA.

Thank you to all who have at times risked their own safety to carry the message, comfort and warmth of God’s love by delivering our blankets all over the world.

Questions??? Call Linda Krukowski (805) 379-0125 or e-mail Linda_Krukowski@yahoo.com