Christmas 2010

House of Hesed

Hesed is a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament to describe the Hesed is a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament to describe the Hesed is a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament to describe the Hesed is a Hebrew word used in the Old Testament to describe the eternally loyal, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, compassionate, eternally loyal, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, compassionate, eternally loyal, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, compassionate, eternally loyal, lavish, extravagant, unrestrained, compassionate, merciful love of our Father God. As recipients of this divine love, merciful love of our Father God. As recipients of this divine love, merciful love of our Father God. As recipients of this divine love, merciful love of our Father God. As recipients of this divine love, we desire to emulate His compassion in our attitudes and actions we desire to emulate His compassion in our attitudes and actions we desire to emulate His compassion in our attitudes and actions we desire to emulate His compassion in our attitudes and actions

towards others, particularly toward those people living with towards others, particularly toward those people living with towards others, particularly toward those people living with towards others, particularly toward those people living with HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS. HIV/AIDS.

…building a place of loving…building a place of loving…building a place of loving…building a place of loving----kindnesskindnesskindnesskindness

It was my very first board meeting at House of Hesed. During the introductions, Moe Feakes shared that approximately 80 people had been through the doors of Hesed in the 12 years of its existence. Considering the need, this number was “just a drop in the bucket,” she reflected. That is, until God reminded her that every one of those men and women mattered deeply to Him and each was deserving of His mercy. Good reminder. In 2008, I graduated from seminary, where I learned that the Old Testament Hebrew word for mercy is hesed, referring to the inexhaustible loving-kindness that flows from God to humankind. In the New Testament, the Greek, word for mercy is eleos translated “compassion,” particularly divine or human compassion that expresses itself in action. Expressing divine compassion through human action is the hallmark of every conversation and every gesture extended to every person at the House of Hesed. Here, invisible grace is made visible in the act of providing a safe place and an affordable housing option for people who suffer with HIV/AIDS. Day in and day out, staff and volunteers attend to the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the ten individuals who comprise this family, contributing to a convalescence that nurtures hope and healing. This is what inspires my contribution to Hesed. In the company of like-minded Christians from a wide-range of denominational backgrounds, I have the privilege of joining a holy work that is well underway. A favorite author, David Benner, says it well, “It is important that we remember that the Spirit of God blows where the Spirit of God wills, and not always will this be where we expect it. Our job is to discern where God is acting in the world and participate in the healing, reconciling reconstructive work God is undertaking..”

I may be a “newbie” to the Hesed board, but it doesn’t take long to discern that this particular House is a place where “God is acting in the world,” and that for a time, I am invited to be a part of it. Perhaps in this season, marked by an extra measure of love and generosity, you will consider your contribution to the growth and development of this important work and act accordingly.

Jan WoltmannJan WoltmannJan WoltmannJan Woltmann

House of Hesed—Christmas 2010 2

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYMENT

OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES

OPPORTUNITIES

HOUSE OF HESED IS HIRING! If you or if you know someone that might

be interested in joining our team and making a difference in the lives of

those that live at Hesed, we’d love to hear from you!

1. LIVE-IN STAFF

Live in Staff assumes responsibility for the management of the house in the absence of regularly scheduled staff persons. Room and Board is provided.

The live in staff person will help prepare and share in the evening meal when required, respond appropriately to medical situations as per guidelines, assists staff in case of emergency, may be required to cover the daytime, evening or overnight shifts as per

specific job descriptions, light housekeeping, shovelling snow, mowing lawn as required, deal effectively with household problems as they arise, keep daily written records, any food

and/or toiletries for the exclusive use of the Live-In Staff is to be purchased and supplied by the Live-In Staff person.

2. OVERNIGHT AND WEEKEND SUPERVISOR

Immediate openings for mature, reliable, self-motivated persons of integrity who love Jesus and have a heart to serve people living with HIV/AIDS. The awake overnight shift is from 11:00pm to 9:00am and the weekend shift is alternating weekends from 9am to 4pm, duties include cleaning according to task

checklist, being available for residents at all times, dispensing medications as well as having clear written and strong verbal communications skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality is a must.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour and a willingness to share the Faith with clients upon their request. The ability to work in a controversial social area, live in community (specific to the live in position), and possess a genuine desire to serve people living with HIV/AIDS. Knowledge of and ability to work with substance abusers, problem solve and be effective with conflict resolution and mediation. Able to work independently, respect, adhere to and represent House of Hesed Code of Conduct. Knowledge of Universal Precautions, first aid and CPR certified, and have updated TB

test. A 2 - 3 year commitment is required (specific to the live in position).

Resumes for these positions should be submitted to:

Tami Duff at tami@houseofhesed.ca or

P.O. Box 2102, Winnipeg, MB, R3C 3R4

or call 772-4793 for more information.

Resumes will be accepted until January 15, 2011

3 House of Hesed—Christmas 2010

If you’re struggling to find that perfect gift you might want to consider making a donation in honor of someone. We have acknowledgement cards available that you could give during the holiday

season, just let Tami know if you would like to make a donation in someone’s name as a gift and she’ll be more than happy to forward the information onto you.

December 1st is World AIDS Day and House of Hesed will be very busy on that day raising awareness of HIV/AIDS in Winnipeg as well as funds for operating expenses for the house.

We will be having our radio-a-thon with CHVN 95.1FM and also IGNITE 107FM between 6am and 6pm. This has become possible with the Sir

Thomas Cropo Foundation grant approval we received earlier in the year. On the evening of Dec. 1st, Our Love In Motion will be having a benefit concert for

House of Hesed at The Winnipeg Convention Centre at 7:30pm, featuring Drew Brown and WHY as some of the Performers.

SAVE THE DATE! MARCH 24TH

- 2ND

ANNUAL ART AUCTION

We will be looking for people to donate original art once again and will have more details in the

Spring newsletter or you can call Tami for more info at 415-1459.

Another year has come and almost gone! As 2010 comes to a close, Moe and I have been reminiscing about everything that has happened in the previous months and once again are overwhelmed (in a great way) with the generosity of everyone who comes in contact with House of Hesed. You play such a vital role in helping this ministry continue to serve men and women living with HIV/AIDS and we can’t say thank you enough. House of Hesed

is so blessed to have amazing people, like you, praying for the residents and staff, volunteering your time, and also supporting us financially and we are so very grateful. Thank you! As I sit here, listening to my Christmas music, my anticipation is building for what’s coming next! I’m excited House of Hesed is going to be part of a Shopping Day at Ten Thousand Villages on Saturday, November 20th. This is a great opportunity to do some of your Christmas shopping and support House of Hesed as well as Fair Trade, BUT you need your voucher! Please cut out the voucher below and bring it with you when you shop on November 20th – this is the only way House of Hesed will receive 10% of your purchase from this shopping day. We appreciate your support. Please note that Ten Thousand Villages will accept this voucher at both of their locations: Plaza Drive &

Henderson Hwy.

Support House of Hesed and Fair Trade

Shop Ten Thousand Villages

At 134 Plaza Dr., 261-0566,

10am – 5:30pm on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010 and

10% of your purchase will be donated to

Tami’s

Corner

THANKS TO COLLEEN KWADE FOR DESIGNING THIS AND ALL OF OUR NEWSLETTERS!

4

House of Hesed P.O. Box 2102 Winnipeg, MB R3C 3R4 204-772-4793

info@houseofhesed.ca www.houseofhesed.ca

House of Hesed (Manitoba) Inc. Charity Registration #83209 8214 RR0001

House of Hesed—Christmas 2010

We here at House of Hesed, are blessed by our many friends who have chosen to partner with us in supporting men and women living with HIV/AIDS in Winnipeg and whom call Hesed “home”. I really do not have the words to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who contributes to the excellent quality of life that our residents enjoy while in our care. We appreciate your words of encouragement, your generosity in time, energy and dollars and of course, your prayers.

Thank you to Ruth Bergen and the people of Niverville and Cornerstone Alliance for the paper product drives they organized on our behalf. To Grant Memorial Baptist Church for the food drive, for organizing Going Beyond Run for AIDS and inviting us to be the local representative.

Thank you to Pastor Brian Brglez for inviting us to join The Bridge Church for their fall supper. What a wonderful evening it was.

Thank you to Jenny & Tim Plett and the Saturday Night Church in Landmark for their faithfulness to this ministry over the past several years. We appreciate the suppers that you so lovingly prepare for us (the vegetarian lasagna was wonderful!)

and of course we value and enjoy your company.

Thank you to Church of the Rock, Elim Chapel, The Bridge, Cornerstone Alliance, and The Meeting Place for their monthly donations.

Thank you to Thomas Cropo for funding the CHVN Radio Campaign, the Winnipeg Foundation for the money to update our literature and website, Manitoba Community Places for paying for the purchase and installation of a new air conditioner, Thomas Sill and Manitoba Community Places for our new windows and fire exits. Manitoba Community

Services for funding a portion of our operating expenses.

Thank you to our amazing Volunteers who help prepare meals, do yard work, clean, pick up Winnipeg Harvest, do errands, grocery shop and befriend our residents, staff and other volunteers.

Thank you to Winnipeg Harvest for supplementing our considerable grocery requirements every two weeks as well as bonus items.

Thank you to Gio’s Cares for their donations of coffee and paper products.

Thank you to our Board of Directors for their wisdom, insight and support.

And of course thank you to the House of Hesed Staff who serve our residents with joy, compassion, courage, a great sense of humour and love.

But mostly we thank our Father God, for His extravagant provision, His guidance, His Grace, Mercy, Forgiveness and “Hesed” love. We exalt and glorify Jesus, it is a privilege to serve Him here.

God Bless You, Love Moe

From our family to yours,From our family to yours,From our family to yours,From our family to yours,

We wish you all a very We wish you all a very We wish you all a very We wish you all a very

Merry Christmas and a Merry Christmas and a Merry Christmas and a Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Happy New Year!Happy New Year!