Helping Hands

HELPING HANDS  "Stories of Inspiration"

HANDS THAT SERVE  Volunteer, Sam Taylor, stocking shelves.  We don't know what we'd do without Sam.   "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'" Matthew 25:40  HANDS THAT GIVE  Connally Baseball Team taken the day of their food drive. Food Drives are critical to our success.  Visit our websiteto see how easy it is to organize one. We get our food through partnership with the Capital Area Food Bank to whom we pay a fee for the food we receive.   Monetary gifts help us keep the doors open and keep the shelves filled. HANDS THAT PRAY  Bill and Cricket Mance Every client has the opportunity to have a word of prayer with our trained prayer partners.   THE 8th ANNUAL STOREHOUSE GOLF TOURNAMENT April 23, 2012 Lost Creek Country Club     Wrap your helping hands around your golf clubs and join us. It's for a good cause.  If you're golfing for the first time, you get a discount!  Visit our Website  2012 Major Sponsor Thank you, HEB A Few of Last Year's Sponsors   Many,many thanks to our wonderful sponsors from 2011.        Dear Friends,     Welcome to our new Helping Hands Newsletter where we will feature some of our best friends in the coming months. We hope their stories will be an inspiration to you.   Sandra & Jack      A Family's Odyssey to Freedom The Miriam Melian Story        Miriam Melian is a valued Storehouse volunteer who ministers to Spanish-speaking clients. She has a heart for  undocumented families who struggle to stay in this country.  " Every time I serve I hear stories with struggles very similar to those in my own life experiences. It is through prayer that I rely on the Holy Spirit to get the message of salvation, love and hope into the hearts of those to speak Spanish."  In January 11, 1962, my family was granted a visa to come to the United States and leave the communist country of Cuba.  It was a trip that required personal sacrifice and a huge leap of faith.  My father, Rafael Melian was 33, my mother, Miriam, 28, my brother Ralph was 5, I was the middle daughter, 4 years old and my baby sister,Ralin was only 2.        My family in 1962 upon arrival from Cuba At that time Cubans were allowed to apply for a visa to come to the U.S. if they forfeited all the land, houses and material possessions they owned to the communist government. We were allowed to take 40 pounds of clothes.  For us it was a miracle that we were able to leave as a family.  My dad was a Baptist pastor and his name was not on the paperwork to leave the communist country. (Most pastors were not granted permission to leave.) Somehow God provided a way.  We flew over the gulf waters, 90 miles to freedom. We arrived on a very cold winter day with no food, no home, and a whole lot of faith. God was good  and He had plans for us  We made connections with Cuban Christian brothers and sisters already in the United States. I remember going to the refugee center for food and clothes, and if we were lucky, we were able to get used toys and shoes. I know that God provided basic needs for my family in those early years through those who gave generously to help the Cuban refugees.in their quest for freedom and a better life. My family will not forget how God provided for us nor the love shared by Christian brothers and sisters.  We are celebrating 50 years of  freedom this year and we say, "God bless The United States of America."  Tina's Corner  Thanks to every volunteer who has come along side of us to help. We need workers in Food Distribution on Wednesdays and Fridays.    Also, we need Prayer Partners Wednesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays.  If you have thought about helping, now is the time to contact me @ (512) 989 - 9989 ext 10 or click to email me              Jeremiah 29:11 NIV  "For I know the plans that I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."   Please pray for the mission of The Storehouse: to provide food for the hungry and hope through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you so much for your interest in this work. Many of you have never visited us.  We extend an invitation to you to drop by sometime. Our hours of operation are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. In addition, we want to invite you to our weekly ministry times: Weds. 9 a.m. - Bible Study  Weds. 7 p.m. - Intercessory Prayer Sunday 10 a.m. Worship Service All ministry is held in Suite C-4.  Everyone is welcome. Compassion without compromise,   Jack & Sandra Cochrun Thank you for your gifts  The Storehouse Food Mission is located at the POP Plaza, 1202 FM 685, Ste. C 4/5, Pflugerville, TX 78660 Our mailing address:  P. O. Box 1256, Pflugerville, TX 78691 Phone:  512-989-9989  Tuesday thru Saturday 10 - 2  www.thestorehousenetwork.com