Guest Post by Emily 09/04/10
Emily recently started her own H2O location in Grants Pass, Oregon. On her website she shares about filling her first set of 55 bags and then excitedly writes of the joy she and others have found in handing out bags. She entitled this post as "Another Victory!" You're sure to be ble
--- Special thanks to Grant Blomdahl, James Calkins, a
H2O in the Oregonian 07/23/10
A writer for Oregon's largest newspaper visited Camp Jonah and wrote a little blurb about what H2O's involvement is at camp this summer. Check it out here.
Only three more weeks of camp. The summer has been going so fast. Each week I've been helping campers fill H2O bags, sharing with them how God has worked through H2O, and challenging them to do hard things for the glory of God.
So far this summer, over $300 has been rai
Little Kids with Big Hearts! 07/10/10
This week at Camp Jonah, we were blessed to have a lady from Shepherd's Door come share her testimony of living on the streets and then finding hope from the mission. Her story was amazing, and the campers asked her many questions about being homeless. It was hard for the 4-6th graders to gra
Hope2Others at Camp Jonah 06/30/10
It's the middle of the second week of camp. Last week, I had a great time investing in campers, sharing our story of starting H2O, and challenging them to start living sold out for Jesus. We filled bags right after I spoke, and I think campers had a good time and understood what it was for.
Every time I drive by or visit the Portland Rescue Mission there's a long line of homeless men, sitting, waiting, sleeping. Because there's always bound to be a bunch of people there, a lot of groups who want to help homeless people target that street and those people. My group was n
This heartbreaking photo was taken on August 2, 2006 in Tokyo, Japan. It portrays the plight of one of the many homeless people living on the city's streets - an often forgotten aspect of Tokyo.
Want to start H2O in Japan? Sign up for a starter kit . Give this man a
Break My Heart 04/23/10
This week, I went to the Rescue Mission in downtown Portland, where hundreds of homeless men and women enjoy a warm meal and a chapel service. As some volunteers served the food, I went to each table filling water glasses, pouring coffee, and visiting with the men and women who came that night.
I'd rather have Jesus 04/15/10
Spirit, now living and dwelling within me, keep my eyes fixed ever on Jesus' face. Let not the things of this world ever sway me. I'll run till I finish the race.
O how easy it is to lose sight of Jesus and fall in love with this world! It's like a runner getting so caught
Are You a Good Christ? 03/27/10
You have got to hear what Francis Chan, pastor of Cornerstone church in Simi Valley, CA, wrote in his article called "Are You A Good Christ?":
I think it's time we stop asking ourselves the question: "Am I a good Christian?" We live in a time when the term "C
I delight in being weak 03/25/10
Last night, Leslie and I took a 40 minute drive up to Washougal, Washington to share the story of how H2O got started, what it is, and what teens in general can do in service to God. One of the points we closed with, to encourage the students as they seek out what God wants them to do, is found in 2
I am a Disciple of Jesus 03/02/10
I am part of the fellowship of the unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die is cast. I have stepped over the line. The decision has been made. I am a disciple of His.
I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still.
Leslie's Carboard sign... 02/18/10
In our last blog post, we encouraged you to picture yourself as a panhandler to better understand what they go through.
Homeless Veterans 01/31/10
The National Coalition for Homeless reports that 200,000 veterans are homeless and 400,000 veterans will experience homelessness during the course of a year.
Here's the question we must ask ourselves: Why is it that although they risked their lives to save us, we
Jonah Ministries, the camp that inspired us to start H2O, is hosting another Mission Camp this summer for kids (grades 4-8). This year's camp theme focuses on ministry to Muslims, while including fun outdoor activities. We highly recommend sending your kids to this camp!
Facebookers, This is For You! 01/26/10
We're already almost to 1000 fans on our Facebook fan page. Invite at least one of your friend to become a fan, so we can meet our goal of 1000 fans by February 1st. Thanks for helping us spread the word!
No Excuses 01/22/10
If ever you thought you couldn't do something hard for the Lord, watch this movie and you'll think differently.
Mission ConneXion 2010 01/22/10
Lauren and I presented a workshop at Mission ConneXion NW on Saturday. Here are some of the key points we covered...
How to start a ministry:
1. Discover Problem
- What do you see in the world that needs changing? - Examples: Abortion, Slavery, Starvation, AID
I am Second 01/05/10
Karen Green, once an abused child, drug addict, and homeless mother, shares her story of how God changed her heart and became first in her life.
Need A Christmas Gift Idea? 12/24/09
A lady came into our church yesterday to buy 10 bags with her birthday money. She wanted to give bags to her friends and family for Christmas so that they could go hand them out to the homeless.
The Blanket Man 12/14/09
Upon his encounter with shiverring homeless people on the streets of Portland, Jim Paulk tells his story and encourages you to get involved with his mission.
Please read on and consider helping me get blankets to the street denizens of Portland. It will be 15 degrees tonight and that
Living Homeless (on purpose) 12/03/09
A friend recently directed me to a blog with an article titled "Living Homeless (on purpose)". The blogger, Mike Potter, had intervied Kurt Salierno, a pastor who was committed to serving the homeless people and sharing the gospel with them. Kurt walks the streets of Atlanta, gets to kno
As this holiday season approached, we talked a lot about what H2O could do to love on homeless people, who have a very lonely Christmas ahead of them. We find it easy to discuss how we want to help the poor during the holidays and pitch in a little if someone initiates something, but to
Holiday Challenge 11/29/09
Look for H2O's new holiday challenge coming December 1st!
H2O party in downtown Portland! 11/27/09
For those of you who live in the Portland area, Christa-Taylor clothing is partnering with Hope 2 Others on December 5th, for night of fun, shopping, and giving.
What: A temporary "popup" store recently opened in downtown Portland, featuring clothing and accessories from local
"One of the most exciting stories last year was Dollar for a Drink — a campaign by 16-year-old Joshua Guthrie to raise $10,000 to build a well in Sudan. With a big response from rebelutionaries, youth groups, and young people around the country, Joshua met and exceeded his goal. Now
Do Big Things by the Power of a Big God 11/09/09
"Many Christians estimate difficulties in the light of their own resources, and thus attempt little and often fail in the little they attempt. All God’s giants have been weak men who did great things for God because they reckoned on His power and presence with them." Hudson Taylor
Two Gallons of Love 10/31/09
I set my two milk jugs down and waited in line at Safeway. It was a Sunday evening, and Mom sent me to the store for milk, since we were on our last gallon. A short lady, probably in her twenties, stood in line in front of me with a few items. She turned around and looked at me, smiling softly and m
Hugging a Homeless Person 09/20/09
We walked up to the door of the downtown mission, and homeless men and women crowded the sidewalk. I looked down at one man sitting on his mat, leaning against the brick wall. With a smile I said, "Hi." He looked surprised to hear me greet him but smiled and nodded back.
Th
"God Bless You" 09/14/09
On his way to school, our friend Elijah encountered a panhandler on the street corner. This is his account of that day...
I take the Glisan exit, thinking to myself "Good, I won't be late." As I come to the light, it turns green and I proceed to make the left turn towards
To save one more 08/29/09
The following movie clip is taken from the movie "Schindler's List", which tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved the lives of more than 1000 Jews during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories. But upon being honored for the saving all those
an old woman's heart. 08/16/09
We were sitting in her kitchen, talking about what this world is coming too, about all the evil that's out there, and about the scary things that go on these days. And when we got to that point in the conversation where most people would blame the government, talk about the end times, talk abou
Defining a Christian 08/01/09
"What's your definition of a Christian? Is it broad enough to encompass the drug dealers, pimps, prostitutes, and broken people of the world? Jesus said that he came to heal the sick. Drug addicts are messed up just the same as liars are messed up, just the same as all humans are messed
Give like crazy. Why not? 07/18/09
I was sitting through the second session at our church's Middle school retreat, where the speaker was talking about doing things that aren't always the most fun in order to reach the best destination. He gave the following wake up call of how we spend our money that I haven't been abl
H2O in Virginia 06/28/09
For the last few months, our web designer, Matthew, has been working with members from his church to start up H2O in Zion Crossroads, Virginia. Just this afternoon, 25 of them filled 200 H2O bags after their morning services. Generous donations were given to the congregation from stores in the cit
When we glance to the curb at the end of an exit ramp and see a homeless person standing with his sign, it is sometimes hard to see past the layer of dirt on his clothes, the exhausted expression on his face, and the bags of garbage and meager supplies by his side. It is easy to be di
Amanda's Story 06/06/09
Ever wondered what reaction you'll get from the panhandlers receiving your bags?
"I was just on my way home from lunch with my husband and gave out one of your bags for the first time. The man came up to the window I handed him the bag and said it was full of snacks. As he wal
Nowhere to live, nowhere to fall He used to have money, but he’s wasted it all. His face is a photograph burned in my mind, But I pretend not to see him for the twenty-first time
He sleeps under stars, that’s all he can afford His blanket's an old coat
Even Moms Can Do Hard Things 05/23/09
A couple weeks ago, on a sunny Tuesday morning, Lauren and I along with our mom and sisters drove down to Portland to share our story and encourage the women of a MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) group. It might have been just me, but I was nervous. Mainly because I felt inadequate to speak to moth
Rachel's story 05/17/09
"I picked up 3 bags from you when you spoke last week at our MOPS group...I started praying, asking God to bring someone for me to share it with. Sunday afternoon, I went out my front door and there was a homeless man with his shopping cart sitting on my neighbor's sidewalk steps. I knew t
30 Hour Famine 05/09/09
Last weekend, Lauren and I had the privilege to share our story with youth from Dallas, Oregon. The event we spoke at was a 30 Hour Famine, where teenagers from the area come together to fast and learn about hopeless people and how they can help. The evening we spent with them was such a blessing
One Story at a Time... 05/02/09
"I used to hand out a dollar or two to homeless people on the street corner, but I now give out H2O bags. I really like giving your bags, because the faces of the homeless people glow when they see me hand a big bag full of food out the window. Keep up what you're doing."
Abby's Story 04/25/09
"We had our first stuffing party two weeks ago and set up a table at church with all of the bags available for the taking. Everyone has been raving about them and I gave away my second one today!...It is so much fun (and a blessing) to see the surprised look on the homeless person’s face when I
H2O in Orlando, Florida 04/17/09
Leia Horton from SW Orlando, Florida emailed us about the H2O chapter she and others started. The speech and debate club she coaches partnered with a church in the area to fill H2O bags. She describes the exciting day: "Voices of Truth (speech & debate club), SW Orlando built the 500 bags
A Dare to Go 04/09/09
We must go live to feed the hungry Stand beside the broken We must go Stepping forward keep us from just singing Move us into action We must go
These words from Tim Hughes' song, God of Justice, have struck me hard lately. As I sing the words, I often overlo
Homeless people are often "invisible" to those busily passing by. However, as this video shows, homeless people are no different than us and great things can happen when we open our eyes and love them.
Proverbs 28:27 Whoever gives to the poor will not want, but he w
One Story At A Time... 02/19/09
"For about a week or two , I stared at the H20 bags sitting on the floor of my car. Of course now that I had the bags, I didn't drive past any panhandlers. Finally one day on the way home from school I took the freeway exit and was stopped at the red. I looked to my left and saw a young w
News: Peanut Butter Cracker Recall 01/30/09
Many stores across America have recently recalled their peanut butter products, due to the Salmonella outbreak heard about on the news. We recently received a notice from Costco informing us of the voluntary recall they’re issuing over such products. Since we usually put Austin peanut butter
Flooding America with Hope 01/18/09
If you've watched the news recently, you've probably heard a lot about rising waters and flooded in families. As I pondered how destructive those kind of waters can be, I thought about H2O and how it has the ability to be just as powerful. Imagine if the Gospel was being spread through H
All About Jesus 01/15/09
"There's one at the corner!" my little sister yelled from the back seat. Mom pulled over to the curb on her way through the light and handed an H2O bag to a small lady holding a tattered sign. We watched her as we drove off. Immediately she tore into the bag, pulling out the items
Welcome to the New Site! 01/01/09
Welcome to the new site! We're very excited about this new step and are grateful for your support.
Take a look around...we have a map with the current H2O locations, a monthly newsletter, and an easy way to contact us.
