Christmas offers opportunity to meet spiritual, practical needs of our community

This is one of the most wonderful times of the year at the Ventura County Rescue Mission and the Lighthouse for Women and Children. Covid-19 has impacted all of our worlds. When I was writing this letter last year, I truly thought that we would be on the other side of this pandemic by now, but that is not the case.

After administering over 2,000 Covid-19 tests at the Mission and the Lighthouse, quarantining both facilities at times, creating new systems and processes, we were still able to provide refuge, recovery, and restoration for men, women and children in our community. This has been true this year and it will remain true throughout the holidays.

The need is great, and just as we creatively distributed Thanksgiving meals to those who needed a warm meal and all that the meal represented, we will creatively distribute thousands of toys to our clients’ families AND to so many more who would not have any Christmas gifts without the efforts of the Mission and the Lighthouse. This happens because of you and I am so grateful to God for each one of you and your generous hearts.

The Bible tells us that when Jesus was born, they called Him Emmanuel, which means “God with us.” When life becomes difficult, so many ask the question, “Where is God?” When we meet them at the very place of their needs this Christmas season, we are able to also share that God sees you, He knows you, He loves you, and He has a plan for your life.

Life is difficult now but there is HOPE and there are better days ahead. Thank you for partnering with us as we seek to meet the needs of so many this holiday season in both practical and spiritual ways.

Blessings,
Clayton Coates
Chief Ministry Officer