K is for....

The letter K in my alphabetic gratitudes...

Kairos and Kairos Outside... I am privileged to share in a ministry that reaches out to men, women and teens who are impacted by incarceration. Whether it is a friend or a relative, friend or foe, living with the results of someone you care about being in prison is life-changing. I am grateful that God allows me to serve the women of Kairos Outside.

Jesus said,

"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me." (Matthew 25:35-36)

I am just going to blog about this for my letter today.... so sit and enjoy a virtual cup of tea and let me share with you about a very special ministry that I am involved with called Kairos Outside...

Kairos Outside began in California in 1989 and is a ministry designed to reach out to wives, mothers, sisters and other adult female family members/friends of the incarcerated to let them know there is a Christian community that cares about them and their needs.

Kairos Outside is set up as a weekend retreat to help strengthen the family unit and encourage small support groups. On two weekends a year, we provide a secure place for 24 women to share their struggles.

Kairos means "God's special time". In the lives of these women, we know it will be God's special time for them.

I am sharing this information with you because I will be one of the team members serving on the next Kairos Outside Weekend in Maryland. Kairos Outside #7 will be held September 25-27. 2009. The theme of the weekend is Soar With Jesus. My job is to serve as one of the Spiritual Directors (pastors). I am stepping out of my comfort zone, but I know God goes ahead of me and will be my Helper.

We need your help in a prayer commitment and financially to share this weekend of God's love. You can help us make it possible for this important ministry to continue.

Please take a few minutes TODAY to remember these women and to prayerfully consider a contribution. Donations of all amounts are greatly appreciated! It costs $180 to sponsor a woman for the weekend. $56 will provide all of the meals for one woman. $7 pays for breakfast, $10 pays for lunch, and $12 covers the cost of dinner. So, as you can see, any size donation is a blessing.

Thank you for your help as we share the goodness of God with these women.

God's love, peace and blessings -

Deb

* Checks should be made payable to Kairos Outside of Maryland and may be mailed to me (I will send them on) OR you may mail them directly to Kairos Outside of Maryland, P.O. Box 401, Burtonsville, MD 20866

P.S. Check out the Maryland Kairos Outside website here!