Building homes and touching lives
Some people ask the question, "How do you make the decision on who you build a home for?"
There are many factors which go into our decision. Obviously there is a great deal of need all around us, and many, many people who would like to have a new home.
Sometimes a person will come to us and make a request. Other times an individual, or family will be reccomended by someone else. We interview the people and try to determine their situation. Their honesty is of the utmost importance. We get reccomendations from pastors who know them ( when possible ) And we try to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Another thing we actively do is to seek out widows. We also seek women with children who have been abandoned by their husbands and are struggling to make it on their own, and are living in substandard conditions. These become our priorities
Our first house.
One day while we were out distributing food we found an elderly couple in their 80s living under a tree. Unable to find anyone else to help, we undertook the task of building them a small home.
Later on, we made a commitment to God to do what we could. We began to share the needs with others, and helpers and funds began to be available. We went on to build 9 homes that first year, and have built 357 to date. (March 17, 2012) These homes have been built by volunteers and donations from all over the world. Most of our home construction has been in the Matamoros area, but we have built homes as far south as the state of Veracruz.
There are many factors which go into our decision. Obviously there is a great deal of need all around us, and many, many people who would like to have a new home.
Sometimes a person will come to us and make a request. Other times an individual, or family will be reccomended by someone else. We interview the people and try to determine their situation. Their honesty is of the utmost importance. We get reccomendations from pastors who know them ( when possible ) And we try to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Another thing we actively do is to seek out widows. We also seek women with children who have been abandoned by their husbands and are struggling to make it on their own, and are living in substandard conditions. These become our priorities
Our first house.
One day while we were out distributing food we found an elderly couple in their 80s living under a tree. Unable to find anyone else to help, we undertook the task of building them a small home.
Later on, we made a commitment to God to do what we could. We began to share the needs with others, and helpers and funds began to be available. We went on to build 9 homes that first year, and have built 357 to date. (March 17, 2012) These homes have been built by volunteers and donations from all over the world. Most of our home construction has been in the Matamoros area, but we have built homes as far south as the state of Veracruz.
Outreach to widows, orphans, and the elderly
A primary focus of this ministry.
We believe that the perhaps the most important ministry that we can be involved in, is the outreach ministry to those who are least able to help themselves. That would be the widows,the orphans and the elderly.. This has long been a focal point of our ministry. In fact we really try to seek them out. We feel its what God expects, and scripture mandates.
We have found that because of the Mexican culture, there are many widows and orphans, and many elderly people as well who in their times of difficulty end up living with family and friends. A good many others end up living, without knowing where their next meal is coming from. We help them with what we can.
Presently our outreach is touching the lives of 10 widows, somewhere around 40 orphans and many elderly people from the Matamoros area, on down in to the interior.
We believe that the perhaps the most important ministry that we can be involved in, is the outreach ministry to those who are least able to help themselves. That would be the widows,the orphans and the elderly.. This has long been a focal point of our ministry. In fact we really try to seek them out. We feel its what God expects, and scripture mandates.
We have found that because of the Mexican culture, there are many widows and orphans, and many elderly people as well who in their times of difficulty end up living with family and friends. A good many others end up living, without knowing where their next meal is coming from. We help them with what we can.
Presently our outreach is touching the lives of 10 widows, somewhere around 40 orphans and many elderly people from the Matamoros area, on down in to the interior.
Soup kitchens
SOS Ministries currently operates 3 soup kitchens called "Comodores" in the Matamoros area.
We started our 1st soup kitchen in 2000. Today we operate three, where we can feed up to around 250 children, elderly and pregnant mothers in and around the Matamoros area. Two of our soup kitchens are in the area adjecent to the City dump.
Our help to support this project comes from private and church donations as well as food donated by various organizations, and canned food drives by churches.
Financial donations are used to buy meats and vegetables, and other needs on a daily basis.
The children who come to us are fed a nutritious meal. We also focus on scriptural instruction and the instilling of Godly values in those young lives that God allows us the opportunity to touch. Another thing that we are currently doing is endeavoring to help in their education by teaching spelling.
We started our 1st soup kitchen in 2000. Today we operate three, where we can feed up to around 250 children, elderly and pregnant mothers in and around the Matamoros area. Two of our soup kitchens are in the area adjecent to the City dump.
Our help to support this project comes from private and church donations as well as food donated by various organizations, and canned food drives by churches.
Financial donations are used to buy meats and vegetables, and other needs on a daily basis.
The children who come to us are fed a nutritious meal. We also focus on scriptural instruction and the instilling of Godly values in those young lives that God allows us the opportunity to touch. Another thing that we are currently doing is endeavoring to help in their education by teaching spelling.
School Transportation
These are some of the children from the school that we pick up and take to and from school twice a week via the church.
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them, But Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:13-14
"Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said.'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. Matthew 18:2-5
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them, But Jesus said, Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 19:13-14
"Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said.'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me. Matthew 18:2-5