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Car Care Clinic for Single Moms

Discussion in '2000-02 Archive' started by Dr. Bob, Sep 8, 2002.

  1. Dr. Bob

    Dr. Bob Administrator
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    In the absence of a pastor, I am preaching weekly at our local Evangelical Free church, a split from one of the ifb churches some years back. Today we hosted the 11th annual Free Car Care Clinic for single moms. Idea is that single moms are often having a tough time getting everything done, working, raising kids, etc.

    Most can't do much other than turn a key, and some have really tight budget constraints.

    So our men and volunteers from 20 other churches set up ramps and change oil, lube, antifreeze, belts, filters and minor repairs. It is a ministry of "a cup of cold water" to many of these struggling gals.

    We advertise it to the single moms, then also promote it in our own church and kindred groups, and local auto parts places and service 100+ cars today. I was a part-time "parts runner" - for the odd filter, belt or such. I had a mechanical bypass at age 10 and can't even check air pressure without soiling myself . . .

    We give out a packet of "stuff" - info on the church, Awana clubs for kids, a wonderful small book that is a great evangelism tool, food pantry, small group, single mom's bible study, etc. Also have our whole basement set up with donated clothes.

    In the auditorium (we have cushioned stack-chairs so it becomes a multi-purpose sanctuary) we had refreshments, tables, games, face painting, etc. The wife baked cookies, we have videos (Veggie Tale) playing and teens working with kids while mom's enjoy coffee and look thru clothing while waiting for the car.

    All the workers enjoyed lunch courtesy of a number of churches' ladies groups and the Dairy Queen provided hamburgers. Then clean up and a roast supper at 5 tonight as a thank you for their efforts.

    Now I am ifb and have NEVER seen this kind of community ministry in my ranks. But enjoy the good spirit of the folks here. Sadly, not one "team" of the 16 that worked on cars were from Baptist churches. We had our own men, of course, and groups from the Missionary Alliance, Bible Church, Church of God, Assemblies, etc join us.

    Just wondering if any have come across this sort of ministry? We will follow up each contact as much as they desire, including a visit and invite to a single-mothers tea later in the fall.
     
  2. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    Yes, we have similar programs out here. They're provided by
    1. Human services
    2. Catholic Charities Service.
    Says a lot for the churches in our area. :rolleyes:
    I know of one particular church (baptist)who had members visibly in need finally break down and ask for help from the church..and got turned down because "We give to Catholic Charities, go there."
    The way it works is all the churches in the area donate to this place, which is kinda kewl, and they then check to make sure that the request isn't fraudulent. This is the only church I knew and seen personally, but I'd heard of others and have heard from people in other churches that most of them do the same...except for the pentecostal ones and a few other denoms. Hmmm.
    My problem with that is
    1. The church gives their set donation and washes their hands of anything to do with it. I'd think it'd be right to serve their own members and then donate for others to the service if they still could and wanted to help.
    2. People in need have been turned down because one of the requirements it to submit receipts proving where the last months income has been spent, and a lot of people don't save all of their grocery and store and bill receipts, thus they can't prove that they don't have money. Since they've already gone to their church and then to here, there's nothing else for them to try. They then go and apply for emergency services from welfare, and in turn the churches preach on how evil the welfare bums are, when half the time a little help from the church could have stopped a family's bad situation from getting worse and worse. Such as help fix a car, they keep their job. Don't help, they can't get to work, lose their job, then need more help, as Dr. Bob's area seems to realize.
    It's all just a little odd to me!
    Gina
     
  3. Ps104_33

    Ps104_33 New Member

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    DR Bob,
    Thats one of the best ideas I've ever heard! My heart goes out to single moms in our country. Alot of them are definintely between a rock and a hard place and sometimes dont even have family to turn to. I dont know how some of are able to up keep a car especially in my area where auto insurance is very expensive. It isnt an uncommon prayer request in our church to hear a single mom ask for prayer for her car or for the Lord to provide one or for a ride to her job etc. I am going to recommend this ministry in our church

    God Bless you
    Psalm104_33
     
  4. Sherrie

    Sherrie New Member

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    Our TOWN is the same way as Chrysoprasus has described. I have even asked so many times for some of these programs in our church and gotten some very awful responses.

    I think what your group did was wonderful.

    Thank you!

    Sherrie [​IMG]
     
  5. Deacon

    Deacon Well-Known Member
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    WOW, What a great idea! Thanks for sharing it. I think I'll pass it along for future evangelistic outreaches.
     
  6. swaimj

    swaimj <img src=/swaimj.gif>

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    I know of an IFB church that provides an on-going car repair service for single women in the church, but I have never heard of doing this as an evangelistic outreach. Great idea! Thanks for sharing.
     
  7. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    The Men of our church held one a year ago, or last spring--I can't remember. Whatever. But it was fun to swing by and to see the men at work. They changed a bulb out for me. Everyone was doing something different--many of the old people were thankful for this,too.
     
  8. Rev. Joshua

    Rev. Joshua <img src=/cjv.jpg>

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    I think the idea of a car-care clinic in general is an excellent idea. I know plenty of women who change their own oil, etc. and plenty of men who don't know what a spark plug does; so I don't think it necessarily needs to be targeted at women or single parents.

    Joshua
     
  9. Gina B

    Gina B Active Member

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    Joshua:
    Yeah, but that's just wrong. We want to continue looking good, and women look much worse with grease on their hands and faces than men.
    So there. [​IMG]
    Gina
     
  10. Abiyah

    Abiyah <img src =/abiyah.gif>

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    Okay. I said that I had never seen an angel, but
    I saw one today, and you can see him, too. Just
    look at the top of this page. He wears a bowtie.

    [ September 08, 2002, 10:35 PM: Message edited by: Abiyah ]
     
  11. Jeff Weaver

    Jeff Weaver New Member

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    Dr. Bob.

    I just left the big city for the sticks, but in our old neighborhood the Presbyterians were the ones doing those kinds of things. I volunteered several times for their carpentry brigade. The notion was that they would find folks who were on limited incomes who needed home repairs. The only requirement for the recipient was need. On the appointed day, usually a Saturday, we'd show up and by the end of the day, we'd rehabbed the major problems with the person's physical living environment. I'd do it again in a minute.

    Jeff
     
  12. SaggyWoman

    SaggyWoman Active Member

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    Joshua,

    I used to change my oil, but I would much rather be submissive to a man and let him do it. :rolleyes: Same with changing a tire. There is so much more .... uh.... hmmm.... greatness in letting a guy do this. :eek:
     
  13. Grammy1013

    Grammy1013 <img src =/Kate.gif>

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    Hey, would everybody that's gonna have one of these car clinics please post the date and location, please?? If y'all are fixin to have one near me, I'll PUSH my car there if I have to. I need work so bad it isn't even funny ... and my car needs fixed too!
     
  14. TurboMike

    TurboMike New Member

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    I've been thinking about doing the same thing myself. I am a ASE certified Master Auto and HD truck technician. I thought of the idea from listing to larry burkett on crown.org. I often wondered how it would work. I have a small two bay garage beside my house that I do "after hours" work in and plenty of tool. How do you screen the people, etc. I have also considered putting up a message board just to give people assistance on thier auto repairs at my site www.turbomike.com
     
  15. Grammy1013

    Grammy1013 <img src =/Kate.gif>

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    One way would be to pray ... ask the Lord to put it on your heart if someone might be taking advantage.
     
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