Join us in 2011 Become involved in changing a community! In This Issue Yesterday They Got Caught! A Christmas Store Success Story Training And Equpping Others Greetings! As this year draws to an close I want to say "Thank you" for your partnership. It has been an amazing year with lots of opportunities to help individuals, neighborhoods and groups take hold of their giftedness and the amazing abilities we all have. We also have spent good time in equipping and training others in holistic community development. As we move into 2011 will you please consider supporting the work of LifeLine CDC. How much is a changed life worth? How much an empowered community? A year end gift of $5,000 would help with the set up of a community center. A $6,000 gift would cover our liability insurance for the year. $500 would purchase a laptop computer 120 monthly commitments of $62.00 ($2.00/day) would sustain the regular operating costs We have a saying that "Everyone has a need. Everyone has a gift." Read the story below to hear about just one example: I happened to be at one of the community events that LifeLine CDC encourages to empower under-resourced communities. A group was helping children make Christmas gifts for their parents and I noticed a little 7 or 8 year old girl sitting by herself and not participating. When I asked her why she didn't want to make anything she stated that she could not draw and that her friends would make fun of her. After some coaxing she was still not willing to try to decorate the ornament. So we sat together and had a conversation. We spoke about the uniqueness of every person, the giftedness of everyone. I shared some of my personal story of being told that I was not good and that even as a grown-up God had to remind me that He created me and that there was no-one else like me. She clung to every word I spoke and I encouraged her to give it a try. I partnered her up with one of the youth leaders who gave her some ideas... and sure enough she came back a few minutes later and showed me her creation.... and for the rest of the evening she came every time she finished something and showed it to me. Did this little encounter make a difference in her life? I am sure! Will it change the way she will look at herself? I sure hope so! Will this 'fix' her insecurities forever? Probably not, that will take many more encounters with people who empower her, encourage her, give her opportunity to grow and dream. This little girl belongs to a neighborhood, a community that is often told that they are not able to accomplish anything. Years of hand-outs and assistance have left them doubting their own dignity. Lack of a good support system or an encouraging word have left them sitting on the sidelines. Years of living isolated lives leaves them without a good support system. At LifeLine we believe that people have skills and passions and dreams that can be uncovered, that neighborhoods can change, and people can engage, and places on a map can become communities again. We believe that "Everyone no matter how rich has a need and everyone no matter how poor has a gift and that is why we build and celebrate community." We know that hand-outs were never intended for long term use and and our focus is on Asset Based Community Development a way of empowering individuals and communities in taking ownership in their choices, actions and dreams.We don't do this alone, we partner with churches, non profits, and organizations to get this done. We have two passions: To equip and train others in the use of ABCD principles and practices so that hand-outs are reserved for emergencies and hand-ups become the norm. To live it out! We work in several communities to make it happen. Community Development takes a long time (10-15 years) and we are committed empower and equip communities so that they can live out their preferred future. Check out what else is happening below! On Behalf of LifeLine CDC Monika Grasley Yesterday they got caught! Winton is changing! And in part it's due to a group of young people who have taken on the graffiti issue. Every day under Adrian's leadership a team of young men goes out to remove graffiti from the walls, fences, trashcans and mailboxes. Instead of tagging up the town, they are cleaning it up and yesterday they got caught! Adrian and his team where out yesterday afternoon looking for places that needed to be painted over and were pulled over by the sheriff. A tense moment turned into a blessing for the young people when they were not charged with any crime or loitering but were praised by the sheriff for doing a great work. Not having to be afraid of authorities but enjoying their favior is a new thing and I think they liked it! Thank you to the law enforcement officer who encouraged the young people, thank you to a team of young people who are making a positive change and thank you Adrian and Ernie for having a passion for seeing the gifts, skills and potential of the young people. Because - everyone has a need and everyone has a gift. More stories can be found on our website at www.lifelinecdc.org Everyone has gifts! A note from Monika: Not a week goes by that I don't have the opportunity to equip other groups and churches in the principles of Asset Based Community Development. One of the first exercises I have people do is help them discover their own gifts: What are you good at with your hands? What do you have knowledge about? What are you passionate about? It is always amazing to me how difficult it is for us to recognize the things that we are good at. We all thrive when we work within our giftedness and we all love to share our knowledge! That is one of the basic principles of Asset Based Community Development. I can help train your group, too. Give me a call. Winton Christmas Toy Store becomes reality! Winton LifeLine Community Center had it's first Christmas Toy Store on December 22nd. Instead of us handing out toys to the children, we gave parents the opportunity to purchase new toys at a great discount. Thanks to the generous donations from Atwater/Winton Kiwanis, WInton Middle School and various individuals we were able to purchase new toys that were sold at 10% of their value (so a $20.00 toy would cost $2.00 to the parent), The money that was collected was used for wrapping paper and other toys. Why not just give the toys away? Because it often undermines the dignity of parents and children. When a parent can purchase a gift, he or she will do so with care, they feel the value of being able to provide for their child and the child will feel cared for in a deeper way than a free gift can ever show. While this was a small start, we enjoyed the smiling faces of the parents who were able to provide for their children and we are sure the parents enjoyed the dignity it provided for them when the children opened the gifts they were able to provide. Special thanks to our volunteers that put this all together:Ernie, Rosemary, Monique, Erik, Alyssa, Carl, Marisela, Maryjane, Maxima, and Adrian. One step that leads to another How a truck and trailer can change lives One of our volunteers who has major back problems and felt not capable of doing much had a truck and trailer and wanted to help. The timing was perfect! One of community centers has often things 'donated' that are not usable and need to hauled to the landfill. As J. connected with the team he realized that he can do more than just offer his truck and trailer. He noticed that some of the items could be recycled and so he thought about equipping and empower the young volunteers to raise some money by recycling (the young people have been talking about some sports equipment they wanted) This led to a conversation of making things, which lead to mentoring, which opened up other opportunities. What started out as a one time service for our volunteer is developing in a long term relationship that empowers community members and gives him a way of being useful despite back problems. Contact us: 209-201-2905 Checks can be sent to: LifeLine CDC 731 E. Yosemite Ave. Suite B # 165 Merced CA 95340 or donate via www.lifelinecdc.org LifeLine CDC is a not for profit 501c3 public benefit corporation. All donations are tax deductible. Join Our Mailing List!

by James Grasley

"Once upon a time, (actually late last week, or the week before, it doesn't matter, it's just a story) a little non-profit sat forlornly on the curb with its chin in its hands. It was Christmastime, and the little non-profit didn't have any Christmas programs to offer.

All the other non-profits had their Christmas coat drives and dinners planned. They had shelters open and parties booked. They had fund drives and toy drives and Christmas concerts galore. But the little non-profit had none of these, and was feeling self-conscious.

“If I were a real non-profit, I'd have programs,” it moped.

But then a man shuffled by in a worn-out coat. “Do you have a coat drive, because as you see, mine is worn clear through?”

No,” said the little non-profit, “I don't have a coat drive. I'm sorry. All I have is this big bus full of clothes, but for that you need to give something back.”

“Like what?” questioned the man suspiciously.

“Well, what can you do? Do you have a skill or talent to give? After all, everyone has a need, and everyone has a gift.”

“I used to lay carpet,” said the man, “But I haven't had work these last few months.”

“That will do nicely,” said the little non-profit, and they got up to go look in the big bus for a coat.

On the way there they met a woman with two little children. “Do you have a food drive? My children are hungry and the month is not yet half over.”

“No,” said the little non-profit, “I don't have a food drive. I'm sorry. All I have is an emergency food pantry, but for that you need to give something back.”

“What do you mean?” asked the woman.

“Can you mend clothes?” asked the carpet layer in the worn out coat.

“Look at my children. Of course I can mend clothes,” replied the woman. Her children's clothes seemed fine, but if you looked closely you could find here a patch or there a mended tear. But you had to look very closely indeed.

“Then come with us to the big bus,” said the little non-profit. “We have lots of donated clothes that need a little mending to make them good again. After all, everyone has a need, and everyone has a gift.”

Just as they all turned the corner, the little non-profit, the carpet layer, the seamstress and her children nearly collided with a young man on a skateboard.

“Do you have a Christmas concert I can go to? Something with Screamo?”

“No,” said the little non-profit, becoming a little more self-conscious with all these people in tow. “I don't have a concert. All I have is a Community Center. The neighborhood children are out of school and need someone to spend time with them. Can you teach them anything? After all, everyone has a need, and everyone has a gift.”

“I can show them how to flip a skateboard,” offered the young man.

So after they had visited the big bus and picked out a warm coat for the carpet layer and taken a bag of mending for the seamstress, they all went by the Community Center. The food pantry was there, and the children were all lined up on a big roll of used carpet, eating a snack. The snack was made by a retired school teacher who gave four hours a week at the center. She also gave money that bought the snacks, and heated the building, and helped pay the staff. Of course only the little non-profit knew about that part. The children all took keen interest in the skateboard, and the carpet layer looked at the big roll of carpet and the bare concrete floor, and smiled a big smile.

And the little non-profit didn't have time to worry about not having a concert or a coat drive or a Christmas program. There was too much going on in the community. “After all, everyone has a need, and everyone has a gift. That is why we build community.”

For more information contact Monika Grasley at 201-2905 or check out our website at www.lifelinecdc.org

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

It's 5:00am on Monday morning and I sit in my chair looking at our Christmas tree. It doesn't look very impressive.... a green fake tree with some ornaments that only have meaning to Jim and I, a few glass bulbs that we had for years and a few unwrapped presents underneath it. There is already dust collecting under the tree (blame it on our active dogs) and the tree is even a little lopsided this year... all in all it is NOT impressive at all!

But then you turn on the lights and everything changes! It is almost magical. The fake tree comes to life, the glass bulbs glitter and sparkle, the ornaments bring a smile to my face and the other imperfections are not as obvious any longer and are almost charming.

As I think about it... it is kind of like my walk with Christ! Without His light in my life to make things come alive, I am a rather boring, lopsided, dusty person. There is sin that is hanging on me like dull Christmas bulbs, there are stories of brokenness, joy and pain hanging on me like Christmas ornaments. There is dust collecting in parts of life that should be way more alive than they are.

But then I let the light of Jesus come into my life and everything changes! When His light lights up my world I am no longer boring and lopsided. The sin that hangs unto me is being taken away and replaced with new things, the ornaments of hurts, joys and pains are being illuminated by His love and used to let other people find healing and hope. And the dust that collected is being swept away and cleaned out.

That's why I love Christmas! Without His light in our lives, no matter how hard we try, we just can't seem to make things bright and shiny.

This Christmas I want to see the wonder of His transformation power that came when a little baby boy was born. When God moved into the neighborhood!

I got taken today!

Today was a crazy day! Are we allowed to say that? There were difficult conversations, things that needed to get done, phone calls to be made, events to be thought through.... but I think what made it a difficult day was the fact that I got taken today.

A couple came in to see me and the woman told me that she had been raped the night before.... after the shock wore off I tried to find words to comfort her, tried to find ways to take the pain and the burden away. I tried to keep my own emotions in check. In the end I didn't know what to do and I prayed with her, asking for God's peace and comfort to fill her heart during this difficult time, and to be her healer.

In the process of trying to get her the help she needed (they wanted a hotel room to clean up and sleep) I spoke with a friend who works for one of the great agencies in town, and found out that the same story was used by the same person before......

So, after more checking and researching we came to the conclusion that this was not the real story!

I was angry - why would they 'waste' my time?

I was hurt - why would someone make up such a terrible story?

I was sad - why was I not sensitive enough for God's Spirit reveal the truth?

I was frustrated - how could I be had after all my experience? How could I have been taken?

I am exhausted - not only because of her story but also because it brought up 'junk' in my own life.

So, here I am at the end of the day, a difficult day and I wonder how God is going to use a fake rape story for His purposes. Will my prayer with them shed a little light on their actions? Will my kindness let them see a little of God's love? Will my time with them show them a little tenderness?

I guess it is not up to me. God does not show me often the final result, but still asks for my faithfulness. He does not ask me to judge the person but to take the 'log out of my own eye.'

So for today, I am saying good night, praying for the couple and their hidden stories and praying for all the other people who feel they need to make up stories to get what they need.

A different kind of Christmas!

You can help us this Christmas by donating donating new gifts (between $10 and $30) to our "Christmas Store" in Winton!

Our "Christmas Store" in Winton is about to open but we need more gifts. Instead of handing out gifts to children, we want to empower the parents by having new gifts for them to purchase at 10% of cost (so a $30 gift would cost them $3). Parents get to choose, purchase and wrap the present and give it to their children. During these difficult economic times this will help many and instill dignity.

Bring the gifts to the LifeLine CDC office at Gateway Church Merced or to 7081 N. Winton Way.

Thank you for your support! For questions please contact Monika @ 201-2905 or Winton LifeLine Community Center @ 358-6939

Yesterday they got caught!

Winton is changing! And in part it's due to a group of young people who have taken on the graffiti issue. Every day under Adrian's leadership a team of young men goes out and remove graffiti from the walls, fences, trashcans and mailboxes. Instead of tagging up the town, they are cleaning it up and yesterday they got caught!

Adrian and his team where out yesterday afternoon looking for places that needed to be painted over and were pulled over by the sheriff. A tense moment turned into a blessing for the young people when they were not charged with any crime or loitering but were praised by the sheriff for doing a great work. Not having to be afraid of authorities but enjoying their favior is a new thing and I think they liked it!

Thank you to the law enforcement officer who encouraged the young people, thank you to a team of young people who are making a positive change and thank you Adrian and Ernie for having a passion for seeing the gifts, skills and potential of the young people. Because - everyone has a need and everyone has a gift.

"Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow."
Isaiah 1:16b-17

I got up at 3:30am this morning, my mind racing with things that needed to get done today. Over the years though I am learning that if I don't focus on the Creator of everything, if I don't set time aside to sit quiet under His teachings, then a lot of my work is just spinning plates.

How do we do what is right? What does that look like during this Christmas season? When the malls are filled with goodies and people max out their credit cards, when there are more suicides than any other time of the year, but when there is also an enormous amount of generosity and kindness... what does 'doing right' look like for you?

I saw this short video and asked God to have His eyes for this Christmas season to see what He sees. Enjoy and 'learn to do right."

"I just got stuck in the middle."

Today I met a beautiful woman. Quiet and soft spoken and yet determined. Physically attractive with a beautiful smile and attention to detail. "Sue" called me and told me she was in need of some winter clothing and she needed something for her court appearance tomorrow. During our phone conversation I found out that she was homeless and staying for a few days in a hotel so that she can make her court date about the fate of her young son. Coming from LA she was not prepared for the cold weather.

I picked her up halfway and took her to the Bus Boutique were she found some wonderful things. She wasn't greedy, just took what she needed for the next few days.

As we were talking she told me a little about her story. She got evicted from her place because of foreclosure and the person collecting her rent pocketed the money. She moved to a bigger city to find better work and worked several odd jobs while living in transitional housing with her son. But she worked too hard and ended up in the hospital from exhaustion with her son going into the foster care system. The court wants to give the son back, but she is homeless and without a job.

As I am writing this she will be seeing her son for the first time in 4 months... and she can't even take him 'home'.

Even if only half of the story is true, it struck me at the core. How do we help people in a situation like this? How do we empower people when they are at the bottom? We talked about the mission and the homeless shelter, we talked about finding a job, we talked about Love INC., and being safe on the street. She said "I just got stuck in the middle."

As I dropped of 'Sue' at the hotel, I asked if I could pray for her and my prayer for her was that God would reveal Himself in a special way, open doors that might seem impossible to budge, help her take the right steps and get in touch with the right people.

Even as we we were praying I realize that I am not God! (duh) No matter how hard I try to fix the ills of this world... there will always be more problems. But God! He can put things back into perspective and do the miraculous things that make us stand in awe... and yes, he does use you and me to be part of the process.

Yesterday I was at a store and a woman came up and asked if I could spare any of the food... and I have to admit, I said no. Not because I could not spare it but because I don't want to give people a 'hand out'. As I drove away I wondered if I was wrong. Now today, after meeting "Sue" I realized I should have been more compassionate, take to time to hear her story. Maybe I still would not have given her anything, but at least she would not have been alone in the dark parking lot last night.


So, my lesson for today: look them in the eye, find out their name, get to know their story and be available for God to use you in a certain way.

"Everyone no matter how rich has a need.......

“Everyone no matter how rich has a need.
Everyone no matter how poor has a gift.
That is why we build and celebrate community.”

Recently I had the opportunity to be with a group of people who desire to love God and their neighbor more. During our time together we asked 3 questions: What is a gift of your hands -what are you good at? What is a gift of your head - what do you have knowledge about? What is a gift of your heart-what are you passionate about?
It was beautiful to see what happened. Within 20 minutes our small group of 25 discovered over 90 gifts and passions….
Some of their gifts of their hands were: art, organizing, wood work, construction, gardening, cooking, painting, decorating, floral design, plumping, home repair, athletics….
Some of their gifts of the heads were: teaching, writing, survival techniques, how to tile, computers, book keeping, organization, animal care, literature, parenting…..
They are passionate about literacy, God’s Word, teens, children, giving hugs, broken hearted, people who have less than them, music, accepting people where they are, service, justice, employment opportunities, clean environment, disabilities….
At the end we had this wonderful tapestry of gifts and passions as we talked about what could happen if we exchanged those gifts more often.
LifeLine CDC has a saying “Everyone no matter how rich has a need. Everyone no matter how poor has a gift. That is why we build and celebrate community.”
What are the gifts and passions that you have that you could share with others?

The grain of sand that stopped a big bus

The grain of sand that stopped a big bus

For the last few months we have been trying to drive the bus… it would stutter and jump…it would start and stop, it would go a little and stall. We knew something was wrong and so we asked for advice from our friends and experts. Dan, Jim, John, Paul, Robert…. and many referred us to their friends thought about it, worked on it and gave advice. We had so much support and help, it was wonderful but nothing seemed to work. So the men started taking things apart, one piece at a time. Looking everywhere to determine what the problem was ... and then they was found! A grain of sand had lodged itself in the accelerator pump! A huge bus stopped by a grain of sand!

It reminded me of life… how many times are things just not working right or not working at all. We call in the experts, we get advice, we take things apart, read the latest books, look for quick fixes and easy answers and then we finally find it. That seemingly small sin that we didn’t confess. The resentment we harbored. The lack of time with God. The business of life that steals our joys. While these seem like grains of sand on the ocean of life and the big things we encounter like jobs, raising a family, church work, sports, a failing economy and foreclosed homes, they are the little things that stop our lives.